Visiting other congregations while we are away from home can be a really neat experience. There are no Lutheran congregations within 50 miles of where we are. So, last Sunday, we found a small Episcopal church. It was a wonderful experience. Barry and I went in and sat down. The man in front of us turned around to welcome us. He told us what to expect in the service. He explained that everything was in the bulletin so that we would not have to worry about finding our way through the service book and the hymnal. He told us a little about the congregation and his own particular ministry there. By the time worship began, we felt like we had made a friend and were right at home. There were only about 50 people there. The service was well done and not rushed. The have an Interim priest. It was only his second Sunday with them. After the service, we were greeted by more people. It took us over half an hour to get out the door. I learned about their prayer shawl ministry and their Parish Nurse. They are very low on prayer shawls. So, I am working on one for them. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. Barry and I will go back there again.
The welcome we received made all the difference. The People at King of Peace proclaimed God’s love very effectively by the way we were received. I hope you will find a congregation to visit while you are on vacation this summer. The experience will help you look at how we are doing at Good Shepherd. I hope our visitors leave as excited about us as Barry and I were about King of Peace.
