Naomi's Notes - 05/21/09
One of the best gifts of our church family is our gift of hospitality. We know how to be good hosts! Nowhere has this ministry gift been more evident than last week as Immanuel hosted over 200 guests for the Capital City Chorale’s Spring Concert.
For a couple of days church members were scurrying about, moving furniture around and attending to details in preparation for the event. As Chorale members and guests arrived--some visiting us for the first time--I detected a sense of pride as our members gladly went out of their way to accommodate our guests, offering directions, helping serve refreshments, etc. Several visitors expressed their gratitude for our hospitality, gushing that they had never felt more welcome in a church. One man added, “I wish I was a member of this church.”
Time and again I’ve heard returning snowbirds and college students in town on school break say, “There’s just no place like Immanuel—it’s home.” Through the years—even last week—I’ve heard some of our longtime church members say, “This is my church, no matter what.”
We are reminded that Immanuel is not a “club,” a nice building where people gather for nice programs and activities with nice, friendly folks. No, we are a church, a unique community of followers of Jesus Christ, worshiping God together and combining our resources to minister effectively to others—and each other—in Jesus’ name.
Over the past 40+ years, Immanuel has become a “home” church for many, even those who have moved to other cities. It is a spiritual anchor for those who have been taught and nurtured in faith matters as they invested themselves in serving the Lord through this church. Our gift of hospitality easily flows from our Christian character as a witness to God’s love in our lives and our desire to share that love with others.
Author Anne Lamott tells the story of a little girl who got lost in the big town where she lived. She ran up and down the streets unable to find a single landmark, and became very frightened. "Finally a policeman stopped to help her. He put her in the passenger seat of his car, and they drove around until she finally saw her church. She pointed it out to the policeman, and then she told him firmly, '‘You could let me out now. This is my church, and I can always find my way home from here.’”