Issues, Worship, Who we are, and Who is Welcome Here…

It is hard for me to believe it has been 2 months already. It seems just like yesterday I was writing the first newsletter article. Well we are beginning Lent this week and I have been reflecting on who I am and who we are and where we are going. Are we ready to go the road less travelled and venture into the unknown, or are we going to go about this safe and easy?
I say this for many reasons. I have been thinking about issues, worship, who we are and who we welcome here. I found a document on the computer called Who is Welcome Here? I have read this and wonder about its origin, and if this is really what we all think here? I know that Pastor David wrote this document. I am going to quote part of this document, the part that says who is welcome here. “We want it to be known that those of different nationality, ethnicity, culture and heritage are welcome here. We want it to be known that those who suffer from addiction to drugs and alcohol (whether they are recovering or not) and their families are welcome here. We want it to be known that women and children are welcome here and that they will not be harassed or abused. We want it to be known that in this congregation you can bring children to worship and, even if they cry during the entire service, they are welcome here. We want it to be known that those who are single by choice, by divorce, or through the death of a spouse are welcome here. We want it to be known that if you are promiscuous, have had an abortion, or have fathered children and taken no responsibility for them, you are welcome here. We want it to be known that gossips, cheats, liars, and their families are welcome here. We want it to be known that those who are disobedient to their parents and who have family problems are welcome here. We want it to be known that gays, lesbians, and members of their families are welcome here.” Is this really what all of us think, or believe. I know after reading the statement I have no problem saying yes absolutely this is who is welcome here. The problem with me saying that though, is Hosanna is not my church, meaning Hosanna does not belong to me. None of us can say who is welcome here, because Hosanna is not any of our’s church. Hosanna is one of God’s congregations in His church. We are a part of the body of Christ and what does that mean? It means a lot of things that we could spend a lot of time working through. In the scope of what I am thinking about here, it means that we can not say who is welcome here. We can not say who is welcome here, because everyone is welcomed into God’s community. We are all welcome, for “we’ve all compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us,” (Romans 3:23 from The Message). We all need to be here, but that begs the questions why we are here?
I am here because God and Hosanna called me to be here, and you are here because you have found something in this community of faith that draws you here. We are all here for something, but is that part of our humanness, part of our brokenness? The real reason we are all at worship, is because God is worthy of our worship. God is worthy of our praise. Worship is about what we can do for God, and what we will do for eternity for God. Celebrate at the holy table, and sing praises all the time. Worship is us giving to God, and giving Him our time, talent and treasure. Worship is not about what we get, but what we can give.
So I am still pondering…
Issues…
Worship…
Who we are…
But I have to say that all are welcome here, because God welcomes everyone, and we should to.