Tuesday, November 22, 2005

The Psalm of Welcoming

Lord, those who we greet,
We do so in your name.

When strangers come looking for you, O Lord,
We are your smile.
When they come to meet you,
We are your handshake.
When they come to embrace you,
We are your hug.

Install in us, Oh Lord,
The confidence to greet your people
With the love and respect
You have for each of us.

Teach us, Oh Lord,
To be the perfect hosts
To all who come to your house.

Honor us, Oh Lord,
With your presence
In everything that we do.

Show us, Oh Lord,
The incredible variety of human experience
Available to us
Right outside our doors.

Protect us, Oh Lord,
From the traps of doubt and fear,
That keep us from doing
Your will on Earth.

Those who have come here seeking the Lord are welcome.
God, the Holy One of Israel, welcomes you to his house.

4 comments:

Andy said...

Absolutely beautiful!

I might have to use it in one of my sermons or perhaps in a benediction when I'm pulpit supply!

Naturally, credit to be given where it is due!!!!

Will Robison said...

To God... I hope.

Unless they like it ;) (Sorry, couldn't help that. Even God laughed at that.)

I've been thinking of pushing Lakeside into having a Service of Welcoming and I was thinking of this as being a Call to Worship. What do you think?

Andy said...

Amen! Do it.

Anonymous said...

Beautifly done. I'd like permission to use it.

I'm curious about the service of welcoming. What would that be? What would be the context? Who would come? Is it something the membership committee sponsors? The evangelism committee? Is is aimed at people who walk uninvited and unnoticed through the church doors, or is it aimed at those who never WOULD darken the door of a church?