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Both welcome and busy. Time to review if all the players are there as listed in program. Is the Welcome and Name Tag making table tidy? Put my name tag on. If set up for communion is complete. If I need to robe, or can sit.
On Sunday mornings: happy? bored? joyful? something else?
During the week: peaceful? glad? something else?
Curious how everyone feels when walking into church. Particularly curious if people don't have positive feelings about going in.
Happy.
From the minute the ushers run in the rain to my car to hold an umbrella while we walk to the door, to all the smiles and hugs when I get inside (knowing that these people will always love me, no matter what I did yesterday), to the home-made Mexican food in the basement, to sitting with my work buddies in the sanctuary, to giving an offering that I know is going to hospitals, orphanages, disaster relief, food and clothes, to the intelligent conversation in the class, and all the laughing and joking and prayer.
We attend the later service, and our adult Sunday School class, most of whom attend the first service, tends to get out a little late, and we arrive after church has already started. But that is okay! We walk in, and by that time they are typically singing a hymn, and we grab a bulletin, and head for our usual spots. Fellow parishioners smile "Hello". We feel welcome and loved when we come into church.
I was fine going to Church, until I saw that things were not as they appeared.
Now, I am even better not going, especially were the hypocrisy is prevalent.
"You cannot love your neighbor, while despising those not of your faith."
It used to be healthy and worthwhile, but went downhill dramatically. I agree with Jerwade above.
I very rarely go anymore, and when I do, it's suffocating with all the walls, trappings, and tightly-controlled environment. And that's just the building and surroundings. The people run the gamut between genuine and loving, and hate-filled and political. Instead of worshipping God, it's become worshipping and promoting the worst in man (power-trips, judgement, political boostering, racism, division, etc.)
Where the spirit isn't welcome, I'm going to avoid as well. There are better alternatives to that junk.
Last edited by Thoreau424; 01-11-2019 at 02:01 PM..
I was fine going to Church, until I saw that things were not as they appeared.
Now, I am even better not going, especially were the hypocrisy is prevalent.
"You cannot love your neighbor, while despising those not of your faith."
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