Tomorrow I leave for four weeks away from home.
I’ve already spent four Sundays in other churches than the one to which I belong.
It’s good to be a guest among God’s people.
This is the welcome that is extended at the commencement of worship each week at Tenth Presbyterian, Philadelphia.
It’s attributed to James Boice.
Welcome
To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest;
to all who mourn and long for comfort;
to all who struggle and desire victory;
to all who sin and need a Savior;
to all who are strangers and want fellowship;
to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness;
and to whoever will come–
this church opens wide her doors
and offers her welcome in the name
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ray Ortlund uses the greeting in this form:
To all who are weary and need rest;
To all who mourn and long for comfort;
To all who feel worthless and wonder if God even cares;
To all who are weak and fail and desire strength;
To all who sin and need a Savior —
This church opens wide her doors with a welcome from Jesus,
the mighty friend of sinners,
the ally of his enemies,
the defender of the indefensible,
the justifier of those who have no excuses left…
Thanks to Darryl Dash for pointing these out.
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