If you’ve ever had the opportunity to go to a new church, you probably remember how it felt to be a stranger among friends. Friends, as in a group of people who know each other, but not you. My husband and I recently started attending a wonderful church in Orlando and our first time walking in the door was a revelation. It began before we even got to the door as we were hailed and regaled by genuinely friendly folks manning a “Welcome! Are You New?” station. They welcomed us, asked us about ourselves, offered directions, and gave us a bag filled with information, a pen, and other goodies. As we entered the Sanctuary, we were greeted at least four times by people serving as ushers who smiled broadly and made eye contact. When we made our way down the unfamiliar aisle searching for a seat, more people welcomed us and a family moved down the pew to make room for us. I promise, we weren’t wearing “First Time Visitor” beanies, but this large church was well versed in knowing how to make people feel included. They are a credit to their leadership and our Lord.

Then came Marti.

Marti practically accosted me during the greeting time. I think she actually flew from ten rows back across the aisle. For some reason, she picked me out and gave me a huge hug. “Hi!” she said. “I’m Marti-with-an-i Who are you?” Because I am who I am, I immediately responded, “Hi, Marti-with-an-i! I’m Betsy-with-a-y!” We locked eyes and laughed, and I felt like I had found a long lost sister.

Every time I have been in that church, Marti-with-an-i comes from somewhere far away to greet me. From the first Sunday we met, she has been a reason to return. Don’t get me wrong; the music and the preaching are stunningly inspirational and the facilities are top notch, but it was Marti’s interest in us that made us feel instantly at home. Every Sunday I look forward to her warm embrace.

Church should feel like that; a warm embrace. A place where you belong. A fellowship of people who are excited to see you. But we know that’s not always the case.

1 Peter reminds us of how we should be as a Body of Christ together:

1 Peter 4 (Common English Bible)

⁸ Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins. ⁹ Open your homes to each other without complaining. ¹⁰ And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts. ¹¹ Whoever speaks should do so as those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ. 

We need to be like Marti with an eye for welcoming the stranger in. She truly has the gift of hospitality. We need to have that same eye toward making someone feel so welcome that they want to come back. The practice of hospitality dates back to the time of Abram and Sarah, who welcomed strangers unaware that they were angels of the Lord. It’s deeper than just entertaining someone in your home. It is part of the holiness code of Leviticus:

Leviticus 19 (New King James Version)

³³ ‘And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. ³⁴ The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers for by so doing, some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Romans 12:13 reminds us to “share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality!” The person you greet might just turn out to be an angel of the Lord … or for that matter, you might be the angel.

I know a young woman who has experienced rejection from churches she visited in her past. She still feels that pain today. I know many of you reading this may have felt the coldness of a disinterested congregation. It is way too easy for churches to focus on the folks we know than the folks we don’t.

I give you this challenge this week. Go out of your comfort zone, get up from your comfortable pew (where you probably sit every week!), walk across the aisle and speak to someone you don’t know. Maybe God will use you to show a love and openness that will make a difference in their day.

And hospitality isn’t restricted to church. You can practice hospitality with a new neighbor, a newcomer to your yoga class, the new mom at the playground … look around you and find someone who needs the connection that you can offer. Someone in your midst is feeling left out. You can change that.

May we all be Marti with an eye.

St. Luke’s UMC in Orlando, Where All Are Welcome (photo via Face Book)