Bring a Friend Sunday

Sunday, May 24, 2015
9:00 am



Because our Vision is “to be and to make disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world,” I challenge you to commit to inviting and/or bringing one new person, couple, or family to Lancaster Church of the Brethren for worship or an activity by the end of June 2015. If having a Sunday to suggest visitors attend helps, invite people you know, who are not yet part of this congregation, to join us for worship on Bring a Friend Sunday, May 24, with a meal to follow.

Some people are a bit intimidated at the thought of inviting someone to your church. I like what Robert Schnase wrote in his book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations: “An invitation is not complicated. In the first chapter of John’s gospel, Jesus’ invitation was simple: ‘Come and see’ (John 1:39). His disciples then used the same language to invite others. People don’t need to know the answers to all the questions of faith and life to invite someone to church. They don’t need to exaggerate or persuade or say more than is true. They simply and naturally find their own way of saying to acquaintances and those with whom they share common activities, ‘Come and see.’’’

“People have no reluctance telling others where they get their hair cut, where they get their car fixed, where they like to eat. And yet, concerning the most important relationship Christian disciples have—the one to God through Christ’s church—they feel hesitant to speak. They don’t want to intrude or appear pushy or sound too fanatically religious. But think of all the church means, all that relationship to God means, the perspective of faith, the understandings of life, the relationships gained, the sense of meaning and connection and contribution experienced. Why wouldn’t we desire these things for the people we respect and love, and for the neighbors and co-workers we share our lives with? We pray to God for those who are in our lives. Why not invite them so that they have the kind of relationship to God we have?”

Friends, people are looking for a church that makes them feel welcome, accepted, and loved. We are blessed with a caring congregation, where worship is passionate, opportunities to serve and give abound. I challenge you to commit to inviting and/or bringing one new person, couple or family to Lancaster Church of the Brethren for worship or an activity by the end of June 2015.

On “Bring a Friend Sunday,” and each Sunday, be friendly to people you already know and those you do not yet know, to God’s glory and for the good of all.

–Pastor Jeffrey B. Rill