Words of Welcome

Openness and hospitality is emphasized in the Presbyterian Church and this holds true at the Lord's Table, at the tables in the fellowship hall, and--we pray--in our homes. We practice "open communion" which means the Lord's Table isn't "closed" to people outside our congregation or outside our denomination. We emphasize this each time we celebrate communion, but especially on World Communion Sunday.

Here's the words I'll be using to open worship on Sunday.

Leader:  This is the day that the Lord has made;

People:  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Today is World Communion Sunday! What a joy—to give thanks for the bread and cup, to proclaim good news of Jesus Christ, and to rejoice in our oneness with Christ and with Christians around the world! 

When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we welcome all baptized Christians to come to the Table, regardless of church or denominational affiliation. We welcome baptized children who are being nurtured and taught in the significance of Christ’s invitation and their response by parents, Sunday school teachers, and other spiritual mentors.  

In all this we remember that access to the Table is not a right conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love.  All persons who desire to come face-to-face with God’s unconditional love in Christ Jesus are welcome!

Whether we are old or young,

whether we are first-time or longtime worshipers,

whether we come full of doubts or confidence,

joy or sorrow, peace or worry,

a sense of healing or a hurting heart,

or some combination of all those things…

In this place we are all family,

because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Welcome to all of you today!

Come, let us worship God!