We know lots of churches say "All are welcome", but then when you visit- it can be hard to tell.
So, when we say, "You are welcome here"- what do we mean? You are welcome if you... can't sit still, haven't been to church ever, have lots of questions, have no questions, already swore today, have tattoos, are straight-edge, struggle with addiction, fall asleep during the sermon, can't read, stayed up late on the Internet, are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, trans, queer, or just not sure, if you don't like church music, if you love church music, if you've never seen a woman pastor, if you have been Lutheran forever, if you don't know what "Lutheran" means, if you are white, Black, Samoan, Alaska Native, American Indian, Japanese, Hawaiian, or you aren't sure, but your grandmother said that you're definitely related to royalty.
You are welcome if you have 10 Bibles or no Bible at home, if you vote Republican, Democrat, or third party, if you are unhoused by choice or circumstance, if you're hungry or thirsty, if you can write a big check or you can give a dollar, if you are 9 months old and like to cry, if you're 99 years old and never cry, if you need a shower, if you like to dress up fancy for Jesus, if you put your hands in the air when you pray, if you accidentally clap on the 1 and 3, if you just want to be near someone else for a little bit, if you struggle with judging others, if you wrestle with being judged, if you want to yell at God, or if you just want someone to pray with you...
You, yes YOU, are welcome here. And we will do our best to make that welcome clear.
