According to the latest research, 82% of people would say “Yes!” if they were invited to church, yet only 2% of church-goers invite an unchurched person to church. Next Sunday is our day to reverse that trend because next Sunday is Friend Day. This is a special Sunday where everyone is encouraged to invite a friend, neighbor, family member, or anyone to come and worship with us. I like to look at it as a way to stretch and strengthen our evangelistic muscles. You might have someone in your mind that you have wanted to invite to church or start a spiritual conversation with for a while. This is the week to do it!
I will be continuing my Revelation series during Friend Day, as we will be focusing on Rev. 4-5. This is the powerful throne room scene, where John goes through a door into heaven and witnesses the throne of God. Worship surrounds the throne proclaiming God as holy and worthy of all glory and honor. But then heaven is filled with a problem. Who will open the scroll? The scroll details the plan of God and without it being opened, his plan cannot unfold. But there is one who can open it: the Lamb who was slain – who we know to be, Jesus Christ. Heaven erupts in a crescendo of worship to proclaim the worthiness of the Lamb who was slain for the world. Next week, we will enter that throne room scene and join the heavenly worship service as we praise God and celebrate the Lamb who was slain for us.
I believe the service will be incredibly uplifting and powerful. The singing will be dynamic. The fellowship will be lively. The worship will be heavenly. Be praying about who you want to invite.
We will have coffee and donuts in the front foyer starting at 8:30pm. Let me encourage to get here early because seats will be premium and we want there to be room, particularly for guests who arrive late. We plan to set out chairs. Be looking around for those seating or standing near you who are new and be sure to welcome them.
Let me encourage our parents to use this opportunity to involve your children in evangelistic conversations. Ask them who they want to invite and see if every member can invite someone. There are Friend Day cards at the entrances that you can use to share with your friend. I look forward to sharing next week with you and your guest as we celebrate – worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
