Coming back from the sushi counter at the grocery store, I walked into my hotel lobby and the woman who was at the registration desk when I checked in said, “Hello Mr. Lincoln. Welcome back.”  I couldn’t believe it.  I said, “Thank you.  How did you remember my name?  Have you taken a memory course?”  “No,” she said. “That’s my job.  We want our guests to feel special.”  I did.  She really succeeded.

             Years ago as I was leaving Singapore I stopped a Singapore Airlines flight attendant to ask if my seat was a bulkhead aisle seat so I could change it if it was not.  She said, “Yes, exactly.”  Two hours later I boarded the plane.  Standing by my seat was this attendant who said, “53-B Mr. Lincoln.  Have a nice flight.”  Again, I was deeply impressed.  I don’t expect anyone to know my name in this big, impersonal world, and I’m not the least bit bothered by being just a face in the crowd when I travel.  But when somebody does know my name it really impresses me. 

 True or not our church feels big and is assumed to be impersonal by a lot of people who visit us.  If it turns out to be so because no one reaches out to them when they come, they may be a little disappointed but they are not surprised.  What an opportunity that gives us.  What if, for the next year, nobody could get into our out of our church building without being welcomed warmly, introduced to at least one other church member, and thanked for coming.  Let’s be the most surprisingly friendly church in Columbia starting today.

It’s fun to change, and to change you usually need to find out that you need to (not as much fun).  The sermons I preach on Sunday morning are a big part of what I do, and a lot of people grant me a lot of ear time for which I am grateful, so – got any ideas on how I could do it better?  I know that you may be thinking, “he doesn’t really want my opinion.” Oh yes, I do!  Please take a minute and respond.

When you respond, please tell me which service you attend.  You don’t have to sign your suggestion.  Thanx.

Fly tying jumped on me from a Field and Stream article.  Before long I had learned to wrap fur, feathers, and other materials around a hook and could catch fish with the result.  My dad could work on a piece of furniture for months.  He loved the precision.  I preferred jobs I could finish in moments.  It’s been a personality trait of mine for life. I don’t know whether I can do anything about it or not. I don’t think it really matters whether I prefer five-minute or five-week projects.  Here’s a little thing I like to do when I come to church.  Sunday mornings I pull up to my office outside the door, drop Patty and our stuff off, then drive down to the back of the parking lot.  I want guests and seniors to be able to park closer to the building.  Brandon Petersen and I park at about the same spot and most Sundays walk in together.  Like I said, it’s a small thing but satisfying, and maybe it’s helpful to someone who needs a closer parking space.

Do you think about the Lord’s Supper that much?

I saw communion served the way we have been serving it at the 11:30 service a couple of years ago and liked it (instead of passing the juice and bread down each aisle, we place them on tables and ask the congregation to come, take a wafer and dip it into to the commonal juice).  Do you?  There are other ways to do it.  I’ve heard some concern expressed over germs being transferred from fingers that touch the juice.  I’ve also heard some say that coming to the front in a group doesn’t feel as special to them.  I’ve heard others say they really like coming to the front with a group of people.  What do you think?  Let me hear from you.