Article January 7, 1950 Issue

SOME THOUGHTS ON USHERING

BEN J. FEWKES

At services of the Church of Christ, Scientist, held in various parts of the world the following announcement is made by the First Reader: "You are cordially invited to attend our church services." The words are not always the same, but the invitation is.

Having extended such an invitation, the church must see that those who accept the invitation are given the loving reception to which guests are entitled. The ushers whom the church appoints have a definite part in extending this welcome. For example, when the guests enter the church, they should be greeted with a smile of welcome. Should they enter the church during the singing of a hymn, the usher should be quick to hand them a Hymnal opened to the hymn which is being sung, so that they may join promptly in the singing. On Sundays a Christian Science Quarterly should be available for their use. When the service is over, it is sometimes possible to introduce the guests to a few of the members and to ask them to come again.

But the ushers' greatest contribution to the church services is in expressing divine Love and in recognizing the ever-presence of God and His Christ. People come to our churches seeking freedom from their fears and distresses. They come seeking that which Mary Baker Eddy, the inspired Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, describes in these words in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 224): "A higher and more practical Christianity, demonstrating justice and meeting the needs of mortals in sickness and in health, stands at the door of this age, knocking for admission. Will you open or close the door upon this angel visitant, who cometh in the quiet of meekness, as he came of old to the patriarch at noonday? Truth brings the elements of liberty. On its banner is the Soul-inspired motto, 'Slavery is abolished.' The power of God brings deliverance to the captive. No power can withstand divine Love."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

WHO IS BOSS IN YOUR HOUSE?