I attended my first professional Football (soccer) game today.  Quite the introduction to a sport I know very little about – Manchester City vs. Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London.  I’m not sure I’ve ever done anything that made me feel like a person must when attending church for the very first time.

• I had no idea where to go so I found myself looking for ever sign as I worked my way through the sea of people hoping not to step on someone’s toe.
• I had even less idea what to do.  Stand up, sit down, clap…  I quickly figured out to just stand or sit when the person in front of me did. Clapping seems obvious except they had these claps like I remember from when I was a kid at camp – I didn’t want to be the one person to clap after everyone else stopped, so I just didn’t.
• They sings worship songs at football matches.  You may thing that’s an exaggeration – trust me, it’s not in the least.  Problem is, I didn’t know the words (though I recognized a few choice ones) or tune to any of the songs, so of course I couldn’t sing along.
• Having never played the game, I didn’t understand much of what I was watching, but everyone around me obviously did.
• Only one person spoke to me, a high school student from Reading sitting right behind me.  I was amazed how much just a little conversation and his enthusiasm to share the game, put me at ease.
• I switched seats at halftime to sit in an empty seat next to Dave, who had most generously provided my ticket.  It made a huge difference to be next to someone I knew – even if I had just met him an hour before.

I have a new appreciation for the person who finds their way to church for the every first time and a renewed commitment to do everything I can to make them feel welcome.

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