Names in the Bible generally have far more significance than in our Western society. Abram (‘exalted father’) became Abraham (‘father of many’). Jacob (‘he grasps the heel’, figuratively ‘he deceives’) became Israel (‘he struggles with God’). Jesus was thus named because it means ‘Jehovah is salvation’ and was also known as ‘Emmanuel’ (‘God with us’) and ‘Christ’ (‘Anointed One’).
So that people could easily identify those who belonged to the church and were there to help, we issued name labels to church members and helpers. Here are a few of those helpers:
Dave in his ‘meeting and greeting’ role:
Stephen and Beryl greeting Ant and Sarah (former workers at the church):
Garry and Julie (a rare photograph together!):
Gillian giving the free pens out. She was so successful at this job that I heard someone describe her as ‘the pen lady’!
It was disconcerting at times to have total strangers address us by name! (‘How do they know my name…? Oh, yes, the name label!’), but perhaps even more encouraging for us all is to remember that our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life and that one day “I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)