We’re having a heatwave in the northeast. Very thankful to live in a building with central air.

Every year when the temps soar into the upper register of the thermometer, I always think about the slogan a large and prominent church in my hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas used to put up every summer: You think it’s hot here?

While I’m not a fan of scaring people into church with the fear of hell, I AM a big fan of clever church signs. Here are some of my faves:

A Bible that’s falling apart usually reveals a life that isn’t.

Beat the Christmas rush. Come to church this Sunday.

Don’t wait for a hearse to bring you to church.

Think you don’t belong here? Remember: Moses was a basket case.

Church parking only. Violators will be baptized.

Forbidden fruits cause many jams.

God answers knee-mail.

Some questions can’t be answered by Google.

Two great truths: There is a God. You’re Not Him.

For God so loved the world that God did not send a committee.

But my favorite church sign of all time is not cute or clever. It’s not one where you can change out the letters. It’s a permanent sign that carried the same message throughout my childhood and into my adult years (although I don’t believe it’s still there).

On what is now the back road between Hope (watermelon capital of the world) and Lewisville (home of Burgess smoked turkeys) in Southwest Arkansas, the Piney Grove Baptist Church had a sign by the road that read, “Where everyone is welcome and Jesus is Lord.”

That has been and continues to be my wish for the church. That we are a place where everyone is truly welcome, and our focus is on following the living Lord Jesus Christ.

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Rev. Anne Russ is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA), currently based in New York City. Doubting Believer provides tools and encouragement for the rollercoaster ride of your faith journey. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram and YouTube. You can also follow on TikTok. Get emails to keep up with all that is happening.