Arranged in nearly every church service is greeting time, when congregants acknowledge those sitting near them.
At Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in west-central Fresno, it's listed in the church's bulletin as "peace" -- and parishioners take it to the extreme.On a recent Sunday, many of the 60 people in attendance poured into the sanctuary's center aisle to chat and hug -- for about 10 minutes."This is a ritual; it goes on longer than the sermon," Charlotte Lindstrom says with a smile.The ritual dates to 1991 when First English Lutheran Church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Our Saviour's Lutheran Church merged, agreeing to hold services at Our Saviour's on North Fruit Avenue."Back then, three congregations were getting to know each other for the first time," says the church's pastor, the Rev. Bill Knezovich. Eighteen years later, the congregation of about 75 regulars continues the tradition in the spirit of peace."It's one of my favorite times," says the church's assisting minister, Vincent Villanueva.On the recent day, parishioners also took delight in a blues-style song, "Sweet Wind," presented by worship leader Russ Allen and drummer Kevin Anderson. "It's upbeat -- and that's the way we feel about our faith," JoAnn Hayhurst says of the music. "It's joyful."When the service ended, parishioners exited to the sound of the church's bells."This is the coolest little church," Anderson says.Here are other notes from the visit:Does a stranger feel welcome? Richard Smith, a 13-year congregant, says, "I fell in love with this church, and they fell in love with me."What's the first thing you notice? It's the message in floor tile at the sanctuary's main doors: "Welcome to God's house."What's everyone talking about? It's Friday Night Kids Club, where 20 to 40 youth gather for fun.The basics*Location: 2101 N. Fruit Ave.*Contacts: (559) 237-7597; oursaviours fresno.com; blomster@ pacbell.net *Services: 10 a.m. Sundays*Child care: Available*Pastor, years of service: The Rev. Bill Knezovich, 12th year*Congregation: 200 membership*History: Founded in 1945. First English Lutheran Church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Our Saviour's Lutheran Church merged in 1991. The larger facilities of Our Saviour's were chosen to house the church.*Religious association: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America*Doctrine: Lutheran (Augsburg Confession)*Key ministries: Children's Sunday school, Friday Night Kids Club, food/ clothing pantry, prayer, altar guild, confirmation classes, Blues worship/ potluck on first Saturday monthly, Lazarus fund, recycling, Faith in Community, Fresno County's Economic Opportun- ities Commission summer lunch program, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grocery receipts program.*Of special note: The church will hold its annual Thanksgiving/ Kids Club dinner at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 in the church's social hall.