Tough guys on Harleys invade St. John's

CHELALIS – The deafening roar of Harleys arriving at St. John’s drowned out the final stanza of the pre-sermon hymn at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Aug. 1.

Worshipers’ eyes grew wide as seven tough guys in black leather and chains burst and sat down. The Rev. D. Randall Faro was nowhere to be seen as sermon time arrived, so the head dude of the gang, a scary-looking guy with long, straggly hair took over.

Church, he said, is where the rubber meets the road, where tough guys who might have led a life they’re not too proud of come for forgiveness and acceptance.

What’s your reaction when they arrive? he asked the startled congregation. Are you welcoming and see these tough guys as children of God, or do you judge?

He and his boys really need to be welcomed, he said, and invited to hear the Word."We need you," he told worshipers, "and it means a lot to us that you welcome us here."
It turned out that the head dude was Pastor Faro in disguise, and his boys were all familiar faces in the congregation – Douglas Lee, Larry Moir, Tony Miles, Bernie Schreck, Ron Kuxhausen and John Haworth.
And with that, the St. John’s congregation got a reminder to be welcoming they’ll not soon forget. - RP