Welcome!
Children's sermon
Object:
a "Welcome" mat
Have you ever seen one of these? (Let them answer.) Where have
you seen one of these? (Let them answer.) Usually we see these in
front of homes or businesses. They are used for two purposes. Can
you tell me what their purpose is? (Let them answer.) They are
for people to wipe their feet so that they do not get the house
or business dirty, and they are a sign for people to know that
they are welcome.
What does "welcome" mean? (Let them answer.) I guess it means that we are friendly people and we invite YOU in to our house or business.
Jesus says that whoever welcomes people, whoever is friendly to people, is welcoming or friendly to him and God as well. Why do you suppose he would say that? (Let them answer.) Perhaps it is so because God loves all people and welcomes them in God's kingdom.
Are people always welcome in our homes? (Let them answer.) Are they always welcome in businesses? (Let them answer.) Probably not. We don't usually let strangers into our homes. Businesses don't want people coming in after the business is closed. Sometimes people don't dress properly or have enough money and so they are not welcomed into businesses. There are many times when there may be a "welcome mat" in front, but that welcome is not for everyone, always.
Do you think there are people who don't have enough money for God? (Let them answer.) What about people coming to God at the wrong time? Are there people who are not dressed well enough for God? Is anyone a stranger to God? I think we know the answer. God wants all people. God welcomes all people. We in the church want to be friendly because we know that God wants all people to come and worship and be disciples like we are God's followers.
Any person coming through the doors of our church is welcome because every person is important to God. It doesn't matter how they look or how much money they have or don't have, because God loves all people.
Dear God: Thank you for welcoming us. Help us welcome others. Amen.
What does "welcome" mean? (Let them answer.) I guess it means that we are friendly people and we invite YOU in to our house or business.
Jesus says that whoever welcomes people, whoever is friendly to people, is welcoming or friendly to him and God as well. Why do you suppose he would say that? (Let them answer.) Perhaps it is so because God loves all people and welcomes them in God's kingdom.
Are people always welcome in our homes? (Let them answer.) Are they always welcome in businesses? (Let them answer.) Probably not. We don't usually let strangers into our homes. Businesses don't want people coming in after the business is closed. Sometimes people don't dress properly or have enough money and so they are not welcomed into businesses. There are many times when there may be a "welcome mat" in front, but that welcome is not for everyone, always.
Do you think there are people who don't have enough money for God? (Let them answer.) What about people coming to God at the wrong time? Are there people who are not dressed well enough for God? Is anyone a stranger to God? I think we know the answer. God wants all people. God welcomes all people. We in the church want to be friendly because we know that God wants all people to come and worship and be disciples like we are God's followers.
Any person coming through the doors of our church is welcome because every person is important to God. It doesn't matter how they look or how much money they have or don't have, because God loves all people.
Dear God: Thank you for welcoming us. Help us welcome others. Amen.
