HEBREWS 13:1-8
LUKE 14:1,7-14
“Children’s
Sermon”:Hospitality
August 29, 2004
Have
any of you ever been new someplace – new in a neighborhood, new in a
school, or maybe new in a country or in a family? (Raise hands.) Were there
times when someone welcomed you? (Raise
hands.) How did that feel? (Responses.) Was there ever a time when you felt like you weren’t being
welcomed? How did that feel? (Responses.)
God
knows that it makes people feel really good to be welcomed when they are new
someplace, and God tells us that it’s especially important to welcome people
when they come to God’s house – to church! I’m glad you’re all here!
And God invites us all to be welcomers! What special helpers all of us can be! That’s what it says in today’s first Bible
reading: “Show hospitality.”
Now,
let’s get together (gather children) and say this prayer. Please repeat after
me: [phrase by phrase] “Dear God, thank you for welcoming us to your
house. Help us to welcome others here
too.”
Now,
let’s form pairs – two by two, just like Jesus’ helpers – and let’s go two by
two and welcome people. Let’s practice
what we’ll say. Repeat after me:
“Welcome to God’s house. We’re glad
you’re here.”
(The Rev. Francis A. Hubbard)