9 a.m.
Please arrive by 8:30 a.m. Downloadable PDF Lesson Plans for 9:00 a.m. Service:
10:45 a.m.
Please arrive by 10:15 a.m. Downloadable PDF Lesson Plans for 10:45 a.m. Service:
Leader Devo
Do you have a welcome mat in front of your door? Do you actually mean it? If someone happened upon your house, saw that mat, assumed that message was for them, and then rang your doorbell—what would you do? In my house, everyone would probably hide behind the couch, hoping the stranger at the door would go away!
Obviously, the “welcome” on my mat is not the same as Jesus’ “welcome.”
The word welcome that the Pharisees mutter in Luke 15:2 actually has an expectation to it. They use the Greek word prosdechomai, which has a future expectation implied in it. It actually means that they are accusing Jesus of “eagerly awaiting” sinners as well as eating with them. This is not a passive welcome mat. This is the family in the front yard watching for their relatives to come!
Read Luke 15:11–32. This final picture in the passage, given the context of that word, makes total sense! God is the Father who loves us so much He would run to us when we are still a long way off and throw His arms around us! This is the essence of expectant waiting.
Do you feel that kind of welcome? The “pick you up, swirl you around, look into your eyes with joy and love” kind of welcome? God does this for every person who makes that about-face turn and walks toward Him. No matter what is behind them, all they see is the expectant Father welcoming them into His family.
—Courtney Wilson Children’s Pastor
Contributor to Wonder Ink
*Wonder Ink Video for this series*
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart.”
—Luke 10:27
The volunteer schedule, including adults and youth volunteers, is available below.
