Church notes - 27th October 2019

[fardell24]

Kid's talk - Ecclesiates 3
vs 11
The Eternal story will never end.

Luke 9:46 - 48

Church
- It's not a building or an organisation
- It is a community focused on God.

The Two Ronnies: Four Candles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNTM9iM1eVw
Someone coming to Church can have a similar experience to someone who enters a hardware shop without knowing the lingo.
Welcome!
1. An interjection of greeting - know that your coming has given me pleasure.
2. To receive gladly

Welcome requires action.

Is God a welcoming God?

Luke 15:1 - 2
Jesus was happy to be in the company of sinners

Luke 19:10

God is a welcoming God

Luke 15:20 - 24
The prodigal son takes his inheritance and squanders it, so that he's in a desperate situation.

Yes, God is welcoming! More than the prodigal son's father.
When sinners come to Jesus, they are welcome.

For us who repent we are welcomed exubrantly

Romans 5:8

God took the initiative to reconcile with us.

Luke 15:28 - 32
If we don't welcome people into the church we stand in opposition to God.

The resentful older brother - represents the Pharisees

The younger son wasn't coming home with a sense of acheivement. He was coming home in disgrace.

1. Regularly pray for new families and individuals.
2. Sit by someone you don't know.
3. Go out of your way to talk with someone you haven't yet met.
4. When you meet a visitor, introduce them to others in the congregation who may have common interests.
5. Allow the Visitor Greeting Team to do it's work.
6. Be prepared to invite a visiting family to lunch.