This morning marks my second consecutive Sunday preaching at United Church of Marco Island, and is my first in the role of Interim Senior Minister. The text for today’s message is Luke 15:1-32.
Sermon Excerpt
Every church has an amazing history. Many, perhaps nearly all of us, became a part of this community of faith after participating in multiple other churches.
The first church I served in a ministerial capacity holds a special place in my heart. I accepted the call to that congregation a few months before graduating from seminary. The history of that community of faith extends back far beyond my tenure.
When they held their first service of worship their city was less than ten years old and had under a thousand residents. Today that same congregation is 150 years old, and the city has grown to well over a million residents. This church is the oldest continually meeting Protestant congregation in the city of Dallas, Texas.
Next month that congregation is throwing a huge party! They are inviting (read the full manuscript or listen to the sermon) . . .
So What
Today is National Back to Church Sunday. Whether or not your congregation formally participated in this event, it may have done something quite intentional to welcome folks back to church who were away for the summer. The first few Sundays of September are often celebratory with events like Rally Day or a Church School Kickoff (or kickoff events for other age or group specific ministries).
- What parties does your congregation throw and/or what celebratory efforts are offered to help welcome folks back and begin anew?
- What, if anything, does your congregation do to help those who are faithfully present all year long from becoming like the older brother in the Parable of the Prodigal Sons with regard to how those who were away are welcomed back?