Please read Romans 12:12-13

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

We have all been strangers. You were welcomed into your family as a brand new person. They had to be very intentional in preparing for your arrival.

You were a new student in a class of people at some point in your life.

You were the newly hired worker.

You moved to a new neighborhood.

Others moved into your neighborhood.

You came to a church for the first time.

You married into a new family of people you did not know until you loved their relative.

I have met people who honestly believed that they had no role in offering hospitality in the church.

Think about this, however. Everyone who comes here is seeking something that will make their life better.

One thing they definitely seek includes relationship with those who are already here.

They are waiting from the first hello to the welcome at the front of the church, to hear words like, “It is so good to have you with us,” or “I am glad you came today.”

Extended hospitality involves including folks in classes, groups, projects and events.

This requires intentional efforts to make a place for them. Sometimes we forget how important this is.

To the person who comes as the stranger, this means EVERYTHING.

Lets talk about hospitality.

Moving to the deeper places,
Jeff