Read Romans 15:1-7

“So welcome each other, in the same way that Christ also welcomed you, for God’s glory.” -Romans 15:7

There are some people who just have the gift of hospitality. They have a way of making others feel comfortable and at ease. They know no strangers and, from the first time they meet you, treat you as if you were a long-lost friend.

It feels so good to receive the gift of a warm welcome. Paul reminds us that when we participate in a ministry of welcome, people experience the love of Christ and God is glorified. Research shows that when people visit a church for the first time, most decide in the first ten minutes they are on campus whether or not they will return. That means that likely before the band plays, the choir sings, or the preacher plays, they have already made up their mind about coming back. The way they are welcomed matters. It’s no wonder, then, that “graciously welcoming people” is an important piece of the St. Paul’s UMC vision.

Facilities are a part of a church’s welcome. Just like someone can tell whether you are ready and excited to have them in your home, so they can also tell if you are ready and excited to have them in your church. What a blessing it is for us to have facilities that offer a warm welcome to persons of all ages. Give thanks today for the great care that was taken in designing and building a place for ministries that says to people when they walk in the front doors, “Welcome Home!”

What do you remember about how you felt the first time you came to St. Paul’s UMC?

How might participating in Pathways to Generosity be an expression of thanks for the facilities we have?