WELCOME HOME! We are so glad to see so many of you today as we celebrate "homecoming" together. It is always good to see brethren and friends come together to renew acquaintances, to "catch up on" all that is going on in one another's lives, and to encourage one another in the great work of being a Christian and living a life for Christ. Truly, we know that this is why God has given the church -- to preach the gospel, to edify the saints and to be there for one another in time of need.

Perhaps the idea for having a church homecoming stemmed from the high school and college homecomings those communities would have each year. But I like to think that the idea came from Luke 15, where we read of the prodigal son coming home to a father that still loved and cared for him. We enjoy reading that parable, because it does show that God is willing to forgive us and accept us back to him, fully forgiven and wonderfully reconciled. God is still willing to forgive, no matter what we have done. God still wants our fellowship, despite the fact that we have sinned against him so much. Such love -- such wonderful, wonderful love.

But, like the prodigal, we have to realize that we need God. That our lives are empty and useless without him. We have to be willing to see ourselves where we really are -- in the pigpen of sin -- and repent and come back to God. Of course, because it is God that we have sinned against, it is God that sets the terms for us to come back to him.

For those that are not Christians, God asks that we trust him enough in faith to repent of our sins, confess his name, and be immersed for the forgiveness of our sins. For the Christian who has left home, but wants to come back, God wants us to confess our sins, repent, and come home.

Perhaps today may be just a glimpse of the final homecoming when we go to live with our Lord. He stated in John 14 that he is coming again, "to receive us unto himself." We can only imagine what that will be like! While some quake in fear at the thought of judgment, the child of God has assurance and hope because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. We don't have to fear -- we can look forward to that day with confidence and peace.

Many have looked forward to this day with joy -- can we begin to imagine what should be in all of our hearts when we look forward to going home with our Heavenly Father?

He is waiting, watching, and one day he will call of us HOME! Are you ready to go? If not, let us help!