May 17, 2026 – CountUp

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday May 17TH 2026, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

Volume 9, Number 12, Edition 412
“Unwelcomed At Church ?”

I was recently asked if I’ve ever felt unwelcomed while visiting a church.

YES – I have – several times. One notable situation occurred about 12 years ago when I was looking to leave my first church in Homestead, and I was searching for my new church. I went to one that met in the conference room of a local area chain hotel. I walked in. I sat down. Nobody talked to me, but several looked at me as if I was not where I belonged. What was I doing there ? Was I up to no good ? I also didn’t really look like anyone else in the congregation, and quite frankly – the congregation didn’t really look like Homestead.

It’s been said in many different iterations that the church hour on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America.

There’s a difference between a church with a poor hospitality / welcoming ministry and a church where everyone looks similar – but not like yourself – and you feel uncomfortable from the moment you arrive. I try to be part of the solution by continuing a ministry that began 19 years ago at the front doors of my first church – welcoming my brothers and sisters to our Sunday morning gathering.

I’ve also been to many churches with poor hospitality at the doors, but then once you enter the sanctuary you feel like you’re instantly family.

I’m part of a church family now where I pray that everyone feels like they belong there – from the moment they arrive to the moment they depart.

I’ve heard it said that the church should look like Heaven on Earth. Heaven won’t look like one group of people, so the church shouldn’t either. The church should include different races from different cultures and different social classes. We have one God Almighty who wants us all in fellowship together. He is not calling us to different sides. He is calling us higher, for we are better together.

As the Bible says in Romans – Chapter 15 – Verses 5, 6, and 7:
May God – who gives this patience and encouragement – help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice – giving praise and glory to God – the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore – accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

My testimony is featured each week here on #SundayScripture – whether it’s part of a sermon, a testimony, or just me writing about the events of the past week. Hopefully it encourages you and inspires you to seek the Lord – and get closer to Him with each new day.

If you wish to learn more about the God I know – then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.