Hello everyone, this is aunt Fernita
Today's story is called "home again"
The memory verse is from Luke chapter 15 verse 24
It says: "This son of mine was dead, and is alive again. He was lost and is found."
The message for today is: people in God's family never stop caring for each other.
Has anyone you love ever gone away or moved away from home?
how did you feel when they left? Did they ever come back for a visit?
A long time ago, an unhappy son left home.
Here's his story
"Dad, please i want my part of the inheritance money now"
The young man spoke firmly as he put his hand on his father's arm
He wanted to get away from his family and hard work
Father sighed
"You've asked so many times, please don't leave your home son"
We all love you
Perhaps the father even had tears in his eyes as he spoke
but before long the inheritance money was divided and the young man packed his bags and headed out
he went to another country, far away from the farm life he had known
He had plenty of money to spend and thats just what he did
if he wanted something, he bought it
He gave big parties. He wasted money on whatever his heart desired.
because of this, he made new friends who helped him spend his inheritance
But one shocking day, he realized that his money was finished
No more parties, no more buying whatever he wanted
And even all his "friends" had left him. Everything was gone
He began to look for a job, but it was a time of famine
there was no work
And there was no food to be found
Finally, someone gave him a job feeding pigs
It was about as disgusting a job as he could imagine Finally, someone gave him a job feeding pigs
It was about as disgusting a job as he could imagine
but at least it was a job
he was so hungry that even the pigs food looked good to him
he suddenly said to himself, "what am i doing here?"
"how did i get myself into this mess?"
Even the people who are servants at my father's house have enough to eat
in fact they usually have food left over
i know what i can do
i'll go back home and ask my father to hire me as a servant
As fast as his legs could carry him, the young man headed toward home
He practiced what he would say when he got there
It always began "Father i have sinned."
when he was still a long way off, his father saw him
"can it be?" thought the father
"Can it really be my son?"
dashing down the road, he wrapped his boy in a big hug
They laughed and cried together
Then the son began his speech
"Father, please forgive me."
"I've sinned against God and against you"
" i don't deserve to be called your son anymore "
but before he could finish what he had planned to say
His father called to his servants "Quick bring the best robe for my son"
"Put a ring on his finger, and sandals on his feet"
"Run back to the house and get a feast ready"
"My boy has come home and we are going to celebrate"
This is my son who was lost, i thought he was dead but he's alive!"
Today in our own family and in our church family
we want to be just like that father
we want to care about people
we want to accept everyone with love
and we want to celebrate when someone comes home to Jesus