Sermon Preview

28/07/25

You Belong Sermon Preview Scripture

You Belong

A few weeks ago, I attended our home territory’s congress with the theme “Belonging.” The essence of belonging was reflected throughout the programme for the whole week.

As this Sunday is our Inclusion Sunday, I think it is time again to revisit our Theology of Welcome. As a church community, we want to welcome everyone and help them feel a sense of inclusion and belonging as they walk through our doors.

We developed our Theology of Welcome values for our church/corps. These values include honouring everyone, showing humility, offering hopefulness, presenting unconditional love, deepening our discipleship, providing honest and gracious conversation, and offering intentional listening. These values must be embodied and practiced as we aim to be a welcoming and inclusive church.

Our scripture focus is from Colossians 3:1-14. Paul also gives us some virtues and instructions to do as we practice the values of our Theology of Welcome and reflect the essence of belonging to everyone. After listing all the virtues in these verses, he said in verse 14, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Love is like a thread that sews together all these virtues. Love is what binds us together in unity. Love is what drives us to see people through God’s lens. When we love just like Christ – unconditionally and sacrificially- we can welcome and love everyone, no matter who they are, their background, or past mistakes they have made.

Let us embrace the call to inclusion, where no one is an outsider in the house of the Lord because we all belong in the family of God. May our church be a place where people encounter God's transforming love and always reflect the message of “Belonging” to everyone.

Rona.

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Planning your Visit

New to Church?

Welcome! Whether you've just moved to the area, or have lived here all your life, we hope our website helps you to find out everything you want to know about our Church.

Key information about the church...

When & where does the church meet?
What should I expect when I visit the church?
What happens to the kids at church?
Is there a dress code?
Will I have to join in?
Are there any more useful links?
I have more questions, how can I get in touch and ask them?

Where & when does the church meet?

Our Regent Hall Salvation Army Church meets every Sunday at 11:00am for our Sunday Service. Our open-air meeting on Oxford Street is at 10:00am.
We meet at:
Regent Hall
275 Oxford Street
London
W1C 2DJ

You can see a map on our contact us page.

What should I expect when I visit the church?

You will receive a very warm welcome particularly from our Welcome Team who will be able to answer your questions and direct you to where you need to go. We have a time of worship with congregational singing and items from our musical sections. We have periods of reflection, when we pray and read the Bible, and our Bible message is brought to us by one of our officer team.

Tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the service where there is plenty of time to meet new people and ask more questions.

What happens to the kids at church?

We have a great programme for the kids at Regent Hall for:

Explorers (4-7 years)
Kids Zone (8-10 years)

We also have an active youth group, including Pulse - a Sunday session learning about faith, as well as regularly getting together for worship and just meeting up socially and for sports.

For more information about what happens in the children's and youth work please visit the relevant age groups for you under church life.

Is there a dress code?

Please just be yourself and come dressed in your 'normal' clothes. Our corps officers (Church leaders) and Salvationists do wear Salvation Army uniform to be visible in our ministry and witness.

Will I have to join in?

Not at all! You are free to simply observe or participate as much as feels comfortable for you.

Useful Links...

We have more information for you specifically if you…

I have more questions, how can I get in touch and ask them.

Please feel free to contact us.

If you want to know who works in the church office, check out our Staff and Leadership page.