Holy Bible Online 
Welcoming the congregation sets the tone for worship. Below are 11 warm, stage-ready speeches that run about one minute each. Some include a Scripture reading, others flow without one. Use them as written, or adapt the language to fit your church and service flow.
Welcome with Psalm 122:1
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the Lord."
- Psalm 122:1
Welcome, friends and family. What a joy to be in the house of the Lord together. The psalmist reminds us that gathering is a reason for rejoicing, and today we choose joy. Whether you have been here for years or you are walking in for the first time, you belong here. Lay down the hurry of the week, take a deep breath, and let your heart settle in the presence of God. We are here to sing, to pray, to listen, and to respond. We are here to meet with the Lord who loves us. Let us lift our voices and welcome His work among us today.
Welcome with Gratitude
Good morning and welcome, everyone, especially if you are visiting us today for the first time! Today we gather with thankful hearts. God has carried us through another week with mercies that were new every morning.
Some of us arrive celebrating, others arrive tired or searching for answers. Wherever you are on that spectrum, you are seen and you are loved. As we begin, set your mind on one thing you are grateful for. Let that gratitude become a prayer and let it shape your worship. May this hour realign our hearts with the goodness of God, encourage our faith, and send us out as a people marked by hope and love. We are so glad you are here.
Welcome with Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
- Matthew 18:20
Welcome in the name of Jesus. Scripture assures us that when we gather in His name, He is present. That means this is more than a meeting. This is a holy moment. If your week felt noisy, let the noise fade now. If your heart felt heavy, bring that weight to the One who gives rest. As we sing and pray, expect the Lord to speak peace, to stir joy, and to draw us closer to Himself. Greet those around you with kindness, open your hands in worship, and let us give our full attention to the God who is with us now.
Welcome with Psalm 95:6
Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
- Psalm 95:6
Welcome to worship. We come before our Maker with humble hearts and lifted voices. Bowing down is not only a posture for our knees, it is a posture for our lives. Today, we surrender our plans and our worries to the God who created us and calls us by name. If you are new, you are welcome. If you have been here a long time, you are welcome. Let reverence and joy meet in this place. Let every song become a prayer and every prayer become an offering. Together, let us honor the Lord who is worthy of all praise.
Welcome with Fellowship
Welcome, church family and honored guests. One of the gifts of the Christian life is that we do not walk it alone. We gather to encourage one another, to bear one another’s burdens, and to remind each other of the hope we have in Christ. If you came needing community, you are in the right place. If you came overflowing with faith, share it and strengthen someone near you. Today let us worship with open hearts, listen for God’s voice, and leave ready to love our city well. We are grateful you chose to be here.
Welcome with John 4:24
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
- John 4:24
Welcome to this time set apart for the Lord. Worship in Spirit and truth means honest hearts and eager faith. Bring your real story before God today. He meets us not with condemnation but with grace and transforming truth. As we sing, allow the Holy Spirit to lift your eyes from the temporary to the eternal. As we hear the Word, let it shape our thoughts and decisions. May everything in this service point us to Jesus and send us out looking more like Him.
Welcome with Celebration
This is the day the Lord has made and we will rejoice in it. Welcome to a gathering of celebration and hope. God has been faithful in large ways and small ones, and He is worthy of our praise. If you are joining us online or in the room, thank you for making worship a priority. Let joy rise as we sing. Let peace settle as we pray. Let courage grow as we hear the message. May the Lord renew our strength and remind us that nothing is impossible for Him. We are excited to worship with you today.
Welcome with Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice.
- Philippians 4:4
Welcome, everyone. The invitation to rejoice is not about pretending life is easy. It is about anchoring our joy in the unchanging character of God. He is good, He is near, and He is working for our good and His glory. So we choose to rejoice. Let your voice join with the voices around you. Sing with faith, pray with expectation, and listen with a ready heart. May the Lord refresh weary souls and ignite fresh joy among us today.
Welcome with Isaiah 12:5
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
- Isaiah 12:5
Welcome to worship. We gather to declare what God has done and to make His greatness known. Think of one way God has shown His goodness in your life, then let that memory fuel your praise. As we sing, may our faith rise. As we pray, may boldness grow. As we hear the Word, may our lives be shaped for His purposes. We are glad you are here and we cannot wait to lift the name of Jesus together.
Welcome with Psalm 34:3
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
- Psalm 34:3
Welcome, church. There is something powerful about united praise. When we exalt the Lord together, faith is strengthened and hearts are encouraged. Set aside distractions and give God your full attention. If you are carrying a need, bring it to Him. If you are celebrating an answer to prayer, give thanks. Let our worship be wholehearted and our expectation high. The Lord is here and He is worthy.
Welcome with Hope
Welcome to all who are joyful, all who are weary, and all who are curious about Jesus. You are welcome here. Our prayer is that hope would rise in every heart today. As we sing and as we listen, may the Holy Spirit comfort, challenge, and change us. If you are new, we are honored you came. If you are returning, we are grateful to walk this journey with you. Let us lean in together, ready to encounter the living God and to be sent out as people of hope.