Matthew 10:40-42

40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Props: welcome mat, bottled water

As the children come forward, thank each of them for coming up. Ask the children what they were taught to say after someone says "thank you". (help them answer if needed.) Then ask the children: Have you ever thought of what it means to tell someone that he or she is 'welcome.' You know, I bet most adults don't really think about it either. Can you think of another place you see or hear the word "welcome." I have a doormat here. Do any of you have one like this at your house? It tells guests who come that they are 'welcome'. How do we show someone they are welcome in our home? (Help with answers if needed). You can ask questions like: what do we do if they are hungry? Do we listen to them when they talk or do we ignore them? What do we do when they are thirsty? Have any of you ever been thirsty? Drinking water like this feels very good to our bodies when we're thirsty, doesn't it. In fact, our bodies need water. Welcoming people (caring for them, listening to them) is as good for our hearts as cold water is for our bodies.

Let's say a prayer about that. Repeat after me:
Dear God,
We thank you for showing us how to welcome others. Help us be welcoming to others so that they will see your love through us.
Amen