GUEST HOSTS

Have you ever gone to a strange place on a trip? Oh, it might not be the first time you ever visited a museum or a strange house, but it's still new and different. Do you remember how you felt? You wanted to know where things were, and who built it, and what it was all about. You needed some help. You needed a friendly guide, and you were grateful to receive a map or other information. You felt a part of things then. You felt comfortable and knew enough to just be relaxed and decide what you wanted to see and where you wanted to go.

Those "guides" (and the neat little brochures they gave you) contributed a whole lot more to your trip than you even dreamed. In fact, they even affected your memory of the whole experience.

Well, that's precisely how important a friendly guide can be to a guest to our church. It's great to be welcomed by a friendly usher and greeted by dozens of friendly faces. But the value of ?one specific face’ - you the GUEST HOST - is amazing. Remember, FIRST impressions mean the most!!

Instructions & Helpful Hints

1. Rejoice and be glad! This is the day you have the opportunity to show our "Guests" the love and warmth of Community Lutheran Church - the day for YOU to "roll out the red carpet."

2. Arrive at least 20 minutes before the worship service and position yourself either in the front hallway (in front of stained glass windows) or at the back door (entrance near mailboxes). STAY until pre-service music begins, so that you’re sure to greet anyone who is late.

3. Remember that everyone is a "guest" - some new visitors, some old members. Greet everyone with a warm smile and a friendly handshake.

4. Look for our guests as they enter the hallway. (If you're not sure they are a guest - ASK!) Introduce yourself, WELCOME them, and HELP them. Example:

"Good morning! I'm      , we are so glad to have you with us today. (Pause sightly to give them a chance to introduce themselves.) Are you visiting us for the first time? (if children)   If you have need of the restrooms before church, they are      and we have an excellent nursery which is      .   The doors for the church are      and there will be an usher there if you need anything.

5. Make it YOUR job to introduce them to others during "Daily Discipleship" or after the service AND invite them for coffee and doughnuts. (If you don't know their name, just say "Forgive me please, I don't know your name.")

6. After the service, be sure YOU thank them for coming and invite them back.

A SUMMARY

Remember that the impression you give the "first time guest" just might be the thing that makes him/her decide this place is where he/she wants to be. Your service is a bridge to help people cross over into our family. Thanks, and keep it up!