Guidelines for Hospitality Team

Why the Hospitality Team?

Welcoming people to worship is a wonderful and important ministry! Showing hospitality to regular worshipers, newcomers, and guests is a core value at Grace Central Church. The Hospitality Team has the privilege of serving in this way every Sunday. Thanks for participating!

                         

Getting Ready to Share Hospitality on Sunday Mornings

  • Check your calendar for when you serve. Janae Halm also sends us reminders.

  • If a conflict in your schedule arises, let the church office know as soon as you can.

  • If you cannot make it on Sunday morning, please text or call Pastor Tim—412-551-2386. We’ll both cover for you and pray for you!

  • Know your assignment: Kitchen-Communion Crew, Entryway Greeter Crew, or Both

  • Prepare through prayer. When we pray, it is amazing how opportunities to minister to people suddenly appear. Come with anticipation that God’s Spirit wants to use your gift of showing hospitality!

  • Arrival Times on Sunday mornings

    • Kitchen-Communion Crew: 9:40am

    • Entryway Greeters 10:00am

Preparing before Worship to Share Hospitality

Kitchen-Communion Crew Preparations—details are posted in the kitchen.

  • Hospitality through Refreshments

    • Make the coffee

    • Set out the napkins, cups, etc.

    • Cold water and cups station

    • Tea selection placed out

    • Sometimes there is leftover food from a previous event that is suitable for Sunday morning snacks. Assess what is good to place out; discard the rest.

    • Time by which we aim to have everything out: If you begin work at 9:40am, everything should be completed by no later than 10:00am.

  • Hospitality through Communion Preparation

    • Elder Don Arrington, Elder Cary Farrington, and Tom Masters coordinate communion preparations. They supply the bread, the juice, and the wine. At least one of them is on site to prepare communion for the service.

    • Your duty is to assist them in preparing communion. They’ll give you directions and help you learn how to do this part of the ministry!

Entryway Greeters Preparations

  • Check to make sure that bulletins (adult, kids) are available and in good order.

  • Check on the availability of the Activity Bags for children.

    • Sarah Tripp coordinates this ministry.

  • Touch base with the Security Team person on duty about any details. Janae will inform you about who is on duty for the morning.

  • Check in with the Nursery Team members.

  • Time by which we aim for Entryway Greeters to be in place: 10:00am

 

Sharing Hospitality as People Are Arriving

Kitchen-Communion Crew

  • Make sure that the refreshment area remains stocked and in order.

  • Look to help anyone who comes to the kitchen area.

  • Greet people warmly.

  • Reach out to anyone who appears to be alone or look lost.

Entryway Greeters

  • Offer bulletins to all adults who enter.

  • Ask adults with children

    • About a kid’s bulletin

    • About an Activity Bag

  • Smile, make eye contact, convey warmth

  • Gently move people along if the entry area becomes congested.

  • Avoid extended conversations with friends who may want to chat.

    • “So glad you are here. Let’s catch up after the service!”

  • Be particularly on the lookout for guests and visitors

    • Offer to help them if they need directions or information.

    • If kids of nursery age (through 3)—guide them to the childcare room.

  • Offer aid to anyone with special needs.

  • Be on the lookout for unusual people.

    • Possible security issues (heads up to the security team member on duty)

    • Looking for help (heads up to the pastors)

  • Be seated for worship as the 1st worship song begins in the sanctuary.

 

Sharing Hospitality after the Worship Service

Kitchen-Communion Crew—details are posted in the kitchen.

  • Clean up the coffee and cold-water stations.

  • Dispose of any leftover food or store it.

  • Empty and take out the garbage.

  • Offer to help those overseeing the Lord’s Supper with assistance in cleaning and putting away the communion set and supplies.

Entryway Greeters

  • Before talking with friends, look for guests or newcomers who you greeted before the service. Go meet them, greet them, and thank them for attending, etc.

 

Further Reflection on Sharing Hospitality

If you noticed anything that would be helpful to report to leadership about the team’s work or experience on that Sunday morning, please let Pastor Tim know—412-551-2386; timseaglej6@gmail.com

 

 

Thank you for sharing hospitality in the name of Christ!