Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church
1948 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
San Jose, CA 95126
Hospitality means engaging in a friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. Hospitality means treating guests or strangers the way we'd like to be treated.
I think we're doing much better recently at greeting visitors. Many have commented on the warmth of HRLC; we get emails from visitors thanking us for being able to worship here. So I want to stretch us some more.
Greet visitors, don't swarm them. Make them feel welcome, but not conspicuous. If you notice that they're struggling to keep up with the service, step over and help. Invite them to fellowship, even offer to go with them to fellowship.
Tell visitors your name and ask them theirs. Ask if they've been introduced to Pastor John. If the answer is no, introduce them (by name) to Pastor John. If they don't have a name badge, offer to get them one "so pastor will know your name during communion". Invite and welcome, but don't order them to do anything.
Part of being hospitable is helping the usher / greeter to do their job (and, if you are the usher / greeter, doing your job the way it should be done). A visitor really feels like an outsider when, as they walk in, they feel that they're interrupting the "regular folks'" conversation by their presence.