COTHA is a friendly Church. People say that to me all the time. We focus on making people feel welcomed and are constantly seeking ways to be more accessible to all who come and worship here. Our Welcome Team is a dedicated group of people who do not hesitate to do all they can to make our guests feel like not only did we expect them, but we wanted them to show up. It always makes me smile to see one of our Welcome Team members walking outside when it is raining, holding an umbrella to either help someone enter, or help them get to their car following the service.
While we are not perfect in our welcoming, we continue to seek ways to improve. Our Hospitality Team makes sure everything is in place and the staff talks about being “Game Day Ready.” Our VIP area is very visible and many guests have received information about our church from both staff and volunteers who staff the red carpet.
On Easter Sunday, we have an opportunity to build on the good work of hospitality to all who enter our building. I want to encourage you to smile at anyone you may not know, and lend a hand if anyone looks lost or confused. If you see a piece of trash on the ground, pick it up and throw it away. If the restroom counter top has water on it, grab a paper towel and wipe it off. Let’s make sure we present ourselves in such a way that people feel welcomed. We may only get one chance with a guest. Let us give that guest our best!
There is one last thing you can do. Invite someone to come with you. This is the only Sunday during the year that most people will say “yes” if they are invited to Church. Ask your neighbors, your family, an acquaintance, to meet you at Church. While it may feel uncomfortable, the difference it may make in someone’s life could be eternal. Pray for the opportunity and as the Nike ad says, “Just do it!”
I am looking forward to a glorious Easter this year. I am thrilled to get to celebrate it with you. Let us grow our family by inviting people into it. That is how we all got here, someone invited us. May your Easter be glorious and may you feel God’s pleasure because you risked inviting someone to celebrate the resurrection at COTHA.