HUGENS || Greeter

On Saturday, May 24, Emmaus will host a flea market.

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Greeter

Arrival Time: 10 am. Please wear your name tag.
Guest Book and Pen: Place the Guest Book on the stand in the Narthex, near the doors going into the Parlor, and be sure there is a pen with the book (very important, as a record of visitors and means of following up on newcomers). Before you take your seat for worship, please move the Guest Book between the two doors going outside so guests can sign in after they have been greeted by the minister after the Service, if they have not already done so.
Position: Greeters stand near the entrance to the Sanctuary. As each person arrives, extend a warm personal welcome. If time permits, you may invite newcomers to stay for coffee (or punch) after worship. On days when the minister is away (vacation, conference, etc.) mention this and say who is responsible for the Service that morning.
Information about Church School and Nursery: If a family has not already taken its children into the Education Building, let them know that children 3 years old to 6th grade stay in the Sanctuary until the Children's Message, after which they are escorted to the Education Building. Let them know that care is available for infants and toddlers. If a first-time visitor is reluctant to bring their toddler or infant into the Education Building, let them know where you will be seated and if at any time they change their mind, you will be "more than happy" to show them where the nursery and toddler care is. The Junior High Youth Group (7th and 8th graders) meets in the Education Building during worship (except on Communion Sundays when they attend worship). One of the Greeters should offer to take the family next door, show them where their classes are and introduce them to their teacher or to some other adult who will take that responsibility. If there are more people than you can manager alone, ask someone from the congregation to help you.
Prelude: Please remember to honor the prelude played by the organist after the announcements and to maintain a quiet but warm presence to lessen the noise factor in the Narthex.
Offering: Please assist the head usher with the offering. When the organist begins to play the offertory, the head usher and the ushers/greeters proceed down the center aisle to collect the offering. One usher will carry two offering plates and stay in the middle aisle. He/she will start an offering plate on each side of the aisle. Another usher will go to the left with one offering plate and give it to the choir. He/she will then offer that plate to the far side of the sanctuary and will collect the plate from the center section and return it via the next aisle. The third usher will take one offering plate to the far right of the sanctuary and offer it to that section of the sanctuary. He/she will also collect the plate from the center section and return it via the next aisle. After the offering is collected, the ushers/greeters will proceed down the aisle to the altar with the offering when the Doxology begins. (On the first Sunday of the month (communion Sunday), the Doxology is not played, and the offering is not taken forward.)
After Service: Please go to the Parlor as quickly as possible, so you can identify newcomers, welcome them, make sure they get coffee if they want it, and introduce them to others.
Substitution: If you cannot serve on this Sunday, please arrange for a substitute from the master HUGENS list and let the administrative assistant at the church office.

A NOTE ON GREETING NEWCOMERS: If you are not sure whether a family is a new visitor or not, simply introduce yourself and say that you are glad to see them. Usually if you tell them your name, they will respond by telling you theirs. If they are visitors or guests, invite and encourage them to sign the Guest Book.

Remember to welcome everyone and make them feel at home and among friends. Thank you again for serving as a Greeter.