There have been a bunch of changes around August Gate Church lately.  We have moved to a new building, a new time, and a new neighborhood.  Along with these big changes have been smaller changes as well; pews, communion, stained glass, etc. 

One of the smaller changes that I miss is not having snacks after the service.  From the beginning of August Gate we knew that we wanted to provide a welcoming place where people could stay and connect after the singing and preaching ended.  To help accomplish this, many of our people cooked, baked, bought and brought amazing treats to give away to those who came.    

While this was amazing at our previous location, with its luxurious kitchen, our new location leaves something to be desired when it comes to food prep and clean up.  So, we have changed things up a bit (surprised?).   

For the time being and for as far as we can see in to the future, Gospel Communities (our small groups), will be serving together to make August Gate a more hospitable place.  This means that every week a different Gospel Community (GC) will come early and stay late, prepping, welcoming, and cleaning to ensure that August Gate Church continues to be a place where people can connect before, during, and after service.   

While food will not be provided any more, GC’s will still brew fresh coffee for all who wish to indulge.  However, if food is central for you when it comes to hospitality, we encourage you to dive in!  Our new time provides great opportunities to put a little extra food in the crockpot, set a couple more places, and have some new friends over for lunch.  There are also great places like Van Gohz, Yummies, and a myriad of restaurants and bistros in the surrounding neighborhoods to take friends and buy them lunch.  Have a picnic basket? Walk a few blocks in any direction and take some new or old friends on a picnic! 

Changing what we provided at August Gate in the realm of hospitality gives us an opportunity to re-evaluate how we see hospitality.  Hospitality is more about the condition of our heart and less about what we provide for people.  This means, as you see people (especially new people), coming on Sunday mornings, be welcoming and engaging. 

Jesus has done an amazing thing by living the life we should have lived and dying the death we should have died, that we may be reconciled to God and to one another.  So, celebrate that with some great people.  Be creative, be excited, and definitely, be hospitable! 

Pastor Todd