God is continuing to work in amazing ways at First. Lives are being touched and “life change” stories are being written every week. We realize that none of us have “made it,” but we’re all on our journey, becoming who God has designed us to be. As a group of people we’re a mess, but we have a God who ferociously loves us in our failures! Our neighbors need to know that God cares, and that he will stop at nothing to reach them.

We began Impact several weeks ago to allow us to focus on the need, and explore how each of us can be part of telling our community – and the world – about this God who is madly in love with them. We’ve talked about “love big,” explored how to “live big,” and this coming Sunday we will be challenged to “give big.”

Each one of us can be part of God’s plan to impact our community. Here are a few of the things we are hoping to achieve over the course of the next year:

• Refresh and renew our nursery.

We want to replace the hard, worn carpeting with new, soft carpeting for our babies, increase security, enhance the safety of the children, as well as create a stimulating environment where moms and dads feel at ease leaving their precious ones during worship.

• Renew our foyer and rest rooms.

As the first impression of our church that guests receive, our foyer needs to be an inviting, welcoming place. We desire to replace the carpeting, change the lighting, and create spaces where people can have great conversations before and after our worship, just to name a few things. Our restrooms need better lighting and update sinks, faucets, and some other items.

• Create children’s and youth worship areas.

We want to provide our kids with the most exciting, high-energy experience, and do so in a place that they are excited about being in. Creating a student entrance, replacing flooring and lighting, repainting and refreshing our current facilities are just part of the plan.

• Address parking needs.

As we grow, our parking situation is becoming increasingly more difficult, and the parking we do have is deteriorated. We hope to be able to resurface the parking lot, stripe for ease of use, and provide easy-to-read signage for guests and those who need close access to the entrance.

These are just a few of the things we hope to accomplish with your help – and each of us can be part. Please take a pick up a commitment card at the Worship Experience next Sunday and pray about the part God wants you to play.

Dreaming wildly!