Resources & Updates
Next 10 Blog
FPC Ministries
Feb 27, 2025
A series of weekly blog post ideas that align with the themes and objectives of the "Next 10" strategic plan. These posts are designed to inspire reflection, prayer, and action.
Journey Through Lent: 40 Days of Prayer and Insight into Our Strategic Plan
Thursday, February 27, 2025, Pam Ray
Embark on a transformative 40-day prayer journey this Lent that aligns with our strategic vision—discover more about your role in God's plan and deepen your faith.
Lent begins next week on Ash Wednesday, March 5th. I invite you to join us in 40 days of prayer focused on our strategic plan. Each day, we will release a prayer and a related scripture on our social media channels that aligns with a focus area of the strategic plan. Engaging together in this prayer effort will not only honor God but also provide deeper personal insight into our strategic goals.
You might be wondering: "How can I learn more about the plan and how does it impact me?" Here are some ways to learn more:
- Watch the Next 10 Sunday Sermon Series - the recorded services are available on our website and YouTube.
- Attend a Small Group Presentation - to add your group or committee to the small group schedule, please contact Pam Ray to coordinate.
Your participation in this 40-day journey will not only deepen your personal spiritual life but also fortify our church's shared mission. Together, let's unite in prayer, trusting in God's guidance as we move forward in faith and action.
Follow our Social Media
Music Moment
“You are our daily bread, You are our daily bread. And we will seek your face before we seek your hand. You are our daily bread, You are our daily bread, and we desire You before the Promised Land. It is good for me to draw near my God. It is good for me to trust in my God."
Walking Intimately with God: Preparing Our Hearts to Go Beyond Our Comfort Zones
Thursday, February 20, 2025, Pam Ray
This week is based on the Next 10 newsletter article in the February 2025 issue of First Press Magazine on the message from Brad Hobbs on Sunday, January 16, 2025, in our Unified Worship Experience.
Dive into a journey of faith that’s beyond your comfort zone and into the heart of God’s purpose for you.
As we move toward unpacking more of the strategy that grounds our Next10 as a church family, we must prepare our individual hearts. The journey of faith often requires us to venture into unfamiliar territories- places where we can lean fully on God rather than our own understanding or strengths. In the past weeks, we have reflected on pioneers like John Newton Forrest, who embodied perseverance despite challenges, trusting fully in the unique call God placed on their lives. As we embrace the Next 10, God asks us to do the same—taking bold steps that may lead us out of our comfort zones, but closer to His heart.
This intimacy with God is not passive; it invites action. By stepping into the unknown we learn to listen more closely to His voice and align our lives with His purpose. We discover that true intimacy with God can spur incredible transformation, both personally and within our congregation. This week, I encourage you to ponder the areas where God might be inviting you to trust Him more deeply and how you can live out that trust in practical ways.
Reflective Questions
Dear God,
- How are You asking me to move beyond my comfort zone?
- In what areas of my life do I need to trust Your guidance more, Lord?
Next Steps for the Week
- Take 5 minutes to be still and reflect on areas where you might be holding back from God's call to discipleship in your life.
- Consider joining or starting a small group to foster spiritual growth.
- Volunteer in our Church nursery to actively engage in service and community.
- Spend daily time in God's Word to deepen your personal faith journey.
- I am taking my next step by joining the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality course this Lent. This course offers a space for collaborative learning beyond my daily devotions, with the goal of growing as a disciple. Join me by signing up for the course starting on March 5
Music Moment
“Still, help me be still. Help me turn down the noise and tune in Your will. I have tried my own way, but it only led me to You. Here I am. Here I am. God you have my attention. You are all that I want. “
At the Crossroads: Embracing God's Vision for Our Church
Thursday, February 13, 2025, Pam Ray
This week is based on the Next 10 newsletter article in the February 2025 issue of First Press Magazine on the message from Brad Hobbs on Sunday, January 16, 2025, in our Unified Worship Experience.
In Numbers 13, we read about Israel at a crossroads, poised to enter the Promised Land yet hesitant and fearful of the unknown. At First Presbyterian Church, we find ourselves in a similar situation—standing at a pivotal moment. Our 175-year legacy is rich with God’s blessings and trials, each shaping who we are. Now, with the "Next 10" strategic plan, we are called to choose faith over fear and step boldly into the future God has mapped out for us.
God invites us all to move beyond our apprehensions, embrace His promises, and contribute to His work in our lives and community. Like the Israelites, we are faced with a choice: to dwell on the safety of the past or to step into the divine opportunities of the future. This week, consider how you can be part of this journey and what you need to release to truly trust in God's plan.
Questions to Ask God:
- Lord, what do I need to let go of to truly abide in You?
- Father, do I trust You enough to follow You into new, uncomfortable places?
Prayer Points:
- Pray for courage to embrace God’s vision without fear.
- Ask for wisdom to discern His guidance and strength to act on it.