SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2026
WHO NEEDS A FRIEND?
Loneliness is epidemic in our world today. We meet people every day who need a connection—friendship, community, and a church home.
We believe what we have at First West is so good that we need to share it with others. Whether that’s the incredible worship and preaching we experience together in the large rooms at Calhoun and West Monroe, or the many caring LIFE Groups doing life together, we have something worth sharing!
It’s a time for YOU to be intentional in fulfilling our mission: “See to it that NO ONE misses the grace of God.” Who are YOU inviting this year?
Reasons to invite someone!
Sunday, 10/18 – Why?
We show God’s love to others by inviting them to join us for community and worship.
John 15:12–14 says: “This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.”
This is a good time to reflect on the reasons your LIFE Group matters to you. Your group is the place where you connect with others, share burdens and joys, grow spiritually and experience life in the high and low moments. Everyone needs a LIFE Group, especially the folks around us who don’t get to experience group togetherness.
Sunday, 10/25 – Who? Identify One Friend!
God has positioned each of us in unique places to reach out to so many folks who don’t have a church to call home.
Look for friends, neighbors and co-workers who don’t go to church. Maybe they used to have a church home, but fell away during COVID-19 or because they lost the relational connections that kept them engaged. Whatever the reason, consider the people you know and look for opportunities to invite them.
Pray for spiritual discernment about the people God is leading you to invite.
Sunday, 11/1 – How? Let’s Get it Done!
Invite people in your circle to join you for your LIFE Group and/or a worship service at First West.
You have two invite opportunities: LIFE Group and Worship Services. Maybe the relationship with your friend is deep enough for both invites. Or maybe it isn’t. The important thing is that you discern what environment works best for your friend and then carry it through. Smaller group or big worship room—you decide.
Here’s a sample script for inviting your friend:
“Hey, I want to invite you to join me as my special guest for Friend Day at my church, First West, coming up on November 8. You mean a lot to me, and my LIFE Group has meant a lot to me as well. We study God’s word. We meet new friends. We have a great time in fellowship. We encourage one another and pray for one another. I promise that you won’t be called on to pray. You won’t be called on to read scripture. You’re just going to get to meet some new folks, and it would be my honor for you to be with me as my friend for LIFE Group on that day, and then we’ll sit together in church. So, I hope you’ll come and join me for Friend Day.”
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Sunday, 11/8 – FRIEND DAY
2 Invites: LIFE Group and Worship Services
Sunday, 11/15 – Follow Up Activities
You can plan a LIFE Group fellowship, Friendsgiving event, Sunday AM Group Breakfast, or some other follow-on activity to engage new folks past Friend Day itself.