We are thrilled you’ve discovered us through the website, social media, or a friend. This year, we’re embarking on a journey of five commitments that will transform our individual lives and strengthen our community. These commitments—worship, grow, serve, share, and give—are at the heart of our vibrant, Christ-centered church. Join us as we share practical steps and practices for living out your faith. Watch, listen, share, and talk about your encounters with Jesus.
The Big Dare is more than just a movement; it’s a life-changing, interactive experience. Join us on this transformative journey.
Grace and Peace,
Gina Anderson-Cloud, Floris- Restoration Lead Pastor
Daniel Park, Restoration Campus Pastor
New to The Big Dare?
No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, we encourage you to take the challenge to worship, grow, serve, share, and give. Whether you are just curious, new to our website, or a member of Floris/Restoration, you can start at any time to get involved in The Big Dare.
The First Dare
Dare to live into your 5 commitments
Download Reading Plan
The Second Dare
Explore something new in the 5 commitments.
Download the Path
Download Reading Plan
The Third Dare
Take the summer bucket list challenge.
Download Flyer
The Fourth Dare
Participate in a day filled with worship, food, and service.
Download the Save the Date
Ready for the Next Step?
Our lives are shaped by the stories surrounding us. Do you remember the first story you were told? Your story matters, especially your faith story. We have all had bite-size moments or God-sized experiences that, if shared, can change a life.
Share Your Story
Take the dare. Submit videos, photos, or text. All languages, including ASL, are welcome. Max file size is 50MB.
Continue Your Faith Journey
Floris UMC
Restoration Reston
Floris/Restoration Resources
Worship
Pray 5 times a day to become more conscious and aware of God’s presence and power in your life.
Consider the different types of prayers you can do every day.
- Breath Prayer
When you wake up in the morning, take a brief moment to take deep breaths while saying “YAHWEH.” Inhale “Yah” and exhale “Weh.” Simply call upon Yahweh God. As you breathe, be conscious of breathing in God and breathing out God. In your thoughts, commit your day to God. - Meal Prayer
Before you eat, take a brief moment to say, “Thank you.” Gracious God, thank you for this food, the earth that produced it, and the hands that prepared it. In Jesus’ name, Amen. - Thank you Prayer
At the end of the day, thank God for all the good that took place. Loving God, thank you for your provision and protection today. Grant me the rest that I need for tomorrow. In Jesus’ name, Amen. - Silent Prayer
Sit in silence for 5 minutes and decompress before God. - The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Download The First Dare – Worship
Grow
Read the Bible 5 days a week with the goal of finishing the Gospel of Matthew by Easter Sunday (March 31, 2024).
As you read each day, reflect on the question, “In what way did you encounter Jesus through the reading?”
Week 1: Jan 7-13
Day 1 – 1:1-25
Day 2 – 2:1-23
Day 3 – 3:1-17
Day 4 – 4:1-25
Day 5 – 5:1-48
Week 2: Jan 14-20
Day 6 – 6:1-34
Day 7 – 7:1-29
Day 8 – 8:1-17
Day 9 – 8:18-27
Day 10 – 8:28-34
Week 3: Jan 21-27
Day 11 – 9:1-17
Day 12 – 9:18-26
Day 13 – 9:27-38
Day 14 – 10:1-15
Day 15 – 10:16-31
Week 4: Jan 28-Feb 3
Day 16 – 10:32-42
Day 17 – 11:1-19
Day 18 – 11:20-30
Day 19 – 12:1-32
Day 20 – 12:33-50
Week 5: Feb 4-10
Day 21 – 13:1-23
Day 22 – 13:24-43
Day 23 – 13:44-52
Day 24 – 13:53-58
Day 25 – 14:1-12
Week 6: Feb 11-17
Day 26 – 14:13-21
Day 27 – 14:22-36
Day 28 – 15:1-20
Day 29 – 15:21-39
Day 30 – 16:1-12
Week 7: Feb 18-24
Day 31 – 16:13-28
Day 32 – 17:1-20
Day 33 – 17:22-27
Day 34 – 18:1-20
Day 35 – 18:21-35
Week 8: Feb 25-Mar 2
Day 36 – 19:1-15
Day 37 – 19:16-30
Day 38 – 20:1-19
Day 39 – 20:20-34
Day 40 – 21:1-27
Week 9: Mar 3-9
Day 41 – 21:28-46
Day 42 – 22:1-14
Day 43 – 22:15-33
Day 44 – 22:34-46
Day 45 – 23:1-12
Week 10: Mar 10-16
Day 46 – 23:13-39
Day 47 – 24:1-28
Day 48 – 24:29-51
Day 49 – 25:1-30
Day 50 – 25:31-46
Week 11: Mar 17-23
Day 51 – 26:1-16
Day 52 – 26:17-35
Day 53 – 26:36-56
Day 54 – 26:57-75
Day 55 – 27:1-14
Week 12: Mar 24-30
Day 56 – 27:15-31
Day 57 – 27:32-56
Day 58 – 27:57-66
Day 59 – 28:1-15
Day 60 – 28:16-20
Download The First Dare – Grow
Serve - Floris
Participate in 5 community service opportunities.
Consider getting involved in these service opportunities.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day Service Opportunities
Floris UMC has a variety of service opportunities spanning the MLK Day weekend, honoring the legacy and teachings of the social activist. - The Big Serve
Floris UMC serves our community partners through the season of Lent. Engage in one or more service projects during five Sundays. Dates: February 18 and 25; March 3, 10, 17 - North County Hypothermia Program
Prepare meals for unhoused people and deliver them to the North County Human Services Building in Reston through March 2024. - Embry Rucker Meal Service
Help prepare and serve breakfast at the Cornerstones Embry Rucker Shelter in Reston on the second Saturday of every month. - Floris Guest House
Provide shelter and meals to unhoused people from February 18-25. - View All Serve Opportunities
Floris UMC has several opportunities to serve the church and the world.
Download The First Dare – Serve
Serve - Restoration
Participate in 5 community service opportunities.
Consider getting involved in these service opportunities.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day Service Opportunities
We have a variety of service opportunities spanning the MLK Day weekend, honoring the legacy and teachings of the social activist. - The Leadership Center (Honduras) Supply Drive
We collect items to support our partnership with The Leadership Center in Honduras.
Date: January 14 - Monthly South Lakes High School Pantry Collection
Every first Sunday of the month, we collect food, essential items, and monetary contributions to support the pantry. Bring items or submit your financial generosity during Sunday worship.
Dates: February 4, March 3 - Monthly Hunters Woods Elementary School Packaging
Every first Sunday of the month, we support Hunters Woods PTA by providing food insecure students with snacks. Stay after worship to participate.
Dates: February 4, March 3 - Blessing Bags for Terraset Elementary School Teachers/Staff
We assemble blessing bags with notes of encouragement for Terraset Elementary School teachers and staff after worship.
Date: February 25 - The Big Serve
Floris UMC serves our community partners through the season of Lent. Engage in one or more service projects during five Sundays. Dates: February 18 and 25; March 3, 10, 17
Download The First Dare – Serve
Share
Share your faith story with 5 people.
Consider the different ways you can share your faith story.
- Life Group
Create storytelling moments in life groups and share God moments. - Meet up over Coffee/Tea or Meals
Meet up with a fellow Restoration person to share your stories. - Friends/Family
Tell your friend or family member about a God moment or an impactful
experience at Restoration Church you had recently. - Write/record a reflection and share it on this website
Write your story or record your story and share it on TheBigDare.org. - “How was your weekend?” conversations
When someone asks about your weekend, share about Restoration.
Invite 5 people to a Restoration experience.
Consider the different ways you can invite people to a Restoration experience.
- Service Project
Invite folks to join you in the many service projects we do every month. - Sunday Worship
Invite folks to an opportunity to worship with you. - Life Group or Bible Study
Invite friends to join you and your life group or seasonal Bible study and explore the Christian faith more deeply. - Outing with Restoration Folks
Organize an outing with Restoration folks and invite others to join.
Download The First Dare – Share
Give
Do 5 random acts of kindness each week.
Consider doing these random acts of kindness.
- Encouraging Notes
- Be an encouraging voice to others.
– Text someone an encouraging message about who they are in your life. – Send a positive text message to five people.
– Leave Post-It notes with encouraging words on a mirror for your family member to see.
– Email a coworker thanking them for something.
- Be an encouraging voice to others.
- Names, names, names!
- Learn people’s names and intentionally call them by name when you see them.
– Restaurant server
– Mail carrier
– Neighbor
– Coworker
– Receptionist at Dental/Medical Office
– School bus driver
– Restoration Church person
- Learn people’s names and intentionally call them by name when you see them.
- Compliments
- Find opportunities to give compliments.
– Compliment the first three people you see today.
– At the checkout line, thank and compliment the employee who helps you, i.e., “Thank you so much. You are awesome.”
– Throw a party to celebrate someone for just being who they are.
- Find opportunities to give compliments.
- Help Others
- Notice opportunities to help others.
– Hold the door open for someone carrying items.
– Donate blood.
– Practice active listening when people share their thoughts.
- Notice opportunities to help others.
Download The First Dare – Give