This Sunday, July 19 ,is the Open House for the new Welcome Center at Mission First United Methodist Church, so come one and all! Everyone is invited and welcome! The Open House will be a “come and go” from 3 to 5 p.m. at 1101 Doherty Ave. (1 block east of Conway between 11th and 12th streets in Mission). There will be cookies, coffee, lemonade, an opportunity to see the new Welcome Center and a “thank you” for coming. The heart of this new Welcome Center is just that: to be better at welcoming those who come to worship; to be able to visit and perhaps linger in conversation; or to learn more about this joyful congregation of seekers. So please come, sit down with a cup of coffee and talk with a friend – or make a new friend and enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation. The Welcome Center was created by enclosing the roofed walkway in front of the church. It is enclosed with glass, so it is bright and happy, the sun shines in on nice days, and the rain and wind stay out on other days. It has an Information Desk where one can ask directions, get information about a specific program of this church or sign up as a volunteer on one of the many projects undertaken each year. It also has a coffee bar and sitting area, a book store corner and handicap-accessible restrooms. The church has also undertaken some other projects recently, such as upgrading the kitchen and the nursery, a state-of-the-art audio and visual system for the sanctuary, upgrading the electrical system and installing an escape ladder to the second story of the Education Building. So why was all this done? The members of the church want to do more than just the “usual” good morning at the door. They want everyone who comes in to feel as if they were expected, welcome, and wanted. So what’s missing?  YOU – be at the First United Methodist Church, 1101 Doherty Ave. in Mission, Sunday, July 19, between 3 and 5 p.m.