Walt & Carol Hultstrand, members of long standing at First Free will be with us today for the last time. They are moving May 31^st to Springfield, Virginia, to be closer to their daughter Jan and family. We appreciate them for their friendship over the years and all the hard work they did during their time with our fellowship. We will miss them greatly! Their new address will be 8823 Newport Court, Springfield, Virginia 22153.

You are invited to a Graduation Open Housefor Katie Hucek on Sunday, June 2^nd, from 2:00-6:00 PM. Congratulations, Katie!

All women are welcome to the Women's Guild Picnic, June 4^th, at 12:00 Noon. The picnic will be held at Gen Anderson's building, 8641 Wentworth Ave. So. Becky Sutton will be our guest and will give a short meditation. Please bring a salad to share.

The Chaim Class will be having a BBQ/Potluck on Saturday, June 1^st at Noon - meet at Minnehaha Falls Park. Contact Vanessa Beckett for more details (612) 721-6885 or (612) 436-2107.

The Billy Graham adventure movie, The Climb, will be on national TV the week of June 2^nd. See www.theclimbmovie.com.

Ken & Judy Landrud, Free Church missionaries to Central African Republic, will be visiting and sharing with us the weekend of June 29-July 1. They will need housing during that time. If you can help, contact Ross Olson or Maureen Juarez.

The Summer Schedule for Children's Worship begins Sunday, June 9^th

• There will be no children's classes during the worship hour for children age 3 - 6^th Grade as of Sunday, June 9^th.
• Sunday school will continue throughout the summer beginning at 11:00 AM.
• There is no adult supervision in the primary room during the Fellowship Time. Please keep your children out of the classroom until Sunday school at 11:00 AM. Thanks for your help.

Missionary Prayer Focus

Andy & Lorna Gilbert, EFCM to Fukuoka, Japan

• Pray for Andy & Lorna who will be completing their ministry in the Evangelical Free Church Mission office in Minneapolis this week. Pray for them as they attend a 9-week intensive Japanese Language Program in Beloit, Wisconsin, from June 9 - August 9.
• Pray for wisdom for Bob & Joan Verme as they seek housing for them in Fukuoka and determine the location for their next church plant. Pray for the Lord's leading and guidance. Pray that God will supply all their needed support before we leave.

- Ministry Highlights -

Junior Church Hike (Grades 4-6)

• WHO:    4-6th Grade kids from Stockade, Girls' Club and Junior Church
• WHEN:    Saturday, June 1^st, 9:00 am-5:00 pm
• WHERE:    Meet at church. We plan to take vans to the hiking place, which will be around Pike Island and Fort Snelling.
• WHAT:    Wear long pants, old shoes, and plenty of sun screen and insect repellant
• A donation of $5 is appreciated to cover snacks, lunch, and pictures.

The flowers in front of the pulpit are in loving memory of Marv Johnson, who went home to be with the Lord on May 14^th, two years ago. Marv was a member of First Free Church for 64 years and served faithfully in many ways. - Hazel Johnson

The flowers next to the piano are in loving memory of Anna Mae Nelson Schroeder who was called Home on January 25, 1977, and also in loving memory of Ruby Nelson Schroeder who went home two years ago, May 19^th. After returning from her 9-year missionary service in Belgian Congo, Ruby taught elementary school for 23 years. - The Schroeder and Nelson Families

Congratulations, Heidi! Heidi Hultstrand graduated from High School last Friday evening. Her parents, Glenn & Apryl, will honor her today with an open house, 1-4 PM, at their home in Burnsville, 2784 Boulder Dr. (From 35W, take Burnsville Parkway West for two miles. Turn left on Judicial Road and then follow the sign.)

Ladies remember the Open House Bridal Shower for Jessica Kender (fiancée of Peter McWilliams) on Tuesday, May 21^st, 7-9 PM. Jessica is registered at Target, Marshall Fields, and Kohls.

Missed a church worship service? Cassette tape recordings of each week's service can be checked out of the church library or purchased for $2. To purchase a tape, just fill out a request envelope and drop it in the box near the sound booth. You can now listen on the Internet at www.firstfreechurch.org. Click on the Worship Services link and look for the Listen icon to click on.

Ken & Judy Landrud, Free Church missionaries to Central African Republic, will be visiting and sharing with us the weekend of June 29-July 1. They will need housing during that time. If you can help, contact Ross Olson or Maureen Juarez.

Missionary Prayer Focus

National Association of Evangelicals

• Pray that the Second Summit on Religious Persecution: Examination of North Korea and Sudan, sponsored by NAE, will be influential in leading a movement of prayer, action, and the passage of the International Religious Freedom Act.

- Ministry Highlights -

Women's Night Out!

• WHO:    Women of all ages!
• WHEN:    Monday, May 20th   7:00 -9:30 PM
• WHERE:    Meet at church in Fidelis Room
• WHAT:    Bring along a project you are working on or just come to visit
• QUESTIONS: Call Beth Brown (612 724-1918) or Jill Rose (612 827-4402)

Let's dedicate ourselves as a congregation to help, love and support the families who are dedicating their babies to the Lord this morning: John & Sarah Clinton dedicating their son, Owen and Chris & Angie Hansen, dedicating their son, Gabriel.

We are commissioning Andy & Lorna Gilbert on Sunday, May 19^th as they prepare to leave for Japan. We will honor them with a cake during our fellowship time following the service. There will also be a basket available for your cards and gifts.

The Annual Meeting will be held Tuesday, May 14, at 7:00 PM. The following people have been placed in nomination: Felix Juarez, Outreach Commission Chair, John Londborg and Geoffrey Wehrman, Nominating Committee, Karen Beckett, Worship Commission Vice-Chair, Alan Peterson, Caring Commission Vice-Chair, and Sherie McClun, Nurture Commission Chair.

Ladies remember the Open House Bridal Shower for Jessica Kender (fiancée of Peter McWilliams) on Tuesday, May 21^st, 7-9 PM. Jessica is registered at Target, Marshall Fields, and Kohls.

The Invitation … inviting God to transform our cities is a call to the Church of the Twin Cities (and beyond) to join in seeking God on behalf of our churches, cities, and nation, May 19^th, 6:00-9:00 PM, at the Minneapolis Metrodome.

Attention Children's Ministry Workers: We are cleaning and reorganizing the storage areas in the lower level primary children's area. We are putting "unknown" items on the cabinet by the sink. If there are things you wish to keep in that area, please mark them with your name and ministry and put them back in the cabinet. Unmarked items will be discarded or donated.

Missed a church worship service? Cassette tape recordings of each week's service can be checked out of the church library or purchased for $2. To purchase a tape, just fill out a request envelope and drop it in the box near the sound booth. You can now listen on the Internet at www.firstfreechurch.org. Click on the Worship Services link and look for the Listen icon to click on.

- Ministry Highlights -

Girls' Club Year-End Party, May 17th

• The Girl's Club is ending their year with a party and sleepover.
• WHO: All girls who've attended Girls' Club this year.
• WHEN: Friday, May 17
  • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM for 1-3^rd Grade Girls
  • 6:00 PM - 9:00 AM for 4-6th Grade Girls
• Come at 6:00 PM and we'll have supper together and spend the evening playing games, singing, and overnighters can expect a little cinema!

Missionary Prayer Focus

Evangelical Free Church of America

• Pray for the EFCA that they will continue to fulfill their mission of developing and supporting healthy churches.
• This is National Nurses' Week. The EFCA encourages us to pray for and encourage the nurses in our congregation.

The flowers in the sanctuary are in loving memory of Milt Rask, who went home to the Lord on May 11th, 2 years ago. Milt served the Lord and this church for over 60 years. -The Rask Family

Stacy Olson will be working with Youth for Christ in Hong Kong from May 7^th - August 28^th. She plans to minister through song, teaching mime, dance and conversational English. Let's continue to uphold her in prayer for spiritual focus, physical stamina, good team dynamics, and prepared hearts to hear the Gospel.

A Baby Dedication will be held on Mother's Day, May 12th, during the morning worship service. Please notify the church office by May 8^th you would like to have your child dedicated.

The Annual Meeting will be held Tuesday, May 14, at 7:00 PM. The following people have been placed in nomination: Felix Juarez, Outreach Commission Chair, John Londborg and Geoffrey Wehrman, Nominating Committee, and Karen Beckett, Worship Commission Vice-Chair. There are also positions to fill on the Finance & Property Board, Caring and Nurture Commissions.

Calendar Correction: The Surviving Spouse Lunch has been cancelled for the month of May.

All ladies are welcome to Women's Guild on Tuesday, May 7, at 1:00 PM. Kathleen Peterson with the Cundelee Mission of Australia will speak about her 14 years in the Australian Outback.

The Invitation … inviting God to transform our cities is a call to the Church of the Twin Cities (and beyond) to join in seeking God on behalf of our churches, cities, and nation, May 19^th, 6:00-9:00 PM, at the Minneapolis Metrodome.

Missed a church worship service? Cassette tape recordings of each week's service can be checked out of the church library or purchased for $2. To purchase a tape, just fill out a request envelope and drop it in the box near the sound booth. You can now listen on the Internet at www.firstfreechurch.org. Click on the Worship Services link and look for the Listen icon to click on.

- Ministry Highlights -

Pinewood Derby, May 10th

• Excitement is building for the annual Brigade Pinewood Derby! About 16 boys will be racing their pinewood derby cars in the church gym. These are cars that the boys have built themselves.
• The evening begins with a potluck dinner at 7:00 PM.
• The races begin around 8:00 PM and are held in two shifts, one for the youngest boys (Tree Climbers) and the other for the older boys (Builders & Stockaders).
• A special thanks to Rick Vatsaas who has helped to make the racing cars look especially sharp this year.
• All are welcome to come watch the races at 8:00 PM.

Missionary Prayer Focus

Trinity International University (Deerfield, Illinois)

• Commencement Events on May 3^rd. Pray for all those traveling to be in attendance and for the staff members working many extra hours.
• Pray for our graduates as they move on with great hope to continue the work that brought them here and now ushers them to new labors.