First Free News & Notes: April 2003

The Annual Meeting will be held Monday, May 12, at 7:00 PM. The following people have been placed in nomination:
    Worship Chair - Julie Danielson
    Caring Chair - Carrie Boyum
    Caring Vice-Chair - Gail Marchand
    Nurture Vice-Chair - Apryl Hultstrand
    Outreach Vice-Chair - Maureen Juarez
    Finance & Property Board - Bob Goodman, Charles Sawyer, Jon Boyum, and Peter McWilliams
If you desire to place someone else in nomination, you must ask them first, provide them with a job description for that office, and contact Ralph Roberts at (651) 456-5664.

Note Meeting Changes: On May 4, Commissions and Finance & Property will meet at 6:00 PM, and Council will meet at 7:30 PM at church. Council members will leave their Commission meetings at 7:30.

VBS Paint-O-Rama, Saturday, May 3^rd, from 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Come for an hour or for the whole day. Strictly paint-by-number - NO experience needed. Lunch will be served at 12:30 PM. If you have paint brushes (of any size) please bring them. Hope to see you there!

All women welcome to Guild on Tuesday, May 6, at 1:00 PM. Come and hear our own Jul Stone speak about her time in Indonesia with Bethany Fellowship.

A Men's Prayer Breakfast is planned for Saturday, May 10, at 8:00 AM. If you have questions, contact Dick Miller.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for Outreach Weekend scheduled for May 17 & 18. More details will follow!

Chaim Class BBQ Get-Together, Saturday, May 17, 6:00 PM, at Scott & Vanessa Beckett's home, 4249 28^th Ave. So. Last names beginning A-L bring a salad and M-Z bring a dessert. Also bring your own plates and utensils. Kids are welcome. RSVP to Vanessa Beckett at (612) 721-6885.

Harry & Sue Maravelas are in need of housing from June 15 to August 15. They are willing to house sit or pay rent.

Did any used blankets, bedspreads, or comforters surface during your spring cleaning? If so, hang on to them -the youth group has a great use for them. If you want to know more about this, contact Krista Symington or Becky Juarez.

Missionary Prayer Focus

David & Patsy Alfors - EFCM

It doesn't look like any of our missionaries will be returning to CAR (Central African Republic) this summer because of the unsettled political situation.
Please pray for peace in the CAR so that the Gospel can spread and triumph. Pray that the Church would be a light during these difficult days.
Pray for clear direction as to where the Lord wants us to be next year and for our finances.

Adoption Celebration on Saturday, April 26 from 4:00-6:00 PM. Elijah Lee McDonald was officially adopted by Jerry & Anita McDonald. Please join us and his sister, Nikki, for a celebration at our home, 3835 20^th Ave. So., Minneapolis.

You are invited to a Bridal Shower for Jennifer Viljaste & Neal Buddensiek on Saturday, April 26, at Noon. Lunch will be provided in the old Fireside Room at First Free. Jennifer is registered at J.C. Penny's, Marshall Fields, and Target. If you have questions, contact Sharon Buddensiek.

NCD Senior Spring Luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 24, 9:00 AM, at Wayzata Free Church, 705 County Road 101, Plymouth, (763) 473-9463. The cost is $7 per person. To register call Bob Dillon at 952-941-8260 ASAP.

Heads Up! The National Day of Prayer is May 1^st. A prayer rally will take place at the State Capital from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Heart of the City will lead the worship and local pastors and government officials will be leading prayer.

VBS Paint-O-Rama, Saturday, May 3^rd, from 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM. We need people willing to help paint scenes and props for VBS. Strictly paint-by-number - NO experience needed. Lunch will be served at 12:30 PM. If you have paint brushes (of any size) please bring them. Hope to see you there! If you have questions, call Patty Mellema or Sherie McClun.

All women welcome to Guild on Tuesday, May 6, at 1:00 PM. Come and hear our own Jul Stone speak about her time in Indonesia with Bethany Fellowship.

A Men's Prayer Breakfast is planned for Saturday, May 10, at 8:00 AM. If you have questions, contact Dick Miller.

Harry & Sue Maravelas are in need of housing from June 15 to August 15. They are willing to house sit or pay rent.

Did any used blankets, bedspreads, or comforters surface during your spring cleaning? If so, hang on to them for a while longer - the youth group has a great use for them. If you want to know more, contact Julie Danielson.

Missionary Prayer Focus

Chuck & Sharon Steen - The Navigators

May we keep our eyes on the Lord, growing deeper in Him, and clearly remembering what He has called us to.
We are in the process of moving to Virginia. May we not lose sight of the needs of people He brings into our lives.
Ask God to enable us to get the work finished on our house so it can be listed and shown. Pray for a buyer of His choice.

Our prayers and condolences go out to Lorraine Holst and her family. George went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 9^th. Visitation will be this evening at 5-7 PM at the Werness Funeral Home (3500 W 50^th St, Mpls) His reviewal will be held at First Free on Monday, April 14, at 2:00 PM one hour prior to the service.

Congratulations to Matt Goodman who will be graduating from Briercrest Bible College on April 26. He is receiving a B.A. degree in Outdoor Adventure/ Administration. He will be employed with Adventurous Christians, a BWCA camp just outside of Grand Marias.

We are happy to announce that Stacy Olson will be joining the church office staff on a part-time basis as of April 14^th. She will primarily be an Administrative Assistant to Pastor Eric but will help Cindy with office duties as well.

The Way of the Cross Good Friday Service will be held at First Free at 7:00 PM on Friday, April 18^th. Music will feature congregational singing and special numbers by the choir.

NCD Senior Spring Luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 24, 9:00 AM, at Wayzata Free Church, 705 County Road 101, Plymouth, (763) 473-9463. The cost is $7 per person. Register; Bob Dillon at 952-941-8260 ASAP

The National Day of Prayer is scheduled for Thursday, May 1^st. A rally will be held at the State Capital at 11:30 AM.

Missions Work Trip Opportunity, June 21-28. The church is sending a team to Kid's Alive orphanage in the Dominican Republic. We will be helping with construction and children's programs. Because of passports and tickets, you must respond quickly. Get an application at Information Booth.

If anyone still needs giving envelopes, please contact the church office or Mark Holman, Church Treasurer.

You are invited to a Bridal Shower for Heather Hultstrand this afternoon, 4:00 PM, at the church. Heather is registered at J.C. Penny's, Marshall Fields, and Target. If you have any questions, please contact Deb Holman at (952) xxx-xxxx.

Sunday Night Amplified - Come and experience the power of praise to Jesus Christ! The Rotators with Dave Boeltl will be raising the roof tonight, 7:00 PM, at Indian Fellowship Church on 33^rd St. & 30^th Ave. in Minneapolis. If you have questions, contact Barb or Guy Hugo at (612) 869-4165.

Heart of the City Worship Celebration is set for tonight at 7:00 PM, at Crystal Free Church. Invite a friend and enjoy worshipping with believers from across the Twin Cities.

The Way of the Cross Good Friday Service will be held at First Free at 7:00 PM on Friday, April 18^th. Music will feature congregational singing and special numbers by the choir.

A work weekend at Camp Shamineau is set for April 11-13. There is work for every ability! Lodging and meals will be provided. An offering will be taken to offset expenses. Call John Symington (952) 835-1387 if you can help.

Are you interested in baptism? If you would like to explore this further, please contact Pastor Joel Sutton.

Planning for summer? Mark your calendars for VBS here at First Free, Monday, July 28 - Friday, August 1^st, 9:30 - Noon.

Missionary Prayer Focus

Dan & Kimberly Reeve

Urban Intercultural Missions - EFCA

Church Planting - I'm putting together a Church Planters Manual. Pray that I might find the most helpful resources, and that I can manage my time to get it done by the end of May.

Diversity - Pray for our diversity and inclusiveness initiative and that God would bring the design plan team together. This team will meet for the first time in April. Pray that we will be able to discover the right resources and that as a group we would be devoted to prayer.

Leadership Development - I'll be speaking at three different churches and one district event in the next month. Pray that God would give me continued passion for the urban mission field.

BUMP - We have a record number of students registered to do the BUMP this summer. Pray for my administration and for the leaders.