First Free News & Notes: September 2003

The Twin Cities Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 5^th, as a result the Minnehaha Parkway will be closed at the intersection of Chicago & 50^th. Those who live north of the creek will want to allow extra time to get to church. A map of the marathon route will be at the Information Center.

Have an itch for the stage? We are looking for volunteer actors willing to be trained and used on a drama team. Join us for an introductory meeting, September 29, at 7:00 PM. We'll play theatre games, try reading lines, and have mucho fun! If you are interested in this ministry, please contact Karin Olson or Carol Dale. No experience necessary.

Join the choir! We invite singers of all ages, young and old, to join us this year. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, September 30, from 6:45-8:00 PM.

All ladies welcome to a Guild Potluck Salad Luncheon on Tuesday, October 7, at Noon.

Mom's Media Exchange will be held at church on Tuesday, October 14 at 7:00 PM. Sort through your no-longer-popular kid's videos, books, games, and music and bring them to church to exchange with other moms. Call Jill Rose at (612) 827-4402 if you would like to help.

Enjoy making things? On October 16 at 6:00 PM we will be holding a Banner Assembly Night. Sewing machines, supper, all materials, and laughter will all be provided!

Children's Clothes Collection for Salem Evangelical Free. There will be a box across from the church office through October for clean, used children's clothes to benefit the Salem Community Clothes Closet.

The new church directories are available for you to pick up on the table in foyer. Look for the directory with your name on it. You are welcome to take one extra copy per family.

YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $157,707 Budget: $165,865
Sept. 14, 2003 Outreach: 49,883 Budget: 57,139

Congratulations to Curt Decker! He was recently promoted to the rank of Major in the United States Army. Curt has been at Bagram Air Base north of Kabul, Afghanistan, since June with the 327^th Military Police Battalion.

Attention young adults (for those post-high school up to 25 years of age), we'll be meeting each Sunday for young adult fellowship from 11:00-11:45 AM, in Classroom #5 - down the hall from the Pastor's Study. If you have any questions, please call Wayne or Julie Danielson at (612) 869-0874.

Join the choir! We invite singers of all ages, young and old, to join us this year. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, September 30, from 6:45-8:00 PM.

All ladies welcome to a Guild Potluck Salad Luncheon on Tuesday, October 7, at Noon.

Enjoy making things? On October 16 at 6:00 PM we will be holding a Banner Assembly Night. Sewing machines, supper, all materials, and laughter will all be provided!

The new church directories are available for you to pick up on the table in foyer. Look for the directory with your name on it. You are welcome to take one extra copy per family.

YTD Giving (Sept. 14, 2003):
Local Ministries: $153,401 Budget: $159,231
Outreach: 49,003 Budget: 54,854

~ Sunday, September 28, from 4-8:00 PM ~

Discovering Our Spiritual Roots (101) Class
A class to explore church membership

Discovering My Life Mission (401) Class
To help you discover your place in home and world missions

Dinner and child care will be provided for both classes. (Please bring a sack dinner for your kids.) If you would like to participate, mark your Welcome Card with either 101 or 401 Class or call the church office at (612) 827-4705.

Missionary Prayer Focus

Doug & Cheryl Conrad, EFCA-IM, Japan

We praise the Lord that we are now at 15% of monthly support, have a new church home at First Free Church, and that Cheryl is feeling well following her gall-bladder surgery.
Pray for added part-time work for Doug.
Pray for our sons, Christopher and Benjamin as we travel to Christ Community Church in Deer Lodge, Montana, from September 19-22^nd.
Pray that we would meet our support raising goals by January.

The following children will be dedicated today: May (daughter of Darrick Anderson & Amy Van Ert-Anderson); Jonathan (son of Tim & Brenda Audette); Ayebayai (son of Thompson & Bio Ivory) and Laura (daughter of Jeff & Rachel Olson). Please support these families in prayer.

Dear members and friends at First Free, thank you for all of your prayers, cards, and kindnesses during my hospitalization and since. God has blessed us with many good friends! ─ Audrey Sollie

Attention Agape ABF and everyone else, join us for a "RE" (re-gathering) at Ross & Karin Olson's home (5512 14^th Ave) after the concert of prayer tonight.

Join the choir! We invite singers of all ages, young and old, to join us this year. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, September 30, from 6:45-8:00 PM.

Boys & Girls Clubs (for girls from K-6^th grade and boys from 1-6^th grade) begin Wednesday, September 17, from 6:30-8:00 PM. Bring a friend and come enjoy the fun, singing with the youth band, games, Bible stories, and snacks.

An Olde Tyme 70's Sojourners Social is scheduled for Friday, September 19, at 7:00 PM (no children). Please bring snacks: A-M chips or popcorn and N-Z bars or cookies.

The new church directories are available for you to pick up on the table in foyer. Look for the directory with your name on it. You are welcome to take one extra copy per family.

~ Sunday, September 28, from 4-8:00 PM ~

Discovering Our Spiritual Roots (101) Class

A class to explore church membership

& Discovering My Life Mission (401) Class

To help you discover your place in home and world missions

Missionary Prayer Focus

Harry & Sue Maravelas, EFCA-IM, Japan

Pray for the Maravelas family: Harry & Sue, David (17), John (15), and Steven (14). They are on home assignment in the United States until the end of December, 2003. When they return to Okinawa, Japan, in January, 2004, they plan to do church planting at a new site. Fortunately, they will be able to stay in their current home and will not have to move again.
Pray for the family as they adjust to life in the states and for the boys as they begin school here.

Children and their families join Comedian DonB! in the worship center at 11:00 AM for some Rally Day fun!

An All-Church Concert of Prayer on September 14, 6:00 PM, will be part of our Prayer Emphasis Week to seek God's blessings as we begin the new school year.

Attention young adults (for those post-high school up to 25 years of age), we have a small group for you! We'll be meeting each Sunday for young adult fellowship beginning September 7^th, from 11:00-11:45 AM, in Classroom #5 - down the hall from the Pastor's Study. If you have any questions, please call Wayne or Julie Danielson at (612) 869-0874.

Children's Church starts today. Children are dismissed from the Worship Service at about 10:00 AM for classes.

An Adult Bible Fellowship Leaders' Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, 7:00 PM, in the Old Fireside Room. We will be talking about our common focus on the Purpose Driven Life that begins October 19.

Jr. Church Hike (4-6^th Graders) is set for September 13^th. Meet in the church parking lot at 9:00 AM. A $5 donation is appreciated. See Ross Olson for more details.

Baby Dedication Sunday is September 14^th during morning worship. If your family is interested, call the church office.

Teachers and parents of K-6^th grade children, please bring your coffee and donuts to the north end of the gym on Sunday, September 14, at 10:45 AM for a quick meeting regarding activities for the coming year. If you have questions, contact Sherie McClun.

An Olde Tyme 70's Sojourners Social is scheduled for Friday, September 19, at 7:00 PM (no children). Please bring snacks: A-M chips or popcorn and N-Z bars or cookies.

The new 2003-04 Church Directories are available for you to pick up on the table in the foyer. Look for the directory with your name on it. They are filed in alphabetical order. If you would like an extra copy, you are welcome to take one extra per family.

Missionary Prayer Focus

Gary & Valerie Maloney, CSB Ministries

Our youngest son, Jason, has braces and will need gum surgery soon. Pray for patience for Jason and that all goes well.

The CSB Board of Directors continues to search for a new ministry president and vice president. Pray for God's wisdom and discernment for the search committee as they look for a new leadership team.