First Free News & Notes: March 2004

To the tune of "Gratitude" we honor our choir director, Krista Joy Luedtke, for leading our choir the past two years. Krista is refocusing her energies as she prepares for marriage this summer. Easter will be her last Sunday with us. Our warmest wishes and thanks to Krista as she starts this new leg of her journey!

Toothbrushes for Peru: To participate in Hultstrands' ministry in Peru, toothbrushes may be donated next Sunday, April 4^th. Please remember to pray for them as they prepare for their dental trip to Peru, April 8-17.

A Women's Guild Potluck Salad Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, April 6, at Noon. Grace Vandervort will be speaking.

White Cross will meet on Thursday, April 8, at 9:00 AM. This is due to the NCD Senior Luncheon that will be held at First Free on Tuesday, April 13.

North Central District Senior Luncheon will be held here at First Free on Tuesday, April 13^th. The NCD will provide a catered luncheon. Registration begins at 9:30 AM with a hymn sing and special music at 10:15. A catered lunch will be served at Noon. Pastor Joel Sutton will be speaking. The cost is $9 per person. Registration forms are available at the Welcome Center if you would like to sign up.

Do you have some light housework that can be done by our students? On April 24^th our students will embark on Project SERVE where they are available to help you - AT NO COST TO YOU! Feel free to contact Pastor Eric through the church office at (612) 827-4705.

Student Desk Chairs, sized for K-3rd grade children, are no longer needed by the church and are free for you to take. These chairs feature an attached writing surface. A sample is in the primary Sunday school room. If you would like one or more, please contact Rick Vatsaas at (651) 681-8606.

The next 101 Church Membership Class and dinner will be held on Sunday, April 25, from 4:00-8:00 PM.

The Young Adult Class will now be meeting upstairs in the loft area behind the balcony. The Junior High Class will now use Room #5 for their Sunday school classroom.

YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $347,441 Budget: $338,365
March 21, 2004 Outreach: 125,168 Budget: 116,564

Missionary Prayer Focus

Glenn & Apryl Hultstrand in Arequipa, Peru

Glenn & Apryl Hultstrand will be traveling to Peru from April 8-17. Please pray for the following:

We have concerns about our flights and getting our dental supplies and instruments onto the planes and through customs.
Pray that we will remain healthy as we treat many who are ill. Pray also that the high altitude will not hinder our work.
Pray for the patients who come and the local church members who help us run the clinics. We will be in a different location each day and entirely dependent on the local pastor and his members to help us set up and run the clinics.

Website for Doug & Cheryl Conrad, EFCA-IM, Japan:

www.conrad.efcmj.net

We welcome two new baby girls to our congregation! Congratulations to Brian & Sara Gallagher, who are the proud parents of Betsy. She was born on March 15 and weighed in at 7 lb. 13 oz. We also congratulate Jon & Carrie Boyum, who are the proud parents of Christina May. She was born on March 17 and weighed in at 7 lbs. 8 oz.

White Cross will meet on Thursday, April 8, at 9:00 AM. This is due to the NCD Senior Luncheon that will be held at First Free on Tuesday, April 13.

Read Thru the Bible will begin Monday, March 29. (Please note the change of day.) If you have an interest, contact Bob & Lois Chapman at (612) 827-6513, or write "Read Thru the Bible" on your welcome card.

The next 101 Church Membership Class and dinner will be held on Sunday, April 25, from 4:00-8:00 PM.

Overcomers will not meet for lunch in April because of the Easter holiday.

The Minnesota for Marriage Rally will be held at the State Capitol Rotunda on March 22^nd from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. More information can be found at www.mnvoter.com.

Youth Group will go to the Roller Gardens on Wednesday, March 24, at 6:30 PM. Cost is $5 (includes hot dog & pop).

YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $343,715 Budget: $331,731
March 14, 2004 Outreach: 122,379 Budget: 114,279

Missionary Prayer Focus

Website for Doug & Cheryl Conrad, EFCA-IM, Japan:

www.conrad.efcmj.net

The Outreach Commission wants to thank everyone who helped to make Outreach Sunday on February 22 such a success! We so appreciate those from our church who helped to make this possible.

White Cross will meet on Thursday, April 8, at 9:00 AM. This is due to the NCD Senior Luncheon that will be held at First Free on Tuesday, April 13.

MN Vespers, traditional worship with hymns, gospel songs, scripture, and meditation, will be held today at 4:30 PM, at Crosstown Covenant Church, 5540 30^th Ave. So, Mpls.

A Prayer Intercessor is needed for a new Christian. If you are interested in praying regularly for this person, please contact the church office.

Sojourners' Movie Night is planned for Friday, March 19, 7:00 PM, in the Fireside Room at church. Bring snacks to share; beverages will be provided. Children are welcome. If you have questions, call Lori Peterson at (612) 722-9793.

Are you interested in becoming a delegate for the EFCA North Central District Conference. The conference will be held May 3 & 4 at Arrowwood Conference Center, Lake Darling, Alexandria, MN. If you would like more information, call Cindy at (612) 827-4705 by March 21^st.

The next 101 Church Membership Class and dinner will be held on Sunday, April 25, from 4:00-8:00 PM.

YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $338,370 Budget: $325,096
March 7, 2004 Outreach: 120,592 Budget: 111,993

Missionary Prayer Focus

Christian Service Brigade

Russ Anteronen - Pray for energy, enthusiasm, and God's love to flow to and from each leader of Boys' Club, and that they would serve as godly role models. Pray also for the hearts of younger men in our church to be turned towards helping with clubs next year.

Glenn & Apryl Hultstrand in Arequipa, Peru

Pray for Glenn & Apryl as they prepare for their dental outreach from April 8-18 in Arequipa, Peru and other small communities in the area.

(Pray for Bruce, Christy, & Mark Fleming as they return from Congo, Africa & for Linnea Londborg returning from Montreal.)

Our prayers go out to Ralph & Estella Roberts. Estella's brother-in-law, Joe Cornacchia, passed away on March 4. Pray for the Roberts as they travel to Florida for his funeral.

A Baby Shower for Vanessa Beckett will be held this afternoon, 3:00 PM, at the church. All ladies are welcome.

A Hymn Sing will be held at Edgewater Baptist this afternoon at 4:00 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend.

MN Vespers, traditional worship with hymns, gospel songs, scripture, and meditation, will be held on March 14, 4:30 PM, at Crosstown Covenant Church, 5540 30^th Ave. So, Mpls.

A Prayer Intercessor is needed for a new Christian. If you are interested in praying regularly for this person, please contact the church office.

Sojourners' Movie Night, is planned for Friday, March 19, 7:00 PM, in the Fireside Room at church. Bring snacks to share; beverage will be provided. Children are welcome. We will need volunteers for child care. If you have questions, call Lori Peterson at (612) 722-9793.

Shamineau Gardening - Mother & Daughter Camp is planned for Friday, April 30, to Sunday, May 2. We will spend the weekend sowing, watering, and watching flowers grow as we learn what it means to abide in Christ as mothers and daughters. Interested? Registration forms are available at the Welcome Center, on-line at shamineau.org, or by calling Camp Shamineau at (218) 575-2240.

Are you interested in becoming a delegate for the EFCA North Central District Conference. The conference will be held Monday through Tuesday, May 3 & 4, at Arrowwood Conference Center, Lake Darling, Alexandria, MN. If you would like more information, call Cindy in the church office at (612) 827-4705 by March 21^st.

YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $329,152 Budget: $318,462
Feb. 29, 2004 Outreach: 117,750 Budget: 109,708

Missionary Prayer Focus

Praise the Lord that Bruce, Christy, and Mark Fleming have arrived safely in Congo. Praise God they have already been used in many ways since they arrived.