First Free News & Notes: January 2005

We rejoice with Gene Xiao & Lin Fan, who will be baptized this morning. Please note their testimonies on the back of the Outreach Sunday bulletin inset.

Our prayers go out to Al & Darlene Tunberg. Al's oldest brother passed away suddenly last week. We also uphold Don & Ann Johnson in our prayers. Their son, Bruce, was killed in a car accident on January 20.

Children's Choir Meeting: Parents of 2nd - 6th graders and others interested in being involved in a children's spring musical, meet in the sanctuary at 12:00 pm today.

Mission Trip to Peru: Consider joining Glenn & Apryl Hultstrand on a dental mission trip to Peru from March 24 to April 3. Anyone can help. You can learn more today by attending the ABF presentation in Room #2.

Women's Guild: All ladies are invited to come on Tuesday, February 1, at 1:00 pm. Mike & Linda Gunderson, missionaries in Brazil, will be our speakers.

Dominican Republic Mission Trip: June 11-19 has been confirmed for the mission trip to the orphanage in the Dominican Republic. See John Symington, or the Welcome Center in the foyer for an application to join the team.

A Wedding Shower for Maria Goodman will be held on February 13 here at FEFC from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Maria is registered at Linens 'N Things and Target.

Council & Commissions will meet on Sunday evening, February 13, due to Outreach Sunday on February 6.

The Quarterly Business Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 20, 6:00 PM, in Room #2.

Women's Neighborhood Bible Study will have an Easter Season study beginning February 16 - March 23. This study is only a 6 week commitment and is perfect for someone new (maybe a neighbor or friend). We meet on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:00 AM.

Exploring Church Membership Class is planned for Sunday, February 27, 4:00-8:00 PM, at church. A light dinner and child care will be provided. To sign up, call the church office.

YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $339,674 Budget: $316,083
January 23 Outreach: $104,801 Budget: $103,117

Missionary Letters: You will find an assortment of missionary letters located on the back wall of the foyer. Please feel free to take and read.

Interested in baptism? We will have a service of baptism on Sunday, January 30^th. Contact the church office at (612) 827-4705 if you would like to be baptized.

Would you like to be involved with "10 Keys to Unlocking the Bible" but are not bringing anyone? If you are available one week, a few times, or even all ten weeks, we would appreciate your consideration to assist with one or more of the following:

Mark your registration card or call Apryl Hultstrand at (952) 736-2686 if you are willing to serve.

Outreach Sunday: On February 6, special guests, John & Wendy Gerhardt, will speak during the morning service on how our church can reach out to the community. A Missionary Panel will be held in place of Adult ABF's and Youth Sunday School.

Outreach Sunday Potluck: If your last name begins with A - L, please bring a hot dish to share or M - Z bring a salad to share.

Looking For Good Reading Material? Curl up with a good book from the church library on these cold nights. We have quite a variety of adult fiction.

Maria Goodman Wedding Shower A Shower will be held for Maria Goodman on the 13^th of February here at FEFC from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Maria is registered at Linen's and Things and Target.

Children's Choir Meeting For parents of 2nd - 6th graders and others interested in being involved in a children's spring musical, meet in the sanctuary at 12:00 pm on Jan 30th.

YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $328,117 Budget: $308,732
January 23 Outreach: $102,234 Budget: $100.719

Senior Fellowship Potluck Dinner: Tuesday, January 18, 12:00 Noon at church. Our speaker will be Major Curt Decker, US Army. He recently returned from Afghanistan and will be sharing his experiences with us.

Interested in baptism? We will have a service of baptism on Sunday, January 30^th. Contact the church office at (612) 827-4705 if you would like to be baptized.

Dominican Republic Mission Trip: The dates of June 11-19 have been confirmed for the mission trip to the orphanage in the Dominican Republic. Please see John Symington, or the Welcome Center in the foyer for an application to join the team.

Outreach Sunday: On February 6 we will be having John & Wendy Gerhardt as special guests. John will be speaking during the morning service on how our church can reach out to the community. A Missionary Panel will be held in place of Adult ABF's and Youth Sunday School. [More Information]

Outreach Sunday Potluck: If your last name begins with A - L, please bring a hot dish to share or M - Z bring a salad to share.

Looking for good reading material? Check out our church library. We have recently received many new donations.

YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $320,925 Budget: $301,382
January 9 Outreach: $ 100,581 Budget: $ 98,321

Would you like to be involved with "10 Keys to Unlocking the Bible" but are not bringing anyone?
There are many ways all of us can help. Everyone can pray for this outreach! Also, if you are available one week, a few times, or even all ten weeks, we would appreciate your consideration to help with one or more of the following:

Please mark your registration card or call Apryl Hultstrand at (952) 736-2686 if you are willing to serve.

You Can Still Register for 10 Keys

If someone you have invited has agreed to come at the last minute, you can still register. Just call the church office at (612) 827-4705 or see Pastor Joel.

Bob & Paulette Goodman would like to announce the engagement of their daughter, Maria, to John Cain. A March wedding is being planned.

Council, Commissions, and Finance & Property Board will meet tonight. See your individual Commission Chairs for meeting times (5:00 or 5:30 PM).

Women's Neighborhood Bible Study began Wednesday, January 5, 9:30-11:00 AM, at church. This would be a great time for new people to join because we are starting a new study called: Relationships - Connect to Others: God's Plan.

Interested in baptism? We will have a service of baptism on Sunday, January 30^th. Contact the church office at (612) 827-4705 if you would like to be baptized.

Jenny Merry will be teaching a CPR Class on Saturday, January 22, 8:00 AM - Noon at church in Room #2. Please contact Jenny during donut time to reserve your spot.

Looking for good reading material? Check out our church library. We have recently received many new donations.

YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $311,010 Budget: $301,382
January 2 Outreach: $ 92,804 Budget: $ 98,321

Would you like to be involved with "10 Keys to Unlocking the Bible" but are not bringing anyone?

There are many ways all of us can help. Everyone can pray for this outreach! Also, if you are available one week, a few times, or even all ten weeks, we would appreciate your consideration to help with one or more of the following:

Set-up on Sundays
Driving
Serving Suppers or Clean-up
The Kids' Program

Please mark your registration card or call Apryl Hultstrand at (952) 736-2686 if you are willing to serve.

We are happy to announce the birth of Olina Tian on December 30, 2004. The happy parents are Hua He (Lotus) and Zhixin Tian (Hanson). They are all doing fine!

Bob & Paulette Goodman would like to announce the engagement of their daughter, Maria, to John Cain. A March wedding is being planned.

Council, Commissions, and Finance & Property Board will meet on Sunday evening, January 9^th. See your individual Commission Chairs for meeting times (5:00 or 5:30 PM).

Women's Neighborhood Bible Study begins Wednesday, January 5, 9:30-11:00 AM, at church. To prepare, read Genesis Chapters 1 & 2. This would be a great time for new people to join because we are starting a new study called: Relationships - Connect to Others: God's Plan.

A Concert of Prayer is being planned for Sunday, January 16, at 6:00 PM. Come and support our church in prayer.

Would you like to be involved with "10 Keys to Unlocking the Bible" but are not bringing anyone? There are many ways all of us can help. Everyone can pray for this outreach! Also, if you are available one week, a few times, or even all ten weeks, we would appreciate your consideration to help with one or more of the following:

News & Prayer Email: Want to stay up-to-date and connected to our church family? Sign up for the News and Prayer emails. Visit www.firstfreechurch.org/mailing_list and follow the directions, or contact Jeff at jeff {at} olsonzoo.com.

Jenny Merry will be teaching a CPR Class in January at church. If you have an interest, please give her a call.

YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $306,239 Budget: $286,680
Dec. 26 Outreach: $ 90,908 Budget: $ 93,525

New Sermon Series

$$$ The Season of Financial Stress $$$

January 9 "Top Tips on Money"
-Various Proverbs

January 16 "The Ownership Myth"
-1 Chronicles 29

January 23 "No Fear"
-2 Corinthians 9:6-15

January 30 "First Things First"
-Matthew 6:24-34

We Can Help with Disaster Relief

Many of you know John R. who works with World Vision. He has called us to pray for and help those so adversely affected by the Tsunami Disaster.

Please pray and help by giving financially. Just make your check out to First Free, mark your offering envelope Disaster Relief, and indicate the amount.

We will cut one big check to World Vision, and they will forward our donation to help with the relief effort.