First Free News & Notes: November 2008

Congratulations to Mark and Melinda Meyers! Emberly Lucia joined the Meyers family Friday, November 21^st, at 8:25 PM.

It's called the Advent Conspiracy. It means:
…giving children one or two gifts instead of 20.
…practicing "presence" with others, not just presents.
… focusing on the gift, not just the wrapping paper.
… as a church we will join together to give to those in need.
The Truth begins TODAY.

Get your finances ready for 2009! A two-part Debt Reduction Workshop will be offered Dec. 11^th and 18^th from 6:30-8:30 PM at First Free. Contact Joel Burns at 612-724-6510 or rexxsox {at} usfamily.net if you are interested in attending.

Normally when you think of NYE and fun, you don't think of church. But, this event is tons of fun…if you're caffeined up! Youth NYE Bash. 9 pm- 6 am. Cost is $15 for FEFC students and $5 for friends that do not regularly go to a church. Bring your friends; they will love it!!

YTD Giving Local Ministries: $324,345 Budget: $369,573
November 16, 2008 Outreach: $93,644 Budget: $98,778

Holiday Happenings!

The Women's Guild Christmas Luncheon will be held at 1:00 PM this Tuesday, Dec. 2^nd, at Vi Fjellman's Party Room (66^th & France). The luncheon will feature a guest speaker, Kristin Hink, from the Marie Sandvik Mission Center. Shoe boxes for the Mission will also be collected at this time. Tickets are $7.

Life ABF is celebrating together at a Christmas Brunch on Dec. 13^th at 10 AM. Jon & Carrie Boyum will be hosting. Cost is $5 per family.

The Seekers ABF will have its Christmas Party on Dec. 14^th after second service in the gym.

We welcome our new Members! Oladipo & Christiana Akinpelu, Gene & Peggy Baum, Frank & Lisa Cupersmith, Colleen Guzman, Randy & Carolyn Hilden, Jeremy & Becki Kobielush, Peter & Debra Olson, and Randy & Kathie Solem.

Invitation cards for our "Harvest of Praise" Thanksgiving service and pie social can be picked up at the Welcome Center. Invite someone!

Creekside Clubs packed 72 shoe boxes Wednesday night for Operation Christmas Child. Thank you to all who donated items!

Volunteers are needed to help decorate the church for Christmas this Saturday, November 29, from 9:00 AM to Noon. A pizza lunch will be provided. Please contact Jennifer Bartle at 612-824-5120 or jenn.bartle {at} gmail.com.

It's called the Advent Conspiracy. It means:
…giving children one or two gifts instead of 20.
…practicing "presence" with others, not just presents.
…focusing on the gift, not just the wrapping paper.
…as a church we will join together to give to those in need.
The Conspiracy begins next week.

The Women's Guild Christmas Luncheon will be held at 1:00 PM on Dec. 2^nd at Vi Fjellman's Party Room (66^th & France). The luncheon will feature a guest speaker, Kristin Hink, from the Marie Sandvick Mission Center. Shoe boxes for the Mission will also be collected at this time. Tickets are $7.

Get your finances ready for 2009! We will be holding a workshop where you are invited to begin developing a Debt Reduction Plan. Sessions will be Dec. 11^th and 18^th from 6:30-8:30 PM at First Free. Contact Joel Burns at 612-724-6510 or rexxsox {at} usfamily.net if you are interested in attending.

Drive Bus? The Youth Group needs YOU! Two drivers are needed for the youth New Years Eve Bash from 9:30-11 PM. One driver is also needed for the youth Winter Retreat, January 23-25. Contact Mark Meyers if you can help out.

YTD Giving Local Ministries: $312,923 Budget: $358,374
November 9, 2008 Outreach: $90,437 Budget: $95,785

We welcome Dan Reeve, Gary Maloney, and Tom and Joy Harriger to our service today in celebration of Outreach Sunday. Thank you for sharing your ministry with First Free!

Neighborhood invites for our "Harvest of Praise" Thanksgiving service will be available between services today by the coffee. Let's get the word out!

Fresh Encounter: Mark your calendars for our next Fresh Encounter Prayer & Praise Event this Wednesday, Nov. 19th, 6:30-8 PM.

Creekside Kids' Clubs will be packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child on Wednesday, Nov. 19th! We are looking for donations of small toys, school supplies, hygiene products, and plastic shoeboxes. More information is available at the Creekside Canteen or Welcome Desk. Donations can be dropped off outside Beth Brown's office. Contact Beth with any questions. Thanks!

First Free's Thanksgiving Food Drive is under way! Bags will be collected on Nov. 23^rd. Grocery gifts cards are also welcome. All of the food will be given to Community Emergency Services.

Volunteers are needed to help decorate the church for Christmas on Saturday, November 29, from 9:00 AM to Noon. A pizza lunch will be provided. Please contact Jennifer Bartle at 612-824-5120 or jenn.bartle {at} gmail.com.

YTD Giving Local Ministries: $290,074 Budget: $335,975
October 26, 2008 Outreach: $81,115 Budget: $89,798

Advent Conspiracy

It's called the Advent Conspiracy.

It means:

…giving children one or two gifts instead of 20.

…practicing "presence" with others, not just presents.

… focusing on the gift, not just the wrapping paper.

… as a church we will join together to give to those in need.

The Conspiracy begins next week.

Today, after First Service, the parish nurses will be providing free blood pressure checks for any who are interested. They will be located in the downstairs hallway (near Rooms 105/106).

First Free's Thanksgiving Food Drive starts Today! Bags will be collected on Nov. 23^rd. Grocery gifts cards are also welcome. All of the food will be given to Community Emergency Services.

On Sunday, November 16, you have an opportunity to host a Chinese student or family in your home for a meal and take him or her to an outreach at the U. Contact Bob and Joanne Kraftson with China Outreach Ministries at rjkraftson {at} embarqmail.com or at 651-437-6806.

Fresh Encounter: Mark your calendars for our next Fresh Encounter Prayer & Praise Event on Wednesday, Nov. 19th, 6:30-8 PM.

Thinking about Christmas already? Better Together, our 40 Days of Community Devotional book, is available to purchase from the church office for $5 per book.

It's called the Advent Conspiracy. It means:
      …giving children one or two gifts instead of 20.
      …practicing "presence" with others, not just presents.
      … focusing on the gift, not just the wrapping paper.
      … as a church we will join together to give to those in need.
The Conspiracy begins Nov. 30.

YTD Giving Local Ministries: $290,074 Budget: $335,975
October 26, 2008 Outreach: $81,115 Budget: $89,798

Election Day, Nov. 4th, is coming fast! Voting guides are available at the Welcome Center. If you are in need of a ride, contact Ross Olson at 612-824-7691. Let's Vote!

Women's Guild will be meeting on November 4^th at 1:00 PM. Mark Meyers will be sharing about the youth mission trips from this past summer.

The next Quarterly Business Meeting has been scheduled for November 10^th at 7 PM.

Rejoice in the work God is doing in our community and around the world on Outreach Sunday, Nov. 16th. Dan Reeve, President for the Center for Student Missions, will be speaking at both the 9:30 & 11 AM Services.

Fresh Encounter: Mark your calendars for our next Fresh Encounter Prayer & Praise Event on Wednesday, Nov. 19th, 6:30-8 PM.

YTD Giving Local Ministries: $281,887 Budget: $324,776
October 19, 2008 Outreach: $78,754 Budget: $86,805

Guest Luncheon

Pastor Joel would like to invite all visitors to join us for a Guest Luncheon on Sunday, November 9th--following the 11:00 AM service. If you are new to First Free, we want to welcome you to a meal 'on us.' There is a sign up sheet at the Information Booth or you may indicate your availability on the registration card.