We offer our condolences and prayers to the family of Herb Beckett. Herb passed away March 21^st, and his funeral was held Wednesday, March 25^th.

All the women of the church are invited to a bridal shower for Bobbie Gutkowski (Mark Fleming's fiancé) TODAY at 2 PM. The shower will be held in Rms. 105/106.

The DR Mission Team will meet at 4:30 PM today in Room 108/107.

Seniors: Register today for the North Central District Senior Celebration! The celebration will be held on Tuesday, April 14^th from 9:30 AM -2 PM. Reservations are required by April 4^th. See posters downstairs or at Welcome Center for more details.

Men's Night Out: Men & Youth come watch the NCAA Basketball Final on April 6^th at 6 PM. Gary Maloney will be speaking on "Hero Worship of Sports Stars" before tip-off. Bring your lawn chairs!

Women's Guild meets April 7^th, 1:00 PM. Jill Rose will speak on how God uses Christ's body to bring light and truth to our community and state.

Metro area Free Churches are invited to attend the Monday session of the North Central District Annual Conference on March 30 at New Hope Church.  Musical worship, some glimpses of what God is doing in the district, and a message by Dr. Crawford Loritts will all be a part of the gathering that begins at 7 PM. 

Two great ways to connect at First Free!
- Class 101: Exploring Church Membership-Come learn about who we are, what we believe, and where we are going as a church.
- Class 201: How to Grow Deeper-Focus on four core spiritual habits that will help you deepen your faith.
April 26^th, 4-8 pm, Dinner Provided, RSVP to church office

Everybody has a song, what's yours?  Do you have a particular hymn or worship song that has encouraged you in your walk with Christ?  If so, would you be willing to share a testimony about a time in your life when God used music to pull you through?  Contact Eric Twietmeyer {at} 612-827-4705 ext.103 or Kris Larson 612-827-6267.

Summer Camp scholarships are available at the Creekside Canteen! All families are eligible for a scholarship to Camp Shamineau or Camp Nathanael. Camp brochures and calendars are also available. Contact Beth Brown or Guy Hugo for information.

Fiscal YTD Giving:  Local Ministries: $542,428  Budget: $559,959
March 15, 2009            Outreach: $145,834   Budget: $149,663

We warmly welcome the P.U.P.P.E.T.S. Team from Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield, WI, to our service today. Thank you for sharing your ministry with us!

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

Senior Singles will be meeting TODAY at 12:45 PM for lunch. Meet at the Lakeshore Grill located in the lower level of Macy's.

Donations are being taken for the ministry of City Life Center to babies and mothers. Individual bags of toiletries can be prepared and donated. Check sample bags on table in the foyer and deposit your donations there until TODAY. Baby diapers of all sizes are appreciated too! Please call (612) 874-1808 if you are interested in volunteer opportunities.

All the women of the church are invited to a bridal shower for Bobbie Gutkowski (Mark Fleming's fiancé) on March 29^th at 2 PM. The shower will be held in Room 104. Bobbie is registered at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Everybody has a song, what's yours?  Do you have a particular hymn or worship song that has encouraged you in your walk with Christ?  If so, would you be willing to share a testimony about a time in your life when God used music to pull you through?  We would love to pass on that encouragement to others!  Contact Eric Twietmeyer {at} 612-827-4705 ext.103 or Kris Larson 612-827-6267.

Summer Camp scholarships are available at the Creekside Canteen! All families are eligible for a scholarship to Camp Shamineau or Camp Nathanael. Camp brochures and calendars are also available. Contact Beth Brown or Guy Hugo for information.

Register today for the North Central District Senior Celebration! The celebration will be held on Tuesday, April 14^th from 9:30 AM -2 PM and will feature guest speaker Dr. David Larsen, Professor Emeritus of Preaching, TEDS. Reservations are required by April 4^th. See posters downstairs or at Welcome Center for more details.

Men's Night Out: Really big screen. Lots of food. Prizes Galore! Men & Youth come and watch the NCAA Basketball Final on April 6^th at 6 PM. Gary Maloney, a former sportswriter, will be speaking on "Hero Worship of Sports Stars" before tip-off. Bring your lawn chairs!

Fiscal YTD Giving:  Local Ministries: $533,127  Budget: $548,759
March 8, 2009            Outreach: $143,814   Budget: $146,670

Summer Camp scholarships are available at the Creekside Canteen! All families are eligible for a scholarship to Camp Shamineau or Camp Nathanael. Camp brochures and calendars are also available. Contact Beth Brown or Guy Hugo for information.

First Free Family Orchestra will practice today following second service.  Instrumentalists age 5^th grade-retired bless our congregation with their musical talents.  Lunch will be served following rehearsal in Rooms 105/106. This is a wonderful cross-generational opportunity to serve and honor our Lord!

Next Sunday, March 22nd,The P.U.P.P.E.T.S. Team from Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield, WI, will be doing a program called "I've Been Redeemed" for our children in preschool-Gr. 6 at 9:45 AM in the gym. Adults are welcome! Contact Beth Brown for more information.

Senior Singles will be meeting on March 22^nd at 12:45 PM for lunch. Meet at the Lakeshore Grill located in the lower level of Macy's.

All the women of the church are invited to a bridal shower for Bobbie Gutkowski (Mark Fleming's fiancé) on March 29^th at 2 PM. The shower will be held in Room 104. Bobbie is registered at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Everybody has a song, what's yours?  Do you have a particular hymn or worship song that has encouraged you in your walk with Christ?  If so, would you be willing to share a testimony about a time in your life when God used music to pull you through?  We would love to pass on that encouragement to others!  Contact Eric Twietmeyer {at} 612-827-4705 ext.103 or Kris Larson 612-827-6267.

Donations are being taken for the ministry of City Life Center to babies and mothers. Individual bags of toiletries can be prepared and donated. Check sample bags on table in the foyer and deposit your donations there until March 22^nd. Baby diapers of all sizes are appreciated too! Please call (612) 874-1808 if you are interested in volunteer opportunities.

Fiscal YTD Giving:  Local Ministries: $524,190  Budget: $537,560
March 1, 2009            Outreach: $142,223   Budget: $143,677

We welcome our New Members! Laura Radtke, Xiaoling (Maggie) Zhao, Dave and Jan Nyholm, Lei (Nick) Guo, Dale and Beth Olson, Jesse and Emily Horst, and Bob and Sharon Hollinbeck.

DR Mission Trip Team Meeting: If you are still interested in going to the Dominican Republic from May 23-30, or have already signed up, come to an informational meeting TODAY at 4 PM at First Free.

Summer Camp scholarships are available at the Creekside Canteen! All families are eligible for a scholarship to Camp Shamineau or Camp Nathanael. Camp brochures and calendars are also available. Contact Beth Brown or Guy Hugo for information.

Interested in baptism? Our next baptismal service is scheduled for March 22^nd. Contact the church office or mark your Welcome Card if you would like to participate.

Everybody has a song, what's yours?  Do you have a particular hymn or worship song that has encouraged you in your walk with Christ?  If so, would you be willing to share a testimony about a time in your life when God used music to pull you through?  We would love to pass on that encouragement to others!  Contact Eric Twietmeyer {at} 612-827-4705 ext.103 or Kris Larson 612-827-6267.

Donations are being taken for the ministry of City Life Center to babies and mothers. Individual bags of toiletries can be prepared and donated. Baby bags: baby lotion, baby shampoo, wipes, and Desitin. Mother bags: shampoo, tooth brush, tooth paste, soap, deodorant, and hairspray. Check sample bags on table in the foyer and deposit your donations there until March 22^nd. Baby diapers of all sizes are appreciated too! Thank you for your support and prayer for CLC. Please call (612) 874-1808 if you are interested in volunteer opportunities.

Fiscal YTD Giving:  Local Ministries: $516,027  Budget: $526,361
February 22, 2009            Outreach: $137,663  Budget: $140,684

We offer our condolences and prayers to the family of Stan Olson. Stan passed away February 23^rd. His funeral will be held today at 4 PM at First Free with a light supper to follow.

If you are a newcomer or visitor to First Free, please join us TODAY for an informal gathering and meal in Room 105 (lower level).  This is a casual time when you can meet Pastor Joel and Becky Sutton and the ministry staff over a 'meal on us.'

Kids in Gr. 2-6: Sign up for the children's musical, "Come, Messiah, Come!" Practices will be Wednesdays at 5 PM starting this week. The productions will take place on MAY 15-16. Sign up TODAY at the Creekside Canteen in the gym. Contact Diane Ryden at (612) 825-7521 with questions.

Calling all card tables! Student Ministries is in need of tables for its upcoming Fundraiser Dinner. Please bring your tables to the church by TODAY. Tables can be stored in the labeled closet located on the East wall of the gym.

Women's Guild will be meeting Tuesday at 1:00 PM. March's meeting will feature missionary speakers Elizabeth Norgaard of Australia and Kathleen Peterson of Africa.

DR Mission Trip Team Meeting: If you are still interested in going to the Dominican Republic from May 23-30, or have already signed up, come to an informational meeting March 8^th at 4 PM at First Free.

Interested in baptism? Our next baptismal service is scheduled for March 22^nd. Contact the church office or mark your Welcome Card if you would like to participate.

Summer Camp scholarships are available at the Creekside Canteen! All families are eligible for a scholarship to Camp Shamineau or Camp Nathanael. Camp brochures and calendars are also available. Contact Beth Brown or Guy Hugo for information.

Fiscal YTD Giving:  Local Ministries: $486,321  Budget: $503,963
February 8, 2009         Outreach: $128,012   Budget: $134,697