First Free News & Notes: August 2009

Last Chance! Update your photo and contact information for First Free's Fotobook! You can find the camera in the gym.

Notice: Special Congregational Business Meeting Today! Immediately following the service in the sanctuary. Will address the purchase of the house at 5155 Chicago Ave.

All the women of the church are invited to a Bridal Shower for Deanna Symington today 11:30 AM in Rooms 105/106. Deanna and her fiancé, Ben Eklo, are registered at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Contact Katie Goodman at (612) 702-8389 with any questions.

All are invited to the Guild meeting this Tuesday at 1 PM. Lon and Nancy Fowler will share about their experience volunteering at JAARS (affiliated with Wycliffe). Our missionaries, the Harthans, are serving at JAARS in North Carolina.

Mothers of Preschoolers exists to meet the needs of moms with children, Birth - Kindergarten! Registration is now open! Cost is $45. Space is limited! Join us on the 1st and 3rd weeks of each month from September ~ May at 9:15 - 11:15 AM. To register or for more info, call Erika Garcia at (612) 388-2727 or go to mops.firstfreechurch.org.

Grow in faith at…Women's Neighborhood Bible Study! A new study begins on September 9^th at First Free from 9:30-11:00 AM. Please invite a friend and join us! Free children's program for infants-5 yrs. old.

The Crown Biblical Financial Study is changing the way people handle their money. Class orientation is Sept. 9th {at} 6:30 PM in the Church library , and classes will be held every Wed. for 10 weeks beginning on Sept. 23rd, 6:30-8:30 PM. Contact Tim Audette for more information or SIGN UP TODAY by calling 952-893-0681 or e-mailing tbaudette {at} earthlink.net.

What: LIFE ABF FALL KICK-OFF
When: Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 6:00 PM
Where: 6041 Park Avenue, Minneapolis
Main dish and drinks will be provided. Please bring a salad or dessert to share. Come for Food, Fun, and to Find out what's happening this Fall in LIFE. Kids are welcome too! Any questions? Call Jeff or Andrea at (612) 822-0676.

Fiscal YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $182,961 Budget: $209,879
August 2, 2009 Outreach: $44,067 Budget: $53,879

Community Outreach

What's Your Passion?

We're interested in learning what community service or outreach efforts you may have been involved in within the past year. Also, what community efforts would you like to see our church more involved in? Please e-mail your comments to rosewerks {at} comcast.net or visit the Community Outreach table at the September 27th FEFC Ministry Fair.

Congratulations to Jay and Heidi Pound! Liesl Joy joined their family on August 14^th!

Congratulations to Bob Gu and Maggie Zhao! Their son, Peter, was born Tuesday at 4 AM!

Warm up your smile! Update your photo and contact information for First Free's Fotobook! You can find the camera in the gym today or next Sunday, August 30^th.

Ella Kristiansen, Edie Olson's mother, passed away on July 30, 2009. A memorial service will be held on August 26^th at 1:30 PM at the Augustana Care Center Chapel (1007 East 14^th Street) in Minneapolis.

We will be holding a special congregational business meeting next Sunday, August 30th, immediately following the service in the sanctuary to address the purchase of the house at 5155 Chicago Ave.

Interested in ALPHA? Hope to see friends come to know Christ? ALPHA is a course that investigates different aspects of the Christian faith. Come to a short info. mtg. on Tuesday at 7 PM, Room 104. Q? Contact Laurie Asmus at (612) 703-5242.

All the women of the church are invited to a Bridal Shower for Deanna Symington next Sunday at 11:30 AM in Rooms 105/106. Deanna and her fiancé, Ben Eklo, are registered at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Contact Katie Goodman at (612) 702-8389 with any questions.

All are invited to the Guild meeting on September 1^st, at 1 PM. Lon and Nancy Fowler will share about their experience volunteering at JAARS (affiliated with Wycliffe). Our missionaries, the Harthans, are serving at JAARS in North Carolina.

Mothers of Preschoolers exists to meet the needs of moms with children, Birth - Kindergarten! Registration is now open! Cost is $45 for the Friday large MOPS group & $35 for Thursday small group MOPS. Join us on the 1st and 3rd weeks of each month from September ~ May at 9:15 - 11:15 AM. To register or for more info, call Erika Garcia at (612) 388-2727 or go to mops.firstfreechurch.org.

Grow in faith at…Women's Neighborhood Bible Study! A new study begins on September 9^th at First Free from 9:30-11:00 AM. WNBS is a great way to connect with other women and learn more about the Bible. This fall our study is called: "Moses-Learning to Lead." Please invite a friend and join us! Free children's program for infants-5 yrs. old.

The Crown Biblical Financial Study is changing the way people handle their money. Topics include: getting out of debt, giving, saving, and investing. Class orientation is Sept. 9th {at} 6:30 PM in the Church library , and classes will be held every Wed. for 10 weeks beginning on Sept. 23rd, 6:30-8:30 PM. Contact Tim Audette for more information or SIGN UP TODAY by calling 952-893-0681 or e-mailing tbaudette {at} earthlink.net.

A dessert with Danny and Judy Armstrong will be held on Saturday from 2-4 PM. The Armstrongs served as missionaries for many years in Indonesia, but have recently stepped into a role establishing missions programs in churches across the US. Come and hear their story! Questions? Contact Darla Melander at (612) 724-5109.

Fiscal YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $182,961 Budget: $209,879
August 2, 2009 Outreach: $44,067 Budget: $53,879

Community Outreach

Are you interested in leading ESL classes for Latino immigrants?

Salem Church needs volunteers for Monday and Tuesday night classes beginning Sept 21st. Come to an informational meeting at Salem (3101 14th Ave S.) this Tuesday at 7 PM.

For more information, contact Maureen Juarez.

We rejoice with those publicly professing their faith through water baptism today. Congratulations to Charles Yue, Dan Li, and BJ Pierce!

Everyone is invited to attend today's baptismal service and church picnic at Lake Nokomis. Meet at the West beach at 11 AM. Rain option: baptisms will be held at First Free and the picnic will be located in the church gym.

Come out to the Rock the River Tour, part of Franklin Graham's summer festival up the Mississippi. Great time of music, food, and hanging out at Harriet Island! Today! $10 Entrance Fee.

Church Kitchen Cleaning Day: This Thursday, August 20^th, 8:30 AM-5 PM. Bring (if you have): rubber gloves, scrub pads, old rags, and a sack lunch (if staying over lunch hour). Let's make our kitchen shine!

Warm up your smile! Update your photo and contact information for First Free's Fotobook! You can find the camera in the gym next Sunday, August 23^rd, or the following, August 30^th!

What is the meaning of life? ALPHA course coming to FEFC in 2010! Looking for team leaders, helpers, and food leaders for fellowship dinners. Whether you've taken ALPHA or are new, please come to a planning meeting on August 25^th, 7 PM, Room 104. Questions? Contact Laurie Asmus at (612) 703-5242.

All the women of the church are invited to a Bridal Shower for Deanna Symington on August 30^th at 11:30 AM in Rooms 105/106. Deanna and her fiancé, Ben Eklo, are registered at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Contact Katie Goodman at (612) 702-8389 with any questions.

Mark your calendars for a special event with missionaries from Indonesia. August 29^th, 1 PM. More information coming soon!

Mothers of Preschoolers exists to meet the needs of moms with children, Birth - Kindergarten! MOPS hosts speakers on topics such as parenting, health, and spiritual growth followed by small group discussion and/or a creative activity. While moms relax and refresh, the children are cared for by loving volunteers. Registration is now open! Cost is $45 for the Friday large MOPS group & $35 for Thursday small group MOPS. Join us on the 1st and 3rd weeks of each month from September ~ May at 9:15 - 11:15 AM. To register or for more info, call Erika Garcia at (612) 388-2727 or go to mops.firstfreechurch.org.

Grow in faith at…Women's Neighborhood Bible Study! The new study begins on Wednesday, September 9^th, at First Free from 9:30-11:00 AM. WNBS is a great way to connect with other women and learn more about the Bible. This fall our study is called: "Moses-Learning to Lead." Please invite a friend and join us! Free children's program for infants-5 yrs. old.

As we move into a busy fall, please remember to call or email the church office about any room needs for scheduling purposes. Thank you!

Check it out! The "Upcoming Events" and "Calendar" pages have been recently updated on First Free's website to allow you to look (and plan) further ahead.

Fiscal YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $182,961 Budget: $209,879
August 2, 2009 Outreach: $44,067 Budget: $53,879

Community Outreach

Feed My Starving Children

Can you scoop? Can you dump? Then you can help! Feed My Starving Children takes both groups and individual volunteers at each of its three locations (Chanhassen, Eagan, and Brooklyn Park) to help package meals for poverty-stricken children world-wide. Groups of 10 or more can register online at www.fmsc.org; and individuals or small groups can call sites to request dates to volunteer. More information available online.

Women of the church! You are invited to attend a Baby Shower for Heidi Hollinbeck today! (Registered at Target and Babies R Us.) Her shower will be at 11:30 AM in Rooms 105/106. Contact Katie Goodman at (612) 702-8389 with questions.

Warm up your smile! Update your photo and contact information for First Free's Fotobook starting today! You can find the camera in the gym. Today doesn't work? Try August 23^rd or 30^th!

First Free's next Quarterly Business Meeting will be this Monday at 7 PM. Come to find out what God's been doing at First Free!

Attention all ladies ~ This Tuesday at 7:00 PM (Room 104) there will be an organizational meeting for women interested in joining a book club at First Free. At the meeting we will determine our reading selections, meeting time, and format. The book club will be meeting on the 3^rd Monday of each month starting in September. If you are interested in joining the club but are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Marilynn Highland at 612-824-9492 or Pam Kriesel-Koll at 612-866-2574 with any questions or suggestions.

If you would like to be baptized at Lake Nokomis this summer, please mark your Welcome Card or contact the Church Office. The service will be next Sunday, August 16^th, with a picnic to follow. Those with last names A-O, please bring a salad to serve 10 people; P-Z, please bring a dessert to serve 10 people.

Come out to the Rock the River Tour, part of Franklin Graham's summer festival up the Mississippi. Great time of music, food, and hanging out at Harriet Island! Next Sunday, August 16^th. $10 Entrance Fee.

Check it out! The "Upcoming Events" and "Calendar" pages have been recently updated on First Free's website to allow you to look (and plan) further ahead.

Mothers of Preschoolers exists to meet the needs of moms with children, Birth - Kindergarten, who share a similar desire to be the best moms they can be! MOPS hosts speakers on topics such as parenting, health, and spiritual growth followed by small group discussion and/or a creative activity. An array of delicious food is always available to enjoy. While moms relax and refresh, the children are cared for by loving volunteers. Registration is now open! Cost is $45 for the Traditional Friday large MOPS group & $35 for Thursday small group MOPS. Join us on the 1st and 3rd weeks of each month from September ~ May at 9:15 - 11:15 AM. To register or for more info, call Erika Garcia at (612) 388-2727 or go to mops.firstfreechurch.org.

Family Camp will be August 21^st-23^rd. Contact Carrie Boyum (joncarrieboyum {at} hotmail.com) with questions.

Mark your calendars for a special event with missionaries from Indonesia. August 29^th, 1 PM. More information coming soon!

All the women of the church are invited to a Bridal Shower for Deanna Symington on August 30^th at 11:30 AM in Rooms 105/106. Deanne and her fiancé, Ben Eklo, are registered at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Contact Katie Goodman at (612) 702-8389 with any questions.

All are invited to come and hear about what God did during the Youth Group's summer mission trips. Youth Missions Report: August 30^th, 6-7:30 PM.

Fiscal YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $171,973 Budget: $198,219
July 26, 2009 Outreach: $40,852 Budget: $50,886

Community Outreach

To raise awareness of domestic violence, New Leaf New Life will hold a walk on August 15th at 9 AM (Check-in 8 AM) around Lake Calhoun (Start/Finish North Beach). Funds raised will go to the community to help women utilize the resources available to them. $20 per person to walk, www.newleafnewlife.org to pre register.

We warmly welcome the Conrads, missionaries to Japan, to our services today. Thank you for sharing with us!

Starting today, thru September 6^th, First Free has switched to one service at 9:30 AM. ABFs, Youth Church, and Children's Bible Time will not meet during this time. Nursery and Preschool care will continue to be available, as will Children's Activity Bags.

Women of the church! You are invited to attend Baby Showers for Heidi Pound today and Heidi Hollinbeck on August 9^th. (Both are registered at Target and Babies R Us.) Their showers will be at 11:30 AM in Rooms 105/106. Contact Katie Goodman at (612) 702-8389 with questions.

Warm up your smile! Update your photo and information for First Free's Fotobook starting next Sunday!

Attention all ladies ~ On August 11^th at 7:00 PM (Room 104) there will be an organizational meeting for women interested in joining a book club at First Free. At the meeting we will determine our reading selections, meeting time, and format. The book club will be meeting on the 3^rd Monday of each month starting in September. If you are interested in joining the club but are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Marilynn Highland at 612-824-9492 or Pam Kriesel-Koll at 612-866-2574 with any questions or suggestions.

If you would like to be baptized at Lake Nokomis this summer, please mark your Welcome Card or contact the Church Office. The service will be on August 16^th with a picnic to follow. Those with last names A-O, please bring a salad to serve 10 people; P-Z, please bring a dessert to serve 10 people.

Come out to the Rock the River Tour, part of Franklin Graham's summer festival up the Mississippi. Great time of music, food, and hanging out at Harriet Island! Sunday, August 16^th. $10 Entrance Fee.

Mothers of Preschoolers exists to meet the needs of moms with children, Birth - Kindergarten, who share a similar desire to be the best moms they can be! MOPS hosts speakers on topics such as parenting, health, and spiritual growth followed by small group discussion and/or a creative activity. An array of delicious food is always available to enjoy. While moms relax and refresh, the children are cared for by loving volunteers. Registration is now open! Cost is $45 for the Traditional Friday large MOPS group & $35 for Thursday small group MOPS. Join us on the 1st and 3rd weeks of each month from September ~ May at 9:15 - 11:15 AM. To register or more info call Erika Garcia at (612) 388-2727 or go to mops.firstfreechurch.org.

Family Camp will be August 21^st-23^rd. Contact Carrie Boyum (joncarrieboyum {at} hotmail.com) with questions.

Mark your calendars for a special event with missionaries from Indonesia. August 29^th, 1 PM. More information coming soon!

All the women of the church are invited to a Bridal Shower for Deanne Symington on August 30^th at 11:30 AM in Rooms 105/106. Deanne and her fiancé, Ben Eklo, are registered at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Contact Katie Goodman at (612) 702-8389 with any questions.

Fiscal YTD Giving: Local Ministries: $171,973 Budget: $198,219
July 26, 2009 Outreach: $40,852 Budget: $50,886

Community Outreach

Elliot Park Outreach, Minneapolis

Hosted by Bethesda Baptist Church. August 22nd, 10 AM-5 PM. Volunteer for any length of time! Numerous opportunities available including: working with adult & children's games, serving concessions, performing, and many more! If you'd like to help out, contact Norma Booker at (612) 332-5904 .