First Free Church Worship Service: April 5, 2009

First Free Church welcomes all Christians who are forsaking sin and trusting in Jesus for salvation to participate in the Lord's Supper with us today. If you are not able to participate, please use this time to meditate on one of the following prayers.

Prayer of those Searching for the Truth
God, Jesus declares that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. If what He claims is true, please guide me, teach me, and open my mind and heart to the reality of who He is. Give me an understanding of Him that is coherent and convincing and that leads to the life You promise. Amen.

Prayer of Belief
Lord Jesus Christ, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before dared to admit, but through You I am more loved and accepted than I ever before dared to hope. I thank You for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserved in order to offer me complete forgiveness. Knowing that You have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and trust You as my Saving-Lord. Amen.

Welcome Guests

If you are new to First Free, we extend a special welcome to you today. We invite you to stop by the Welcome Center to receive a gift and information about our church.

Creekside Friends

Sunday Morning Schedule

9:30 -12:00 PM:
Nursery (Infant-2 Years)
Cuddlebugs (Infant-Age 1) & Creepers (Ages 1-2)
2's Treehouse (2 Years) Climbers
Preschool (3-5 Years)
Hoppers (Age 3) & Critters (Ages 4-5)
Parents, please sign your child in.

Creekside Bible Time
Children's Bible Time (K-6) 9:30-10:30 AM
Creekside Kids (K-2) meet in Creekside Rooms #102A-D
Creekside Kids (3-4) meet in Room #101A-B
Creekside Explorers (5-6) meet in Rooms #301 - 302

10:30-10:55 AM:
K-2 Friends' Corner: Room #102
3-6 Friends' Corner: Room #101

Creekside Children's Church
Children's Church (K-6) 11:30 AM-12:00 PM
Grades K-1 - Room 102; Grades 2-3 - Room 101; Grades 4-6 - Room 302

Creekside Clubs 6:30PM Wednesday
Clubs will resume April 15^th.

Adult Bible Fellowships

9:30 AM
Life (Room #103) ~ Jon & Carrie Boyum
Singles, Couples & Families - 30s & Early 40s
Parents of Teenagers (Room #104) ~ Jim & Joyce Friesen
Sojourners (Room #105) ~ Vince St. Clair
Singles, Couples & Families - Late 30s, 40s, Early 50s

11:00 AM
Metamorphosis (Room #109) ~ Wayne & Julie Danielson
   Post High School, College & Early Career
Seekers (Room #108) ~ Audrey Sollie, Bob Gu, & Steve Mondy
   Multi-culture Class
Seniors (Room #105) ~ Ralph Roberts and Char Boyles
   Singles & Couples - 65+
Agape (Room #103) ~ David & Pam Kriesel-Koll
   Singles & Couples - 50s & 60s
Makarios (Room #104) ~ Jay & Heidi Pound
   Singles, Couples & Newlyweds in their 20s
Prayer Group (Library) ~ Facilitator: Grace Elasky

Weekly/Bi-Monthly Small Group Bible Studies available!
Contact Jenn Bartle at jenn.bartle {at} gmail.com.

Events this Week

April 5-11, 2009

Today
9:30 AM  Worship Service
9:30 AM   Children's Bible Time (K-6)
9:30 AM   Youth Church (7-12^th grade)
9:30 AM   ABFs: Life, Parents of Teens, Sojourners
10:30 AM   Friends' Corner
11:00 AM Worship Service
11:00 AM   K-6 Children's Church (Kids dismissed from service)
11:00 AM   ABFs: Seekers, Agape, Seniors, Metamorphosis, Makarios & Prayer Group
12:00 PM Seekers' Potluck
12:30 PM Youth Leader Mtg.
5:30 PM  Commissions
7:30 PM  Council

Monday
6:00 PM Men's Night Out

Tuesday
1:00 PM Women's Guild
6:45 PM Choir
8:00 PM Worship Team

Wednesday
*No Musical Rehearsal or Clubs tonight!*
6:30 PM Youth Group
6:45 PM Prayer

Friday
*Church Office Closed*
7:00 PM Good Friday Service
"Man Of Sorrows"

Easter Sunday

9:30 & 11 AM Services
"Beyond the Cross" 1 Cor. 15

Pastries, Fruit, & Beverages Available
10:15-11:15 AM

Our Purpose Statement

First Evangelical Free Church exists to:

BRING people into a relationship with Jesus, CONNECT them to God's family, MATURE them in their faith, and EQUIP them for ministry so God's name will be EXALTED.

We Invite You Back Next Week

Easter Sunday

9:30 AM   Worship Service-Pastor Joel Sutton
   "Beyond The Cross" - Portraits of the Cross: VI; 1 Cor. 15
9:30 AM Youth Church (7-12^th grade)
10:00 AM   K-6 Children's Church (Kids dismissed from service)
10:15 AM   Pastries, Fruit, & Beverages Available
10:30 AM   Friends' Corner
11:00 AM   Worship Service-Pastor Joel Sutton
11:00 AM   K-6 Children's Church (Kids dismissed from service)

Staff

*Pastoral*
Joel Sutton joel.sutton {at} firstfreechurch.org	Senior Pastor
Eric Twietmeyer eric {at} firstfreechurch.org	Worship & Connecting Pastor
Mark Meyers mark.meyers {at} firstfreechurch.org	Youth Pastor

*Ministry*
Beth Brown beth.brown {at} firstfreechurch.org	Children's Ministry Director
Sam Song song0110 {at} umn.edu	Director of International Ministries
Dee Huanca & Maureen Juarez parishnurses {at} firstfreechurch.org	Parish Nurses

Ministry Opportunities Corner

Open Arms of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Volunteer! Open Arms prepares and delivers free meals specifically tailored to meet the nutrition needs of individuals living with serious and life-threatening diseases. Help is needed in the kitchen, office, and meal delivery areas. If you'd like to give of your time, call 612-872-1152.

If you would like to submit a Ministry Opportunity, email olivia.lueth {at} firstfreechurch.org.

News & Notes

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

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!

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

Interested in baptism? Our next baptismal service is scheduled for April 26^th. Contact the church office or mark your Welcome Card if you would like to participate.

Upcoming Series: Financial Wisdom in Tough Times
In these days of financial worry and stress, who are you listening to? Wall Street? Congress? ...God? This next month we'll look for some financial wisdom that you can take to the bank.

After seeking counsel from our friends and family, we have decided to postpone our wedding. Stay tuned. -Mark Fleming & Bobbie Gutkowski

A big thank you to all who contributed diapers, toiletries, and cash for the ministry of City Life Center. They appreciate your support so very much. May God bless you! -Grace Elasky

Thank you to my church family for your expressions of kindness during my recent eye surgery. -Gen Erickson

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: $555,195 Budget: $571,158
March 22, 2009 Outreach: $147,576 Budget: $152,657

Listen to this worship service:
Service Sermon

This page last modified on Saturday, October 3, 2009

A Thought From God's Word:

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. [Zechariah 9:9]