First Free Church
Parables: The Lowest Seat at a Feast
Andrew Miller
Locations & Times
First Free Church
1375 Carman Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
New Here?
If you’re new, welcome! We’re so glad you’re with us today, and we’d love to get to know you! Please connect with us at efree.org/connect or by texting CONNECT to 636-251-4778. You can also stop by the Welcome Center in the lobby to fill out a Connect Card and get a free gift.
https://www.efree.org/connectJoin us on Sunday - 9 am service is back!
We're excited to announce that we're re-opening our 9 am in-person service!<br>If you like to join us in the auditorium at 9 or 11 am, please make a reservation at efree.org/reservation! This helps us ensure that we're within our capacity limits, and also helps with COVID tracing, should we hear of someone who has been exposed.<br>Please note that Kid Connection is open during the 11 am service only.
https://efree.churchcenter.com/registrationsKid Connection is Open!
Kid Connection is open during the 11 am service! We ask that you reserve a spot for each child that will be in attendance - to make a reservation, visit efree.org/reservations. To view a more detailed reopening plan for our Children's Ministry, visit efree.org/kids. If you have any questions, please email kidconnection@efree.org.
https://efree.churchcenter.com/registrationsBaptism
<b>We're baptizing believers during the 11 am service on April 25th!</b> If you haven't yet been baptized, we invite you to prayerfully consider if now is the right time. Learn more and sign up below!
https://www.efree.org/baptismSingles' Ministry Interest Meeting
No matter your life stage, we want to support you and help you find community. We’re holding a<b> Singles Ministry Interest Meeting on April 26th</b> to start figuring out what meaningful ministry would look like, and, if you’re single, we’d love you to attend and give your input. The meeting will take place from 7-8 pm in Room 341. Can’t attend but would like to have your voice heard? Let us know in the registration form or email groups@efree.org. Register below!
https://form.jotform.com/210883582754060National Day of Prayer
After a very hard year, this country needs prayer more than ever. And as we know from the Bible, “the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16). The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May that invites people of all faiths to pray for the nation. The Manchester event is held at the Manchester Police Station at 12 pm on May 6th, or use the link below to find a location nearer to you.
https://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/post_or_find_an_eventFeed Nicaragua
We’re hosting a Feed Nicaragua food packing event on<b> May 8th</b>. Our volunteers will pack and seal 20,000 meals that will provide support to Nicaraguan families impacted by hunger and poverty. Learn more and register by clicking below!
https://www.efree.org/event/feed-nicaragua-2/Red Cross Blood Drive
Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. One donation can potentially save up to 3 lives! <b>Our next blood drive is Thursday, May 13 & Friday, May 14th, from 1-6 pm each day in the Activity Center. Make an appointment to give below!</b>
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=FirstFreeChurchMother/Daughter Mud Run
All of the ladies in junior and senior high and their moms or mother figures are invited to join us for an epic Mud Run and the opportunity to have some really meaningful conversations around identity and sexual integrity. This is a can’t-miss event – it’s going to be super fun! Learn more and register at efree.org/events!
https://www.efree.org/event/mother-daughter-mud-run/Spring Carnival
<b>We're hosting a spring carnival for our First Free family on May 23rd!</b>We’ll have food trucks, carnival games, a petting zoo, and pony rides! All activities (except the food trucks) are free, so join us for an afternoon of family fun! The event will be held on the north patio, parking lot, and corner property.
https://www.efree.org/event/spring-carnival/Fresh Start for Fusion
We’re so excited to be reopening Fusion! If you’re not in the know, Fusion is our ministry to 4th and 5th graders. We want to create a fun and welcoming space for them, so if you have old board games or video games lying around that you’d like to donate, we’d love to put them to good use. Check out efree.org/fusion for more information.
https://www.efree.org/fusionArk Encounter / Creation Museum Trip
Join us for a four-day trip to the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter in Kentucky this July! These state-of-the-art attractions present biblical truth and quality scientific research through engaging and interactive exhibits. Both kids and adults will learn and be encouraged in their faith. Kids (10 and under) are free at both locations in 2021, so this is a great time to go! Learn more at the link below!
https://www.efree.org/arkHoly Land Tour
In 2019, a group of people from our church traveled to Israel together and were able to see the Sea of Galilee, walk on the Mount of Olives, float in the Dead Sea, explore the old city of Jerusalem, and more. Our 2020 trip was postponed due to the pandemic, but we’ve been able to reschedule and we hope that you can come with us in November of 2021! <b>To learn more, visit efree.org/israel.</b>
https://www.efree.org/israel/Bridge of Hope Tutoring
Right now, the two elementary schools nearest Bridge of Hope in north St. Louis city have only a 4-6% reading proficiency rate, but you can help improve that number. If you’ve been looking for a tangible way to impact the lives of others during the pandemic, we’ve got a great one for you! Bridge of Hope has created an online tutoring program to help these children learn to read. It only takes 40 minutes, twice a week, and the impact can last a lifetime. <br><br>Bridge of Hope provides the curriculum and training you need to be successful.<br><br><b>To learn more about how you can get involved and help change a life, email robin@bridgeofhopestl.org. </b>
Groups
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul encourages believers to “share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Life can be hard sometimes, and we aren’t meant to go it alone - we’re meant to do it as part of a group. If you're interested in joining or starting a Group, check out efree.org/groups!
https://www.efree.org/groupsConnections Ministry
Every Sunday could be someone’s first Sunday so our Connections team - our parking lot team, greeters, Welcome Center hosts, and ushers - strives to provide a welcoming environment from the moment someone pulls into our parking lot. if you have a love for others and a heart for hospitality, we'd love to have you join the team! Get in touch using the link below.
https://www.efree.org/connectionsChurch Center App and Directory
<b>Church Center</b> is a hub for First Free - you can manage giving, find a group, reserve your spot for a Sunday service, and more. The app also has a directory! Download the app, go to your profile and ‘My Directory Settings’ and choose the information you’d like included in the Directory. If you need help, email directory@efree.org.
http://www.efree.org/directoryLibrary Open!
The library is back open for business before and after the 11 am in-person service on Sundays (hooray for books!). <br><br>Please be sure to return the books you already have out, even if the library is technically closed when you are there. There's a slot in the security gate where books can be placed. When in the library, please keep your masks on and s
RightNow Media
We wanted to remind you that RightNow Media has thousands of videos for your kids and loads of Bible studies for you to help you stay grounded in your faith during all of this stay at home time. We’re giving you free access to the RightNow Media library, so head over to efree.org/rightnowmedia to learn more and get signed up.
https://www.efree.org/rightnowmediaNeed Help?
We know that the coronavirus outbreak is impacting us all a little differently. If you need help, let us know by heading to efree.org/care and clicking on ‘I need help’. And if you can offer help, click on ‘I can help’. If you need prayer, visit efree.org/prayer. We want you to know that we’re here for you even if we can’t be physically here for you, and we’ll get through this together!
https://www.efree.org/carePhotography Team
We’re looking for volunteers to join our Photography Team! To get involved, fill out the form at efree.org/phototeam.
http://www.efree.org/phototeamCare Team Counseling
Life often includes challenges that are too big to face alone. Our lay Care Team Counselors are trained to walk alongside and assist people who are in need of hope, care, and direction. Counselors are available by appointment every Wednesday evening - email care@efree.org.
http://www.efree.org/care/SOS - Servants On Site
God uniquely gifts every person for service, and SOS is a way to serve by using your maintenance skills on minor jobs such as painting, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc. <b>To get involved, contact Tom Siener at 636.779.2160 or tsiener@efree.org. </b>
Messages
Our sermons and Preparing for Worship emails are now available as podcasts!
http://www.efree.org/messages