We're excited to be holding in-person services! We're all working hard to have these services be as safe and enjoyable as possible, but they are going to little different than what you’re used to. We'll have a few different worship experiences available in different venues around the church, and everything is designed to be very safe. To make sure we are not exceeding safe capacity, you'll need to reserve a seat for each person at efree.org/reopen. While you’re there, please also check out our safety guidelines!

https://www.efree.org/reopen

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.

Bridge of Hope provides the curriculum and training you need to be successful.

To learn more about how you can get involved and help change a life, email robin@bridgeofhopestl.org.

Farmers to Families Food Box Program

We are so excited to be partnering with the USDA's Farmers to Families Food Box program to distribute free food boxes loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables to families facing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We will be offering food boxes again this coming Saturday, August 22nd, and on Saturday, August 29th. We need volunteers to help pass out the food boxes. For more information, email Robin at care@efree.org.

The distribution is from 11 am - 12 pm in the west parking lot at First Free, and there is no registration needed to receive a box.

Are you in need? Please come and get a box!

Do you know someone in need? Please share this information with them.

Worship Leadership Team

One of the amazing things about church is all of the different people with different talents who come together to create the worship experience on Sunday mornings. We’re looking for intermediate to advanced guitarists, bassists, keyboardist, and drummers. And we’re also looking for gifted vocalists with experience singing harmony,reading music, and leading worship. If you’re just learning to play an instrument or sing, let us know. We’d love to provide you with some resources to help you grow! You can learn more about our team and apply at efree.org/worship.

https://www.efree.org/worship

Men's Bible Studies

Join the men of First Free this fall as we study the Gospel of Mark with Francis Chan. The Gospel of Mark chronicles Jesus’s journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. Along the way, the Messiah gathers a ragged band of disciples. As crowds grow and dwindle on the road to Jerusalem, only a few stick by the Suffering Savior on the road of discipleship. Tracing the steps of Jesus and the Twelve through Israel, Francis explores the major themes of the Gospel of Mark, and asks: Are we willing to take this journey to embrace discipleship? Join us Wednesday nights from 6:45-8 pm (starting September 9)! Let us know you're interested by filling out the form at efree.org/events!

https://www.efree.org/events/

Women's Bible Studies

Bible studies are a great way to grow in both community and faith. We’ve got some great women’s Bible studies this fall - topical studies on things like dealing with worry and relationships with a godly perspective, and studies that take you deep into books of the Bible. To learn more, visit efree.org.events.

https://www.efree.org/events/

Financial Peace University

One of the many results of the pandemic has been financial uncertainty. Financial Peace University is a short 9-week (September 14 – November 9) program that can make a years-long impact on your financial health and help you weather whatever storms may come. More than 4.5 million people have gone through this class and learned God’s ways of handling money. They’ve been taught how to create a budget they can actually follow, and they’ve rewritten their stories—changing their futures forever. If you have any questions, email financialpeace@efree.org.

https://www.efree.org/event/financial-peace-university-5/

Pinecrest Family Retreat Cancelled

Given the current situation with the coronavirus, we have made the hard decision to cancel the Pinecrest Family Retreat this year. We're sad, but know it's the right call. The safety of our families is so important to us!

We are excited for an amazing weekend together October 22-24, 2021, so make sure to mark your calendars!

Capital Offering

We're so excited for the what God has in store for First Free! To give to our capital offering, click the link below and select 'Capital Offering' from the dropdown!

https://efree.churchcenter.com/giving

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/rightnowmedia

Need 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/care

We're Hiring!

We have multiple open positions - check out efree.org/careers to view the opportunities to join our team!

https://www.efree.org/careers

Photography 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/phototeam

Database and Directory

We’re building a digital directory that will launch soon and we need your help to make sure our information is up to date! If you’d like to be in the Directory, please opt-in at efree.org/directory. If you prefer to not be in the directory, please still update your profile - it helps us to communicate more effectively with you!

http://www.efree.org/directory

Groups at First Free

Groups at First Free are a place to belong. Groups provide an environment for discipleship and study. They give opportunities for hospitality. They help us to grow and learn about God, the Bible, ourselves, and each other. Groups do not supplant the church, but they provide a setting where believers can more fully realize what it means to be the church. To learn more and find your fit, click the link below!

https://www.efree.org/groups

Care 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/

Carman Trails Partnership Backpack Program

We are partnering with Carman Trails school to help support some of their students who face food insecurity. To help, please bring non-perishable, shelf-stable items (not canned, because of weight) to the hampers at the entrances to the building. Suggested items include fruit cups, prepared pasta meals, chicken/tuna packets, etc. Thank you for your generosity!

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. To get involved, contact Tom Siener at 636.779.2160 or tsiener@efree.org.

Messages

Our sermons and Preparing for Worship emails are now available as podcasts!

http://www.efree.org/messages

Website

Visit our website!

http://www.efree.org/