First Free Church
The Power of Small: Panel Discussion
John Richardson
Locations & Times
First Free Church
1375 Carman Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
Make a Difference
You can make a difference for Christ in someone’s life! God wants to use you to befriend someone who is lonely, to care for someone who is hurting, to encourage someone who is down, to help someone who is weak, or to serve someone in need. It's easier than you think to get started!
https://www.efree.org/makeadifference/Auditorium Open!
We've got exciting news - the auditorium is open! Our capacity is still pretty limited, so as with any of our other venues, you'll need to make a reservation. We'll be blocking off rows to make sure that we all stay an appropriate distance apart and face coverings will be required. We've closed the Activity Center venue, but still have the Traditions service in the Chapel and the kid-friendly service in Room 140 open. We've also added an outside overflow venue on the north patio with a live feed from the auditorium. You can learn more about our different service venues and make a reservation at efree.org/reopen.
https://www.efree.org/reopenKid Connection Opening Next Week
Kid Connection will be opening on Sunday, September 13th during the 11 am service! We'll be operating on a smaller scale than normal at first, with three rooms open (Nursery, Preschool, and Elementary). We ask that you reserve a spot for each child that will be in attendance - to make a reservation, click here. To view a more detailed reopening plan for Kid Connection please click here. If you have any questions, please email kidconnection@efree.org.
Kid Connection is Recruiting - Build Something New!
Life is crazy right now, and we just don't know what's coming next. But, because we trust in God, we have all of the tools we need to have a fun year no matter what! Kid Connection is recruiting adults and teens who love kids to serve and help us build something new this year. To learn more, click the link below!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftZ3ko2k1HpjU6afYVqRttxK-Y_5D5nz6RhOvEbzrCTEJ8hw/viewformBridge 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.
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.
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/Red Cross Blood Drives: September 10 and 11
The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. First Free is continuing to support the American Red Cross by hosting multiple blood drives. We’ll be hosting drives September 10 & 11 from 1 – 6 pm in the Activity Center where healthy individuals are invited to give blood. Individuals who would like to give must make an appointment at redcrossblood.org.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/Father/Father Figure and Son BBQ
Junior & senior high guys, join us on September 12 for an awesome day of fellowship, delicious BBQ, a flag football tournament on our corner property, t-shirts, and a crucial conversation that every guy needs to hear. TED Talk speaker Zach Hughes and his father, Tom Hughes, will be leading a talk on the harmful effects of pornography in teen boys' lives. This event will give dads and father figures the tools necessary to talk to their teen boys about sexual integrity in an age where it has become so rare. Register at efree.org/events!
https://www.efree.org/event/fathersonbbq/Farmers to Families Food Box Program
On September 12th First Free will be distributing FREE food boxes loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables to families facing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.If you’re in need, please come and grab a box between 10:15 – 11:15 am (or until we run out of boxes, whichever happens first) in the west parking lot at First Free. There is no registration needed to receive a box.
https://www.efree.org/event/farmers-to-families-food-box-program-6/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. Studies begin September 15 & 16.
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/Feed Nicaragua
We’re hosting a Feed Nicaragua food packing event on September 19. Our volunteers will pack and seal 20,000 meals that will provide support to Nicaraguan families impacted by hunger and poverty, a situation that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its financial impact. Learn more and register at efree.org/events!
https://www.efree.org/event/feed-nicaragua/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/worshipWorship Community Night
If you’re a member of our worship community, or if you would like to learn how you can get involved and serve through music, vocals, or technical production, you’re invited to join us on September 26 for a night of food, fellowship, and skill development! We’ll talk about the vision for our worship community and have breakout sessions for drums, acoustic guitar, vocals, and more. Dinner is provided and childcare is available. Register at efree.org/events!
https://www.efree.org/event/worship-community-night-3/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!
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/givingRightNow 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/careWe're Hiring!
We have multiple open positions - check out efree.org/careers to view the opportunities to join our team!
https://www.efree.org/careersPhotography 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/phototeamDatabase 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/directoryGroups 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/groupsCare 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