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First Free Church

Parables: The Friend at Midnight

Parables: The Friend at Midnight

Adam Bowers

Locations & Times

First Free Church

1375 Carman Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021, USA

Sunday 9:00 AM

Sunday 11:00 AM

Watch live!

Watch our live stream every Sunday morning at 9 and 11 am!
https://live.efree.org/

Give now!

Giving online is easy and secure.
https://efree.churchcenter.com/giving

Join us on Sunday!

If you like to join us in the auditorium, 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.
https://efree.churchcenter.com/registrations

Children's Ministry is Open!

Our Children's Ministry 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/registrations

Easter at Home

Easter is just a few weeks away! If you’re planning to attend our Good Friday or Easter Sunday services online, we would love to help you worship from home with our Worship From Home Easter Bag. These bags will include items needed for communion, an Easter devotional, small gifts, and if there are children within your household, we’ll also include an age appropriate book! We have a limited number available, so register for yours now at efree.org/easterathome. You’ll be able to pick up your bags either Saturday, March 27th or Sunday, March 28th.
https://www.efree.org/easterathome

Good Friday Services

On Friday, April 2, we will be gathering together and remembering the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our salvation through an intimate time of meditative music, devotion, and communion.  Services will be at 4 & 6:30 pm, and will be held both in-person and online at live.efree.org. Children’s Ministry will not be open. Reserve your spot below!
https://efree.churchcenter.com/registrations

Easter Sunday Services

Join us on Sunday, April 4, at 9:00 or 11:00 am for a joyful celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and the hope that we have in Him. We will be holding both in-person and online services at 9 and 11 am. Our Nursery – 3rd Grade classrooms will be open to welcome children during the 11 am service only. Fusion (4th and 5th grade) will not be meeting.  Even with all of the craziness and uncertainty in the world, we still have a lot to celebrate. Jesus’ work on the cross is not uncertain. His resurrection is not uncertain. Our hope in Him is not uncertain. Let’s rejoice! Reserve your spot below!
https://efree.churchcenter.com/registrations

Ark 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/ark

Holy 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! To learn more, visit efree.org/israel.
https://www.efree.org/israel/

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/fusion

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/groups

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.

Connections 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/connections

Church Center App and Directory

Church Center 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/directory

Library Open!

The library is back open for business before and after the 11 am in-person service on Sundays (hooray for books!).

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/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

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

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/