Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me.... If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely….
- Martin Luther

The design of God in our cancer is not to train us in the rationalistic, human calculations of odds. The world gets comfort from their odds. Not Christians. Some count their chariots (percentages of survival) and some count their horses (side effects of treatment) but we trust in the name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20:7). God's design is clear from 2 Corinthians 1:9: “We felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” The aim of God in our cancer (among a thousand other good things) is to knock the props out from under our hearts so that we rely utterly on him.
- John Piper

Yet war does do something to death. It forces us to remember it. The only reason why the cancer at sixty or the paralysis at seventy-five do not bother us is that we forget them. War makes death real to us, and that would have been regarded as one of its blessings by most of the great Christians of the past. They thought it good for us to be always aware of our mortality. I am inclined to think they were right.
-C.S. Lewis

COVID-19 Response

For the next several weeks, our worship gatherings will have to be online only. If the current restrictions remain in place, we may need to continue this until May 10, with May 17 being our first service back together. A number of the special services we had planned for March and April must now be postponed. We will do everything on a later timetable. The gathering restrictions will also impact our other ministry activities like Women’s Bible Studies, Community Bible Study, MOPS, AWANA, and Celebrate Recovery. We’re giving guidance to each of these ministries on how to proceed so they can contact their communities directly. Our giving last Sunday was down 25% but our expenses did not go down 25%. The impact of not meeting has a very small impact on expenses. Staff, missionaries, utilities, the mortgage, and other expenses continue without a break. Please continue supporting this church even though we are not able to physically attend services together. You can do this at efree.org/give or, if that site is overloaded on Sunday, use onehub.church.
We want to keep you informed as we make decisions on how to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. We are monitoring the situation very closely, and are making decisions that prioritize the safety of our congregation and community. We will give updates on our website at efree.org/safety, on our Facebook page, and via email. If you don’t get our emails and would like to, visit efree.org/updates.

https://www.efree.org/safety

Good Friday Services

On April 10, we will be gathering together online and remembering the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our salvation through an intimate time of meditative music, devotion, and communion. Before the service, we will send out instructions on how to prepare communion at your home. Times (online services only): 2 pm, 4 pm, 6:30 pm

https://efree.churchonline.org/

Easter Sunday Services

Join us online on Sunday, April 12, at 9:00 am or 10:45 am for a joyful celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and the hope that we have in Him. 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! Times (online services only): 9 am & 10: 45 am

https://efree.churchonline.org/

Short-Term Teams

You may not be called to full-time missions work, but you can still make an eternal impact on people’s lives through our short-term teams. This year, we have teams traveling to Ukraine, Nicaragua, and more. You can learn more and apply at efree.org/stt.

https://www.efree.org/stt

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

We're Hiring!

We’re hiring a part-time Receptionist/Accounts Payable Clerk. This individual will offer a warm welcome to all who contact the office and provide support to the Accounting Team. To learn more, click the link below!

https://www.efree.org/receptionist/

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

AWANA volunteers needed!

Our AWANA ministry is booming! We have 14 kids on the waitlist and need more adult volunteers. If you have free time on Wednesday evenings and a heart for children, please contact awana@efree.org for information on serving!

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!

Parking Lot Volunteers Needed!

Guest Connection is looking for people to serve as the first point of contact for our guests in the parking lot. Our parking lot volunteers provide a safe and welcoming environment for our church family, and have a lot of fun! For more information, email guestconnection@efree.org.

RightNow Media

Ready to grow in your faith? First Free has launched RightNow Media - it’s like the "Netflix of Video Bible Studies" and has a HUGE library of faith-based videos aimed at helping you grow. You can access the videos wherever you want (on your phone, computer, at home on your TV) and with whoever you want (alone, with your spouse, with your small group). Log in and look around!

Didn’t get the email? Check your spam or visit efree.org/rightnow.

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/