the
JANUARY 2022 |VOLUME 48| ISSUE NO. 1
EVANGEL
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF FIRST FREE CHURCH
Kiddly at First Free
In the middle of winter,
WRITTEN BY JOEL RISHEL
After the holidays,
Lots of adults experience the post-holiday blues. You know what I mean— back to reality
When you’re looking for something for the kiddos...
and business as usual, feeling exhausted after rushing around to a bunch of Christmas parties, anticipating the Visa bill, and the emotional let-down after the “most wonderful time of the year.” And it doesn’t help that we ate too many cookies. Well, kids face this stuff too. Maybe not the Visa bill, but it can be hard for them to re-adjust to normal routine. And it doesn’t help when it’s dark outside. We’ve got something for you.
Okay, yes, we just literally made that word up. But, it represents an interactive experience designed just for 4-7 year olds (as of Jan 31). We will have games, puppets, music, story time, snacks, and a unique focus on Jesus. Best of all, it’s free!
Kiddly at First Free, Cont. One of the features will be the teens creating
Our overall strategy is that Kiddly is going to
game stations in the gym with all kinds of
be an outreach event for young kids in the
“Kiddly” stuff that kiddos love. In the eyes of
middle of winter, and Summer Blast is going
a young child, it doesn’t matter what the
to be our major outreach for older kids in the
activity is, the teens are awesome, so it WILL
summer. Doing this will allow us to focus our
be fun!
attention and leverage our resources to best serve kids and families in our communities.
But— it doesn’t stop there. The teens are going to help us communicate that Jesus is
Kiddly will take place on Saturday, January 22
the most awesome of all! Kids will learn who
from 1 – 4 p.m. Registration is open on our
Jesus is, what he did for us, and why we
website at https://www.myfefc.org/kiddly.
should love and follow him. 1 John 4:9 says,
Our snow date is the next week, Saturday,
“This is how God showed his love among us:
January 29.
He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” We have
Please help us spread the word to parents of
experienced God’s love through Jesus, and
4-7 year olds.
our aim in Kiddly is to dazzle the kids with our Savior: Jesus Christ! It’s going to be a serious post-holiday pick-me-up!
Christmas Fest Photos TAKEN BY EMILY ROTHEY
Growth in Winter WRITTEN BY KIRK ALBRECHT
We are headed into winter. Short days, long
Yet God is at work in us, “to will and to work
nights. Cold. Snow. Life becomes quite
for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). If
different as we stay home more, wrap up in
we are rooted in our Savior, then he will
blankets, and huddle over a warm drink.
produce growth. If we remain connected to the vine, the vinedresser will have his way
Leaves are gone from trees. No more grass
with us (John 15), even if on the outside it
cutting for months. Flowers aren’t in bloom. It
seems not much is happening.
seems that winter also means little growth in nature. At least not what we can see.
What do we do when things seem barren? Here are some ideas:
But other forces are at work to not completely snuff out life during winter. God has so
Lean into the Scriptures. We always find
designed nature that even though your grass
good when we spend time in God’s word.
may not be any longer or thicker for 5
Spend time with people. Isolation when
months, be sure it will get green and lush
things are tough is not a recipe for
when the warmth of spring comes and the
growth. We are made for community.
rains fall.
Cultivate joy. Find pleasure in the good you see – look for it.
As disciples of Jesus, we may experience
Set your mind. Our will + the Holy Spirit
winter in our lives, what one writer called “the
gives endurance in the downs of life.
dark night of the soul.” It seems that we just aren’t bearing a lot of fruit. Life is difficult.
Growth gives Jesus glory. Growth in our lives
Energy is lacking. Desires for doing the will of
is God’s concern. Stay the course and see
God wane.
what God can do even in winter!
Student Ministry
February 4-6, 2022
International Mark Your Calendars Partner Spotlight
Family News
WRITTEN BY KIRK ALBRECHT
OAC Tampa Trip| Jan 2 - 8
Next Generation Prayer Meeting | Jan. 2 following service in ALC Wednesday Night at First Free|
Anniversaries CONGRATULATIONS TO... Mark & Valerie Bradley for 35 years of marriage on Jan. 2. Mr. & Mrs. Ed Kasprisin for 56 of marriage on Jan. 18.
Weekly starting Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. Creative Arts Appreciation Dinner|
Passings
Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. in Fire Place Room
OUR CHRISTIAN LOVE AND SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO...
Bible Fellowship Hour | Weekly starting Jan. 9 at 9:30 a.m.
First Free Young Adults |Weekly starting Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Adult Learning Center
The Demolin family at the passing of Felix’ sister, Adeline Palattella The Smith family at the passing of Greg’s father Richard (Cash) Smith
Memorial Gifts THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED MEMORIAL
Student Ministry Game Night |
GIFTS FOR THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE.
Jan. 14 at 7 p.m.
For Bill Guy
For Lois Meilander
Dr. & Mrs. David Badstibner
Anonymous
For David Karap
For Adeline Palattella
Thermo King of Pittsburgh
Anonymous
For Virginia Martin
For Richard (Cash) Smith
Anonymous
Anonymous
Dad's Breakfast n' Bible | Jan. 15 at 9 a.m. Ielase Home Group | Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. White Cross | Jan. 18 at 9 a.m.
Kiddly | Jan. 22 at 9 a.m.
Next Sermon Series (Jan. 2 - March 20)
Student Ministry Winter Retreat | Feb. 4-6 at the Castle Student Ministry Game Night | Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. General Assembly Meeting | Feb. 17 following service
Please visit www.myfefc.org for our full and updated calendar. Copyright © 2021 | First Evangelical Free Church. All rights reserved.