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AUGUST 2021 |VOLUME 47| ISSUE NO.8
EVANGEL
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF
Summer Mission Trips
First Free Students Serving in McKeesport
WRITTEN BY ALEX IELASE
The months of June and July are some of my favorites. Summer is here, school is out and the warm sun is shining! It’s also a perfect time to take middle and high school students on
If we really believe we have the best news in all of history, we should do everything we can to share it! And that is exactly what our students did during this trip. It’s so much fun
missions trips.
to see students who are shy, quiet and timid,
From June 28-July 3, 17 students and leaders
to talk with total strangers about the Lord.
ministered on the boardwalks and beaches of Ocean City, Maryland. By God’s grace, we equipped them with multiple methods of sharing the gospel through scripture memorization, preaching practice, teaching them about different religions and their backgrounds, and more!
coming out of their shells and comfort zones
We had hundreds of conversations with people, alongside public preaching times where we taught to groups of 10, 20, 30 or even more people at a time. We also passed out thousands of gospel tracks.
Summer Mission Trips, Ctd. One of our students handed a man, his wife and daughter a track. The next day, he came back to tell us that he prayed to receive Jesus! We spoke with him for about an hour, prayed with him, and remain in touch with him even to this day. Hallelujah!
Pastor Alex and Students serving in McKeesport
Most of the students worked hard during the day and then also served at Summer Blast in the evening. They did such an amazing job First Free Students Preaching on the Boardwalk
During the last week of July, we had 23 students
engaging with children and helping them to better understand that Jesus is our ultimate best friend.
and six leaders scattered in Mckeesport to show the love of Christ and share the gospel. We did work projects at peoples homes, assisted at Sonshine Community Ministries, and walked the streets to talk and pray with whoever the Lord put in our paths. Unfortunately on Thursday, we were rained out by the threat of thunderstorms for the Slip and Slide at the Mckeesport Library, but we made the best of it. First Free Students serving at Summer Blast
I really am very proud of them, and it is such a privilege to get to do this as a job. Thank you so much for supporting youth ministry at First Free Church and please continue to pray as we enter a new year of Reach Student Ministries this September.
First Free Team at Ocean City, MD
Fall at First Free First Free Family—
WRITTEN BY KEVIN LABBY
Wow! What a summer at First Free Church! Whether in Sunday morning worship, our summer Adult Bible Fellowships (ABF) for men and women, small group picnics, mission trips to Ocean City, MD and McKeesport, Summer Blast, or in so many other places (Senior Achievers, Alive Young Adults, GriefShare, White Cross, and more), we see God at work and marvel at His goodness. In countless ways, He is guiding more and more people into becoming healthy followers of Jesus Christ. And even though a new school year is right around the corner, God is showing no signs of slowing down. On the contrary, He is already building and blessing us with new initiatives and opportunities for the fall. We have a packed fall already planned. Some highlights include: the return of Breakfast Bible Bunch for students on August 15 Penn State University Picnic on Thursday, August 26 the restart of Awana for children and Wednesday Nights at First Free on September 8 the First Free Women's Retreat at Ligonier Camp and Conference Center from September 10-11 the relaunch of our Welcome Team the start of two new guest-oriented ABFs on September 19 the Couples' Hayride on October 16 our Church Picnic scheduled for October 17 and our annual Praise and Thanksgiving service on November 21. And believe me: there's more - so much more! We're also gearing up for significant and strategic upgrades to our lobby, auditorium, and children's ministry area. Later this month, we'll teach a three-part sermon series on handling success, responding to failure, and what to do when you feel stuck. After that, Pastor Kirk and I will preach a brand new series on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. We're excited to cast the new vision for discipleship at First Free! God is on the move at First Free. Thank you for being a part of it. We're so glad you're here. You're loved. Don't forget it.
Kevin Labby, Lead Pastor
Sacn to register for the Women's Retreat Here!
International Mark Your Calendars Partner Spotlight WRITTEN BY KIRK ALBRECHT
First Free Young Adults | Tuesdays
Family News
at 6:30 p.m. in Adult Learning Center
Anniversaries
Griefshare Bible Study | Thursdays
CONGRATULATIONS TO...
at 10 a.m. in Adult Learning Center Student Bible Breakfast Bunch | August 15 at 9:30 a.m. Special General Assembly Meeting|
Jack & Cheryl Kelly for 55 years of marriage on August 6. David & Barbara Badstibner for 51 years of marriage on August 15. Andrew & Cathy Jinks for 40 years of marriage on August 29. David & Diane Murray for 35 years of marriage on August 30.
August 15 following service
White Cross | August 17 at 8:30 a.m
Memorial Gifts
in Lower Fellowship Hall.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED MEMORIAL
Student Ministry Slushie ‘n Park | August 18 at 1 p.m. Student Ministry Leader Retreat| August 20-21 starting at 7 p.m. Penn State University Welcome
GIFTS FOR THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE. For Frank Gironda Bill & Dolly Halas
Summer Blast & Pop
Back Picnic |August 26 at 3 p.m. Combined ABFs | Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m. in Auditorium
Office Closed (Labor Day)| Sept. 6 Wednesday Nights at First Free| September 8 at 6:30 p.m. GriefShare Sessions| Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. & 7 p.m. in Adult Learning Center
Worship Choir Rehearsals | Thursdays starting Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Women's Ministry Retreat | Sept. 10- 11 at Ligonier Combined ABFs | Sept. 12 at 9:30 a.m. in Auditorium
Please visit www.myfefc.org for our full and updated calendar. Copyright © 2021 | First Evangelical Free Church. All rights reserved.
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