the EVANGEL

from December 2022 Evangel

by myfefc

I Will Sing of the Goodness of God!

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF FIRST FREE CHURCH

Christmas Fest 2022!

I Will Sing of the Goodness of God!

By Nancy Jo Demolin

December 9th & 10th

7:00 - 9:00 PM FREE activities for all ages!

✦ Live animals

✦ Fireside refreshments

✦ Kid Zone Carnival

✦ Puppet Band Concert

✦ Photo Shoot for family and friends

✦ Live Nativity performances at 7:00, 7:45 & 8:30 pm

Please invite your family, friends and neighbors! We hope to see you there!

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

I chose this Bible verse as my ‘life verse’ in 1985 for it was then that I was intentional in my desire to ‘walk in’ God’s purpose for my life. I had resigned teaching music in Steubenville, OH and was headed to Japan as a missionary with the Evangelical Free Church of America. I would be teaching a variety of subjects at Kansai Christian School which, of course, included music.

Though my family was not a family that would be considered ‘musical’, from a very young age I wanted to play the piano. My dad bought me a small organ (pictured) where my right hand would play a melody and my left hand would push buttons that created accompaniment chords. By the time I was six, I was taking formal piano lessons and for a year walked across the street to Mrs. Martin’s house to practice on her piano. After a year of lessons, my dad saw my interest in music continuing to

Christmas Eve Service

Join us for our Christmas Eve candlelight service, beginning at 5:00PM, as we celebrate the coming of Christ, our Savior and King!

Please note that childcare will not be provided.

grow so he bought me my own Wurlitzer spinet piano. I did not know it then, but God was preparing me for the ‘good works’ He would lead me to walk in.

I am so thankful to God for making me a musician and for parents that fully supported me along the way. I have been a performer, director, accompanist, and teacher but my greatest joy has been to lead God’s people in His praise. Now that I am retiring from my ministry position at First Free, one thing I know for sure is “as long as I am able I will sing of the goodness of God”. To God be the glory!

Thanksgiving Service

Student Ministry Fall Retreat 2022

This year’s retreat couldn’t have been more beautiful!

Our students and leaders enjoyed hiking, rock climbing, playing, eating and learning together. What a privilege it is to get to know these students and help them to know Christ! Special thanks to our DEDICATED youth leaders!

Senior Achievers Thanksgiving Luncheon

Christmastime in Student Ministry

By Pastor Alex Ielase

December is my favorite month of student ministry! We get to put “feet” to our faith. Jesus calls us to go into all the world, shining His light wherever we go. When people see our good works, we pray they would praise and glorify our Heavenly Father.

Each week, we head out of the church building to bless and serve others in some way. On week 1, students bring their own money to help buy presents for community families in partnership with Sonshine ministries. We travel to area stores to buy the gifts (always an adventure taking 70 people to Walmart!) then head back to First Free to wrap them up.

For week 2, we work with the GriefShare ministry to identify folks we can visit. Church members bake delicious cookies, box them up, and we split oﬀ into groups. Traveling to about a dozen homes, student groups will spend time with some lovely people singing Christmas carols and getting to know each other.

For week 3, we hit the streets of McKeesport and White Oak. Going door to door, we sing carols, pray for folks, share the Gospel and invite them to our Christmas services.

All of these ministries are inspired by the Commission of Jesus to “Go into all the world, making disciples….” We want people to hear the Gospel and see it loved out. By His grace, we believe that will happen this year. Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmastime with Griefshare

Griefshare will continue to hold its regularly scheduled meetings on December 1, 8, 15, and 22. Please note that on December 15th, there will be a GriefShare Christmas Luncheon in the Fireplace Room at 12:15 pm. On December 22, GriefShare will be viewing a ﬁlm "Why the Nativity" followed by a pizza lunch in the Fireplace Room.

Additionally, on December 4th, GriefShare will be going to an East Wind Symphony Concert at Gateway High School at 3:30 pm. Transportation will be provided from the church at 2:30 pm.