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JUNE 2021 |VOLUME 47| ISSUE NO.6
EVANGEL
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF FIRST EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH
Men's Retreat 2021 WR I T T E N BY KI R K ALBR E C H T
2020 was a lost year for a lot of events on peoples’ calendars. One of those was our annual Men’s Retreat. Heading into 2021, leaders felt like we needed to have a getaway gathering, but still unsure about doing overnights together with lingering concerns over COVID and facilities maintaining fairly
Photo Courtesy of Carl Pearson, Mens Retreat 2021
Our theme for the day was “Standing Firm in Shifting Sands.” We walked through the life of Joseph from the Old Testament, a man who could speak to what it’s like to find the sand shifting under your feet, yet holding fast to God in order to stand firm, even when life has dealt you a tough hand. We transitioned from Joseph to Jesus to see even more clearly what it means to stand firm
strict protocols.
through trials and suffering.
What to do? Have a one-day retreat where we
Pastor Kevin taught the morning session
minimize concerns yet allow our men to be together for teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, and fun. That is just what our Men’s Retreat 2021 was on May 1 at Laurelville Camp outside Mt. Pleasant.
focusing on the difficulties Joseph faced – animosity from his brothers, being sold by them into slavery, false accusations of immorality, wrongful imprisonment, and being forgotten for two years.
Men's Retreat 2021, ctd. Few of us will ever face such a succession of
Jesus modeled those qualities even more for us
struggles, but Joseph still speaks to whatever
as he endured the cross to procure our
we may face. And of course Jesus was “despised
salvation. Another round of table discussion
and rejected, a man of sorrows and acquainted
and prayer followed.
with grief.” Each table worked through discussion questions to further flesh out what
We enjoyed some great times of singing praise
our lives look like when the sands begin to
to the Lord led by Damon Howard, and Pastor
shift, and taking time to pray for each other.
Alex led us with some games to get us going early.
After lunch and a nice period of free time, Pastor Kirk taught in the afternoon on Joseph’s
In all, 56 FEFC men made the trek to Laurelville
response to what he suffered. We observed
for a great day to connect with God and each
that he did his work – for Potiphar, in prison,
other. If you couldn’t make it this year, mark
and for Pharaoh – with excellence, he
your calendars for April 29-May 1, 2022 for next
maintained a strong moral base, and he
year’s retreat, and keep alert for other men’s
ultimately trusted God throughout whatever
activities coming later this year (Men’s ABF
life brought him.
beginning Sunday, June 6 is a great place to plug in!)
Congratulations to our 2021 Graduates! WR I T T E N BY ALEX I E LASE
In May we celebrated and recognized senior high school students for their upcoming graduation. We are so proud of their accomplishments! 12 years of assignments, homework, and tests aren’t easy! Combining that with the social pressures, involvement in sports and other activities, and life in general and you get a gigantic sigh of relief when a student gets that diploma! We also realize the tremendous amount of effort that comes from parents as they guide their children through academic pathways. No doubt there are stresses, desires and disappointments along the way. We celebrate each parent who has done the long and hard work of raising their children to be responsible and develop a love of learning. We pray that each student will continue to seek the Lord for their future plans. Education is a key component of becoming the person God desires us to be. No matter what grades a student gets, diplomas or degrees they earn or jobs they are hired for, our desire is that they would glorify God in all they do. He is our help and strength
International Mark Your Calendars Partner Spotlight WR I T T E N BY KI R K ALBR EC H T
Senior Achievers | June 8
at 5 p.m. in Fire Place Room ALIVE (Young Adults) | June 8 at 6:30 p.m. in Adult Learning Center Reach Student Ministry | June 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Family News Anniversaries CONGRATULATIONS TO... Fred & Jenny Cooley for 55 years of marriage on June 4. Richard & Janie Bowen for 61 years of marriage on June 10. Ronald & Iris Dries for 66 years of marriage on June 25. Dave & Marcia Abel for 40 years of marriage on June 27.
Student Ministry OAC Training |
BIRTH
June 13 at 6 p.m. in Gym
CONGRATULATIONS TO...
White Cross | June 15 at 8:30 a.m in Lower Fellowship Hall. Reach Student Ministry | June 16 at 6:30 p.m. Griefshare Bible Study | June 17 at 10 a.m. in Adult Learning Center Reach Student Ministry | June 23 at 6:30 p.m.
To Jack & Marilyn Ashoff for the birth of their granddaughter, Isla Mae Barr, on April 28. Parents are Nathan & Elisabeth Barr.
Memorial Gifts THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED MEMORIAL GIFTS FOR THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE. For Joseph Pudlowski
For Vincent Grace
Jim Charlesworth
Dr. & Mrs. David Badstibner
Griefshare Bible Study | June 24 at
Reminder!
10 a.m. in Adult Learning Center Student Ministry OAC Trip|
Please pray for Pastor Kirk during his well earned
June 28 - July 3
sabbatical. He will be returning August 3.
NO Reach Student Ministries | June 30 Griefshare Bible Study | July 1 at 10 a.m. in Adult Learning Center Office Closed (Independence Day)| July 5 ALIVE (Young Adults) | July 6 at 6:30 p.m. in Adult Learning Center Reach Student Ministry | July 7 at 6:30 p.m.
Please visit www.myfefc.org for our full and updated calendar. Copyright © 2021 | First Evangelical Free Church. All rights reserved.
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