the
MARCH 2021 |VOLUME 47| ISSUE NO.3
EVANGEL
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF FIRST EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH
Spiritual Flexibility Required!
Student Ministry Winter Bash at Boyce Park
WRITTEN BY ALEX IELASE
Serving Jesus requires flexibility. You don’t have to be as limber as a gymnast physically, but we must be flexible spiritually. We must be able to handle the curveballs life throws at us. Sometimes God allows things in our lives to test us: to see if we will stretch, flex and still maintain Christian love, mercy and compassion. The reality of COVID-19 has caused all of us to have to be flexible and
Student Ministry Support Luncheon March 28, 2021 Following Service Dine in & Take out Our students love to serve and we are planning two
adjust our expectations. This is not easy, and sometimes it
mission trips this summer for
makes us downright angry. Yet God is faithful even when we
them. One to Ocean City, MD
are not.
and another here in McKeesport.
The Winter Retreat at the Castle for Student Ministry is definitely one of the best parts of our year. Students, youth
Donations for these mission
leaders, cooks—ALL OF US really look forward to this time!
trips will be accepted at the
However, this year we decided to make an adjustment
Luncheon. Hope to see you
because of the reality of Covid.
there!
Spiritual Flexibility Required!, ctd.
International Partner Spotlight
We didn’t want to put a bunch of people into the same place
WRITTEN BY KIRK ALBRECHT
for an extended period of time in close quarters.
Our Friends in SE Asia This dynamic family is doing well in their large city. Covid-related government restrictions have meant many limits to their activities, but they have continued to learn language and culture,
We decided to change things up. Serving Jesus requires flexibility! This year we decided to do a one-day event where we spent most of the time outside. We took a group of about 50 people to Boyce Park for some snow tubing and there was actually snow! The students had a great time of fun. We returned to the church building for some food, fellowship, games, and time in the Word. We played the human version of the game “Hungry Hippos,” with the winners getting
spending time with neighbors
Chick-Fil-A gift cards. Our other game involved a student
as they are able, and not
transferring an Oreo cookie from their forehead to mouth
staying totally confined to
without using their hands…talk about flexibility! We ate
their apartment! They are
some pizza and wings together. Then, we looked at the story
growing in building the tools
of the prodigal son in Luke’s Gospel. It was great to share of
they will need to remain in their country long-term. They have been using technology for language learning, as well as home schooling their kids. Supervisors are pleased with their progress. It is hard work! Pray for them to know God’s provision each day, for continued ability to speak their language well, for guidance in direction once their formal language studies are done, for health, and for God’s leading into relationships that will provide opportunities to share the good news of Jesus.
the love of God and how compassionate He is to us! All in all it was a fabulous day. I am so thankful for all of our youth leaders and how they continue to be flexible no matter what the situation has called for. God is good!
Family News
Mark International Your Calendars Partner Spotlight
Anniversaries
Women's Book Club | March 8
WRITTEN BY KIRK ALBRECHT
CONGRATULATIONS TO... Charles & Sherry Turner for 53 years of marriage on March 4. Dane & A. Faye Lloyd for 65 years of marriage on March 9.
at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom
Student Ministry Sports Night | March 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Births
Moms Connect | March 16
CONGRATULATIONS TO...
at 6:30 p.m. in Game Room
To Beth Burge on the birth of a grandson Declan Burge, January 15. Proud parents are David & Monique Burge. Declan joins big sister, Mikelle. To Jes & Alyssa Schnatteraly on the birth of a son, Micah, February 7. Micah joins older sisters, Janna & Alayna.
White Cross | March 18 at 8:30 a.m. Student Ministry Dad's Breakfast n' Bible |March 20 at 9 a.m. in Fire Place Room
Passings OUR CHRISTIAN LOVE AND SYMPATHY... To Luana Grace & family at the passing of husband and father, Vincent Grace. To the family & friends of Joan Steele at her passing.
Student Ministry Home Group | March 21 at the Ielase's Student Ministry Support Luncheon | March 28 after service SShut In Sing Along Outreach | March
Memorial Gifts THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED MEMORIAL GIFTS FOR THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE.
28 after S.M. Support Luncheon Good Friday Service| April 2 at 7 p.m.
For John Eisele:
For Robert Timlin
Anonymous
Anonymous
Laurie Bezeck Bill & Dolly Halas For Vincent Grace Bill & Dolly Halas
For Marie Varga Bill & Dolly Halas For Pastor Charles Will Bill & Dolly Halas
Easter Flowers Order online or with envelope in mailbox. ORDERS DUE MARCH 21
NO 9:30 A.M. PROGRAMS ON EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 4. Please visit www.myfefc.org for our full and updated calendar.
2021-2022 Church Officers Congratulations to our newly elected officers [indicated with an asterisk (*)] and our affirmed officers [indicated with two asterisks (**)]. All officer's terms run from April 1 to March 31 in accordance to our consititution.
Elders
Deaconess
Pastor Kevin Labby*
Sarah Howard
Pastor Joel Rishel**
Theresa Florian
Damon Howard*
Lisa Meilander*
Rob Gibala
Hannah Rish*
Daniel Zajdel Ed Campbell
Associate Deaconess (appointed)
Chairman
Trustee
Sam Coccia
Bill Haines Larry Shirey
Treasurer
Joel Meilander*
Owen Zajdel
Bill A. Fawcett
Recording Secretary Associate Trustee (appointed)
Adam Rish* Financial Secretary Anna Parkinson
Head Usher Barry Wagner
Deacon
Nominating Committee
Nathaniel Buck
Mike Sapelli
Paul Neff
Julie Squires
Dean Dittmar
Randy McDonald
Dan Sites
Roxie Buck
Associate Deacon (appointed) Jeremy Vogel
Rick Tarsala* Stephanie Zajdel*
Adam Slafka
Welcome to our New Members!
Keith A. Seese
Dee Ann M. Sapienza
Aaron Stevens
Keely Anne Stevens
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