the
MAY 2021 |VOLUME 47| ISSUE NO.5
EVANGEL
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF FIRST EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH
Photo Courtesy of Carolyn Deemer, "International Independence Day"
I Love the Global Church WRITTEN BY CAROLYN DEEMER
After the initial newness dies down, we see the deep family ties that bind the church. The love, the fellowship, the hospitality.
As our Sunday morning worship has revolved
“There is one body and one Spirit -- just as
around the theme, “I Love My Church”, that has
you were called to the one hope that belongs
led me to reflect on how thankful I am for the
to your call -- one Lord, one faith, one
global church. It has been an immeasurable
baptism, one God and Father of all, who is
blessing to be involved in the Body of Christ in
over all and through all and in all." (Eph. 4:4-
Mexico. For anyone who has been on a mission
6) We read the same Scripture; we share the
trip or even worshipped in another country
same table of our Lord; and we can boldly
over vacation, the differences in the global
approach the same throne of grace in prayer,
church stand out immediately: language
no matter the language.
barriers, longer or more expressive services, the local customs and style of worship. It all
How do we love the Global Church?
seems new and exciting and so … different! Could we all be members of the same body?
Pray for her! Our pastor in Mexico regularly prays for other congregations throughout
I Love the Global Church, ctd. Mexico City as well as the broader global
for us of how to endure faithfully in the
church. Rarely does a Sunday go by that Pastor
midst of persecution. May we be
Victor doesn’t remind us that we are part of the
emboldened to live passionately for Christ
global body of Christ, spanning history and the
because of their testimony!
globe. What a privilege! Here are some practical ways to start praying for the church around the
Unite in Worship! And finally, our
world. Begin by interceding for any churches
experiences with the global church should
you know of personally, or pray as you listen to
remind us that God’s plan of redemption is
news about other countries. Additionally, there
so much bigger than our moment in history
are a number of ministries, such as Voice of the
and our corner of the world. Though we are
Martyrs, that offer specific ways to pray for the
all distant strangers now, the day will come
persecuted church. We can get creative in the
when we will be fully united in worship as
ways we pray for the global church … but,
the redeemed children of God! Let us live in
above all, let’s just be intentional about doing
the spiritual reality that is ours now, and
it!
long for the fullness that is yet to come!
Give and Receive Often, we in the West think mostly of prayer or financial giving in order to support the global church. That is certainly important, especially as we have been blessed so deeply in the areas of physical resources. However, we should also have a posture of humility to receive from the global church. We have so much to learn from our brothers and sisters around the world, as well. I have been challenged in my faith in new ways as my Mexican church family has helped me to read God’s Word through a different lens than I usually do! Some Mexican friends of mine went to England as missionaries in order to reach the post-Christian British, as well as England’s
Photo Courtesy of Carolyn Deemer
And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals,
droves of Muslim immigrants. South Korea and
because You were slain,
China, once the recipients of missionaries from
and by Your blood You purchased for God
the West, now send an endless stream of
those from every tribe and tongue and people
missionaries to the nations!We have countless
and nation.
brothers and sisters around the world who set
You have made them to be a kingdom
an example
and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.” Rev. 5:9-10
International Partner Spotlight WRITTEN BY KIRK ALBRECHT
Bob & Natalie
Bob has reached a level of language ability that enables him to begin preparing
It has been a wild 5 years for Bob & Natalie
materials to teach the story of the Good
and their kids as they have moved to a new
News. This is a big step!
country, adjusted to a radically different lifestyle than the US, engaged in language
Pray for them as they need to get some
learning, opened a business, and endured the
official paperwork for the baby (passport,
past year of COVID-19. Oh yes – and also
visa) before they can return and resume
having 3 more children in that time! Back in
ministry. Pray for God to keep growing
the States for a few months, they just
them in ability to speak the native
welcomed their 5th child, a lovely daughter
language, to develop key relationships,
named Annaliese.
and see the Gospel take hold in peoples’ lives.
Their host country is a challenge culturally and regarding religion. Their best opportunity to remain long-term for ministry is to do something productive in the government’s eyes, so a language school is how they are doing that. The school is doing well, though like many schools, they had to shut their doors because of COVID. Relationships continue, though, so ministry is always happening.
International Mark Your Calendars Partner Spotlight WRITTEN BY KIRK ALBRECHT
Student Ministry
Mother/Daughter Tea | May 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Fire Place Room
Family News Anniversaries CONGRATULATIONS TO... Joseph & Donna Rymarowicz for 40 years of marriage on May 30.
Student Ministry Father/Son Bowling | May 5 at 6:30 p.m. ALIVE (Young Adults) | Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Adult Learning Center Griefshare | May 6 at 10 a.m.
Passings OUR CHRISTIAN LOVE AND SYMPATHY... To Dusten & Michelle Washington at the passing of Michelle’s sister, Catherine Bujak on April 17.
& 7 p.m. in Adult Learning Center Women's Book Club |May 11
Memorial Gifts
at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED MEMORIAL
Griefshare | May 13 at 10 a.m. & 7 p.m. in Adult Learning Center
Homeschool Science Fair| May 15 in Game Room Student Ministry Dad's Breakfast n' Bible | May 15 at 9 a.m. in Fire Place Room Student Ministry Senior Recognition |May 16 at 5:15 p.m. in the Upper Room
GIFTS FOR THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE. For John Eisele
For Vincent Grace
Jim Charlesworth
Anonymous
For Joan Steele Anonymous Bill & Carol Barnes Laurie Bezeck Vilma Pavuk Irene Zack For Taylor Nestor Todd & Cheryl Nestor
White Cross | May 18 at 8:30 a.m in Lower Fellowship Hall. Moms Connect | May 18 at 6:30 p.m. in Game Room Connect (for all ages!)| Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Student Ministry Game Night | May 21 at 7 p.m. Office Closed (Memorial Day)| May 31 Please visit www.myfefc.org for our full and updated calendar. Copyright © 2021 | First Evangelical Free Church. All rights reserved.
Laurie Bezeck Ruth Bowers Jim Charlesworth Vilma Pavuk Hal & Rhoda West Irene Zack