December 2023 | VOLUME 49 | ISSUE NO.12
the
EVANGEL
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF FIRST FREE CHURCH
MERRY CHRISTMAS! From the Latin Adventus, meaning "coming," Advent is the four-week season of prayerful preparation leading to our celebration of Christ's birth over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. During Advent (December 3 - 24, 2023) and through the Christmas holiday, the First Free Church Family will commemorate and celebrate our Lord's birth in many exciting ways! On Sundays throughout December, our pastors will share an Advent-themed sermon series entitled "The Promised King," original messages built around headings I've seeN some others use and enjoyed:
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the King's Coming, Cradle, Cross, and Crown. In addition, we will celebrate the season with special holiday music led by our Worship Team, o erings by our choir, scripture readings from members of our church family, and more.
The Grander Design By Pastor Kevin Labby "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." - I Corinthians 13:12 (ESV)
I had an hour to kill before a meeting, so I went to Starbucks for an iced co ee and free Wi-Fi. Sitting at my high-top table, perched like a ca einated gargoyle, I noticed a man on the other side of the shop working on some needlepoint. This gent piqued my curiosity since I don't see something like that every day. I wanted to know what he was making. I couldn't see the front of the fabric from where I sat; I could only see the reverse - a somewhat confusing and crisscrossed series of strings, all assembled with only a tiny semblance of logic or design.
CHRISTMAS FEST
Christmas Fest 2023! You and your family are invited to Christmas Fest 2023 at First Free Church! Join us as we celebrate Jesus through reside fellowship with hot drinks and cookies, a Live Nativity animal petting zoo, a Family Photo Booth, thoughtful and fun activities for children, and two popcorn and candy cane- lled showings of The Shepherd: A Story of the First Christmas by the producers of The Chosen (6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.). This event is joyfully o ered to our church family and community free of charge. We hope you and your family will come celebrate the Savior with us! It's fun and free. Don't miss it!
CHRISTMAS EVE
Candlelight Christmas Eve
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Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year and we hope that you’ll join us for our morning Worship Service at 10:45 AM and our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 PM!
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(The Grander Design, continued) Eventually, my curiosity got the better of me. I took an unnecessary trip to the restroom and crept on this guy's needlepoint. With a probing "side eye," I nally saw it: a stunning landscape. He wasn't only doing needlework; he was rocking it! Sometimes, I think our lives as God's children are like that needlepoint at Starbucks. From our current vantage point, we can't see the beauty of what our Father is creating - what he's doing in us, through us, and ultimately for us. Sometimes, his work has only a tiny semblance of logic or design. It all seems so confusing and crisscrossed from where we sit. Thankfully, someday, when we enter his rest, our vantage point will change, and we'll see more clearly what our Father was making all along. Eventually, he'll reveal the confusing and crisscrossed aspects of our lives as the necessary craftsmanship of the ultimate Artisan. He is making all things beautiful again. Child of God: One day, you'll see things more clearly. You'll see the more incredible picture, the grander design of your life. You'll be more alert and perceptive to God's plans than ever. Keep pressing on. One day, it will all make sense.
Fall at First Free!
(Merry Christmas!, continued) December 3, 2023 (10:45 a.m.) The Promised King: The King's Coming Pastor Kirk Albrecht December 10, 2023 (10:45 a.m.) The Promised King: The King's Cradle Pastor Kevin Labby December 17, 2023 (10:45 a.m.) The Promised King: The King's Cross Pastor Alex Ielase December 24, 2023 (10:45 a.m.) The Promised King: The King's Crown Pastor Kevin Labby First Free Kids helped coordinate our annual participation in Operation Christmas Child in partnership with Samaritan's Purse. Shoebox gifts built online go to the ends of the earth to children in some of the hardest-to-reach places. Many of these areas are resistant to the Gospel, for cultural or religious reasons, and are home to numerous unreached people groups, some of whom have never heard the Name of Jesus Christ. First Free Students will enjoy singing Christmas carols, purchasing, and delivering Christmas gifts for some wonderful people in our church and community. For more information, please contact Alex Ielase, Pastor of Students and Young Adults. First Free Women will gather for a time of fellowship at our Women's Christmas Tea on Sunday, December 3, from 1–3 p.m. Be sure to register! We invite First Free Men to come together as they do so faithfully to serve on any of our holidayoriented ministry teams, especially Christmas Fest. To learn more, please contact Jennifer Ielase, Lead Pastor's Assistant. Moreover, First Free Seniors will enjoy their annual Christmas luncheon on December 12, starting at 11:00 a.m. They will also visit Oglebay in Wheeling, WV and other sites to enjoy an annual Christmas light festival. Also, don't miss our annual Christmas Fest event on one night only - Friday, December 8, from 6–8 p.m. We plan to have fun for the whole family, including two showings of The Shepherd from the producers of The Chosen, delicious holiday treats and beverages, a cozy outdoor re, a live animal petting zoo, holiday photos, and more. Come and bring your neighbors! It's all free. And, of course, make plans now to join us for Christmas Eve at First Free. We will worship on Sunday at 10:45 a.m. (our regular worship service) and hold our special Christmas Eve celebration at 7:00 p.m.! Join us for a beautiful service of readings, re ection, and Christmas carols by candlelight.
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Merry Christmas!
MARK YOUR
CALENDARS! ANNIVERSARIES William & Diane Eckenrod 40 years
1st Sunday of Advent December 3
Roy & Cindy Laux 51 years
GriefShare
Mike & Judy Davis 54 years
Thursdays 10am, 7 pm
Spiritual Recovery Tuesdays 7 pm
Senior Achievers Luncheon December 12 at 11:00 am
Christmas Fest
Jack & Marilyn Asho 54 years Buzz & Alice Saxon 54 years Stephen & Audrey Nagy 53 Years
Christmas Luncheon Tuesday, December 12th 11:00 am social hour 11:30 am luncheon Ham Pasta Bake Broccoli Cheese Casserole Glazed Carrots Parsley Potatoes Croissants Individual Tru es w/Brownies $12.00 per person Program - Nancy Jo Demolin
December 8, 6-8 pm
SYMPATHIES
White Cross
Our Christian love and sympathy to
NO CONNECT
Karl Irwin & family at the passing of Karl’s wife, Sally Irwin.
Robert Dyer Anonymous
The family & friends of Margaret Steelnack at her passing.
Sally Irwin Melissa Barker Rob & Bev Conley Harold Hale
The Rothey family at the passing of Eric’s brother, Richard.
Jan Pry Anonymous
December 19, 9:00 am
December 20
O cer Nomination Period Ends December 24
Christmas Eve Worship December 24, 10:45 am
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
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December 24, 7:00 pm
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Samuel & Pamela March 53 years
UPCOMING SENIOR ACHIEVER SCHEDULE
Ginger Anderson & family at the passing of husband and father, Art Anderson.
MEMORIAL GIFTS