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First Free Church

Parables: The Lost Sheep

Parables: The Lost Sheep

Adam Bowers

Locations & Times

First Free Church

1375 Carman Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021, USA

Sunday 9:00 AM

Sunday 11:00 AM

Watch live!

Watch our live stream every Sunday morning at 9 and 11 am!
https://live.efree.org/

Give now!

Giving online is easy and secure.
https://efree.churchcenter.com/giving

New Here?

If you’re new, welcome! We’re so glad you’re with us today, and we’d love to get to know you! Please connect with us at efree.org/connect or by texting CONNECT to 636-251-4778. You can also stop by the Welcome Center in the lobby to fill out a Connect Card and get a free gift.
https://www.efree.org/connect

Join us on Sunday - the 9 am service is back!

We're excited to announce that we're re-opening our 9 am in-person service! If you like to join us in the auditorium at 9 or 11 am, please make a reservation at efree.org/reservation! This helps us ensure that we're within our capacity limits, and also helps with COVID tracing, should we hear of someone who has been exposed.Please note that Kid Connection is open during the 11 am service only.
https://efree.churchcenter.com/registrations

Kid Connection is Open!

Kid Connection is open during the 11 am service! We ask that you reserve a spot for each child that will be in attendance - to make a reservation, visit efree.org/reservations. To view a more detailed reopening plan for our Children's Ministry, visit efree.org/kids. If you have any questions, please email kidconnection@efree.org.
https://efree.churchcenter.com/registrations

National Day of Prayer

After a very hard year, this country needs prayer more than ever. And as we know from the Bible, “the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16). The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May that invites people of all faiths to pray for the nation. The Manchester event is held at the Manchester Police Station at 12 pm on May 6th, or use the link below to find a location nearer to you.
https://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/post_or_find_an_event

Feed Nicaragua

We’re hosting a Feed Nicaragua food packing event on Saturday, May 8th. Our volunteers will pack and seal 20,000 meals that will provide support to Nicaraguan families impacted by hunger and poverty. Learn more and register by clicking below!
https://www.efree.org/event/feed-nicaragua-2/

Red Cross Blood Drive

Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. One donation can potentially save up to 3 lives! Our next blood drive is Thursday, May 13 & Friday, May 14th, from 1-6 pm each day in the Activity Center. Make an appointment to give below! 
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=FirstFreeChurch

Mother/Daughter Mud Run

All of the ladies in junior and senior high and their moms or mother figures are invited to join us for an epic Mud Run on May 15th! We'll have breakfast, a great mud course, and the opportunity to have some really meaningful conversations around identity and sexual integrity. This is a can’t-miss event – it’s going to be super fun! Learn more and register at efree.org/events!
https://www.efree.org/event/mother-daughter-mud-run/

Connections Community Breakfast

If you are serving in the Connections ministry, this event is for you!  Join us on May 22nd for food, fellowship, a little bit of training, and a whole lot of fun. Register at efree.org/events.
https://www.efree.org/event/connections-community-breakfast/

Spring Carnival

We're hosting a spring carnival for our First Free family on May 23rd! We’ll have food trucks, carnival games, a petting zoo, and pony rides! All activities (except the food trucks) are free, so join us for an afternoon of family fun! The event will be held on the north patio, parking lot, and corner property. 
https://www.efree.org/event/spring-carnival/

Baby Dedication

We are holding a Baby Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, June 5th at 9:00 am. Any young child that has not been previously dedicated is welcome to be a part of the ceremony. This ceremony is specifically for the children being dedicated, their families, and invited guests. We will be sharing in the celebration with the rest of the congregation at a later time during the main service! Registration closes on May 28th.
https://www.efree.org/event/baby-dedication-2/

Ironton Family Mission Trip

First Free and Bethel Churches will partner this summer to bring the message of Christ to children and youth through a free Bible camp experience from June 20-25! Get the details at efree.org!
https://www.efree.org/ironton

Thrive Baby Bottle Fundraiser and Bottle Drive

We’re excited to be partnering with Thrive to help them support pregnant women in crisis. We’ll be distributing baby bottles starting May 9th, and invite you to grab a bottle, fill it up with loose change, cash, or a check, and bring it back on June 20th. We're also collecting diapers!
https://www.efree.org/event/thrive-baby-bottle-and-diaper-drive/

Fresh Start for Fusion

We’re so excited to be reopening Fusion! If you’re not in the know, Fusion is our ministry to 4th and 5th graders. We want to create a fun and welcoming space for them, so if you have old board games or video games lying around that you’d like to donate, we’d love to put them to good use. Check out efree.org/fusion for more information.
https://www.efree.org/fusion

Ark Encounter / Creation Museum Trip

Join us for a four-day trip to the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter in Kentucky this July! These state-of-the-art attractions present biblical truth and quality scientific research through engaging and interactive exhibits. Both kids and adults will learn and be encouraged in their faith. Kids (10 and under) are free at both locations in 2021, so this is a great time to go! Learn more at the link below!
https://www.efree.org/ark

Holy Land Tour

In 2019, a group of people from our church traveled to Israel together and were able to see the Sea of Galilee, walk on the Mount of Olives, float in the Dead Sea, explore the old city of Jerusalem, and more. Our 2020 trip was postponed due to the pandemic, but we’ve been able to reschedule and we hope that you can come with us in November of 2021! To learn more, visit efree.org/israel.
https://www.efree.org/israel/

Bridge of Hope Tutoring

Right now, the two elementary schools nearest Bridge of Hope in north St. Louis city have only a 4-6% reading proficiency rate, but you can help improve that number. If you’ve been looking for a tangible way to impact the lives of others during the pandemic, we’ve got a great one for you! Bridge of Hope has created an online tutoring program to help these children learn to read. It only takes 40 minutes, twice a week, and the impact can last a lifetime.

Bridge of Hope provides the curriculum and training you need to be successful.

To learn more about how you can get involved and help change a life, email robin@bridgeofhopestl.org.

Groups

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul encourages believers to “share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Life can be hard sometimes, and we aren’t meant to go it alone - we’re meant to do it as part of a group. If you're interested in joining or starting a Group, check out efree.org/groups!
https://www.efree.org/groups

Connections Ministry

Every Sunday could be someone’s first Sunday so our Connections team - our parking lot team, greeters, Welcome Center hosts, and ushers - strives to provide a welcoming environment from the moment someone pulls into our parking lot. if you have a love for others and a heart for hospitality, we'd love to have you join the team! Get in touch using the link below.
https://www.efree.org/connections

Church Center App and Directory

Church Center is a hub for First Free - you can manage giving, find a group, reserve your spot for a Sunday service, and more. The app also has a directory! Download the app, go to your profile and ‘My Directory Settings’ and choose the information you’d like included in the Directory. If you need help, email directory@efree.org.
http://www.efree.org/directory

Library Open!

The library is back open for business before and after the 11 am in-person service on Sundays (hooray for books!).

Please be sure to return the books you already have out, even if the library is technically closed when you are there. There's a slot in the security gate where books can be placed. When in the library, please keep your masks on and s

RightNow Media

We wanted to remind you that RightNow Media has thousands of videos for your kids and loads of Bible studies for you to help you stay grounded in your faith during all of this stay at home time. We’re giving you free access to the RightNow Media library, so head over to efree.org/rightnowmedia to learn more and get signed up.
https://www.efree.org/rightnowmedia

Need Help?

We know that the coronavirus outbreak is impacting us all a little differently. If you need help, let us know by heading to efree.org/care and clicking on ‘I need help’. And if you can offer help, click on ‘I can help’. If you need prayer, visit efree.org/prayer. We want you to know that we’re here for you even if we can’t be physically here for you, and we’ll get through this together!
https://www.efree.org/care

Photography Team

We’re looking for volunteers to join our Photography Team! To get involved, fill out the form at efree.org/phototeam.
http://www.efree.org/phototeam

Care Team Counseling

Life often includes challenges that are too big to face alone. Our lay Care Team Counselors are trained to walk alongside and assist people who are in need of hope, care, and direction. Counselors are available by appointment every Wednesday evening - email care@efree.org.
http://www.efree.org/care/

SOS - Servants On Site

God uniquely gifts every person for service, and SOS is a way to serve by using your maintenance skills on minor jobs such as painting, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc. To get involved, contact Tom Siener at 636.779.2160 or tsiener@efree.org.

Messages

Our sermons and Preparing for Worship emails are now available as podcasts!
http://www.efree.org/messages

Website

Visit our website!
http://www.efree.org/