We invite you to participate in Communion at Home this Sunday, May 31. Please click here for special instructions from Pastor Jeremy. As we prepare to celebrate the Lord's Supper together, prepare your heart, spend some time with the Lord, and reflect on 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.
Upcoming online service on
Sunday, May 31st
Mr. Can Do, Will Do based on Mark 8:11-21
Virtual Welcome Center
after Sunday Service
Want to talk or plug in after the online service? Come to our Virtual Welcome Center and visit with us through a Zoom meeting. We’ll post a meeting link at the end of the service in the live stream chat on YouTube or the live comments on Facebook.
We hope you can tune in for a fun time of connection! If you don't yet have Zoom, you can sign up for free.
Watch the sermon
from Sunday, May 24th
based on Mark 8:1-9 Not How, But Who
FLOOD RESPONSE
Let us know if you NEED HELP,
if you WANT TO HELP,
or if you can GIVE.
We're compiling a list of people from our church, community, and region who need help. Fill out this form: >> NEED HELP
We need people who can serve through physical work, skilled labor, debris removal, prayer walking, and yard clean-up.
Fill out this form: >> WANT TO HELP
If you are able, we ask that you consider a financial gift to our new Flood Response Fund so we can help others with tangible needs.
Click here to contribute:>> GIVE
In coordination with the EFCA ReachGlobal Crisis Response Team, our Midland Free flood response efforts will continue for many weeks ahead.
Please stay tuned for continued updates and events as we move into the next phase of helping people recover and rebuild. Many leaders from our church and the EFCA team are working to develop our long-term strategy for providing Gospel-centered relief in line with our Church’s unique mission here and now.
COVID-19 Note:This activity IS ALLOWED under the executive order: “To work or volunteer for businesses or operations (including both religious and secular nonprofit organizations) that provide food, shelter, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals, individuals who need assistance as a result of this emergency, and people with disabilities.”
GIVING & TITHES:We are taking prudent cost-saving measures as a staff during these unprecedented times. However, the financial needs of the church and facility continue, as nearly 71% of our annual budget is “fixed” costs (such as our mortgage, utilities, and salary and benefits costs).
We hope you will continue to give as you are able so we can continue to meet the needs of our church body and also work toward our shared goal of spreading the Gospel locally and around the world.
Online giving continues to be the most convenient and preferred method to receive your generous contributions to our ministry efforts. You can contribute in one of the following ways:
CHECK: Mail your check to Midland Evangelical Free Church, 7221 N. Jefferson Ave., Midland, MI 48642.
Thank you!
BULLETIN UPDATE
Financial Focus For 10 Months Ended 04.30.20
At the end of April, giving remained strong despite the continuation of the shelter at home orders, although our deficit against budgeted giving essentially remained the same. Normal operating expenses remained below giving levels, both for the month of April and year to date, mitigating the effect of below budget giving.
Bottom line: We are encouraged by the continued strong giving trends so far, we are thankful for the consistent faithfulness of our generous congregation, and we continue to trust in God's perfect provision through His people.
The Annual Business Meeting is scheduled to be held at Midland Evangelical Free Church on Sunday, June 7, at 5:30 pm in a "Drive-In" format in our parking lot.
We emailed the Business Meeting Packet to members on Saturday, May 23rd. Please email Melanie Draves if you need a paper copy of the packet.
The agenda will include approval of the minutes of our December business meeting, voting in new members, voting on a second term for three elders, and voting on the FY 2020-21 budget.
Click here for complete details about the Business Meeting and a PROXY link if you are unable to attend the meeting. We look forward to seeing you there!!
NEW Vision & Mission Statements
Thank you for joining us for the Elder Board Forum on Thursday, April 30 as we revealed the new Vision and Mission for our church. We are very excited to see how God is moving in our congregation and where He is leading us! Below you will find our new Vision and Mission Statements. You can also visit our website for more about our Statement of Faith and Core Values.
VISION We aspire to be a Gospel-centered family where everyone we encounter moves closer to Jesus every day.
MISSION We Enjoy and glorify God, Embrace His Word, and Engage His world. Led by the Spirit, everyone welcomes, plugs in, and reaches out.
Elder Nominations
Nominations Sought—Members of the Elected Positions Advisory Committee (EPAC*), Troy Griese, Leslie Schutz, Sarah Hickman, Kevin Willis, and Pastor Jeremy Lobdell, wish to enlist your help in identifying men who should be considered for the position of Elder at Midland Free. These men must be members of Midland Free, have demonstrated leadership capabilities, and be of godly character as described in 1 Timothy and Titus. Please share names with Troy Griese (tbgriese@gmail.com or 989.266.5602). Thank you.
(*The EPAC is a committee of the Board of Elders that identifies, evaluates, and nominates candidates for open elected positions at Midland Free.)
HELP US KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOU
As we face the reality of connecting virtually in the near term, please take a moment to review and update your contact information in our database, specifically your mobile phone number (for text messages) and your email address. 📱📧
You can do this by logging into the Portal on our website. Once you have logged in, please click on “My User Account” and make the appropriate updates to your contact information.
Thank you for helping us in our efforts to communicate effectively with you in urgent situations. May the Lord be with you.
CARE AMID COVID-19
COVID-19 RESOURCES
>> Visit our website for a full list of resources from our church, other organizations in our community, and other faith-based groups.
At times we need help in a physical form. We help members and regular attendees with needs. This help may involve finances, financial counseling, home and car repair, and many other areas. If you need this type of help, please complete the Benevolence Application by following the link above.
STEPHEN MINISTRY
Are you going through a difficult time? Do you need encouragement and support? You are not meant to walk alone as you experience painful times and we are here to support and encourage you. Trained lay ministers from our church are here for you! These compassionate people are supportive, encouraging and are very beneficial for anyone -- inside or outside our church. Please send an email to stephen@mefchurch.org.
Imagine 4 of America's cleanest Christian comics sharing laughs from their house to yours! Jay & Laura Laffoon want to bring the laughs to you in the comfort of your own home.
Event: Can You Relate? Tour
Cost: $10/ show
Dates & Times:
Saturday, June 6th at 8:00 pm - Jeff Allen
Saturday, June 13th at 8:00 pm - Ken Davis
Saturday, June 20th at 8:00 pm - Taylor Mason
Join a Virtual Group
During these changing times, stay connected to others through a virtual group from our church. We encourage you to join a Life Group, Small Church, prayer group, Bible study or other type of online group at Midland Free during this time of social distancing. Please visit our website here and we will help connect you to a virtual group that fits your needs.
Join our new Midland Free – Beyond Sundays group on Facebook. We invite anyone from Midland Free to join the group so we can share pictures and God stories, build community during this time of social distancing, spread some JOY and have some FUN! You can join the group here.
RightNow Media A free gift to you from our church!
You can sign up for FREE access to our church subscription! Follow this link:>> RightNow Media
We're excited to share that our church now has access to an extensive, new video library called RightNow Media! As a church staff, we’re always looking for ways to help you develop and strengthen your faith. RightNow Media has videos for everyone—kids, youth, parents, married couples, college students, single adults, working professionals—all aimed at helping you grow.
Virtual Men's Prayer
Thursdays @ 7:00 AM
Guys, come to a virtual Men's Prayer Meeting every Thursday 7:00 AM. We will end by 7:30 AM. Come join us! For an email invite contact Pastor Gib via email atggiblin@mefchurch.org.
Global Missions Team
IN THE HOT ZONE
Samaritan’s Purse deployed Emergency Field Hospitals to New York City in order to provide critical care for people seriously ill with COVID-19. They operated their Respiratory Care Unit in Central Park from April 1 to May 5. Through a partnership with the Mount Sinai Health System, they treated 333 coronavirus patients in New York. In addition to the multiple physical recoveries from COVID, many patients along with their families heard the Good News of Christ’s love and responded in faith. Moreover, many supporters and observers in NYC saw the Gospel demonstrated and heard the Good News.
“The deployment to the Respiratory Care Unit was perhaps the most difficult I have ever served on. Assisting the clinical staff as they faced this unfamiliar virus and fought to save the lives of those overcome by it was extremely challenging in many ways. Nevertheless, God provided the grace to encourage one another and demonstrate faith, hope, and love to the fearful patients.” —Rick Wood
Rick Wood, originally from and supported by Midland Free, was voluntarily deployed to the hospital for three weeks, from April 5 to 25, followed by a two-week quarantine period at home. Rick’s primary responsibility while serving at the hospital was to care for the critical life support medical equipment. This included devices such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators, patient monitors, cpaps, etc. He also had multiple opportunities to encourage the staff and share with those on the street around the hospital.
To learn more about Rick's work with medical technology and his sending organization, WORLDWIDE BIOMEDICAL CHARITABLE SERVICES, visit their website here.
UPDATE on the 2020
Summer Short Term Mission Trip
to Tatarstan
The mission continues, only it’s going virtual! While we are disappointed that COVID-19 is pushing the physical trip to next year, we’re super excited about all the creative and fun possibilities for a virtual visit this August. We have found some creative tools to still be able to tour, serve, and pray with our partner churches in Tatarstan. Plus, a virtual trip is accessible to anyone anywhere.
Stay tuned for details and dates!
BLAST Children's Ministry
Sunday School Lessons, Videos & Printable Activity Sheets
The videos are password protected. Please email Kristi Smith for the password.
ACTIVITY SHEETS:Click here to access the weekly printable activity sheets.
PRAY
Pause to pray for your kids, grand kids,
and the kids of Midland Free!
Pray that they will serve the Lord with their lives.
Pray that they will make an impact for the kingdom of God.
Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
YOUTH
Here are some training opportunities, devotionals, and other updates for youth and Youth Leaders :
X-TREEME and JAM are not meeting in person, but we are meeting weekly through online meetings! Please watch for further communications from Pastor Chuck and Jody about connecting through Zoom for youth meetings, Sunday School classes, and DG groups.
