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December 7, 2019
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Sermons, Services &
Important Announcements

 
The Second Week of Advent
Upcoming sermon on Sunday, December 8
based on Genesis 17-21,

The First Family


Watch the sermon from Sunday, December 1
based on Genesis 3,

The First Promise



TOMORROW!

SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING
(CONGREGATIONAL VOTE)
Sunday, December 8
5:15 PM // Concert of Prayer
6:00 PM // Business Meeting

All members of Midland Free are called to this Special Business Meeting to vote on the action items presented during the BIG Forum on November 13th.  Meeting packets and further details were emailed to members. More details here.

Please make every effort to attend the Business Meeting as the mortgage refinance is a significant decision for our church and we need the positive votes of 51% of members to move forward.
  • Your vote is IMPORTANT! If you cannot attend the business meeting, we ask that you secure another member to proxy for your vote. You can fill out the online  online PROXY FORM here, or click the image below:

Doctrinal Statement
The only change to the Doctrinal statement would be changing the word
 premillenial to glorious.

“We believe in the personal, bodily and
 premillenial glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.”

For the benefits and reasoning behind the change in our association’s Doctrinal Statement (and thus our proposal to adopt it), please see:  
 
Hebrews 13:20–21 (ESV)
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,
21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.


 
Next Saturday!
MEN'S BREAKFAST

Saturday, December 14th
9:00 - 10:30 am  •  Room 309

Register Here

Save the date for Saturday, December 14th for another delicious Men's Breakfast. The speaker will be special guest Gary Cech. Gary is the senior pastor of Grace Community Christian Fellowship in Flint, MI. Gary was a worship leader here at Midland Free in the late 1990’s. Invite a friend! Teenage sons are always welcome. The breakfast is FREE, but please register.
 

 
INVITE A FRIEND!
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Tuesday, December 24
6:00 PM

 
You and your family and friends are invited to a beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Please join us for this unforgettable Christmas worship experience!

Glow sticks and coloring/activity pages with crayons will be provided for children. Childcare will be unavailable so families can worship together.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, December 24th at 6:00 pm. Merry Christmas!



Missionary of the Month:
STEVE SCOTT
Visit the Global Missions Display in the South Lobby (near the Welcome Center) this month to pick up a prayer card and learn more about Steve's important work in Haiti.

Have you heard?  Haiti is at the boiling point and boiling over is imminent.  The country has shut down for eight weeks.  The people are miserable and without hope and there is no end in sight, nor any indication of what that end might be. 

Please read this important update from Steve Scott with ten things you should know about the current situation.

To contribute to his work in Haiti, please visit the Raise the Roof website
HERE.
UPCOMING
 


Christmas Open House
Sunday, December 15
12:00 pm

(immediately following 2nd service)


Why? Because we love you and want to see you!
 
We love you and want to invite you to the upcoming Christmas Open House!! Please join the church staff and Pastors on Sunday, December 15th immediately following the second service (approximately 12:00 pm). ☕️🎄

You are invited to mingle and fellowship with us in the South Atrium and tour the decorated Ministry Offices as we enjoy a festive hot cocoa bar and Christmas cookies & treats. We will also have a small gift for you (one per family) and a festive photo booth with props so you and your family can take some fun pictures and selfies! 🎁

Join us! We love you and can't wait to visit with you!


 
 

JAM  Christmas Party
for all Middle School students!
Wednesday, December 11
6:15 PM
All middle school students are invited to this JAM Outreach Event! Questions? Contact Jody Best at 631-4411, x 1001.

 


Dow Gardens Christmas Walk
Friday, December 13
5:30 - 7:30 pm

 
The Encore Fellowship from Midland Free will be attending the Dow Gardens Christmas Walk on Friday, December 13.  All singles 40+ are invited! For more details and where to meet in the parking lot, click here.



HELPING HANDS
GoLocal Christmas Projects


     

Adopt-A-Family
Adopt-a-Family from Central Park School, which is in the Grove Park area of Midland. You are able to purchase gifts and deliver them personally to the family or deliver them to the school. Sign up here. A Christmas wish list will be provided to you one week after sign-up. Gift drop-off date is Tuesday, December 19, between 4:00pm and 6:00pm at Central Park School.
 
Christmas Party at the North Midland Family Center (NMFC)
Save the date for Friday, December 13 from 5:30 - 8:00 PM. We need your help to serve dinner, play games, and participate in the gift giveaway! This is a great serving opportunity for families or Life Groups. Sign up here.

The NMFC address is 2601 E. Shearer Road, Midland.
 
$25 Christmas Dinner Donation
Bless a family in need with a special Christmas dinner! We hope to provide for 150 families in the North Midland area. Pick up a donation envelope at the GoLocal lobby table and return it by Sunday, December 8th, after the second service.
 
Cold Weather Gear Collection
Michigan winters can be tough… especially if you don’t have the proper clothing. You can help children in need stay warm this winter! Please pick up a tag at the GoLocal display in the south lobby and return the items to the North Midland Family Center Christmas Party on December 13th or drop off at the church on or before December 15th.
 



Women's Advent Gatherings
December 9-13

 
All ladies are warmly invited to pause and reflect on the Joy of Jesus at one of the upcoming Advent Gatherings during the week of December 9th- 13th! This year’s devotion will reflect on some of our favorite Christmas carols.

These gatherings will be groups of about 8 women who will meet in various homes and include a time of fellowship, a devotion, simple craft, and light snacks. We hope you will enjoy this unique time of connection and friendship with other women in our church.

REGISTRATION: To sign up, please
email Nancy Willis.

For more details and meeting times, visit our website here.

Ministry Highlights

 
Advent Resources in our
Church Library
Visit the Church Library for resources to help your family celebrate Advent, including children's picture books, family movies, and other Christmas books! On December 22nd and 29th, when we have only one worship service at 10:00 am, the Church Library will be open from 9:30 -10:00 am & 11:15 - 11:45 am.
 




Midland's Open Door Soup Kitchen 
Winter 2020 Volunteers Needed:

Join the Midland Free GoLocal team serving at Midland's Open Door!  You can choose how often you would like to serve: monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly. Families with children over age 11 are encouraged to volunteer as well!

Day/time options include:
  • Saturdays: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • First & fourth Thursdays: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Please contact Christy Ferguson who is organizing the team: s.c.ferguson@sbcglobal.net.
 



Life Groups - Winter Session begins January 12, 2020

REGISTER for a Life Group
 
If you are looking for a place to build relationships and belong at Midland Free, join a Life Group! They meet every week in homes to encourage each other, pray for each other, and grow in relationship with Jesus.

You do not need to read a book ahead of time because Life Group conversations focus on what everyone heard on Sunday morning. With other members of your group you will look more closely at some of the topics and issues raised by the Sunday Sermon.




Enrollment OPEN for Worship Dance Session II:
All children and youth from 3rd grade to 12th grade are invited to join the Worship Dance Ministry! Rehearsals occur on Thursdays from January 9 - February 13 at 6:30 pm in Room 308, with a stage performance scheduled for Sunday,  February 16th during the Worship Service.  REGISTER HERE.



 
Moms in Prayer International
Moms in Prayer invites you to have a profound impact on your children and their schools, from preschool to young adult. Entire communities are transformed when moms gather to pray to the only One who can change a human heart. You were made for such a  time as this. Come to one of the times below and enjoy a time of fellowship, prayer and encouragement.  

Dates & Location: 1st, 3rd, & 5th Fridays of each month at Midland Free

Times:
  • Prayers for Dow High School / Jefferson Middle School • 8:00 AM
    South Atrium

    (Contact Doreen with questions - 989.631.5527)

     
  • Prayers for Adams Elementary • 9:00 AM 
    Blast Children's Area Lobby

    (Contact Kristi with questions - 989.631.4411 x 1014)



World News Article
Don't miss this beautiful article. Our own Tammy Stevens is featured in this World Magazine article written by another one of our own, Leah Hickman!! We thank God for the 💖 Labor of Love Ministry 💖 in Mid-Michigan and all our GoLocal Team does to support this fantastic doula ministry. For more details and how you can support Labor of Love, visit their website.


 

HELP WANTED
Volunteer Display
 
Visit our new HELP WANTED Volunteer Display Wall in the Lobby! Some serving opportunities are urgent, while many are ongoing. Each month we will also highlight a special volunteer serving in our church.

How will God use you? 
 
 

 

Vehicle Donations at Midland Free
Two families at Midland Free need a donated vehicle that works and is dependable. If the Lord is leading you to donate a vehicle please contact pastor Gib at ggiblin@mefchurch.org or 989-631-4411, ext 1016.
Thank you!


 

COFFEE CONNECTIONS CAFE
Open Sundays before and between services.

 
Connect with others on Sunday mornings over a delicious warm beverage. Now serving coffee, tea, hot cocoa and hot cider. 
 


SAVE THE DATE!
FIFTH ANNUAL
Conference for Women

Friday, January 17, 2020 
6:30 - 10:00 PM

Saturday, January 18, 2020
8:45 AM - 3:30 PM


Registration Details Here
 
In a world at war with itself, it’s easy to get swept up into the chaos and lose our footing. But we’ve been called to be rooted and grounded in God – an invitation that’s as refreshing as it is needed. Join the women of Midland Free and special guest, Joy McMillan, as we explore what it looks like to remain rooted in God’s love in an often-turbulent world. We'll enjoy good food, real fellowship and powerful worship as we lean into His presence and learn how to trust His heart, even when we cannot see His hand.

Saturday Breakout Sessions include:
  • Finding a Mentor, Being a Mentor: A Look at Titus 2 - Sarah Hickman
  • Fostering Hope in Michigan: How this Ministry is Impacting Children and Teens - Amy Burr
  • Helping Your Kids Develop Their God-Given Gifts - Kim Wells
  • The Old Testament …Where the Story Began - Bev Steel
  • What We Call Challenges, God Calls Seasons - Tammy Stevens
  • Worship: Spirit and Truth - Robyn Lobdell
Cost: $30**
**
Scholarships Available (please email Nancy Willis to inquire about scholarships)
MISSIONS
 

EXTRAORDINARY PRAYER FOR THE MALAY
Thursday, January 23
6:00 - 8:00 pm • Room 202

The Malay Focus Team (MFT) invites you to an evening of Extraordinary Prayer for the Malay. This will be a time of prayer, worship, scripture reading, and fasting (as the Lord leads you).

As you fast and pray, we encourage you to reflect on the following prompts from David Platt and the Secret Church ’19 event:
  • Those who celebrate the ascension of the King now crave the consummation of the kingdom.
  • More than we want our hunger to cease, we want His kingdom to come!
  • More than our stomachs long to be full, our souls long to see Christ.

Questions? Contact Carol Hoag by email  or 989-941-1882.



Opportunities in Tatarstan
Recently, Lynne Most returned from her short term mission trip to Tatarstan. She shared with us in a Report Back Luncheon about how God is moving among our adopted unreached people group – the Tatars! 

We have two important updates to share with you:

First, we are praising God for those in our congregation who responded in the following ways. THANK YOU everyone!
  • 13 new prayer commitments
  • 2 interested in crisis pregnancy ministry help
  • 5 interested in a short term ministry trip in 2020
  • 5 interested in supporting young national couple through CRU

Join the Tatar Prayer Team today!  You can stay up to date and provide the critical prayer support needed by our partners in Tatarstan.
 
 
Second, the Tatar Focus Team is excited to announce some potential short term ministry opportunities for 2020! 

Would you be interested and available to join a short-term mission team in 2020? You can use your life, business, or ministry experience to serve in another part of the world! Here's a list of possibilities for short term ministry trips to work directly with our partners in Tatarstan:
  • 🛠  You could serve on a community service outreach team,
  • 🙏  A prayer tourism team,
  • 🙋🏽‍♀️  A women’s ministry team, or
  • 😎  A youth & children’s summer camp outreach team.
     
Please email tatarfocus@mefchurch.org with your interest. Trips will be confirmed based on interest and availability.

Stay tuned for more details!

Children & Youth Events

 
ROMP & STOMP Play Gym

For all children (ages birth to 5th grade)
and their caregivers!


Meets Mondays // Midland Free Gym
10:00 - 11:30 AM

Now that the winter weather is here, bring your kids to play in our warm gym on Monday mornings!

Romp & Stomp consists of free play, focusing on large motor skills and playing well with others. Occasionally, there will be special organized games and/or activities for children to enjoy with their families.

No pre-registration required. Just drop-in anytime between 10:00 and 11:30 am. Cost is $1 per family.

This is a public event and open to all children (ages birth to 5th grade) and their families in our community!

Romp & Stomp will NOT MEET on the following dates: 
December 16, 23, 30, 2019.

Contact children@mefchurch.org for additional details.

 


SHiNE 
For all children (grades K- 5th)

Meets Wednesdays // 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Room 116 (Drop-off)
Pick up in the GYM

In SHiNE (Serving Him IN Everything!), elementary kids learn Biblical truths, worship through music and art, and fellowship while playing fun games in the gym on Wednesday nights!

Meets from fall to spring.
Please register your child HERE.

SHiNE will NOT MEET on the following dates: 
December 18 & 25, 2019, and January 1, 2020.

Questions? Contact: Kristi Smith at 989.631.4411 x1014, or kristismith@mefchurch.org.

SMALL CHURCHES
Meet every Sunday morning!



NEW BEGINNINGS
SMALL CHURCH
Sundays  \\ 9:00 AM \\ Room 304
Leaders: Rob & Amber Parrish

Are you in the beginning stages of growing your family, whether newly married or raising young children? Join us as we share life through Bible study and fellowship. A growing family changes the way we live, and it can be a struggle to keep a relationship with God as well as each other. You’ll find support and encouragement here!

 

 


W.E.L.L.
SMALL CHURCH
Sundays  \\ 9:00 AM \\ Room 306
Leaders: Dave & D'Andra Walter

W.E.L.L. = Working to Establish a Living Legacy.  This small church will offer prayer, service projects, care, a short, Biblically-based lesson, and discussion time. We will also offer practical tips for establishing a legacy for our children and, in some cases, grandchildren. EVERYONE is welcome to join.


 


FAITH BUILDERS
SMALL CHURCH
Sundays  \\ 9:00 AM \\ Room 308
Leader: Bryce Landenberger

A gathering place for all ages seeking to grow and build each other up in faith and become disciple makers of Jesus Christ. Various members of the class serve as teachers and facilitators leading through studies and lively discussions of books of the Bible, current books and relevant topics.

 


YOUNG ADULTS
SMALL CHURCH
Sundays  \\ 9:00 AM \\ Room 301
Leaders: David & Joanna Shumaker

We are a small church dedicated to building relationships among young adults and professionals (20+) and helping them grow in their faith. We will study the connection between our Christian world-view and how it impacts our lives as young professionals in the world. Open to all single or married young adults.

 
 


LEGACY BUILDERS
SMALL CHURCH
Sundays  \\ 10:45 AM \\ Room 306
Leaders: Roger Kipfmiller, Rick DeShano, & Rich Packard

We are a fellowship of mixed ages who are growing, maturing, and making disciples. If you want to connect and develop friends, make disciples, train a Joshua, and develop a legacy with your family, then the Legacy Builders is for you. We welcome you!
CLASSES FOR WOMEN
 
Women's Sunday Morning Bible Study
 
All women are invited on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM in room 303.
No online registration.
 
John anchors us in his letters with truth in a culture that has lost its way. He separates light from darkness, offers community for loneliness and rest for our striving. Throughout his letters John gives us the ultimate gift of assurance: we can know that we knew Jesus. Join Kelly Minter in this theologically rich study--that also includes recipes for deeper fellowship--and discover what love truly is.

 
Single Moms Parenting Class
 Victoria Rodriguez and Nicole Webster teach and encourage other single moms during this class. Meets Sundays at 10:45 AM in Room 301. BLAST Children’s Ministry Sunday School classes are available for infants through 5th grade.  All single moms invited regardless of the ages of their children!
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Copyright © 2019 
Midland Evangelical Free Church,
All rights reserved.


Our mailing address is:
7221 N. Jefferson Avenue, Midland, MI 48642

989.631.4411

mefchurch.org

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