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, and have some fun! You can join the group here.
This week we would love to see pictures of how your family is celebrating Easter. Please post a picture or comment in the group on Easter Sunday, April 12th.
SECRET CHURCH 2020
LIVE STREAM Friday, April 24
6:30 pm - 1:00 am To register please email Carol Hoag.
Secret Church 2020 will explore how the gospel transforms the way followers of Jesus relate to governing authorities in any nation for the glory of God in all nations. The purpose of this Secret Church is to establish biblical foundations for understanding how the character of God and the content of the gospel totally transform the way Christians relate to government.
This event will be live streamed. Please register by emailing Carol Hoag. You will receive the live stream information as well as a Secret Church booklet after you register. (Carol will coordinate with you to drop off the booklet in a safe way).
Virtual MEN'S EVENTS
MEN'S PRAYER
Thursdays @ 7:00 AM
MEN'S BREAKFAST
2nd Saturday @ 9:00 AM
A note to men from Pastor Gib: Guys, we need to be around each other, encouraging each other, spurring one another to a deeper love for God and love for His people in our lives.
I invite you to attend a virtual Men's Prayer Meeting every Thursday 7:00 AM for an online prayer time. We will end by 7:30 AM. We pray for the church and for our personal needs. Come join us! For an email invite contact me via email atggiblin@mefchurch.org.
The Men’s Breakfast is once a month usually on the second Saturday at 9:00 AM. The next date is May 9th. This is a virtual breakfast so fix whatever you want, bring it to your favorite communication device and join us for prayer, encouragement, relationship building and Scripture. To receive a link contact me at ggiblin@mefchurch.org.
We also several specialty groups for men. Please contact Pastor Gib if you are looking for a weekly group to join.
We are excited to announce that we have a new YouTube channel! 🙌 Our worship services will be streamed there as well as Vimeo and Facebook. You can subscribe to our channel by searching with the term "mefchurch" on YouTube, or click here.
Midland's Open Door is still open and functional to help serve the homeless and those in need. There are a few changes due to Coronavirus restrictions. If you are healthy, have been self-screening (no symptoms of COVID-19), and are between the ages of 13-64, you can volunteer by helping prepare and box to-go lunches.
We need 6 volunteers from our church on each of the following days from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM to help prepare to-go lunches:
Interested in another day? You can call the volunteer coordinator directly to schedule another day. Open Door needs daily volunteers from Mondays - Saturdays through April 30th (and possibly beyond if the stay home restrictions remain). Open Door's Volunteer Coordinator: Vicki Jensen, Phone: 989-941-1919 or email.
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! You can access these videos whenever and wherever you want—on your phone, iPad, computer, or at home on your TV.
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. >> VIDEO: What is RightNow Media?
Due to the stay-at-home order issued (and now extended) by the Governor, the Midland Free church building is closed. As a result, all ministry events at our campus are cancelled or postponed until further notice.
God reminds us in Psalm 46 that He is our refuge and strength, and our ever-present help in trouble. Armed and confident in this truth, we hope and pray that we will, as a church body, use this opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us. He gives us tremendous hope during this time of cultural uncertainty and change.
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.
ONLINE MARRIAGE EVENTS
Strengthen Your Marriage During the Quarantine!
While you are staying at home we hope you are enjoying extra time with God and your family. Take some time to grow in your marriage too! Below you'll find a few discounted or free online events due to the stay-at-home restrictions.
ONLINE MARRIAGE EVENTS
Bridge To Life Ministry Event: Heart and Soul of a Real Marriage
Instructors: Don & Becky Smith
Date: Begins Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Time: Tuesday evenings 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Cost: Free online marriage class series (value $120.00)
Link: http://www.bridgetolife.org Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott Event: Couples Huddle for Hope
Speakers: Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott
Cost: Free >> WATCH HERE Dr. Gary Chapman and Jeff & Debby McElroy Event: National Stay-At-Home Date Nights
Speakers: Dr. Gary Chapman and Jeff & Debby McElroy
Date: April 24, 2020
Cost: $12.00 per couple >>REGISTER HERE
Description: An online assessment tailored to your unique relationship. Better Love will email results directly to you with a personalized action plan which includes 4 date night conversations as you work through the assessment results.
The Global Missions Team (GMT) wants to ENGAGE you to discover and fulfill your unique role in the great global plan of God to spread His glory and fame to each people group on earth. The GMT would like to encourage you and your family to view the following studies available in RightNow Media:
Pastor Gib's thought for this week: How are you doing? If need food, someone to shop for you, or someone to run errands for you, there are people at Midland Free who have offered to help. To receive help please email me at ggiblin@mefchurch.org.
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATIONS
from Pastor Gib & Caroline
NEW: Midland County Community Mental Health (CMH) has Youth Intervention Specialists who can offer mental health support and screenings for youth and families that are in need. CMH can help if a family member is experiencing stress due to COVID-19, anxiety, depression, feelings of isolation, trouble sleeping, suicidal thinking, behavior issues, self-harm, or aggression. They currently offer support and screenings by phone or video conferencing. Please contact Jackie Warner at 989-832-6855 or email.
Sew a Face Mask: Here's a special request from a local hospital nurse who attends Midland Free: If you know how to sew, you can bless others by sewing a face mask. Use the fabric and supplies you have at home (be creative), place the mask(s) in a small resealable plastic bag (with a personal note if you choose), and drop the masks off wherever you shop (no extra exposure for you or others). These store workers are exposed to the greatest number of people and, though a fabric mask cannot alone prevent Covid-19, it might help and will be a blessing to others.
Follow this link for sewing instructions and a printable message (add a personal note if you wish, like "I prayed for you and your family. Stay healthy, stay safe").
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.
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.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
We as a church want to minister to those who are going through crises and difficult life experiences and encourage them to trust God to provide what they need. We also want to share helpful information about resources in our community. Here is a partial list of additional sources of assistance in the community:
MIDLAND COUNTY COVID-19 RESOURCES: This is a coalition of philanthropy, government, educational, and business partners that have come together to provide a collective response to COVID-19 in Midland County. You can learn updates on COVID-19 news, volunteer opportunities, ways you can help and more.
Michigan Coronavirus Help:Please read and share this excellent article that lists a number of different places to get assistance during this crisis.
211:This is an excellent resource for our community. Click on https://www.211nemichigan.org/. You can call them, text, chat or search for information. Take a few minutes and dive into the system. Click search, put in your zip code and city and look at the variety of resources available. They have many options including bill payment assistance, food, health care, housing/utilities, mental health assistance, personal/household items, transportation, etc.
MOBILE PANTRY - MIDLAND COUNTY EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY NETWORK:There will be a distribution on Thursday, May 21st at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 3701 Jefferson Ave, Midland. Registration begins at 9:00 AM with the distribution at 11:30 AM.
If you’re a nonprofit, individual, or small business seeking COVID-19 relief,click here.
Midland Free is a
Midland Public Schools
Food Distribution Site
during COVID-19
Midland Evangelical Free Church is a pick-up location for meals from Midland Public Schools on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00-9:45 AM now through the end of the COVID-19 school closures. Please go to the South Entrance.
ANY child age 0-18 is eligible.
Anyone can pick up the meals for the children (Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Neighbor, Friend, etc.)
When visiting our church, meals will be available in a ‘grab and go’ fashion as Center for Disease Control guidelines discourage communal gathering.
A breakfast and lunch will be provided during each pick-up for the immediate and following day(s) between scheduled times.
For more details, please click hereto read the full announcement from Midland Public Schools.
CORONAVIRUS PRAYER GUIDE
Here's a free prayer guide from our friends at LifeWay. 🙏God works through prayer. Let's all commit to praying regularly while we work together to stop the spread of the Coronavirus.
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).
Historically, March is our second biggest giving month of the year. Giving in March remained healthy despite the lack of an in-person Sunday morning offering. We are so thankful for the blessing of God's continued provision by YOUR continued generous giving. Thank you!
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!
BLAST Children's Ministry
BLAST UPDATE
The BLAST Children’s Area will continue to be closed on Sunday mornings until the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Please watch for more information from Kristi Smith on how you can continue to engage your children with our BLAST Ministry.
Connect with the Children's Ministry on the BLAST Facebook Group for all the latest updates, ideas, and support.
The videos are password protected. Please email Kristi Smith for the password.
ACTIVITY SHEETS:Click here to access the weekly printable activity sheets.
LifeWay Kids App
Download theLifeway Kids App for more video clips and activities for your family to stay engaged with our journey through Scripture!
YOUTH
Pastor Chuck's thoughts:
What crazy days we live in! It is so good to know that we serve a God who is in complete control and He is a God in whom we can trust... Let me take this opportunity to encourage you to “up the ante” on the discipleship you do at home with your kids. This is an important time for all of us to be in the Word to hear the reassuring words of our great God. Encourage your kids to be consistent in their personal devotions (they all surely have enough time on their hands). Be sure to gather as a family and worship during the live stream on Sunday mornings. My family was able to do it this past Sunday and had a wonderful worship experience together. Think of other ways you can creatively engage with God as a family – maybe even outdoors as the weather gets better.
If any special needs arise, please alert us at the church. Our hearts desire is to serve you and our community during this time. Pray for us that we can discern the best way to do that in these uncertain times.
OTHER UPDATES
from Pastor Chuck
Here are some training opportunities, devotionals, and other updates for youth and Youth Leaders :
Youth Leader Webinar Training:
You are invited to join Greg Stier at a free youth leader webinar -"From Apathy to Action: How to Mobilize Teenagers to Lead a Movement." You’ll pick up solid ministry principles from Luke 10 that will activate your students and set your group ablaze for Christ’s mission.
Access the webinar video archive for free: click here.
X-TREEME UPDATE
X-TREEME will no longer meet in person on Sundays until the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Please watch for further communications from Pastor Chuck and Jody about how we will continue to connect within those ministries, including DG Groups.
JAM Update
JAM will no longer meet in person on Wednesdays until the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. However, please watch out for further communications from Pastor Chuck and Jody about how we will continue to connect within those ministries, including DG Groups.
YOUTH IMPACT TRIPS Coming this summer!
For more details about trip locations, cost, expectations, and registration please follow the appropriate link below:
>> X-treeme Impact Trips (9th - 12 grades) We are very sorry to announce that the July mission trip to Sumpango, Guatemala has been cancelled. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Chuck or Jody Best.
In light of the realities of the most recent Executive Order issued by the Governor on Monday, the Elder Board Forum that was scheduled to live stream on Wednesday, March 25th at 6:30 PM was postponed. We will let you know when this event is rescheduled.
RUMMAGE SALE CANCELLED
We are sorry to announce that the Rummage Sale scheduled for April 24 & 25 is cancelled. At this time there is no reschedule date, but we will keep you updated as the team makes decisions.
GoLocal Wonderfully Enabled Dance
A ROYAL EVENING CANCELLED
We are sorry to announce that the Wonderfully Enabled Dance scheduled for Saturday, April 18th is cancelled. Thank you to everyone who had already signed up to volunteer. Your willingness to serve was deeply appreciated! At this time there is no reschedule date, but we will keep you updated as the team makes decisions.
