firstfree – First Free Church Chicago: Recent Episodes
firstfree – First Free Church Chicago
Brunch and Communal PrayerSign up here if you’re interested in attending (or hosting) a New Year’s Day Mini-Gathering.
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November 27, 2022 | Luke 1:5-25 | Pastor Matt Tinken
This Week’s Program | Watch Video
Artwork: Where Advent Begins © Jan Richardson janrichardson.com
This year, we will not be gathering as a church on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. There are two primary reasons: 1. Rest for Staff and Volunteers: The holiday season has become increasingly full of things to do, especially if you work–or volunteer–at a church. We want to encourage our church to practice God-ordained rhythms of […]
Are you interested in attending a small group? Do you want to join a community of people doing life together, learning from the bible and pursuing God? Small Groups at First Free are groups of 10 – 15 people that generally meet in people’s homes, and make a habit of meeting together, studying the bible, […]
On September 11th, our Sunday morning children’s programs will return to regular schedule. Our nursery will be open every week for children 4 months to 3 years old. Children in Pre-K to 1st grade will be back in the Arctic room down the hall on the 2nd floor, and kids in 2nd to 5th grade […]
Youth Group will resume its weekly meetings on Sunday, September 11th, from 6:30-8:30pm, with our Fall Kick Off! We will be outside (weather permitting), getting to know one another and playing lots of games. There will also be snacks (no dinner) and drinks provided! This will be an event for just the youth, however we would […]
The goal of our Honest to God sermon series is to equip us to actually pray the Psalms. In that light, each week Pastor Matt has been providing a tangible “prayer practice” to help equip us become a people of prayer. These practices have been posted to Facebook and Instagram, but we also wanted to send the last two weeks to […]
Are you interested in learning what it’s like to dance and move as part of your spiritual practice and worship? Our time together will be spent exploring and learning from one another’s movement choices. For those interested, we will ultimately be creating something to share during worship near the end of August or beginning of […]
In support of our sermon series in the book of Psalms, we have the following resources available to help you get into reading and praying the psalms. On Sunday mornings, before and after the service, we will have copies of each book available for purchase. While the books can be purchased online, you’ll find that […]
Did you know that First Free publishes a weekly podcast of our sermons? If you miss a Sunday, or need to take some time off from church, you can now subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or just listen on our Sermon Podcasts page.
First Free Youth (those entering 6th grade through those who just graduated) are invited to 3 lunches this summer. June 26th, July 24th, and August 21st we will meet after church in the Youth Room. We will either have a catered lunch or go to a nearby restaurant. This will be a great opportunity to […]
Bring on the beach days, festivals, and park picnics! Join the summer socials pop-up email group to participate in casual fellowship and service opportunities throughout the summer. Anyone on the list can send out an invite. Whether you’re planning weeks ahead or sharing a spontaneous invitation, all connection opportunities that build community and enjoy summer […]
On Sunday, June 12th, after the service we will have a picnic gathering at Winnemac Park. We will meet by the playground near Leavitt & Argyle. Bring your own food and something to sit on. First Free will provide some sports equipment and beverages. See you there!
First Evangelical Free Church (First Free) in Chicago, IL has a long history of joining God at work in Chicago. The church was planted in 1880 and came to its current home in the Andersonville neighborhood in the early 1900s. We have remained in the city, committed to discipleship and mission. We praise God for […]
May 22nd will be Del Shimandle’s last day as Interim Pastor at First Free. We will be celebrating his time with us, saying goodbye, and sending him off with prayer and blessings for the future. There will be a special element or two during the worship service. Then we will meet after the service for […]
The elders want your feedback on issues pertaining to the 5237 building. Due to the busyness of our April 24th installation service and annual meeting, we did not have the time to have discussion as to the 5237 building. Please respond to the following questions. Despite the efforts of our First Free leaders, the sale […]
Installation Service | April 24th, 2022 | John 16:16-32 | Pastor Matt Tinken | Series: The Living Word
In preparation for our Annual Meeting on April 24th, we have released First Free’s proposed budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year. If you have questions, join us this Sunday after worship, or submit your questions online here.
Take care of your spiritual and mental health by reading God’s word every day. You can read along with us in our sermon series “The Living Word” from the Gospel of John or follow one of the other reading plans listed below. 1. Follow the sermon series. Read and meditate on these passages each week […]
Are you looking for a place to serve at First Free Church? Whether you have a gift for teaching, are creative, or have a knack for keeping kids engaged, CFM might be a great place for you! Through Sunday morning teaching, we support parents’ efforts to disciple their children. We welcome those with or without children, college-aged through seniors, single or married! Serve as a teacher, check-in monitor, or support staff.
- Nursery (during the service; 1-2 times monthly)
- PreK – 2nd Grade Teachers (before the service; 1-2 times monthly)
- 3rd – 5th Grade Teachers (before the service; 1-2 times monthly)
Contact Children & Family Ministries for more info.
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Do you have a heart for Jr & Sr high students? Our youth volunteers lead games, discussions, and hang out with the students. We are looking for a few more adult volunteers to join us on Sunday evenings, especially men. Contact our youth leaders if you have questions or are interested in serving. We will provide training, and background checks are required. We would love to have your assistance.
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As a church staff we have been working diligently to re-energize our small groups ministry and evaluate its place within First Free’s overall mission. We are excited to announce the new mission and vision of small groups, “discipling through community.”
Do you desire a community where life slows down and where discipleship happens through equipping, encouraging and evangelizing? Participate in small groups!
Especially as we enter the winter months, small groups act as an intentional connection to the body outside of the Sunday service in a setting where brothers and sisters bear together for the Gospel.
Visit our Small Groups page to find a group for you!
Small Groups
The elders at First Free invite anyone from the congregation to nominate one or more individuals to serve as an elder in the future.
What does it mean to be an elder at First Free?
- Elders lead the church in prayer, teaching/mentoring, casting vision, and encouraging the church to pursue mission.
- Any man or woman who meets the qualifications listed in Scripture and is an active member of the church can be nominated to serve as an elder.
- Elder nominees who agree to be mentored will become elder apprentices to the current elder team.
Scripture to study: 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9; Acts 20:28-35
Elder mentoring process:
Before becoming an elder, the mentoring of elder apprentices will include prayer, character assessment (using a questionnaire from the EFCA), book studies, auditing elder meetings, and many conversations with current elders. Each apprentice will have two mentor elders to ask questions and receive a balanced perspective, as well as maintain healthy male-female interactions at all times.
How to submit a nomination:
Fill out the form below, or send an email to elders@firstfree.com with the following –
- Name of the person you are nominating
- Contact information for that person
- A description of your relationship with that person
- A description of that person’s character & leadership qualities, how you have seen them live out their faith in Christ, and how they have actively participated in the ministries of the church.
Note: if you nominate someone, please let them know – this is a great opportunity to encourage a fellow sister or brother in Christ!
Fill out the form below to submit a nomination now.
Our sermon series in the month of June is Urban Discipleship. A series of guest speakers preach on our mission and Christ’s mission in the city.
Urban Mission & Discipleship Series | YouTube Playlist