Luke (That You May Be Certain)

Mondays from 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. or 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

This is a 6 week class from RBC Ministries and is a study into the life of Christ from Luke, the physician. This unique perspective emphasizes Christ’s relationship to the weak and poor. The homework will be a study of the gospel of Luke. No materials needed except your Bible. Led by Melanie Denney and Laurie Clark.

Joshua Part 1: Preparing for Battle

Tuesdays from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

A 6 week study on the generation of Israelites who were prepared by God to conquer the land He promised them. The study will show God’s way of preparing his people for battle, study the life of Joshua, witness the crossing of the Jordan River, and see how the fear of God spreads across the earth as his mighty deeds are made known. Led by Annette Rinaldi.

2 John

Wednesdays from 6:45 – 8:00 p.m.

A six week study which uses inductive study techniques – observe, interpret and apply. Learn how to study together each week with other women who want to learn how to study the Bible purposefully. Most work will be done in class. Led by Tammy Larsen.

Join students and staff who are dedicated to studying God’s Word, serving people, and enjoying each other. Free Life is what we call the time that we meet up every Wednesday for study, conversation, and bucket-loads of wondrous joy. If you are a fan of wondrous joy, or buckets, you should definitely stop by.

If you are one of those people who likes to check things out thoroughly before jumping in, here are a couple of links that will explain where we are coming from.

Middle School

High School

Rock Solid Kid’s Club & Solid Life

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A new men’s Bible study will begin January 11. ”Lord, Change My Attitude”, by James MacDonald, is a video driven study which will be held on Monday and Wednesday nights, beginning at 7 p.m. in Room 102. For more information, please call the church office at 308-382-1898. The women’s Bible study groups that met last fall will resume their study, “Lord, Change My Attitude” on January 9. To join in this small group experience, contact Melanie at 308-381-7596 or Annette at 308-227-9634.

This year the GI Free Church community has generously given $76,709 towards short term mission teams. These gifts were used to send 39 team members to Zambia, Mexico, Germany, Chicago, and Minot, ND and also help support missionaries Paul & Lori Schlick serving on-site in Zambia with Gospelink.

The members of the GI Free Church vote on a General Ministry Fund budget each year. This fiscal year’s budget includes $165,000 in mission support (13.7% of the budget). General Fund giving can be down from time to time; however, this church has never reduced mission support. Numerous missionaries comment that their support may have been cut back or cut off entirely from other churches or individuals, but they are so grateful to GI Free for the unwavering support. Obviously, this congregation strongly values missions.

Others outside of our church family have caught the mission vision too. An additional $39,375 has been received to support mission efforts. To date in this fiscal year a grand total of $281,000 has been contributed to support short term mission teams, missions efforts, and missionaries.

We hope the 2011 Singing Christmas Tree helps you remember the reason for the season!

Performance dates are Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18. Saturday performances are at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday performances are at 4 and 6:30 p.m. Click here for more info.

If you are interested in other Grand Island/area Christmas events, please click here.

We have reached a significant milestone in eliminating our
Building Loan. Thanks to everyone pitching in, the Loan is now below $150,000.

Over the recent months we have seen the faithful
contributions of our church family move us closer to the goal of eliminating
the Building Loan by April 1, 2012. Additionally, our church leadership
continues to be very frugal in ministry expenditures. This has also allowed us
to move steadily toward our goal to be debt free at the end of fiscal year
2011-2012.

In the spring of 2008 we completed our new addition (Chapel,
Children and Youth Classrooms), the remodeling project (Adult Community rooms, Gathering
Place and Church Office) and  adding 54
parking spots in the east lot. These projects addressed very significant
ministry space needs. Our ministries were able to grow once again. But remember
– we were not just seeking numerical growth. Each additional person represents
a soul who is seeking to grow in a new or deeper walk with our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ.

The good news is that momentum is building. The Building
Loan is shrinking every month:

• $599,000 April 1, 2008
• $280,000 April 1, 2010
• $199,000 October 1, 2011
• Under $159,000 January 1, 2012

Friends we are “Almost There.” The church leadership is
asking you to consider giving to the Building Loan Reduction Fund every month.
If our church family will continue to support our General Fund ministry needs
while giving above their regular contribution level, we can knock this out –
we’re “Almost There!”

Imagine the pleasure we’ll experience next summer as we
begin to see what God would next have in store for us as we explore new avenues
to “Glorify God, Love People, and Serve the World.”

Prayerfully,

Your Board
of Elders