SUNDAY BULLETIN

December 28th, 2025

Welcome to our Worship Service!

[Judges 21:25 NASB95] [25] In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Order Of Service

Welcome & Call to Worship

Worship in Song

Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism

Lord’s Day 22

Q57. How does “the resurrection of the body” comfort you?

A57. Not only will my soul be taken immediately after this life to Christ its head, but also my very flesh will be raised by the power of Christ, reunited with my soul, and made like Christ’s glorious body.

Q58. How does the article concerning “life everlasting” comfort you?

A58. Even as I already now experience in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, so after this life I will have perfect blessedness such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human heart has ever imagined: a blessedness in which to praise God forever.

Old Testament Reading: [Jeremiah 4:19-31 CSB]

JEREMIAH’S LAMENT

[19] My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in agony! Oh, the pain in my heart! My heart pounds; I cannot be silent. For you, my soul, have heard the sound of the ram's horn -- the shout of battle. [20] Disaster after disaster is reported because the whole land is destroyed. Suddenly my tents are destroyed, my tent curtains, in a moment. [21] How long must I see the signal flag and hear the sound of the ram's horn? [22] "For my people are fools; they do not know me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing what is evil, but they do not know how to do what is good." [23] I looked at the earth, and it was formless and empty. I looked to the heavens, and their light was gone. [24] I looked at the mountains, and they were quaking; all the hills shook. [25] I looked, and there was no human being, and all the birds of the sky had fled. [26] I looked, and the fertile field was a wilderness. All its cities were torn down because of the LORD and his burning anger. [27] For this is what the LORD says: "The whole land will be a desolation, but I will not finish it off. [28] "Because of this, the earth will mourn; the skies above will grow dark. I have spoken; I have planned, and I will not relent or turn back from it." [29] Every city flees at the sound of the horseman and the archer. They enter the thickets and climb among the rocks. Every city is abandoned; no inhabitant is left. [30] And you, devastated one, what are you doing that you dress yourself in scarlet, that you adorn yourself with gold jewelry, that you enhance your eyes with makeup? You beautify yourself for nothing. Your lovers reject you; they intend to take your life. [31] I hear a cry like a woman in labor, a cry of anguish like one bearing her first child. The cry of Daughter Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands: "Woe is me, for my life is weary because of the murderers! "

Confession of Sins

New Testament Reading: [1 Peter 4:1-11 CSB]

FOLLOWING CHRIST

[1] Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding -- because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin -- [2] in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God's will. [3] For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry. [4] They are surprised that you don't join them in the same flood of wild living -- and they slander you. [5] They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. [6] For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they might live in the spirit according to God's standards.

END-TIME ETHICS

[7] The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. [8] Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. [9] Be hospitable to one another without complaining. [10] Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. [11] If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God's words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Sermon Scripture Text: [1 Kings 19:9-21 CSB]

[9] He entered a cave there and spent the night. Suddenly, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah? "

ELIJAH’S ENCOUNTER WITH THE LORD

[10] He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life." [11] Then he said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the LORD's presence." At that moment, the LORD passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. [12] After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. [13] When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah? " [14] "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of Armies," he replied, "but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they're looking for me to take my life." [15] Then the LORD said to him, "Go and return by the way you came to the Wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. [16] "You are to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. [17] "Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu. [18] "But I will leave seven thousand in Israel -- every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him."

ELISHA’S APPOINTMENT AS ELIJAH’S SUCCESSOR

[19] Elijah left there and found Elisha son of Shaphat as he was plowing. Twelve teams of oxen were in front of him, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah walked by him and threw his mantle over him. [20] Elisha left the oxen, ran to follow Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you." "Go on back," he replied, "for what have I done to you? " [21] So he turned back from following him, took the team of oxen, and slaughtered them. With the oxen's wooden yoke and plow, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him.

Sermon Scripture Text: [Luke 9:57-62 CSB]

FOLLOWING JESUS

[57] As they were traveling on the road someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." [58] Jesus told him, "Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." [59] Then he said to another, "Follow me." "Lord," he said, "first let me go bury my father." [60] But he told him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God." [61] Another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at my house." [62] But Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Closing Song

Announcements

Closing Prayer & Benediction

FEC News & Updates

FIGHTER VERSES:

·     This week’s verse to be memorized: [Revelation 21:5-7 ESV] [5] And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." [6] And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. [7] The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

· Next week’s verse to be memorized:

SPANISH TRANSLATION:

·     Live, real time translation of the sermon will be available during the service. To listen, call (425) 436-6329 at the beginning of the sermon. Use access code 8933632 followed by #.

TITHES & OFFERINGS:

·     If you’ve been visiting us, please feel no pressure to give. However, if you call FEC your home church and you’d like to give, you can do so online, or place your offering in the offering plate in the back of the church. You can also mail your offering as well. http://faithfreehold.org/giving

FAITH FAMILY IN FOCUS:

·  The Catanzaro Family: Each week we pray specifically for FEC families or congregants. This week, please pray for Tony, Gina, and family.

MISSIONARY IN FOCUS:

·  Gary and Terri Camlin: Gary & Terri serve with ReachGlobal, the international mission of the Evangelical Free Church of America. Please pray for them and their family as they train, teach, and raise up leaders, missionaries and church planters.

THIS WEEK AT FEC:

·  Tuesday: ‘House of Prayer’ - 7:30 PM on Zoom (link below).

OTHER FEC INFO:

· Congregation Meeting: Next Sunday 12/28 we kindly request all members to stay after service for a congregational meeting.

· Tuesday House of Prayer: Join us from 7:30-8:30 PM each Tuesday evening on Zoom for a devotional and prayer time. Click here to join the meeting.

· Wednesday Bible Study: From 7:00-8:00 PM each Wednesday evening at FEC for our mid week bible study reviewing the book: “Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?” We are currently on a winter break.

· Thursday Men’s Group: The Men’s group will meet every other Thursday from 7:00-8:15 PM.

· ‘Foundations’: Come join us each Sunday at 10:00 AM as we go through and discuss the book “Life in the Father’s House”. This class is for all, and especially for any person interested in learning about or becoming a church member.

·  Spotify & Apple Podcasts: All FEC sermons are now available on Spotify and iApple Podcasts (click to subscribe).

·   Not getting email updates? If you haven’t been receiving email updates, please check your ‘promotions’ folder, then move the email into your inbox and add us to your contacts. If we don’t yet have your email, text faithfree to 609-598-9928.

 ·  Text Updates: If you are not receiving text updates from FEC, and you would like to receive them, please text faithfree to 609-598-9928 (474747 is no longer active). This will add you to our text update list. 

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE:

·     Sound Person needed! No experience necessary. Looking for an assistant in the Sound Booth for a couple times per month during service. Please see Domenic in the Sound Booth for more info.

·     Podcast management: Each week we convert our Sunday sermon into a podcast. We are looking for someone to edit and convert the audio file and upload it to our website. Total time is about 30-45 minutes per week. Training will be provided. Please email us for details freeholdefc@gmail.com.

·     Streaming Video Projection/Slide Operator: We are looking for assistants to help operate our live streaming and slide presentation during the worship service. Please email us for details freeholdefc@gmail.com.

·     Kings Kid’s Helpers Needed: We are still in need of teachers to cover the children’s church classes every Sunday. If you’re interested in helping, please see the sign up sheet in the back of the sanctuary.

·     Nursery Helper Needed: Please see Lisa Bauman or email us for details freeholdefc@gmail.com.

AUTUMN SCHEDULE:

· ‘Foundations’: Come join us each Sunday at 10:00 AM as we go through and discuss the book “Life in the Father’s House”. This class is for all, and especially for any person interested in learning about or becoming a church member.

·    Worship Service - Each Sunday at 11:00 AM.

·    The Lord’s Supper - First Sunday of each month during our 11:00 AM worship service.

·    Fellowship Lunch - Second Sunday of each month immediately after our 11:00 AM worship service. Food sign up will be in the back of the church, or see or contact Elvira Engholm elvirae1726@gmail.com.

· Tuesday ‘House of Prayer’ Zoom Meeting - Each Tuesday evening at 7:30PM.

· Wednesday Bible study @ FEC – Each Wednesday evening at 7:00PM.

· Thursday Men’s Group – Every other Thursday from 7:00-8:15PM.