Monthly news and happenings at Everett Family Church.

1. E F C F O C U S D E C E M B E R 2 012
Dear EFC,
There is something central to our lives as Christ-followers
that if removed would cause every Christian and “church”
FAMILY GATHERING
related thing to be meaningless. It is the power behind December 1, 8, 15, 24 at 5pm
every personal triumph over sin. It is the hope that causes
us to press through hardship. It is the reason that we strive Join us on Saturdays for the Family Gathering
to be Jesus with skin to those unable to reciprocate. This where we gather to worship Christ and grow in our
SOMETHING is called the gospel, the good news of knowledge of the Scriptures. All ages are welcome
Jesus. The gospel in a nutshell is our faith that Jesus to the family worship time and preschool childcare
reconciled us to God our Father. In full it is the meaning is provided for little ones. Following our family
of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The gospel is the worship there is a breakout time for elementary-age
power of God that saves us from sin and self-destruction. children and middle schoolers.
The gospel is transforming work of God’s Spirit that This month we will be remembering the hope of
makes us children of the Almighty God. The gospel is Christ that is central to the Christmas celebration.
what removes our shame and redefines who we are. On the 15th we will have a Christmas potluck
dinner and gift exchange. We will have an EFC
I’ve been a follower of Christ for most of my life - more
Christmas Eve service on the 24th.
than thirty years now. The Bible has been taught and the
Christian life has been modeled for me in countless 4:30pm, Prayer time - all are invited
settings. In the church, at a Christ-centered college, 5:00pm, Family worship
various camps, conferences, books, music, and many 6:00pm, Sermon & children’s breakouts
other venues. I have been exposed to Jesus in these 7:00pm, Fellowship & refreshments
contexts by hundreds of people who have taught me the
WHERE? 11329 23rd Dr. SE, Everett, WA 98208
Christian life. I’m grateful for these but also realize that I
have been distracted from the “one thing” that really
matters in all of this. I have neglected the gospel and
forgotten what it can do. My type-A, get-it-done
personality has been trying to put good practices to work EFC CHURCH PRAYER
in my life and the life of others in place of the gospel. All SATURDAYS @ 4:30-4:50PM
with little effectiveness. When I try to do the work of the
gospel I sound judgmental, bossy, egotistical, and TUESDAYS @ 6:45-7:45PM
insensitive. All invited to join us for prayer and intercession. Prayer requests can
be emailed to the Community Pastors or turned into the prayer box.
Several weeks back Max and I were at a conference
where a pastor shared, “the Gospel works best when we
let the Gospel do the work.” This was a special moment
where I, his slow-learning child, heard a message from
God. The Spirit blinked away the fogginess of my spiritual
eyes and I clearly saw the gospel again. The gospel has
power and I need not explain it, justify it, or help it along
for the gospel to have power. It works on the unpolished
and imperfect life. The gospel is all we need because it is
the power of God for the salvation for everyone who
believes (Romans 1:16).
If the gospel is removed it would turn us into well-meaning
members of a social service and friendship club. May we
not forget to let the gospel do it’s work and trust God to If not, you will want to be there in 2013!
do the heavy lifting!
Blizzard Snow Camp, January 25-27, 2013
For His Glory, Pastor Mike
For 2nd-6th graders - register online!
online - everettfamilychurch.org | mail - 15317 73rd AVE SE #2, Snohomish, WA, 98296 | phone - 425 387-1975

2. N OVEMBER R EWIND EFC CHRISTMAS PARTY
for the Family Tree Apartments
New Horizons Food Service: Friday, December 14th, 6-8pm
This past month was a We are hosting a Christmas turkey dinner and
small team who served celebration for families who cannot afford to enjoy
but this made the night’s this fesitivities of this season. Please sign-up to help
hard work seem to pass prepare dinner, lead some music, or run a craft.
so quickly. Thank you to
those who continue to
serve the homeless teens Blizzard Staff Needed
of Seattle! We serve that the trained staff at New
Blizzard Snow Camp is coming on January 25-27th. We
Horizons might eat with, build relationships with, are assembling our camp staff that will serve the 2nd-6th
and minister to the needs of these youth. graders and your help is needed. Camp staff are
responsible to cover their lodging and food costs ($85). In
Articulous Pondiferous: Rob Linke has addition there is an application process and required
been creating new teaching skits for us training meetings.
and introduced a new character that YOUTH: This is a great opportunity for youth to develop in
will help the children as they learn from their leadership abilities and be Jesus with skin to kids!
the Bible book of James. Join us again There are additional requirements for youth to serve at
Blizzard.
in January when Articulous Pondiferous the third,
Contact Jenn Bell for more information
distant cousin of… blah-blah-blah returns! (jndbell@frontier.com).
Game Night: A special
highlight for this UPCOMING STAFF MEETINGS:
board game junkie Youth Staff Training - Tue, December 18, 6-8pm
happened the first
All-Staff Training #1 - Sat, January 5, 9-11am
weekend of
November. Following All-Staff Training #2 - Sat, January 19, 9-11am
the Gathering before
the election several
men and youth guys joined me for a late night of
E F C B I R T H D A Y S
For those who do not live on Facebook…
board game fun! We played “Candidate” and let me know if your birthday is missing!
“Ticket to Ride” as we laughed, competed, and
munched on goodies. Dec 17 ...........................Ambur
Dec 21 ............................Luke
EFC Thanksgiving Potluck: We enjoyed a night of Dec 28 ............................Nathan
family worship and sharing stories of God’s Dec 29 ............................Matthew
faithfulness during our annual Thanksgiving Dec 30 ............................Mark
potluck. The community meal was amazing and Dec 31 ............................Lily
generous! A special note of thanks from Mike
and Pascale and Max and Julia for the generous
pastor appreciation gifts!
EFC Management Team
Dan Bell, Janine Ripley, & Mike Wright
Family Tree Apartments: We Please continue to give to the mission of EFC.
continue to ser ve the October giving was $2,714 and this has made for
residents at the Family some tough financial decisions this month. Your gifts
Tree Apartments. There matter and Pastor Mike and Pastor Max are counting
were nearly 50 families on your sacrificial and generous giving that they
who requested help and might continue to serve!
this year we were able to Monthly operating budget ........................$6,900
provide Thanksgiving baskets to 17 families who Total Joy Box gifts in November ...............$8,230
Total EFC spending in November ..............$7,161
needed help with food. We look forward to
Community Ministry in November .........$1,900
continuing to minister to those precious folks in
the months ahead. Everett Family Church is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.
Tax Identification # 71-1025722
online - everettfamilychurch.org | mail - 15317 73rd AVE SE #2, Snohomish, WA, 98296 | phone - 425 387-1975