1. online - everettfamilychurch.org | mail - 15317 73rd AVE SE #2, Snohomish, WA, 98296 | phone - 425 387-1975
HAPPY IS A YUCKY WORDby Pastor Mike
Those are not the actual lyrics to the Switchfoot song that
frequently plays in my house but they sound like them !
These words unlock a Biblical truth that can encourage us.
There is an idea that God’s will is centered on happiness. It
gets packaged up like this. If I am in God’s will... I will be
healthy, I will do to others as I want done to me and they
will do it, I will love others and feel their love rays shining
back, my spouse will change and treat me better, I will find
a needed friend, I will feel fulfilled by my church, I will not
have financial troubles, etc. All these flow from the idea
that God’s will is I am happy and if I am happy I must be in
God’s will. Is that biblical?
In the Scriptures, the MVP leaders of the first Church all
guarantee that happiness does not play this role in
following Christ. Peter says that suffering brings about
something that allows us to be done with sin (1 Peter 4).
James says that suffering is cause for joy for it brings about
completion and perfection of our faith (James 1). Paul says
that our current troubles are part of the glorious divine plan
to change us (Romans 8; 2 Corinthians 4). From these
passages we learn that God’s will is for His child to arrive
at the place of perfection where he has total, unhindered
intimacy with the Father. This is achieved as he or she lives
more and more conformed like Jesus Christ and steadily
and finally brings every aspect of his life under the total
dominion of King Jesus. This is called maturity,
completeness and perfection. This is God’s simple, clear
and unwaivering will for every child. Suffering and
hardship and troubles are prerequisites for maturity.
Adding more than this to God’s will causes heartache.
Christ-followers can jettison the current fad to expect every
day to be a spiritually bright day when following Jesus.
Spiritual life is like Seattle’s weather and not every day or
or month or even season is a sunny one - we average
about 73 sunny days a year in the Northwest! I have
watched many scramble to get back into God’s will on
spiritually foggy or rainy days. I’ve said good-bye to many
dear people running to find their lost happiness. My only
guarantee comes from my experience of Jesus’ teaching:
We will be filled up - again and again. We will see the
power of the Creator and Savior in and around us. And we
will find a Father who loves us and will not avoid the
unhappy stuff in our life.
I come pretty hard against the idea that happiness is God’s
will because like rails of a rollercoaster it will return us to
the starting point exhausted and disappointed over and
over again. Let’s put on happy glasses on sunny days but
not be afraid to take them off on foggy or rainy days. It
will make it much easier to see what God is doing on those
not-so-happy days.
E F C F O C U S A U G U S T 2 0 1 3
Experiencing God in a
Kid-Sized Way!
We are studying the life of David as a church. Our
Family Gatherings are focused on helping the children
experience God in a kid-sized way. We have a music set
to help them worship, a Bible teaching skit followed by a
concise sermon from Pastor Mike after which he leads a
special breakout time for the kids. The Community
Pastors lead a time for the adults during the elementary
and youth breakouts. The evening
will conclude with a simple meal
and fellowship.
Invite a friend or family who desire
to grow kids in their relationship
with Jesus!!
FAMILY GATHERING
S A T U R D A Y S @ 5 P M
SCHEDULE:
4:30pm, prayer time
5pm, family worship
6pm, breakouts
7pm, dinner and
fellowship
E F C P o o l & P a r k P a r t y
Saturday, August 31 at 5pm
We will be meeting at McCullom Park (128th and
I-5) where we have rented the pool from 5-6pm. A
picnic barbecue will follow and games in the park.
There is no cost for this event - bring a swimsuit,
towel, lawn chairs, games and a large side dish to
share. All are welcome to attend!
Crosswalk & LIFE Group
August 23rd, 6:30-9:00pm
The Community Groups continue to be led by our
Community Pastors Steve and Janine and Dan and Jenn.
2. online - everettfamilychurch.org | mail - 15317 73rd AVE SE #2, Snohomish, WA, 98296 | phone - 425 387-1975
Family Gatherings and the Kids. The Star Chart challenge
continues with the elementary kids at the Family
Gatherings. They are being challenged to bring their
Bible, contribute to the Joy Box
Annual Family Camp. The last weekend of June was the
seventh annual Family Camp in Entiat. While we had a
smaller than usual group it proved to be a deep,
memorable, and connecting experience for all who
attended. Special thanks to our camp director, Perry
and camp cooks, John and Linda.
Women’s Retreat. Eleven women
headed to Leavenworth for a
refreshing weekend in the
sun. Thank you t o t he
husbands and youth and
family who stepped up to
cover things while the moms
and women were away.
Youth River Float. The middle and
high schoolers were led by
Perry on an exciting float down the Snohomish River at
the end of July. It was five hours in the refreshing river
with some moments of intense excitement - you had to
be there to understand! Some serious relationship
building happened.
J U L Y R E W I N D
E F C M a n a g e m e n t T e a m
Dan Bell, Janine Ripley, & Mike Wright
Your continued support is an important part of your
ministry. Join the other families who are doing their part in
supporting Pastor Mike and the EFC mission.
................Monthly operating budget $6,200
................................Total Joy Box gifts in June $4,093
...............................Total EFC spending in June $5,221
..................................Community Ministry gifts $300
................................Total Joy Box gifts in July* $6,428
..............................Total EFC spending in July* $3,237
................................Community Ministry gifts* $300
*Financial numbers are current through July 17.
Everett Family Church is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.
Tax Identification # 71-1025722
PRAXIS SUMMER YOUTH
E ve r y Tu e s da y, 6:30- 8:00pm
July 30 – Mystery Night. 6:00-8:00pm. Bells and
Kirshners to coordinate.
August 6 – No youth event, so enjoy your family!
August 13 – Fun and simple card and board
games. 6:00-9:00pm (Wright home)
August 20 – Watch, receive, send, and be sly
about it, and the great Cake-o-licious! Bring
$1. 6:00-8:00pm.
August 27 – Movie Night at the Bell’s house. Bring
your own snack, and more if you want to
share. See you there from 8-10:30pm.
Talk to Perry Travis for more information at
webtravis@juno.com or 206/412-0688
E F C B I R T H D A Y S
Let me know if your birthday is missing!
.........................August 2 Evelyn
.......................August 22 Micah
.......................August 24 Moses
.......................August 25 Kirsten
SUMMEREVENTS
BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROJECT
Serving the Family Tree Apartments
We will be serving the children who have
need of back-to-school socks and underwear.
Pick up a new package while you are doing
your back-to-school shopping. Bring your
donations on Saturday, August 17th to
the Family Gathering. Contact Pastor
Mike for more information.