Sunday, December 22, 2013

A N N O U N C E M E N T S

Christmas Eve Communion Service6:30pmJoin us for an evening of worship, scripture readings & communion in celebration of the birth of our Lord & Savior. Nursery is provided for 0 – 3 yrs old.

Church MembershipWilliam & Pamela Buckley and Mathew & Faith Pickar have applied for church membership & have been unanimously approved by the Board of Elders & Deacons. If you have any reason to question the Board’s judgment on this matter, please contact one of the Board members before

Gloria Dei on the PalouseGloria Dei will not be practicing for the rest of the 2013 year, BUT, we will start up again on Tuesday, January 7, 7PM, at E-Free.  If you have not yet joined, but would like to, please fill out one of the sign-up sheets at the information table and turn it in to Larry or Linda Hightower, or the church office.

Church Staff Love OfferingTraditionally our church has replaced the October Pastor’s Appreciation month with a December Church Staff Love Offering. If you would like to bless the church staff who faithfully serve our body & communities, the church will receive designated “love offerings” through December 22. All gifts will be allocated between the staff unless specific persons are otherwise noted.

All who are 70 ½ & older have the opportunity to make a direct transfer of funds from your IRA to a qualified charity without any income tax costs. This law is due to expire in 2013 so if you want to take advantage of this last opportunity, contact your fund manager to make the direct transfer arrangements. For any questions, contact Guy Williams, Church Treasurer, 509-336-9433.

C A L E N D A R E V E N T S

12/29, 1/5: No Sunday school classes during university winter break, worship at 10:15am

12/24, 6:30pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service 12/24, 12/25, 1/1: Office closed for holidays. 3/28-30/14: Men’s Retreat at Camp Wooten 7/28/14 – 8/1/14: VBS

M E E T I N G S

Church Board MeetingMonday, January 13, 7pm

N E E D S

S E R M O N N O T E S

Jesus’ Claims about HimselfCaesar Paul, Pastor of Adult Ministries51  Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52  The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53  Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54  Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’

55  But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 56  Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57  So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58  Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”John 8:51-58 (ESV)

I. Jesus claimed that the Almighty Creator God is His Father (John 8:54).

II. Jesus claimed to know God in an extremely personal way, and that He keeps God’s word (John 8:55).

III. Jesus claimed to be the eternal “I am” (John 8:58).IV. Jesus claimed to be before Abraham, who was born

about 2000 years BC (John 8:58).V. Jesus claimed to have existed with God the Father

before the world existed (John 17: 5).VI. Jesus claimed to be the bread of life, with the ability

or power to satisfy the hunger or thirst of every individual on planet earth, regardless of color, creed or race (John 6:35).

Discussion Questions

1. When Jesus said “before Abraham was, I Am,” what was he saying?

2. What was meant by Jesus when he said, “I am the bread of life”?

3. Why did the Jews pick up stones to stone him in John 8:59?

4. Should the threat of harm prevent us from sharing or answering questions honestly about Christ and His teachings?

5. Should the threat of harm cause us to go out of the way to hide the fact that we are born again believers in Christ and His teachings?

MONDAYS

TUESDAYS

WSU College Bible StudyMarriage Architect5:10pm, WSU CUE 409Doug Busby, 509-872-3390No study during winter break.

Gloria Dei on the Palouse Choir7pm, E-Free Sanctuary Larry Hightower, 208-301-0779

WEDNESDAYS

Prayer Meeting12pm, E-Free SanctuaryCaesar Paul, 509-872-3390

UofI College Bible StudyMarriage Architect7pm, 721 E 7th, MoscowDoug Busby, 208-882-7757No study during winter break.

THURSDAYS

FRIDAYS

SUNDAYS

Avalon Care Center Worship Service4pm, 2nd & 4th, service for seniors1310 NW Deane St, PullmanContact Gordon Brown at 509-334-0452

Life Groups - Get Connected!

Don’t be left out. Get connected & join a Life Group by contacting the individual below or scan to begin sign-up right now!

Idaho Life Groups: Todd Plotner, todd.plotner@wsu.edu, 910-528-5476.

Washington Life Groups: Jack Brossman,jackbrossman@hotmail.com509-432-1039

B I B L E S T U D I E S & L I F E G R O U P S S U N D A Y S E R V I C E S & C L A S S E S

G I V I N GDec 15 Nov 7/13-11/13

Budget $52,437 $52,437 $262,185General income $42,232 $52,876 $245,182Designated Income $ 3,942 $ 1,730 $ 7,575Total Income $46,174 $ 54,606 $252,757Total Expenses $ $ 48,330 $241,162

Building Mortgage $1,303,318

Y O U T H M I N I S T R Y

Evangelical Free Church of the Palouse4812 Airport RoadPullman, Washington 99163Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm509-872-3390church@efreepalouse.orgwww.efreepalouse.org

Senior Pastor: Douglas BusbyAdult Ministries Pastor: Caesar PaulElder: Jack BrossmanElder: Jack FlackElder: Bill Twigg

Youth Ministry Anna MontgomeryChildren’s Ministry: Micaela Blum Assistant: Anna MontgomeryMinister of Worship: Arden SkoglundBookkeeper: Donna WitthuhnSecretary: Debbie Hulbert

C O L L E G E M I N I S T R Y

Sr. High Youth Ministry Meetings - Sundays, 6-8:30pm, E-Free Jr. High Youth Ministry Meetings with dinner – Thursdays, 6-8pm, E-Free

For the latest schedule of activities, go to the Youth Ministry blog at efreeyouth.wordpress.com or contact Anna Montgomery, Youth Ministry, 509-389-8316, annakmontgomery@gmail.com

College Ministry meeting at WSU – Kimbrough Hall 101, 7pm.Leadership Contacts: (Idaho)Sarah Boothman – sarahboothman1@gmail.com

(WSU)Nicole Clark – clark.nicole8@gmail.com (WSU)Tyson Schlect – tyson.schlect@email.wsu.edu

For more information contact Caesar Paul, 509-592-5321, caesarpaul01@yahoo.com *NO COLLEGE MINISTRY MEETINGS DURING WINTER BREAK

Raising worshipful, caring, disciple-making servants of the Lord Jesus Christ as we reach our community and the World.

C H I L D R E N ’ S M I N I S T R Y

Fred & Vicki VanGorkom, of Christian Veterinary Mission, ask for prayer:The Lord of Harvest to call & send laborers to His harvest.For their family that they might live lives worth of Him.For comfort for persecuted believers.

M I S S I O N A R Y C O R N E R

For more information on activities & events, contact Micaela Blum, Children’s Ministry Director, 509-339-0261, micaela.blum@gmail.com or check us out on Facebook @ Kid’s Crew E-Free.

Scan to go directly to the E-Free website.

SUNDAY CLASSES – 9AM Adult & Youth Classes:#100: Women’s Class: Romans#108: Adult Class: Growing Families#109: Men’s Class: 1st, 2nd, 3rd John & Jude#110: Jr. High Class#111: Sr. High Class#114: Women’s Class: 2nd Peter#120: College Women: Apologetics#120: Adult Class: Connecting with God#120: Adult class: 2nd Corinthians

Children’s Classes: #117: 0 - 36 mo.#115: 3-4 yrs#112: K – 2nd grade #113: 3rd – 5th grade

WORSHIP SERVICE – 10:15AM Children’s Church: #117: 0 - 36 mo.#115: 2 ½ - 3 yrs#112: Preschool - Kindergarten #111: 1st – 5th grade