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online - everettfamilychurch.org | mail - 15317 73rd AVE SE #2, Snohomish, WA, 98296 | phone - 425 387-1975

Departures and Arrivals by Pastor Mike

When I was in junior high school I was invited to the Paine Field air show by my good friend. His dad was an officer in the Army Reserve and his family received VIP passes for the show. My friend’s brother could not attend so I went as my friend’s older brother. It was one of the coolest experiences I ever had. Mr. Van Eaton became my dad for a day as we entered hangars, viewed the aircraft, visited the VIP food tent and sat in the special, front row seats. If anyone stopped and asked us where we were going we simply flashed our badges. No one was fooled into thinking we were VIP on our own merit. These badges signaled that we were VIP because of our “dad”.

This experience helps illustrate our relationship with God as described in the Scriptures as we embark on a new study of the Bible book, Exodus. As we begin the Israelites are enslaved and suffering. They call to the God of their forefathers and Yahweh sends a deliverer who sets them free so that they might leave Egypt and worship Him. Pharaoh and Egypt essentially ask, “Who is your God?” and scoff. In this book God’s people re-learn the answer as Yahweh goes before them, meets them on Mount Sinai, and prepares them for Promised Land living. I introduce this study by asking us to consider, “Who is our God?” Our answer means much. My hope is our God grows in majesty and glory in the months ahead.

Exodus is about Moses and Israel. It took place almost four thousand years ago half way around the globe. Is there anything for us today? More than we realize! This is not just another story of God saving his people from problems but the biggest event in Israel’s history. Exodus is the THE story of God’s salvation. If we want to understand what we have been saved from and for what purpose we will learn it in our study of this rich account we begin this month. As Israel departs Egyptian bondage and prepares for arrival in Canaan I hope that we might become a church that discovers our divine destiny - we are saved for God’s glory!

E F C F O C U S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4

EFC FAMILY GATHERING S A T U R D A Y S @ 5 P M

Our Family Gathering is a worship concert built upon the truth of God’s Word empowered by the Holy

Spirit. Music typically opens our time with an interactive time of worship and a creative

presentation of God’s Word. There is an age-graded breakout for elementary and youth while adults are challenged in a sermon based on the day’s Biblical text. The evening concludes with a simple dinner.

FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL F r i d a y , O c t o b e r 2 4 , 6 - 8 p m We are looking for individuals and families to sponsor

an activity booth and join us in serving the children and families at the Family Tree Apartments. Run the booth

and/or donate prizes if you can!

Wear a costume and let’s be Jesus with skin in our community! Contact Pastor Mike to serve.This is a free

event.

M e n ’ s R e t r e a t F r i d a y - S u n d a y , S e p t e m b e r 5 - 7

SEPTEMBER 6TH GATHERING EVENT! On t h e m e n ’ s r e t r e a t weekend the rest of EFC will have a special time of fellowship with a BUNCO NIGHT! Invite a friend and come for this special evening on Saturday @ 5pm.

All the men are invited to a weekend getaway at Lake Retreat on Friday, September 5-7th. There will be games, outdoor activities, time to play and time to grow deeper in our relationships. Our study will be about Jesus’ “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. The cost is $75 (plus $20 for paintball).

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online - everettfamilychurch.org | mail - 15317 73rd AVE SE #2, Snohomish, WA, 98296 | phone - 425 387-1975

Friday Night Family Carnival: The mission team from Humble Area First Baptist Church concluded their week in Everett hosting a family carnival on the Hope Church field. The children from the Kids Club were encouraged to bring their parents back and neighbors were invited. Dozens of folks welcomed further contact from EFC during this special evening of inflatables, hot dogs, and music. Paul and others shared the story of Jesus’ love and life-changing hope!

Rinderknechts Visit: EFC is committed to the mission of bringing the presence and power of Jesus Christ to every community. Three years ago we built a relationship with Nicolas and Priscille who serve as pastors and church planters east of Paris. On August 16th they joined our church fami ly for worship and shared t he i r wor k and presented the gospel. We continue to support them financially as they are Jesus with skin in France!

Men’s Hike up Mount Pilchuck: Several of the EFC men and sons made the trek up Mount Pilchuck on a Sunday morning this past month. What a joy to stand on the summit together after the exhausting journey over the rocks and rough trail.

Block Party in North Everett: on Saturday, August 23rd, Paul and Amanda hosted a block party for

t h e i r n o r t h E v e r e t t neighborhood. They took the mission of being Jesus with skin to heart! Help was needed to run the inflatables, serve the hot dogs and other activities. A team of more than a dozen EFC family members spent the afternoon and evening serving. It was a long, exhausting and rewarding time. Special thanks to Kevin, Angelic, Shirley, Jeff, Leah, Rose, Kathy and Darell, Pascale, Luke, Phoebe, Abigail and John who blessed the Grand Avenue neighborhood alongside the Edward family!

Community Groups: As we wrapped up the summer the Community Groups met for a time of fellowship and fun. One group did a drive-in movie night. The other roasted smokes outside.

God’s Not Dead: The EFC youth met together for an outdoor movie at the Bell’s house (the movie was “God’s Not Dead”). They were sadly reminded that school starts the next week.

AUGUST REWIND

E F C M a n a g e m e n t T e a m Dan Bell, Janine Ripley, & Mike Wright We believe that God provides the resources we need to do the ministry He has directed us to do. Therefore, we do not worry or press folks to donate. Rather, we invite you to continue to honor God in proportion to His provision. He doesn’t need us but boy it is a joy to partake in His work!

Total Joy Box gifts in August $5,687 ....................Total EFC spending in August $5,690 .................. Community Ministry & Missions Abroad $500 ...! !

Everett Family Church is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization. Tax Identification # 71-1025722

Visit EFC online (everettfamilychurch.org) for a current calendar of all events, times, and locations.

COMMUN I T Y GROUPS On Friday, September 26th we launch our new Community Groups. On the fourth weekend of the month we will not meet at the Hope Church building but in homes on this weekend.

What are Community Groups? This a monthly time for families to connect in homes and share their growth in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Every week Dan and Jenn, Paul and Amanda, Steve and Janine, and Mike and Pascale pray and care for those in their group. The Community Pastors meet together throughout the month so that the community of EFC might be built up and look more and more like Jesus Christ. We walk alongside the precious people, support them through the hardships and encourage them to seek God’s best in all circumstances.

Contact your Community Pastor for more information.

E F C B I R T H D A Y S !September 7 Rob ....................September 14 Jenn ..................September 21 Casey ..................September 26 Mary..................

Family Dinner @ Family Tree Tu e s d a y , S e p t e m b e r 9 t h All are invited to help us prep and serve a meal to

the folks who live at the Family Tree Apartments. We will meet at Hope Church at 5pm to prepare the meal and serve the meal at the Family Tree Apartments at 6pm. We will clean-up and head home around 7pm.

MENU:

Taco bar (sign-up online to bring food or help)