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

Thank you for 2014 by Pastor Mike

Heavenly Father: It seems like I was just anticipating the arrival of 2014, and now it is time for it to go. But before 2014 says its final farewell I want to share with you my gratitude. Time was the canvas upon which you, Father, did your remarkable work in and around me.

Thank you for EFC. You showed me your unique purpose for this church. By February my uncertainty gave way to assurance that you have given us a unique purpose to be Jesus with skin to the marginalized. Thank you for these wonderful folks who have joined EFC this year: Paul and Amanda and their five boys; Kevin and Angelic; Rose; Darrell and Kathy; John and Marlene; Steve, Mary Jo and their two boys; Wendy and her three; Andrea and Kayla; Josh, Jen and Jayden; Robin and John; Mike, Pam and their three boys; and, Jeff, Leah and Lizzy Marie.

Thank you for the break from the regular routine and the rich times of worship and spiritual refreshment that came through the camps. So much could be said about Blizzard, but I am most grateful for the partnership that grew with Northview where my youth can go and grow in their relationship with you. In the spring I heard how the women grew closer at the Gaylord Manor and a few months later I was at Family Camp during the engaging study of John 3:16. I witnessed the power of your crazy love with the men at Lake Retreat. Thank you.

Thank you for the time delving into the riches of your word and wrestling in prayer each week. You gave me more than I could ever give away. And thank you for the challenges you brought to the Community Pastors so the power of your Spirit might bring unity and love to my precious co-laborers in the work of the gospel.

Thank you for my marriage. Five years ago I wondered if we would make it. I could never have imagined the delight and intimacy we share today. Thank you for my children who have shaped me more than ever and revealed my desperate need for you as they have become young adults.

Thank you for your provision through the gifts of Everett Family Church and the home inspection business. I press on in people’s crawlspaces! Finally, thank you for the lessons you have taught me and the fascination you have stirred up in me through my beekeeping hobby. And thank you for the inspiration and growth you keep bringing to me as a chaplain with the Everett Police Department.

Heavenly Father, thank you for 2014. If this is what you have done in twelve ordinary months I cannot wait to see what you will do in the next twelve months and years.

E F C F O C U S D E C 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 Spir i t . 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. We are studying the Bible book of Exodus and the life of Moses and Israel as they departed Egypt for the Promised Land. In our study we are discovering why God has saved us and for what purpose we were rescued!

2nd-6th Grade, January 23-25 Register online or with a camp registration form. Camp registration is now open! Those who register and make full payment by Sunday, December 21st will save $14 from the regular camp price of $129.

READY TO SERVE AS CAMP STAFF? We are recruiting our staff for camp at this time. Every camp staff member (youth and adult) must complete a “Blizzard15 Staff Registration” and “Blizzard Application and Profile.” They must attend the upcoming Staff training meetings: ✴ Friday, December 19, 6:15-8:15pm - Youth training ✴ Saturday, January 3, 9-11am - All staff training #1 ✴ Saturday, January 17, 9-11am - All staff training #2

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

Thanksgiving Tuesday: We hosted a full Thanksgiving spread in our monthly dinner at the Family Tree Apartments. It was a big turn out of families from EFC who offered their time to preparing, serving and cleaning-up following the dinner time.

The youth headed out to Gelato-licious for some time together af ter the dinner service.

Community Group weekend: We continue to deepen our relationships with one another and grow in our understanding of God’s word. Paul and Amanda, Steve and Janine, Jenn and Dan, and Mike and Pascale have each pastored a Community Group this year. We look forward to what our groups will be in 2015!

Family Football in the Park: It felt like Green Bay Packer football as we played on the sunny, crisp,snow-covered field. Several pots of baked potato stew, chili, and taco soup kept our bellies warm and the Lees provided their RV as a place to warm up the little ones. All ages had fun competing a s t h e g a m e ended in a 21-21 tie. Mark Kirshner q u a r t e r b a c ke d “Big Red” with Abby, Luke, John, M i k e W , a n d S h a w n . J o s h Ripley led “Baby B l u e ” w i t h J e r e m i a h , Benjamin, Phoebe, Nimai, and Mike L. Jayden made sure everyone had a handful of snow down the back of their jacket (or maybe it was just mine!).

Men’s & Women’s Bible Study: The fall Bible studies wrapped up for the men and women. It has been encouraging to see the growth that has happened and the new leaders who have developed.

NOVEMBER 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 November $4,050 ..............Total EFC spending in November $4,678 ............. Community Ministry & Missions Abroad $350 ...

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.

Christmas Hiatus - Dec 25 - Jan 2 During the conclusion of December we encourage you to take time to rest, celebrate and worship as a family. There will be no Family Gathering or Community Group the weekend following Christmas. Our final time together as a church family will be Tuesday, December 24th for the Christmas Eve service. We will be back together on Saturday, January 3rd for our Family Gathering.RE

MEMBER

Christmas Dinner @ Family Tree Wedne sda y, Decembe r 3 rd

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 5:30pm to prepare the

meal and serve the meal at the Family Tree Apartments at 6pm. We will clean-up about 7pm.

MENU:

Christmas Dinner (sign-up online to bring food or help)

EFC B i r t hdays : December 21 Luke ...................December 28 Nathan ..................December 30 Mark ..................December 31 Lily...................

Christmas Eve Service 5pm

A time for families to celebrate Jesus’ coming!