online - everettfamilychurch.org | mail - 2413 98th ST SE, Everett, WA, 98208 | phone - 425 387-1975

Dear EFC,

I want to welcome you to the sixth year of Everett Family Church! We are in a new season of ministry and I anticipate fresh encounters with God and renewed vision as we strive to be Jesus with skin in this new year. Thank you for your encouragement and presence in this journey!

Over the Labor Day weekend in September I began the EFC ministry year with a “State of EFC” sermon. In it I shared what was ahead for our church. Over the summer months of prayer I, with the Community Pastors, had a clear sense that we were to re-commit as a church to living in God’s frontier of faith. We began to trust Him with the impossible and make ourselves available to share His love in our spheres of influence. It included a challenge to pray, give generously, and go on mission someplace outside of our culture. Since September we have seen His work in some tangible and awe-inspiring ways.

The latest challenge I have shared with many of you is trying to make sense of our call to be involved on a cross-cultural mission trip. While there are many opportunities to participate in an international mission trip, there has not been the right fit for EFC just yet. It has been hard to be patient and wait for what I sense is the right timing and right place to go. But the discouragement I was starting to feel several weeks ago has been replaced by excitement as a new opportunity has risen to locally “go on mission” in our spheres of influence.

The Community Pastors have been in discussion for the past six weeks about what we can do to remove hindrances from people connecting with EFC and experiencing the life changing work of Jesus Christ. We have made the decision to move ahead with changes that will effect the whole church. They will disrupt the routine we have become comfortable with but we all believe that these will result in our reaching more people with the gospel message!

The biggest change will be related to our Family Gatherings, our worship services. We have decided to move to a weekly Family Gathering. This means we will be adjusting the times and formats of our Community Groups and more information will come on this. The entire church is invited to join us any and every Saturday for worship, teaching, and fellowship. Our hope is this will make it easier for you to invite others to attend and make ourselves more available to those looking for a church. Beyond the weekly Gathering we will be seeking to initiate purposeful conversations with those in our spheres of influence, serve the marginalized in a new way, pray as a church, improve the children’s ministry, and disciple all ages in a more effective way.

Year six will bring fresh opportunities for us to be Jesus with skin in Everett, Snohomish County, and the world!

For His Glory, Pastor Mike

E F C F O C U S A P R I L 2 0 1 2

FAMILY GATHERINGSATURDAYS AT 5:00pm

You’re invited to our Family Ga t he r i ng whe re t he EFC Community Groups gather to know Christ through the Holy Spirit’s ministry. All ages are welcome to the family worship time and preschool childcare is p r ov i d e d f o r l i t t l e o n e s . Following our family worship there is a breakout time for elementary-age children and middle schoolers.

We are continuing in our study of the Bible book of Genesis as we meet the source of all things!4:30pm, Prayer time - all are invited5:00pm, Family worship6:00pm, Sermon & children’s breakouts7:00pm, Fellowship & refreshmentswhere? 11329 23rd Dr. SE, Everett, WA 98208

EFC CHURCH PRAYERSATURDAYS @ 4:30-4:50PMTUESDAYS @ 6:45-7:45PM

All invited as we meet at the church building for prayer and intercession on behalf of EFC and community beyond. Prayer

requests can be emailed to the Community Pastors or turned into the prayer box at the Family Gatherings.

E F C M a n a g e m e n t T e a mDan Bell, Janine Ripley, & Mike Wright

The Management Team has watched God’s work through the generosity of EFC families since September. There have been

several significant one time gifts given and some have increased their tithes. It has resulted in a growing surplus since November. As we have sought to discern God’s purpose for these funds we have determined to adopt a budget that will support our regular expenses, and officially include the youth pastor salary, greater mission support, a raise for Pastor Mike. It is a bold, faith-filled step of a $10,000/month budget! we will evaluate this in the upcoming months so we encourage you to continue in your

generosity and enjoy this sacred act of worship!

.....................Monthly operating budget $10,000...............Total Joy Box gifts in February $18,224.................Total EFC spending this month $5,529

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

online - everettfamilychurch.org | mail - 2413 98th ST SE, Everett, WA, 98208 | phone - 425 387-1975

New Horizons Food Service: Our monthly team returned to serving the hungry teens of Seattle this past month. It is a joy to be Jesus with skin in our community!

Youth Game Night: O n F r i d a y , M a r c h 2 3 , Praxis students m e t f o r a game night at the Wright ’s h o m e . T h e W r i g h t ’ s g r a c i o u s l y p r o v i d e d pizza for the group, which is always a welcome sight, and we had copious amounts of carbonated beverages to wash it all down in a glorious night of the stuff that makes doctors awake in cold sweats. We played a variety of games including “the family game”, Whoonu, The Settler’s of Catan (the best game ever, btw), Quirkle and some other ones I can’t remember- I was in a pizza coma, don’t judge. - from Pastor Max as posted on the new Praxis blog… http://praxisym.wordpress.com/

Men’s Retreat: Nine men headed down to Lake Retreat for an incredible weekend with Pastor Jim Wright who facilitated a weekend on “Being who we are in Christ.” Every man shared practical action steps they are going to be putting into effect in their personal spiritual walk, marriage, and in their parenting. Ultimately, all came back with a renewed commitment to walk in the Spirit by keeping Christ at the center of the “wheel”.

M A R C H R E W I N D PRAXIS YOUTH MINISTRY

Praxis has been going really well! We are seeing growth both spiritually and numerically, as we move forward through our study in the book of John. We are gearing up for the 30-Hour Famine, a 30 hour juice and water fast designed to help raise money and awareness for global hunger. We are also preparing for our first ever Youth Summer camp! We will be going to Cedar Springs camp and spending June 29-July 1st having fun, fostering friendships, and encountering God. Early registration cost is $110, normal registration is $130, and the cut off date is June 1st. Any students going into the 6th grade or higher are welcome to come, and we strongly encourage bringing a friend. We will also be pursuing fundraising events to help students attend. Contact Pastor Max at 509/607-6023 or max@everettfamilychurch.org.

U P C O M I N G R E T R E A T SWomen’s Retreat, April 20 - 22All women are invited to gather for a weekend of fellowship, prayer, and growth in their relationship with Jesus Christ. The retreat will be happening in a vacation home on Whidbey Island. Space is limited to 12 total so contact Pascale, Jenn, or Janine and turn in your $25 deposit to reserve your place.

Youth Camp, June 29 - July 1The middle and high school youth are welcome to join us for our first EFC Youth Summer Camp! This is open to those starting 6th grade through 12th grade. We will be heading to Cedar Springs. Talk to Pastor Max if you have questions or to register.

Family Camp, July 20 - 24This is our sixth annual Family Camp and we continue to offer this spiritual retreat for your entire family. Location: Entiat River Family

Camp (2.5 hours away)Registration: Register online on

our ministries page. Turn in a $50 deposit to hold your spot at camp.

Activities: Bible study, worship, water play, games, swimming, river tubing, slide waters and more!