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

Dear EFC,

2011 is quickly winding to a close as I gaze at the landscape of God’s work among the EFC families. Every family has faced challenges that have tested their faith. My family is no different than so many of yours. It has been a year unlike any that Pascale and I have ever experienced. You are well aware of the many sorrows and joys that have marked these past twelve months.

We have the tradition of writing each other a letter after the kids go to bed on Christmas Eve. We write of our affection for one another, the highlights from the previous year and our hopes for the next. I cannot remember what I wrote last year. I wonder if it was prophetic and insightful? Or perhaps naive and short-sighted? I don’t know. Let me tell you about one thing I will be writing in this year’s letter.

My longing for more of God in my life has re-emerged this year. Complacency crept into my walk with God, in my attitude toward Pascale, and in my parenting. I promised, “Hey kids, tomorrow is going to be a special family day… Honey, I have something planned for the two of us next week… Once I get finished with this project I won’t be so busy… Next week I will devote more time to prayer and study…” I failed again and again - in other words I proved myself a liar. This month things came to a crisis point and Jesus and Pascale both asked me, “Mike, do you love me?” Patiently they waited for my response. It was painful to surrender and humble myself. By God’s grace I answered, “YES! You are my everything!” My relationship with my wife reveals the condition of my heart before God. When I closed my heart to my wife I closed it to my Savior. My heart opened again when I sought forgiveness and this was a supernatural experience. God has given me more of Himself.

I also pray that God might give more of Himself to you, my brothers and sisters! May He graciously and firmly deal with that which is hindering us from humbly acknowledging our failures and repenting. May we surrender to His loving overtures and seek forgiveness where we have hurt one another. And when we do we will experience true forgiveness and the peace that reconciles us to Him!

For His Glory, Pastor Mike

E F C F O C U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Family Gathering InvitationYou’re invited to our Family Gathering where the 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 provided for little ones. Following our family worship there is a breakout time for elementary-age children and middle schoolers.

We are excited to have our children and youth going through the same Bible study as the adults as we move through Genesis.

dates? Saturday, December 2nd Saturday, December 9th Saturday, December 17th Saturday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) Community Group weekend, Dec. 30-31

times? 4:30pm, Prayer time - all are invited 5:00pm, Family worship 6:00pm, Sermon & age-level breakouts 7:00pm, Fellowship & refreshments

where?Hope Church at Silver Lake 11329 23rd Dr. SE, Everett, WA 98208

EFC CHURCH PRAYERWEDNESDAYS @ 7PM

The Bell’s generously open their home for a place of prayer and intercession on behalf of EFC and those in our spheres of influence. All are invited to join us for this time. Prayer

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

Welcome Max and Julia! God has answered our prayer for a youth pastor! This past month we were excited to officially welcome Max and Julia Mooney to EFC. Max is currently a student at Northwest University and Julia is a recent grad from NU. We are thrilled to share our lives during this season that God has brought us together.* Contact Max: 509/607-6023 or max@everettfamilychurch.org

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

Jesus with Skin: This past m o n t h w e h a d a n incredible opportunity to be Jesus with skin! 1) We were grateful for Fain and Janet taking the lead at New Horizons feeding the homeless teens in Seattle. 2) 15 families from the Family Tree Apartments asked for help and we were able to provide generous Thanksgiving baskets to each family. 3) The youth and elementary age kids prepared Christmas shoeboxes for children in need throughout the world.

Flag Football: We had a fun Community Group event of flag football at Lowell Park on November 13th. It turned into a mud event with many soggy fall leaves!

Thanksgiving at EFC: Our final Gathering in November brought a significant change to our regular routine. We met as a community for family worship and then enjoyed a true feast! During dinner we shared some of those things that God has done to bless us this year. The number of prayer requests that God has answered in our weekly prayer time has amazed us. Answers included places to live, healing, and job needs. Praise the Lord!

Parent Dedication: Matthew and Donna dedicated themselves to raise their son, Josiah, to know and love the Lord. They s o u g h t E F C ’ s support in this task and committed to p a r t n e r i n t h e formidable task of p a r e n t i n g a n d r a i s i n g f o u r children to follow Christ.

Moving Day: We had the opportunity to be Jesus with skin twice on Thanksgiving weekend. Mike Lee and Nimai led one team (Matthew, Saul, Max, Dan, and Jeff) who worked all day moving a woman from the community. Mike W, Luke, Mark, and Isaac also helped move another family from the community. What a joy being Jesus with skin!

O C T O B E R R E W I N D

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

We are honored to serve God with the abundant resources we have been entrusted with in this past month’s giving. The

addition of a youth pastor, support of missionaries abroad, sending EFC families out to serve, and local needs have been

top considerations as we strive to advance God’s kingdom here!

.......................Monthly operating budget $5,500

.............Total Joy Box gifts in November $19,400.......Total Community Ministry distribution $1,323

.................Total EFC spending this month $6,200

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

November 27 - December 3WED Youth Group (6:30-7:45pm) Church Prayer (7-8pm)THU Management Team meeting (12pm)SAT Church Prayer (4:30pm) Family Gathering (5pm)

December 4 - 10WED Youth Group (6:30-7:45pm) Church Prayer (7-8pm)THU Men’s Delta Force study (7:30pm)SAT Church Prayer (4:30pm) Family Gathering (5pm)

December 11 - 17MON New Horizons (6pm)WED Blizzard Youth Training (6:30-8:30pm) Church Prayer (7-8pm)SAT Christmas cookie baking (2:30pm) Church Prayer (4:30pm) Family Gathering (5pm)SUN Christmas Caroling to Elderly (11am)

December 18 - 24TUE Community Pastor meeting (5pm)WED Youth Group (6:30-7:45pm) Church Prayer (7-8pm) No activities due to ChristmasSAT Christmas Eve Service (5pm)

December 25 - December 31WED No activities due to ChristmasFRI-SAT Community Group weekendU

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Register for Blizzard NOW!Blizzard Snow Camp is coming on January 27-29th. This is for 2nd-6th graders and provides 3 days and 2 nights of an incredible experience for children to

grow in their understanding of God, the Bible, friendships, and family relationships. Financial

assistance is available if needed.

STAFF NEEDED: We are assembling our camp staff that will serve the children. This is a great opportunity for youth to

develop in their leadership abilities. Camp staff is responsible to cover their lodging and food costs ($85).

Youth Staff Training - Wed, December 14, 6-8pm All-Staff Training #1 - Sat, January 7, 9-11amAll-Staff Training #2 - Sat, January 21, 9-11am