The document is a newsletter from Everett Family Church that provides information about upcoming events and recaps prior events. It discusses splitting firewood as a metaphor for using the Bible (the "sharp edge of the maul") rather than just good intentions to guide one's faith. It announces youth camp in January and encourages registering by December 21st to save money. It also lists past events from October like serving a community meal and a youth trip to a corn maze.

1. E F C F O C U S N O V E M B E R 2 0 14
The Wrong Edge of the Maul
by Pastor Mike
As a child I had the chore of
splitting firewood. There was
an old tire I would put the
wood rounds inside of so that
when I missed with the
splitting maul (a sledge
hammer axe hybrid) the sharp
edge would be protected.
(This is a chore passed onto
my own son much to his
excitement!)
If you do not know how to use
a maul it can be an exhausting and very fruitless tool.
If you set out a wood round and whack away using
the flat side of the maul, not even the strength of Paul
Bunyon, lumberjack folk hero, will do much. There
will be a round piece of wood with dents and
splinters but not a single piece of usable firewood.
Good form, strength, and bucket loads of motivation
will not make up for the blunt side of the maul. Yet
this is how so many of us Christ-followers strive to live
for Jesus. We bring all our best stuff into the Christian
life. The results are underwhelming - sinful patterns
stubbornly persist, discouragement and the
purposeless-driven life remain, and God’s voice
sounds like the indistinguishable call of a lifeguard
during a public swim. Does this describe you?
The truths of the Bible are the sharp edge of the maul
that allow us to move into the bountiful Christian life.
No amount of effort or strength or motivation will
allow us to experience the deeper things of God
apart from raw, whole-hearted obedience to God’s
Word. We need to flip the maul around and use the
sharp edge. When circumstances slide sideways and
cause us to worry; when we face a tough decision
between serving God and money/sports/leisure;
when angered and ready to lash out because of our
child’s rude comment; when hurt by a friend’s
insensitivity and tempted to emotionally disengage;
Jesus gives us the sharp edge of the spiritual maul in
Matthew 5-7. Not to guilt us into conformity, but
because raw, whole-hearted obedience is the sharp
edge to the bountiful Christian life.
My prayer for us this month: When God speaks to us
in the sermon or our devotional Bible reading that we
grab hold of it with raw, whole-hearted obedience!
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
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 it. 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 have begun a study of the Bible book of Exodus
and the life of Moses and Israel as they depart
Egypt for the Promised Land. In our study we are
discovering why God has saved us and for what
purpose we were rescued!
online - everettfamilychurch.org | mail - 15317 73rd AVE SE #2, Snohomish, WA, 98296 | phone - 425 387-1975

2. s
OCTOBER REWIND
Taco Tuesday: We continue to serve the families who
come to the monthly meal at the Family Tree
Apartments. Our prayer is that they might come
to know the love of their Father in heaven as we
strive to be Jesus with skin.
Police Chaplain: I (Pastor Mike) spent a week training
with other chaplains so that I might be a resource
for the Everett Police Department. I don’t wear a
tie very often but I did at the graduation
ceremony! Also pictured are two others serving
with Everett Police
and Fire - Chuck
Hickman, pastor at
P o r t G a r d n e r
C o m m u n i t y
Church, and Billy
Wheeler, pastor at
Calvary Everett.
Family Fall Festival:
Numerous families
from EFC dressed
up and sponsored
fun and eccentric
b o o t h s a t o u r
a n n u a l F a l l
Fes t ival at t he
F a m i l y T r e e
Apartment s . A
wheel of prizes,
e n g i n e e r i n g
booth, and toilet
paper toss were
just a few! Our
purpose was to
o f f e r a s a f e ,
special time for
c h i l d r e n a n d
families and to
build relationships
with families who do not have a church family.
Thank you to the many who served.
Youth at Bob’s Cornmaze: The youth grabbed their
rubber boots, rain coats, and
flashlights for a thrilling night at
the popular cornmaze. A brief
devotion at the blazing fire pit
warmed us up before we
finished the night cold and wet.
Visit EFC online (everettfamilychurch.org) for a
current calendar of all events, times, and locations.
Family Dinner @ Family Tree
Tu e s d a y, Novemb e r 11t 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 about 7pm.
MENU:
Thanksgiving Dinner
(sign-up online to bring food or help)
Family Football
in the Park - Nov 29@3pm
@LOWELL PARK in EVERETT
Bring a thermos of hot cocoa, chairs,
and soup to share!
COMMUNIT Y GROUPS
We continue to find ways to deepen our relationships with one
another and grow in our understanding of God’s word.
Community Groups are a place of intentional discipleship
for the whole church family. There are currently four
Community Groups. Paul and Amanda, Steve and
Janine, Jenn and Dan, and Mike and Pascale each
pastor a group. We will be meeting on the weekend
of November 21st - no Gathering on the 22nd.
E F C B I R T H DA Y S
November 2 ....................Darrell
November 3 ....................John
November 14 ..................Pascale, Nathalie
November 28 ..................Mary Jo
E F C Man a geme n t Te am
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 October ..................$6,986
Total EFC spending in October .................$7,977
Community Ministry & Missions Abroad $1,224
Everett Family Church is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.
Tax Identification # 71-1025722
online - everettfamilychurch.org | mail - 15317 73rd AVE SE #2, Snohomish, WA, 98296 | phone - 425 387-1975