Focus September 2011

E F C F O C U S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 11
Dear EFC,
Welcome to the start of a new ministry year in our church
community! I eagerly look toward all that God is going to
reveal about Himself and how He is going to transform our
church this year. This past year has been a significant one
for my family as we have mourned the passing of Pascale’
mother and also fulfilled our longtime dream of traveling to
France. You, EFC, graciously granted me four weeks to
travel, re-focus, and re-energize for the ministry ahead with
my sabbatical. I once again express my heartfelt thanks!
Much has happened in EFC community life since my
sabbatical: the church picnic, women’s getaway, Family
Gatherings studying the Bible book of Philippians, youth
events like Creation, and Family Camp. Wondering what
France and my sabbatical have accomplished? Here is my
perspective two months afterwards.
First, we are a praying church. Having seen a picture of
life and culture scarce of God’s church and presence I’m
desperate for God’s Holy Spirit to be fully poured out in
the lives of people here. As I traveled and visited people in
France I felt powerless and overwhelmed by the need. It
was like summiting a mountain peak and looking ahead to
see hundreds more mountains to climb. Prayer was my You’re invited to our Family Gathering where the EFC
conclusion. By God’s design the Bells and Ripleys, our Community Groups gather to know Christ through the
Community Pastors, were reaching this same conclusion Holy Spirit’s ministry. All ages are welcome to the
independently in Everett. They had seen EFC with a new family worship time and preschool childcare is
perspective in my absence and were moved to lead our provided for the restless ones. Following our family
church to prayer. They initiated a weekly prayer time worship there is a breakout time for elementary-age
opening their home for intercession and setting aside time children and middle schoolers.
to rest in God’s presence. Prayer is now an essential part
of our church and God is moving. Our church and ministry dates? Saturday, September 3rd
this year will be marked by these prayer times. Saturday, September 10th
Saturday, September 17th
Second, I have renewed vision for ministry at EFC and an Community Groups - September 23/24
excitement for this next year. While I have experienced
growth in my spiritual walk with Christ and fulfillment as I times? 4:30pm, All Church prayer
pastored EFC, I have longed for a new or renewed vision 5:00pm, Family worship
of ministry. God has answered my longing. He answered 6:00pm, Sermon & age-level breakouts
some of the questions I was asking Him. Since returning 7:00pm, Fellowship & refreshments
home my energy, focus and passion at EFC are blazing. It
has been hard to not blurt out everything I am thinking! where? Hope Church at Silver Lake
11329 23rd Dr. SE, Everett, WA 98208
Third, I hurt for France and have a personal passion to see
God’s kingdom advanced there. Less than 1 percent of
their population are part of a Christ-centered, Bible-
teaching, Spirit-empowered church. Some define this type
of church as “evangelical.” That means that in a country of EFC CHURCH PRAYER
about 70 million, 700,000 people are in a church like EFC.
Most small towns do not have a single church. There are WEDNESDAYS @ 7PM
parents and children everywhere longing for Christ. Most The Bell’s generously open their home for a place of prayer
have no idea of what it is like to be part of a Christian and intercession on behalf of EFC and those in our spheres
community and feel the love, hope, and forgiveness of of influence. All are invited to join us for this time. Prayer
Christ. This new passion is going to show up at EFC! requests can be emailed to the Community Pastors or turned
For His Glory, Pastor Mike into the prayer box at the Family Gatherings.

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

s536
August 28 - September 3

D A T E S
JULY- AUGUS T REWIND MON
WED
Men’s Delta Force study (7:30pm)
Church Prayer (7-8pm)
SAT Church Prayer (4:30pm)
Youth Adventures: The youth have had a full month of fun Family Gathering & Meeting (5pm)
and growing in their relationships with each other September 4 - 10
and God. During our swimming event… “Many of our WED No youth - enjoy your night home!
crew ended up making a giant, forceful, whirlpool in a segment of
the pool play area. It was awesome! Run, run, run. That water got Church Prayer (7-8pm)
movin'! It was funny to watch people try to get out of it. It was very SAT Church Prayer (4:30pm)
difficult. At one point, one of the youth yelled, "reverse", and Family Gathering (5pm)
began going the other way - against the flow. No one else did. September 11 - 17
That was humorous! Bodies banging into this kid as he tried to get
through going the opposite way. It was a challenge and a struggle.
MON New Horizons (6pm)

U P C O M I N G
I recalled this later to the youth and paralleled it to what God calls WED Youth Group begins (6:30pm)
his people to: To go against the flow of the world and it's motto, Church Prayer (7-8pm)
"everyone is doing it; try it, it's not a big deal; It's fun, come on". SAT Church Prayer (4:30pm)
God says not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be
Family Gathering (5pm)
transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). There will
be many times when you have situations around you when many September 18 - 24
friends are doing something and inside you are feeling like this is MON Community Pastor meeting (5pm)
not good or right. That is God talking to you. It's time to go against
the flow - don't conform! It's tough, but at the end of the day... and WED Youth Group (6:30pm)
your life, you will be at peace knowing that you lived the way God
designed you to live, you lived life to the fullest as he planned, and
you will have honored Him!” - Pastor Perry THU Management Team meeting (12pm)
FRI-SAT Community Group weekend
New Horizons: Great job team! What a honor to serve
September 25 - October 1
the homeless teens of Seattle and be Jesus with skin.
TUE
The 2nd Monday of the month it is happening!
WED Youth Group (6:30pm)
SAT Church Prayer (4:30pm)
Family Gathering (5pm)

THANK YOU!
Special thanks to Pastor Perry
Women’s Getaway: It was a terrific weekend of who led our youth this summer.
fellowship, rest, and spiritual growth in Leavenworth He has blessed our community
the weekend of July 15-18th. While the weather left incredibly. He brought a
a lot to desire it did not dampen the fun or the depth discipleship component to every
of conversation as they answered the question, youth event whether swimming,
“WHY AM I HERE?” the Creation concert, the
EFC Prayer: The greatest tool in being Jesus with skin is beach, games, or the movie
prayer. The Community Pastors continue to meet night. What a joy to have
every Wednesday evening for prayer. The rest of Perry and his family part of our
EFC is invited to join us for this time hosted at the community! As he returns to
Bell’s home. We pray in faith knowing that revival school we are eager to see who
will come through God’s people humbly seeking God God might use to lead in the
through fervent prayer. What God does in EFC in the discipleship of our youth!
next year will begin in these concerted times of
prayer.
Family Camp: We had our 5th annual family camp in EFC Management Team
Entiat again this year and our biggest turn out - Dan Bell, Janine Ripley, & Mike Wright
nearly every EFC family attended! The topic for the
adult sessions was marriage and parenting. John What a joy to give to the work of Christ through EFC! Continue
to give generously and sacrificially.
and Linda Wright, our beloved camp cooks,
answered questions after 40-some years of marriage. Monthly operating budget
.......................$5,500
We have posted the sessions on our website if you
would like to listen to those again. Total Joy Box giving JULY
........................ $3,353
Total EFC spending JULY
......................... $5,378
Philippians at the Family Gathering: It was especially
Total Joy Box giving AUGUST
..................$8,245
encouraging for me to see the response of EFC as we
Total EFC spending AUGUST
................... $6,213
finished our study of Philippians. What a wonderful
Community Ministry distribution
.................. $829
time of worship! The Holy Spirit is prompting many to
make some changes in their priorities and see Christ Everett Family Church is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.
as sufficient to meet all their needs! Tax Identification # 71-1025722

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

Focus September 2011

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Focus September 2011