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

What does EFC mean to you? It was in April, 2007, that Everett Family Church began meeting. Our vision was to be the physical presence of Jesus in our neighborhoods and greater community - STRIVING TO BE JESUS WITH SKIN! As we prepare to start our ninth year of ministry I asked EFC folks to share with me what our church family has meant to them. Here is what I heard…

“I have been coming to Everett Family Church for a year now - EFC is a welcoming family that has their arms open and are ready to love on you and care about you. I help lead worship and work with the kindergarten thru second grade once a month so I just feel at home with Everett Family Church and they are my family. I love coming every Saturday and love being with the community group once a month at Steve and Janine’s… At family camp I went tubing for the first time and will never forget it. I love my church family.” - Andrea

“EFC has been a great partner in discipling our 4 boys.  The children’s ministry has been a source of consistent creativity and passion that has engaged them in the Word and kept them looking forward to coming together the next week.  As the youth ministry has morphed over the years, it has given our older boys various experiences and expressions to walk out their faith.  We give thanks to God for those who have consistently loved on our boys over the years… and on our family.” - Perry and Lisa

“Everett Family Church has seen me start my journey with Christ. I was broken when I first met EFC and with the help of EFC I can only say that I am proud to see us grow and help others. When I first asked for prayers for my uncle, Pastor Mike was the first person to pray for him when he had cancer, sadly he lost his battle with cancer. I look forward to seeing what the next 8 years has to offer. I am grateful for E.F.C., introducing me to Jesus and the Christian way of life. Leah and I look forward to raising our children in EFC.” - Jeff

“Our church started with the emphasis on family, our kids have been a part of our service, our outreach and our mission.  It has been great to have our kids be part of the ministry.  It gives them the chance to see God working and moving, and helps them start to see who God has made them to be and how He will use them.” - Jenn

“April marks our first anniversary of coming to EFC! I KNOW this is where God wants us to be, as it was a divine appointment when I met Nathalie! We got to talking and she told us of her church and invited us. I think it was a Wednesday so the VERY next Saturday, John and I went, and have been here ever since! I DO know that I have grown SO much since we started coming! God is rekindling the fire in my soul and I am finally in a place to be used by Him! I am looking forward to where He takes us in the future!” - Marlene

“There was no doubt that to me, God brought us to EFC, which probably sounds silly since my EFC experience includes a time when I wore a gorilla costume in an attempt to score a date with Dan Bell, who was playing the role of Adam, in a rather unique teaching skit. Yet here Michelle and I were, coming out of a excruciatingly difficult time in our lives, called to a new community guided by the Holy Spirit. EFC is where we were supported when things were tough at the beginning. It is the place where we learned how God was going to bless us with a family. Michelle and I often wondered about having kids and I was given many dreams of us having a family, but after twelve years of marriage and no kids, I wasn't sure how this was going to take place.God introduced us to the Lee family who are foster parents. God moved us to a home that could support a family and manage our finances to do it. The EFC clan moved us in record time and used EFC to help make the home ready for foster kids by building a deck railing that was required by our licensor. God gave us a support team at EFC. In the past two years, we have housed three foster kids and provided a short term home for another teen, we have seen the gospel spread by us being involved in the foster process, and His will has been done because the Lord delights in using His children to carry out His plans. EFC is simply a community that supports each other and it is one that God has used to do His will in our lives. My wife and I have been richly blessed by EFC and we will continue to be blessed no matter where my wife and I are in our lives.” - Rob

“This journey has been more about God growing this man than growing His church. Amidst life together, singing carols to the elderly, feeding the poor, missions in Haiti, teaching skits, coffee meetings, camps, and vacuuming at the end of tiring nights, I am not the same as I began. I’ve grown to deeply love Jesus’ bride, the Church. I’ve discovered what makes me truly tick. I’ve realized my biggest vulnerabilities and how Jesus meets those and does so through the relationships in EFC. My wife and children have grown and matured here. I turned forty years old here and could see my serving the people of Snohomish County the next forty years. What do I feel about that prospect? Peace and joy!” - Pastor Mike

EFC FAMILY GATHERING S A T U R D A Y S @ 5 P M

Join us for a time of family worship and age-graded teaching. We call our service the Family Gathering. It’s a time when the EFC gathers as a family for worship, music, Bible teaching and a g e - g r a d e d b r e a ko u t s followed by a simple dinner.

Special Easter Gathering - April 4th Our Easter Gathering will include worship, a teaching skit, and seder meal where we will experience the Passover meal that Jesus ate with his disciples the night he died. Invite a friend or family to attend this special night.

E F C F O C U S A P R I L 2 0 1 5

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

Hope Church Partnership: We have been blessed to use all the aspects of the Hope Church building for five years now. Pastor Marty, the elders, and Hope church have exhibited exceeding generosity with EFC. In that we thank the Lord and pray God’s favor upon them. All that we enjoy here is provided at a significantly reduced amount compared to other spaces we could use in our community.

Taco Tuesday: We were thrilled to welcome Mark Bjorndal, new resident services coordinator at the Family Tree Apartments. In Mark we have a kindred spirit who longs for God’s best, dignity and purposeful care. Our monthly dinners (Taco Tuesday!) resumed this month. Thank you to all the families who were present to serve.

Family Gathering Dinners: Our Saturday evenings conclude with a meal hosted by the Community Groups. We ate well! The Upper Room put together a potato bar. Group Four prepared stew. LIFE Group provided pulled bbq chicken sandwiches. Thank you for blessing our church family in this way.

Community Groups: It was a joy to gather in homes for an intimate time of sharing, prayer, and Bible learning. There is a special relationship forming among the families as they live life together. The Community Pastors are witnessing something special and sacred forming as hearts open in the homes.

FEBRUARY REWIND

E F C M a n a g e m e n t T e a m T H E T E A M : Dan Bell, Janine Ripley, & Mike Wright Thank you for giving to the ministry of EFC. Be in prayer as we look for someone to help us bookkeeping.

Total Joy Box gifts in March $3,428 ....................Total EFC spending in March $2,338 ................... Community Ministry & Missions Abroad $417 .........................

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.

FAMILY CAMP 2015 Friday-Monday, June 26-29

Join us for an extended weekend of refreshment, spiritual growth, and family fun in the warm

sunshine of eastern Washington. Things begin on Friday evening and conclude on Monday after

breakfast.

The days are spent playing in the water at the State Park and at Slidewaters. The evenings are

spent in fun, worship and Bible learning. The kids play and play and play the whole time! Throw in a talent show and cooks to prepare the meals and this could be the best vacation of your summer!

Register online at the church website: Cost is $155 per adult and $50 per child (5-17 years).

Preschool (0-4 years) are free.

EFC BIRTHDAYS: April 3 Benjamin ........................April 6 Rose ........................April 14 Jared.......................

TACO TUESDAY - April 14th @ t he Fam i l y Tr ee Ap t s

Join EFC as we serve dinner for the residents in south Everett. We provide a free meal and space to build

relationships and experience a sense of family together. Dinner is served 6-7pm.

Sign-up online to contribute to the meal or attend.

EFC Weekends in April Talk to your Community Pastors for more on your Community Group location. More info is online. Apr 4 Easter & Seder Meal (at Hope) Apr 11 Family Gathering (at Hope) Apr 18 Family Gathering (at Hope) Apr 24 Community Groups (in homes) and Father

Son Retreat at Lakeside Bible Camp