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

Called to Save by Pastor Mike

Continuing from what I shared last month. The men of the USS Indianapolis had been peacefully asleep one minute and cruelly jarred awake by the explosions of two torpedoes. In a matter of twelve minutes the ship had crumpled and sunk like a train gathering speed in the two miles to the sea floor. Nine hundred men had hurled into the murky waters of the South Pacific. Ship oil had coated them all and they struggled to swim and clear their eyes and throats from the thick coating.

One of the survivors was the ship doctor. His arms had been badly burned as he made his way off the collapsing ship. He was exhausted and hurting as he paddled in the water. The cries of the injured were all around him and he had nothing to ease their pain or treat their wounds. No one was recognizable with the blackened faces and he was tempted to blend in and not respond to the calls for a doctor. Amidst the panic and pain in the water he heard his mother’s voice telling him to do what he could - help these men. In that moment he resolved to offer all the hope and help he could muster for these dying men. For the next four days he assured them rescue was on the way. He assembled them into a swimming circle with the most injured in the middle. When men started to assault one another in delirium he would break apart the fighters. If someone prepared to drink the tempting salty sea water he would adamantly protest. As the shark attacks came he kept the men together. When they were spotted and a plane landed on the precarious waters to help while rescue ships were dispatched. He swam to the plane and brought water to the men taking a small drink for himself before distributing it to the dangerously ill survivors who remained. How badly he wanted to take more for himself. His group had begun as about four hundred men, about 150 would finally be pulled from the water.

The story of the Indianapolis’ Doctor Haynes is a challenge to me in my call to the condemned all around me. It would be so much easier to just survive, to blend in and not give my life up for others. Life is hard and challenging without having to take responsibility for anyone else. And yet that is what we as followers of Jesus Christ are called to be in this world. Doctors in the water assuring people of rescue and offering them as much help and hope as we can muster. This is not the call of pastors - but of Christ-people. Jesus does not come to condemn the world but to rescue the world and we are the conduits of that message.

Are you on the out-skirts of t h e hu r t i ng ? A re you avoiding the hopeless? EFC, let’s be Jesus with skin!

E F C F O C U S A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

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

Spirit. 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. Join us this summer for a study in the Bible book of Proverbs. There will be a fun teaching

skit for the kids each week and practical learning from God’s

Word.

Park & Pool Party Saturday, August 30th, 5pm

We will be meeting at McCullom Park (128th and I-5) where we have rented the pool from 5-6pm. Hotdog dinner to follow and games in the park. !There is no cost for this event - bring a swimsuit, towel, lawn chairs, games and a large side dish to s h a r e . A l l a r e welcome to attend!

Invite someone!

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

Humble Area First Baptist Church. In January we were blessed to have the Edwards’ family move into the area and connect with our church family. We immediately adopted this special family, committed to being Jesus with skin in Everett, into our lives! They were a tangible reminder from the Lord that God provides the resources we need to do the ministry He has called us to. Their move was in response to their involvement in a mission trip with their home church near Houston, Texas. Two teams from this church served in the greater Seattle area - one in Tacoma and the other here in Everett. Paul and Amanda directed the team ministering to the Everett community.

We w i l l s h a r e more about the m i s s i o n t eam ’ s w o r k i n n e x t month’s newsletter.

EFC Church Van. Excitement abounded around EFC with news that funds had been donated from individuals and families from HAFBC for an EFC van.The newly purchased van was present at the Family Gathering at the end of the month. It will begin to transport individuals from the Family Tree Apartments a n d o t h e r s needing rides to church events d u r i n g K i d s Club week!

Graduation. We welcomed our newest youth into the EFC youth group on Saturday, July 5th. We invited Jono and his parents to the front and Dan prayed for the excit ing and impor tant years ahead. What a joy to have the support and encouragement of the other youth in this season of his life.

Prayer Walk. As the Community Pastors anticipated and planned for the Kids Club and mission team they have been devoted to prayer for what God might do in this time. They met with their children and prayer walked around the Family Tree complex seeking God’s favor and blessing on the families there.

J U L Y R E W I N D

E F C M a n a g e m e n t T e a m Dan Bell, Janine Ripley, & Mike Wright From our study of Proverbs chapter three…

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV)

Total Joy Box gifts in July $9.150 .........................Total EFC spending in July $7,893 ....................... Community Ministry & Missions Abroad$1,220 ! !

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.

YOUTH - Alive in the Park Tuesday & Thursday, 6:30-8pm

Tuesdays at 6:30pm the middle and high schoolers will be ALIVE in the Park for games and a devotion.

Contact Wilson McSwain (wilsonm@nview.org) or Brookes August (brookesa@nview.org) for information.

COMMUN I T Y GROUPS F R I D A Y , A U G 2 2 n d

We meet in homes rather than at the Hope Church building this weekend for personal sharing and fellowship. More information to come from the Community Pastors.

E F C B I R T H D A Y S !August 3 Steve H .........................August 4 Isaiah, Elijah .........................August 6 Zachery .........................August 12 Paul ........................August 22 Micah .......................August 24 Moses .......................August 25 Kirsten.......................

Family Dinner @ Family Tree Tu e s d a y , A u g u s t 12 t 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 and head home around 7pm.

MENU:

Taco bar (sign-up online to bring food or help)