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

HAPPY IS A YUCKY WORDby Pastor Mike

Those are not the actual lyrics to the Switchfoot song that frequently plays in my house but they sound like them !These words unlock a Biblical truth that can encourage us.

There is an idea that God’s will is centered on happiness. It gets packaged up like this. If I am in God’s will... I will be healthy, I will do to others as I want done to me and they will do it, I will love others and feel their love rays shining back, my spouse will change and treat me better, I will find a needed friend, I will feel fulfilled by my church, I will not have financial troubles, etc. All these flow from the idea that God’s will is I am happy and if I am happy I must be in God’s will. Is that biblical?

In the Scriptures, the MVP leaders of the first Church all guarantee that happiness does not play this role in following Christ. Peter says that suffering brings about something that allows us to be done with sin (1 Peter 4). James says that suffering is cause for joy for it brings about completion and perfection of our faith (James 1). Paul says that our current troubles are part of the glorious divine plan to change us (Romans 8; 2 Corinthians 4). From these passages we learn that God’s will is for His child to arrive at the place of perfection where he has total, unhindered intimacy with the Father. This is achieved as he or she lives more and more conformed like Jesus Christ and steadily and finally brings every aspect of his life under the total dominion of King Jesus. This is called maturity, completeness and perfection. This is God’s simple, clear and unwaivering will for every child. Suffering and hardship and troubles are prerequisites for maturity. Adding more than this to God’s will causes heartache.

Christ-followers can jettison the current fad to expect every day to be a spiritually bright day when following Jesus. Spiritual life is like Seattle’s weather and not every day or or month or even season is a sunny one - we average about 73 sunny days a year in the Northwest! I have watched many scramble to get back into God’s will on spiritually foggy or rainy days. I’ve said good-bye to many dear people running to find their lost happiness. My only guarantee comes from my experience of Jesus’ teaching: We will be filled up - again and again. We will see the power of the Creator and Savior in and around us. And we will find a Father who loves us and will not avoid the unhappy stuff in our life.

I come pretty hard against the idea that happiness is God’s will because like rails of a rollercoaster it will return us to the starting point exhausted and disappointed over and over again. Let’s put on happy glasses on sunny days but not be afraid to take them off on foggy or rainy days. It will make it much easier to see what God is doing on those not-so-happy days.

E F C F O C U S A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

Experiencing God in a Kid-Sized Way!

We are studying the life of David as a church. Our Family Gatherings are focused on helping the children

experience God in a kid-sized way. We have a music set to help them worship, a Bible teaching skit followed by a concise sermon from Pastor Mike after which he leads a

special breakout time for the kids. The Community Pastors lead a time for the adults during the elementary and youth breakouts. The evening will conclude with a simple meal

and fellowship.

Invite a friend or family who desire to grow kids in their relationship

with Jesus!!

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

SCHEDULE:4:30pm, prayer time5pm, family worship

6pm, breakouts7pm, dinner and

fellowship

E F C P o o l & P a r k P a r t ySaturday, August 31 at 5pm

We will be meeting at McCullom Park (128th and I-5) where we have rented the pool from 5-6pm. A picnic barbecue will 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

share. All are welcome to attend!

Crosswalk & LIFE GroupAugust 23rd, 6:30-9:00pm

The Community Groups continue to be led by our Community Pastors Steve and Janine and Dan and Jenn.

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

Family Gatherings and the Kids. The Star Chart challenge continues with the elementary kids at the Family Gatherings. They are being challenged to bring their Bible, contribute to the Joy Box

Annual Family Camp. The last weekend of June was the seventh annual Family Camp in Entiat. While we had a smaller than usual group it proved to be a deep, memorable, and connecting experience for all who attended. Special thanks to our camp director, Perry and camp cooks, John and Linda.

Women’s Retreat. Eleven women headed to Leavenworth for a refreshing weekend in the s un . Thank you t o t he husbands and youth and family who stepped up to cover things while the moms and women were away.

Youth River Float. The middle and high schoolers were led by Perry on an exciting float down the Snohomish River at the end of July. It was five hours in the refreshing river with some moments of intense excitement - you had to be there to understand! Some serious relationship building happened.

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 mDan Bell, Janine Ripley, & Mike Wright

Your continued support is an important part of your ministry. Join the other families who are doing their part in

supporting Pastor Mike and the EFC mission.

................Monthly operating budget $6,200................................Total Joy Box gifts in June $4,093...............................Total EFC spending in June $5,221.................................. Community Ministry gifts $300................................Total Joy Box gifts in July* $6,428

..............................Total EFC spending in July* $3,237................................ Community Ministry gifts* $300

*Financial numbers are current through July 17.

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

PRAXIS SUMMER YOUTHEve r y Tue sda y, 6 : 30 - 8 :00pm

July 30 – Mystery Night. 6:00-8:00pm. Bells and Kirshners to coordinate.

August 6 – No youth event, so enjoy your family!August 13 – Fun and simple card and board

games. 6:00-9:00pm (Wright home)August 20 – Watch, receive, send, and be sly

about it, and the great Cake-o-licious! Bring $1. 6:00-8:00pm.

August 27 – Movie Night at the Bell’s house. Bring your own snack, and more if you want to share. See you there from 8-10:30pm.

Talk to Perry Travis for more information at webtravis@juno.com or 206/412-0688

E F C B I R T H D A Y SLet me know if your birthday is missing!

.........................August 2 Evelyn.......................August 22 Micah.......................August 24 Moses.......................August 25 Kirsten

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROJECTServing the Family Tree ApartmentsWe will be serving the children who have need of back-to-school socks and underwear. Pick up a new package while you are doing

your back-to-school shopping. Bring your donations on Saturday, August 17th to the Family Gathering. Contact Pastor Mike for more information.