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

DANCING IS UNDIGNIF IEDby Pastor Mike

David acknowledged that it was the Lord who established him as the great king of Israel and led him in victory over the Philistine oppressors. David was convinced the ark needed to be at the center of God’s people’s existence. This mission was so important that he rallied 30,000 able-bodied men to accomplish it and brought his best to worship that day. His desire was holy and good. His offering was par excellent! The servant, Uzzah, did what came naturally when the oxen faltered. So what went wrong? David failed to inquire of the Lord and, tragically, Uzzah dropped dead within hand reach of the mercy seat of God because of David’s self-reliance. If you ever wondered what the holiness and perfection of God means for sinful mankind, this is it. God cannot be present if we do not honor God’s holiness. The act of seeking God’s presence is the single-most important activity of the Spirit-filled Christ-follower. He must be at the center of our existence. Is seeking God’s presence the single-most important activity of your day and mine? I cannot convince you or change your mind about desiring God. This is something the Holy Spirit does. If you are struggling with this I know the prayer to desire God more is a prayer He is pleased to answer.

Did you notice that God’s presence comes in God’s manner not man’s method? Doing what comes naturally concerning the things of God and failing to recognize His holiness will be disastrous for us in the same degree it was for Uzzah. Forgoing what comes naturally and inquiring of the Lord concerning the worship and respect He desires must happen in order to experience God’s presence.

Also, did you recognize that people will not understand our holy and undignified worship? Like Michal did to David, some who are closest to us will despise us for our extreme and irrational devotion. They will say things like “Why are you so broken up about your sinfulness? Why are you so wrapped up with Jesus? What has gotten into you?” It can be a lonely experience to love Him so deeply. Few will get it. Dancing for Jesus is undignified to most. Is it so for us?

Jesus said that true worshippers do so in spirit and truth; in God’s manner not man’s methods; by Christ’s sacrifice not man’s merit. The return of God’s presence to Jerusalem was upon the shoulders of men, not oxen. It was in the tradition of the Levitical priests given at Mount Sinai under Yahweh’s careful instruction. It was a loud, festive and bloody procession – a prophetic picture of Jesus on Calvary road. These two roads, David dancing into Jerusalem and Jesus dragging the cross onto Golgatha, are what we recognize every time we come to our daily devotions or assemble for corporate worship. And this recognition is what allows us to know Christ and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings. May our worship and dancing be undignified to others but pleasing God!

E F C F O C U S S E P T E M B E R 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

Crosswalk & LIFE GroupSeptember 27th, 6:30-9:00pm

EFC will meet in homes the 4th weekend of this month.

UNSTOPPABLE EVENTTuesday, September 24th @8pmJoin us as at the Regal Alderwood 7 theater in Lynnwood for a special presentation. In UNSTOPPABLE, a brand-new visual journal, Kirk takes you on a personal and inspiring

journey to better understand the biggest doubt-raiser in faith: Why? Kirk goes back to the beginning—literally—as he investigates the origins of good and evil and how they impact our lives … and our eternities. Reminding us that

there is great hope, UNSTOPPABLE creatively asks—and answers—the age-

old question: Where is God in the midst of tragedy and suffering?

Invite a friend and purchase your tickets on fandango.com

Invite a couple to join you on Fridays, 7-9pm at the Wright’s home. Talk to Pastor Mike and Pascale for more information (425) 387-1975.

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

Family Gatherings. Pastor Mike and his family were away on their annual vacation so the Bells and Ripleys, our Community Pastors, took the lead of our Gatherings. Pastor Mike continued to teach us from the life of David in 2 Samuel while Dan, Jenn, Steve and Janine f ac i l i t a t ed t he f am i l y wo r s h i p time, youth, and adult time. Pastor Spud came and led worship on the 10th.

Special thanks to those who stepped in to lead w h i l e I w a s a w a y : Nathalie, Mike Lee, Nimai, Matthew, and Donna.

Sock & Underwear Drive. We collected socks and underwear to help the children from families at the Family Tree Apartments who needed help with these back-to-school essentials.

Youth Summer Fun. The youth met at the Wright’s for games, later enjoyed the cake-o-licious, and finished the summer with a special movie night at the Bell’s. We are eager for the start of the Fall season for our youth. It is a joy to have Perry Travis leading our youth this summer. Thank you, Perry, from all the youth and parents! We are excited to have the privilege of Perry continuing to lead our youth on Tuesdays through the Fall! And exciting series is planned answering the tough question of faith.

EFC Pool and Park Party. Pastor Mike put out the challenge to invite someone to this fun, free event at McCullom Park on Labor Day weekend. Many EFC folks invited folks - great job! There will many future ways to invite those in our circle of influence into EFC community life!

A U G U S T 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 July $7,443................................Total EFC spending in July $6,331.................................. Community Ministry gifts $300.............................Total Joy Box gifts in August $5,609............................Total EFC spending in August $5,263

.................................. Community Ministry gifts $300

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

PRAXIS YOUTH MINISTRYT u e s d a y s , 7 : 0 0 - 8 : 3 0 p m

Join us on September 10th for the start of the Fall Praxis nights. Perry will be leading us into a study of t h e S c r i p t u r e s a n d providing a fun space for middle and high school students to enjoy their

friends as they study God’s word.

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!

...................September 7 Rob..................September 14 Jenn..................September 22 Jenny..................September 26 Mary

FAMILY NIGHT @ FAMILY TREE2 n d T u e s d a y o f t h e m o n 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 Apartmetns at 6pm. We will clean-up and head home around 7pm.

EFC will be serving this weekend by hosting a family celebration for those who live at the Family Tree Apartments near Silver Lake. Each EFC family is invited to sponsor and run an activity booth for this special evening of relationship building. Contact Pastor Mike for more information (425) 387-1975.