Christmas Worship
at Pine City Evangelical Free Church
Sunday, December 23
8:30 am (Sanctuary)
11:00 am (Lighthouse)
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
9:00 pm (Lighthouse)
Sunday, December 30
10:00 am (Lighthouse)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Important Messengers“For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11 It is comforting to know that God watches over us at all times and sends his angels to protect us. Jim Ekbom communicated to us on Sunday some observations he made while studying the scriptures about angels. Did you know the angels worship God? Did you know they were created to serve those who walk with God, to protect the helpless, to carry out judgment and were created to be God’s messengers?
Especially at Christmas in regard to Christ’s birth, the angels were used to bring the good news of Christ’s upcoming birth. We find in Luke that an angel appeared to Zechariah announcing that his wife Elizabeth would have a child, and was to call his name John. The angel said, “Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord...and he will prepare the people for the Lord’s arrival.” The angel, Gabriel, appeared to Mary announcing Christ's birth. An angel also appeared to Joseph when he was struggling with his decision to take Mary as his wife, reassuring him that it was the right thing to do.
One child summed it up as he recited his line at the Christmas program on Sunday night, “The angels said a lot of important stuff the night Jesus was born... the angel told the shepherds not to be afraid and that Jesus was born in the little town of Bethlehem.” Yes, the night of Jesus birth, the angels were important messengers. Messengers, communicating to a lost world, the fulfillment of prophecy... our Savior was born. Our hope for eternal life.
Sunday night was an opportunity to listen to our children and students tell us about the gift that will last for eternity… the gift of eternal life. Thank you kids for sharing with us and encouraging us to glorify God, to remember and honor Him as our Savior, and to share the gift of salvation with others.
Thank you to all who made Sunday meaningful. Thank you to our kids who did a fantastic job! Thank you to Kari Johnson, Jen Simonson and Adrienne Roubinek for all their work with the program. Thank you Jim Ekbom for the Sunday morning message on angels. Thank you to all the men and women who worked tirelessly in the kitchen. A special thanks to Marlene Sprunk and her daughter Diane Johnson who provided the "Live Nativity" of goats, sheep, donkeys, and chickens. Thank you to our Frontline students who replicated the Inn Keeper, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds so beautifully!
Friday, December 14, 2007
We Promise Not To Serve FruitcakeJoin us Sunday, December 16 at 5:00 pm for a Christmas Buffet of Ham, Swedish Meatballs, Cranberry Sauce, Krip Kakors, Bread Pudding, Lefse, Spritz and a little Mulled Cider. Bring that special recipe to share with others and join in the fellowship as we celebrate Christ's birth. Just before we serve the buffet our children and students will help us capture the real meaning of Jesus' birth. Our Frontline students will share with us in music and song. Our children will present to us what God meant the season to be! We will end with singing Christmas carols. We want to share this special occasion with you... we promise not to serve fruitcake!
Live Nativity
Also, on Sunday afternoon, the birth of Christ will come to life at Pine City EFC from 1:00-4:30 pm. We are presenting a live nativity with donkeys, goats, sheep and chickens. The Inn Keeper, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the shepherds will bring to life that special night so long ago. Hot chocolate will be served. Bring your family and invite your friends.
Also, on Sunday afternoon, the birth of Christ will come to life at Pine City EFC from 1:00-4:30 pm. We are presenting a live nativity with donkeys, goats, sheep and chickens. The Inn Keeper, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the shepherds will bring to life that special night so long ago. Hot chocolate will be served. Bring your family and invite your friends.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Free Food Distribution
We want you to be aware of a free food distribution on Thursday, December 13 at Pine City Armory. Registration is at 4:30 pm and the distribution is from 5:00-6:30 pm. This is a free give away. No donations accepted. Also, help is needed to distribute the food and carry food out to cars for people. What a great way to serve this community and especially at this time of year when there are so many needs. Contact the church office (629.2584) with any questions.
We want you to be aware of a free food distribution on Thursday, December 13 at Pine City Armory. Registration is at 4:30 pm and the distribution is from 5:00-6:30 pm. This is a free give away. No donations accepted. Also, help is needed to distribute the food and carry food out to cars for people. What a great way to serve this community and especially at this time of year when there are so many needs. Contact the church office (629.2584) with any questions.
Monday, December 10, 2007
An Amazing Church Family
Pine City EFC has been the hub for an unusual amount of activity in the past three weeks. It started with a Thanksgiving Eve Service which was well attended, and also appreciated by so many of our grown kids (who were home for the holidays) and commented that it was good to be back in their home church.
Pine City EFC was the host church for four funerals since Thanksgiving. Ruth Geilser’s brother, Delbert Lange, went home to be with the Lord. Delores Madison, long-time church member and much loved Sunday School teacher went to be with Jesus. (I can still see Delores sitting in a chair with busy little 2 and 3 year olds sitting on the floor surrounding her. As their little fingers pointing up in the air, representing their light to shine for Jesus, she taught them “This Little Light of Mine”). We have shared in Mike and Kathy Swan’s grief, as they have lost their grandson, Jaeden, who was born prematurely. And now this past week, we remembered Betty Hautala at a memorial service which beautifully represented her love of the Savior.
We want to thank our amazing church family who unconditionally worked hard to see that everything was well prepared for the various groups of people coming who needed “a cup of cold water in His name”. From parking lot, to snow removal, chairs/tables and equipment, take down/set up, to sound techs, decorating, food and clean up...many, many people were involved and all was done in love. Thank you everyone. Your love for Christ and for others was evident!
Now as a church, we prepare for Christmas. We are working hard to present to those around us the importance of grasping what God did for us in providing us with the gift of his Son, Jesus. Jesus birth was just the beginning. This gift to us, was made complete by his death on the cross and his resurrection. He invites you to personally accept this gift today. Merry Christmas!
Pine City EFC has been the hub for an unusual amount of activity in the past three weeks. It started with a Thanksgiving Eve Service which was well attended, and also appreciated by so many of our grown kids (who were home for the holidays) and commented that it was good to be back in their home church.
Pine City EFC was the host church for four funerals since Thanksgiving. Ruth Geilser’s brother, Delbert Lange, went home to be with the Lord. Delores Madison, long-time church member and much loved Sunday School teacher went to be with Jesus. (I can still see Delores sitting in a chair with busy little 2 and 3 year olds sitting on the floor surrounding her. As their little fingers pointing up in the air, representing their light to shine for Jesus, she taught them “This Little Light of Mine”). We have shared in Mike and Kathy Swan’s grief, as they have lost their grandson, Jaeden, who was born prematurely. And now this past week, we remembered Betty Hautala at a memorial service which beautifully represented her love of the Savior.
We want to thank our amazing church family who unconditionally worked hard to see that everything was well prepared for the various groups of people coming who needed “a cup of cold water in His name”. From parking lot, to snow removal, chairs/tables and equipment, take down/set up, to sound techs, decorating, food and clean up...many, many people were involved and all was done in love. Thank you everyone. Your love for Christ and for others was evident!
Now as a church, we prepare for Christmas. We are working hard to present to those around us the importance of grasping what God did for us in providing us with the gift of his Son, Jesus. Jesus birth was just the beginning. This gift to us, was made complete by his death on the cross and his resurrection. He invites you to personally accept this gift today. Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Celebrate with us, God's gift of his Son. It took place when God sent his Son into the world that very first Christmas. The gift of his Son, originated by his birth, was perfected by his death and resurrection on the cross. In the midst of your Christmas preparations, take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Join us for a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Monday, December 24, 9:00 pm at the Lighthouse. Bring your family, invite your friends!
Celebrate with us, God's gift of his Son. It took place when God sent his Son into the world that very first Christmas. The gift of his Son, originated by his birth, was perfected by his death and resurrection on the cross. In the midst of your Christmas preparations, take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Join us for a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Monday, December 24, 9:00 pm at the Lighthouse. Bring your family, invite your friends!
Always a Smile and Kind Word
Betty Hautala went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 28 at the age of 82. Betty was special to many of us. She always had a smile and kind word for everyone. Doug and Sharon Peters (Sharon is Betty's daughter) brought her to worship at the Lighthouse when her health would allow (Betty didn't like missing a service). In reading a tribute to Betty, the following are words penned in her honor, "Betty was a prayer warrior. Throughout her life, she was devoted to her church where she was willing to share her love, time and energy. Her greatest blessing and joy was time spent with her family and great grandchildren. She was loved by all."
A memorial service for Betty will be tomorrow (Friday) at 3:00 pm at the Lighthouse. Visitation will start at 2:00 pm.
Betty Hautala went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 28 at the age of 82. Betty was special to many of us. She always had a smile and kind word for everyone. Doug and Sharon Peters (Sharon is Betty's daughter) brought her to worship at the Lighthouse when her health would allow (Betty didn't like missing a service). In reading a tribute to Betty, the following are words penned in her honor, "Betty was a prayer warrior. Throughout her life, she was devoted to her church where she was willing to share her love, time and energy. Her greatest blessing and joy was time spent with her family and great grandchildren. She was loved by all."
A memorial service for Betty will be tomorrow (Friday) at 3:00 pm at the Lighthouse. Visitation will start at 2:00 pm.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Great Teacher
I want to thank Mike Vedders (Glenn and Reneé Larsen's son-in-law) for helping me get this blog spot up and running. It took just a matter of part of the late afternoon yesterday. Mike's a wonderful teacher. He has a real gift for explaining and answering your technical questions! He was able to show me over the internet with a program called Adobe Flash. With Adobe Flash he can display his desktop to me while he's at his computer at Bethel University and I'm at my computer here in Pine City. Through this program I was able to see on my desktop what he was doing with his cursor as he guided me through setting up this site. Mike uses this particular program to give courses over the internet at Bethel. Mike is a graduate of Bethel University and on staff there. Thanks Mike!
I want to thank Mike Vedders (Glenn and Reneé Larsen's son-in-law) for helping me get this blog spot up and running. It took just a matter of part of the late afternoon yesterday. Mike's a wonderful teacher. He has a real gift for explaining and answering your technical questions! He was able to show me over the internet with a program called Adobe Flash. With Adobe Flash he can display his desktop to me while he's at his computer at Bethel University and I'm at my computer here in Pine City. Through this program I was able to see on my desktop what he was doing with his cursor as he guided me through setting up this site. Mike uses this particular program to give courses over the internet at Bethel. Mike is a graduate of Bethel University and on staff there. Thanks Mike!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Greetings
...from the office of the Pine City Evangelical Free Church. We have put in place this site so that you are updated on a week to week basis as to the news and upcoming events in and around Pine City EFC. The postings on this blog site will not be used for opinions but for the purpose of sharing news and activities... isn't there a saying “no opinions on the news"? Check back every once in awhile so that you will be well informed as to upcoming happenings.
It All Happens Sunday, December 16
Live Nativity
We will be presenting a live nativity with donkeys, goats, sheep and chickens. The Inn Keeper, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the shepherds will bring to life that special night so long ago. The “Live Nativity” will take place outside, next to the Lighthouse, from 1:00-4:30 pm. Please invite your family and friends for this special event!
Christmas Program
At 5:00 pm, our children will be sharing with us what Christ’s birth means to them with a Christmas program which will focus in on the real meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Dinner
Immediately after the program we are planning a Christmas buffet which will include special holiday recipes! We are asking two things... please let us know how many are coming from your family and let us know what holiday food you will bring for the buffet by calling the church office at 629.2584.
...from the office of the Pine City Evangelical Free Church. We have put in place this site so that you are updated on a week to week basis as to the news and upcoming events in and around Pine City EFC. The postings on this blog site will not be used for opinions but for the purpose of sharing news and activities... isn't there a saying “no opinions on the news"? Check back every once in awhile so that you will be well informed as to upcoming happenings.
It All Happens Sunday, December 16
Live Nativity
We will be presenting a live nativity with donkeys, goats, sheep and chickens. The Inn Keeper, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the shepherds will bring to life that special night so long ago. The “Live Nativity” will take place outside, next to the Lighthouse, from 1:00-4:30 pm. Please invite your family and friends for this special event!
Christmas Program
At 5:00 pm, our children will be sharing with us what Christ’s birth means to them with a Christmas program which will focus in on the real meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Dinner
Immediately after the program we are planning a Christmas buffet which will include special holiday recipes! We are asking two things... please let us know how many are coming from your family and let us know what holiday food you will bring for the buffet by calling the church office at 629.2584.
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