Pine City EFC Women’s Events

to Encourage, Equip & Refresh

Wool Mitten-Making Class

Friday, February 29, 6:30 pm

Lower Level, Fellowship Hall
Cost: $15 (Supplies Provided)
Instructors: Carolyn Tuckner & Helen Clarke

Women’s Bible Study
We invite all women, all ages to attend the next women’s Bible study night on Tuesday, March 4 at 6:30 pm. This is a night designed for the purpose of fellowship, worship and study because we want all women to be motivated, inspired and encouraged in their walk with Christ. The night includes uplifting music along with the opportunity to study life-changing Bible truths. The study, “Living Beyond Yourself”, is written by Beth Moore.

Women’s Conference
Ladies, you won’t want to miss a very special day coming up… planned just for you! We are heading down to the “Set Apart” Women’s Conference at Northwestern College on Friday, March 7. The two key speakers that day are, Dr. Lois Evans, wife of Dr. Tony Evans, and Sylvia Harney, popular guest on radio and television talk programs. Women will be able to choose some workshops to attend. Some options are listed below: If you’d like to go or have questions about the day, contact Chris Johnson (629.7687) or Loreal Lindstrom (629.2308). (Check out details in previous post).

Women’s Aerobics
Mondays & Wednesdays in April
Instructor: Rachel Baltes
Starting in April an aerobics class will be offered.

There are two sessions.

The first session at 8:45-9:15 am will be stretching and warming exercises for the older, more physically challenged adult. The goal is to make it easier to move. We will do strengthening exercises using weights- (1 or 2 lb). We’ll take it nice and easy.

The second session will be immediately after the first at 9:15-10:00 am. This will be an aerobics workout using a tape. This session includes time for warm-up and cool-down. All ages welcome.

In the plans for April...

"Espresso Evenings"

"The 50 Plus Breakfast Bunch"

...watch for details!

Chester I'm sharing a letter with you that I received from my brother after his dog died this morning. My brother is a pastor and he ministers to people on a weekly basis who are either grieving the loss of someone close or they themselves are dying. I have seen him pray with, weep with, and comfort those who are hurting. My brother, within the last four years, has lost two son-in-laws, one to cancer and the other as a result of a truck accident... death is not foreign to him. But this morning he shared his grief with the loss of his best friend, “Chester”. He uses this experience to encourage us to stop and not take for granted the people in our lives...those we have worshiped with, worked with, built a relationship with and mentored… take no one for granted and appreciate those people the Lord has placed in your life.

Dear Friends,
My buddy and four legged companion of 11 ½ years, Chester, died early this morning. Ann and I tried to make him as comfortable as possible before going to bed last night. I just knew this was his last night with us so I lay next to him, until about midnight and talked to him about some of the things we did together over the past 11 plus years. I know it's sentimental, but I thanked him for his faithfulness and companionship all these years. I recalled, as he listened, and I talked, the fishing trips we did together, the dozens of walks in the woods, and how many hundreds of sticks I threw, which he retrieved (but which he never liked to give back!). I thought of all the places I went, with him faithfully by my side. I recall, even now, building this house, and no matter which side of the house I was working on or what I was doing, he was there, literally, right by my side. As I wrapped him up and carried him out his morning I cried. The reality is my eyes are tear-filled even now. Some of you can’t relate to my reflections or my sadness but many of you can. And while these may seem like the ruminations of a grieving man they are also the reflections of a grateful man. Strange as it may sound, God used Chester to teach me lessons about faithfulness, loyalty, keeping a positive attitude and about never biting the hand that feeds you. I used "Chester examples" many times in sermons. He was a great teacher. One final thought. Just one year ago we got another dog, a black lab, we named Maddie. Chester has been a great teacher to Maddie. Among others things, Chester has taught Maddie to bark and not to bite and to stay at home. And while we have grown fond of Maddie no other dog can take the place of our faithful companion, Chester. Maddie even now, misses Chester as she wanders around the house, looking, sniffing and whining for her mentor. What she doesn’t realize yet, is that the baton has been passed on to her. Is she up to the challenge? I believe so. She had a great mentor. And while these have been reflections of a man and his “best friend” think about them as they relate to your own human relationships and the lives you touch every day.

Blessings.
Loren

Ladies... A Day Planned Just For You!

Ladies, you won’t want to miss a very special day coming up… planned just for you! We are heading down to the “Set Apart” Women’s Conference at Northwestern College on Friday, March 7. The two key speakers that day are, Dr. Lois Evans, wife of Dr. Tony Evans, and Sylvia Harney, popular guest on radio and television talk programs.

Lois Evans is a committed wife, involved mother, dynamic business leader, an accomplished author, sought-after international speaker and talented singer. Lois serves along side her husband Dr. Tony Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas in addition to holding numerous other leadership positions. Her refreshing and energetic style will engage and inspire you as she shares her personal stories of God¹s refining process.

Sylvia Harney has the "exuberance of Goldie Hawn, the literary wit of Erma Bombeck, and the folksy humor of Minnie Pearl, all rolled up into a great, big, tender heart!" Sylvia is an entertainer, author, and speaker, who happens to be a committed Christian. She uses her appearances with legendary comics and country music performers as a vehicle to boldly share her faith. Sylvia is approachable, transparent and commits her whole heart to leaving her audience with something of lasting value.

Women will be able to choose some workshops to attend. Some options are listed below:
Life, Stewardship: Intentional Living from the Inside Out
Alone in Marriage: Encouragement for Times When It’s All Up to You
Respite for Those Being Refined: Joy for the Journey

Broken Dream, Restored Dreams
Self-Talk or Soul-Talk? How God Can Refine Our Conversations
… and many more workshops offered.

If you’d like to go or have questions about the day, contact Chris Johnson (629.7687) or Loreal Lindstrom (629.2308).

Surplus Food Give Away
Ruby's Pantry Free Food Distribution
Thursday, February 14 5:00-6:30 pm
Pine City Armory (South end of Pine City on Hwy 61)
For more information: 651.674.2537
www.rubyspantry.org

Thank you.... Rachel!

Last night was a real treasure to behold… a night of fun and laughs as Rachel Baltes taught us how to knit. Some of us were harder to teach than others of course... even Jack, our Student Ministries Director, thought he'd stop in and learn a thing or two about knitting Thank you to Rachel for teaching us, it was a wonderful turnout! It was a night with the perfect blended ingredients of friendship, learning and relaxation! Yes, and even Jack got the hang of it!

Knit Together

All ladies are invited to come for a great evening of learning and the opportunity to “knit” together. Rachel Baltes will teach this class.

The results will be a warm scarf and warm fellowship!

Friday, February 8, 6:30 pm

Bring
1 pair of size 17 knitting needles
1 skein colored yarn
1 skein of fun fur (to match the colored yarn)

Patience

For those of you who missed the last Women’s Bible study (because it was sooo cold!), we went over the fourth listed (in Galatians 5:22-23) “fruit of the Spirit”, patience. We learned that God calls us to be patient in circumstances and He calls us to be patient with others.

We’re encouraged in scripture to persevere through the circumstances that God allows in our life. Hebrews 10:35 states, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” In other words, we need to be patient through the hard situations in life. Why? Because we have the hope of an expected outcome that God promises us. What is that outcome? The outcome is being made into the very likeness of Jesus. When we are going through the trials of life, we need to remember two things: God is at work in our life; and He has not forgotten about us.

Remember the story of Job? He remained faithful inspite of his heartache and loss. He endured because he had hope of an expected outcome. Job said, “When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” We today, also, have the hope of an expected end… becoming like Christ. Because we have this hope, we will want to have the patience that He calls us to have through the hard circumstances of life.

In regard to patience toward others, we’re reminded that God calls us to be merciful. Mercy is the absence of condemnation and judgment toward another. Because God has mercy on us, He has incredible patience toward us. Mercy drives patience. As we become more like Him we will reflect His mercy and patience to others.

Forgiveness is the evidence of God at work in our life. As the Holy Spirit is working in our life, He produces patience in us which is perfected by mercy which prompts us to forgive others. And…. we must forgive, because God’s Word calls us to forgive.

Pray that God will give you patience in circumstances, knowing that He is refining you, as gold, so that His reflection will be seen through you. In regard to others, ask Him to give you the same mercy and patience that He so incredibly has toward us so that we won’t be a stumbling block but will be a testimony of His love

Looking forward to seeing you at the next Women's Bible study on Tuesday, February 5 at 6:30. We’ll take a look at kindness and goodness, focusing in on a genuine concern for others. “I am the Lord who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth, for in these I delight.” Jeremiah 9:24