Operation Christmas Child
Impact A Life

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ.

Pine City EFC is encouraging individuals and families in and around the community to participate in this year's Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse. This is an opportunity to minister to hurting children around the world and serve God through the ministry of Operation Christmas Child. If you are interested, you can either fill a whole shoe box or buy a few items and put them in the box provided at our church. Bring your shoe box to Pine City Evangelical Free Church, 625 Golf Ave. SW, Pine City, Minnesota, on any day, November 17-24, 9:00 am-4:00 pm. Pine City EFC is the "Drop off Location" in our area.

Some idea items for shoe boxes are as follows: Small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, yo-yos, jump ropes, note books, pens, pencils, crayons, solar calculators, coloring books, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, wash cloth, hair clips, combs, gum, socks, sunglasses, watches, hard candy only (no tootsie rolls, chocolate, or other soft candy). One other important item is to send a personal note along with your shoe box. Please do not include any used items, liquid items, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toy guns, knives, or war related items. There is a recommended donation of $7.00 per shoe box for overseas shipment cost.

Making a difference...
that's Reneé Larsen

If you saw last week’s Pine City Pioneer you may have read that Reneé Larsen was recognized and honored for her 28 years of
volunteer service at the Pine City Pregnancy Resource Center,
receiving the Presidential Award For Volunteer Service. Reneé was also honored this past week at the Fifth Annual Pregnancy Resource Center Banquet held at the Lighthouse on Thursday evening.

We are so thankful to you, Reneé, for all the hours you’ve put into ministry and we are so very grateful for the lives you’ve touched with your love for the Lord Jesus Christ.

We all love you very much and want to thank you for the example you are to all of us in your love and care for others.

Benefit For Sharon Westman
Dinner
Live Music
Silent Auction
Saturday, October 25
4:00-7:00 pm

Rush City High School
51001 Fairfield Ave.
Rush City, MN 55069

On August 20, 2008, after feeling ill all summer, Sharon Juliahna learned that she had cancer. With little warning, at what she thought would be a routine follow-up with her doctor, she was admitted to Regions Hospital to begin chemotherapy treatment for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Sharon spent 29 days in the hospital and has since returned for a second round of chemotherapy. Sharon will have to return to the University of Minnesota for a bone marrow transplant as soon as a match is found.

Sharon is mother to 7 year old Jillian and wife to Roberto Cicero. She is daughter of Oliver and Elaine Westman of Rush City and a friend to many. Due to mounting expenses, “Friends of Sharon” are gathering to help alleviate some of the financial burden for Sharon and her family.
Please join us on Saturday, October 25, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Rush City High School for a benefit dinner, silent auction, general store, and live music performed by family and friends of Sharon.

If you are able to contribute in any way, contact one of the people listed below. We thank you in advance for your support! If you would like to donate baked goods, garden or craft items, or homemade canned goods to the general store, contact Scott Friday 320.469.1791 or Donna Peters 320.358.4221.

A Real Find... at Highway Clean Up!

Thank you to everyone who helped with highway clean up this last Tuesday afternoon and evening. Russ Troolin and Jane Bloom found more than they bargained for. This cute little kitten (Jane's holding in the picture above) came out of the ditch, followed them, seeming to need a home. Russ decided to give the kitten a home. He named him "Lucky".

Thank you to all who helped with clean up. We had a wonderful turnout! Thank you for helping serve our community! We're wondering what may come out of the ditch next spring...

Fifth Annual

Pregnancy Resource Center Banquet

The Fifth Annual Pine City Pregnancy Resource Banquet will be held tomorrow night (Thursday), October 23 at Pine City EFC Lighthouse. A Silent Auction begins at 6:00 pm, dinner is served at 6:30 pm and the program starts at 7:30 pm. This will be a catered BBQ Rib dinner provided by Kathy Molberg, followed by a program of music and stories of God’s faithfulness in individual lives. Please come and look forward to a wonderful evening. Reservations are needed. Call 629.2792.

And We Are Off

Amy, Makena, Gianna and I leave for Chicago tomorrow so I can take a six hour test on Friday. This is the final step for me to complete my ThM in NT (I finished the MDiv three years ago). We will then be off to NY to see her family.

In speaking to Amy, I realized that this will be the first time in 5 years that we will have a break where I am not formally studying for something. It is not that I do not like reading/writing/research - I have to do it every week if I am preaching! But this will be our first break together since our honeymoon!

This time however, we have two little girls with us.

Darren

PS: I am so glad the youth were Champions. They were planning/brooding about this for weeks.

Once Again... 2008 Champions!

Our kids are back and they're tired! (So are the leaders!) We are so grateful for our student leaders! Everyone had a great weekend together. The speaker challenged them to live their lives "outloud" for Christ. And once again, our kids had the challenge of a few rounds of volleyball and football... and for another year received the title, "2008 Champions" at both! See the trophies at the Lighthouse. (Above is the picture of our champs!)

Please continue to pray for Doug Schultz (one of Journey North's leaders). He fell while skateboarding with the kids, broke his wrist and had two pins surgically inserted. Pray for complete healing for Doug.

Thank you for praying for our kids!

Fall Fling... Here We Come!

Our kids piled into the PCEFC vans at about 3:00 pm yesterday afternoon ready to have an amazing weekend at Fall Fling held at Camp Shamineau in Motley, Minnesota. We ask that you pray for all of them. Pray for safety while at Fall Fling and as they travel home Sunday afternoon. Pray also that our kids will be encouraged and strengthened spiritually which we know is so important as they face the challenges in their daily lives. Pray that God’s Word will be opened up this weekend so that each student will be able to see themselves as Christ sees them. Pray that each student will be completely aware of how much God loves them and how much he wants them to love others. Thank you for your prayers for this great group of kids and for all the kids attending Fall Fling this weekend.

New Logo!

(Above Picture: Isaac Johnson)

Frontline has a new logo, thanks to Chelsey Lindstrom!

Chelsey’s creation emphasizes the T in Frontline which has been designed to look like a cross. It was important to our students to emphasize the cross because they know, as believers in Christ, they are on the Front line of a spiritual battle. The enemy is strong, and without the power of the cross in their lives, it would be hard to endure the difficult times. They know that the same God who so lovingly sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for their sins, is the same God, who is with them daily... protecting, guiding, and directing.

Pray for our students as they grow in their love for Christ. Pray that they will be bold in their faith as they daily stand on the Front line in school, activities, work and social events. We love our students and pray for God’s protecting hand upon them.

Watch for a sea of blue shirts with the new logo! If you haven't received your shirt yet, contact Chelsey Lindstrom.

"Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm." Ephesians 6:13

Why Do It This Way?

Here I am finishing the sermon and the thought crossed my mind - why are we even preaching this way? Why are we starting with the Bible first? Why are we going for 30 minutes? Why are we covering why Abraham relates to the New Testament? Why not talk about relationships? Why not do 7 weeks on marriage? Or how to raise kids? Or how to do church? Why not address the topics everyone wants to hear?

The reason - without zero foundation of Scripture, every single one of the topics tends toward moralism. Does Scripture address every topic listed - of course. But here is what is so hard about topical preaching - it is easy to stray away from the text and then say whatever you want. The Bible serves the topic. It is tempting to share an opinion on a number of issues. But I am a preacher first and must serve under the Word. Is it important to address topics? Of course!! Should we on occasion? Yes! But let's stay close to Scripture. We can still be creative, relevant and "cutting edge" as we follow what has been said and stay away from what has not.

Pastor Darren

Two Extremes: The Same Mistake

A church should stay away from the following:

1. Copying other ministries to the point that no idea is yours

In committing this mistake, you rely on everyone else for your ministry. You copy a book, sermons, evangelistic strategies, etc. without any thought. Your church becomes a copy cat and will lose all spiritual vitality. You steal ideas and even pawn them off as your own. This is a scary place to be - having no ideas and stealing water from another's well. The church in this model changes with the wind - whatever the latest conference says is God's truth for your ministry.

2. Ignoring other ministries that might have insight to be gained

On the flip side there are plenty of people who say all they need is "the Bible" and they do not need any help from anyone. Good ideas are not needed because everyone can read the Bible and see what it plainly says. Community is lost and the Bible gets placed on a pedestal it should not rest on - our interpretation outside of any ability to receive correction. These people of course do not want to copy anyone - the reason often given is that since what they are doing is not in the Bible it cannot be Biblical.

Both extreme models are full of pride and there are plenty of churches in the world that fit these categories. Let's stay close to the Bible. But let's not ignore the wisdom of godly men and women around the world that help us bring the gospel into the lives of believers and unbelievers in meaningful ways.

Pastor Darren

Let's Support
Pine City
Music Students
and Athletes

It's PCHS Homecoming week and Pine City Music Boosters presents an event for the whole community! You are invited to the 1st Annual Pine City High School Homecoming BBQ Kick-Off, Friday, October 3 at 5:00 pm held at the Pine City High School lawn. Have a BBQ Pork meal for $5.00. Bring the whole family and join the fun in support of our music students and athletes!