The Fellowship Was Sweet
The Goodbye Difficult

The Property Committee finally let Darren try out the zero-turn... Darren's highlight!

We said goodbye to Darren and Amy Carlson on Sunday. As was announced in a previous post, June 27 was Darren's last Sunday with us as interim pastor. It has been two years of growing together in relationship and in our walk with Christ. The goodbye was hard but the fellowship was sweet. Thank you again Darren as you have used your gifts and abilities to serve Christ at PCEFC. You are appreciated! Below are a few pictures of our goodbyes.

Darren and Amy's two daughters, Makena and Gianna have made lots of friends. They are pictured above with Lena Roubinek.

Darren and Amy closed our worship gathering with singing a beautiful benediction, written by Michael Card.

Building Community
While Reaching Out to the Community

Last week we told you about a need in the community, and as always, many people took action. There was a huge need for clean up efforts where the tornado went through in the area southeast of Pine City two weeks ago. We had a great turnout last week each day, Wednesday through Saturday, and now again this week. There is hours and hours of continued work to be done to make this area clear for the LaMott’s to bring in another home. The love that is being shown to this dear couple doesn’t just end at the site. For those who aren’t able to work at the site, they have provided meals and refreshments. Some have visited Gene LaMott in the nursing home and have spent time encouraging. Others have donated equipment and the list goes on.

We share this as an encouragement, but hesitate on the other hand because of Matthew 6:1-4 which reminds us of this, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, to be honored by men. But, when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

We will continue to clean up until the job is done. Daily, there is a group of people who are working on this project. If you would like to drive to the site on your own, take Hwy. 70 east. The site is a 1/2 mile this side of the river on the left hand side. Chainsaws are needed. Lunch is provided each day. Below is just a small representation of the many hands helping this past week.

The woman above with the cast on her left arm is Marlene who lived in the trailer with her husband Gene. The gal to her left is her daughter-in-law. Both Gene and Marlene have been discharged from North Memorial. Gene is at Lakeside Nursing Home for therapy and recovery.

Thank you, Darren!

This is Darren Carlson's last Sunday as our interim pastor. Thank you Darren for the two years you have served the Lord at Pine City EFC. Thank you for using the gifts and talents God has given you to serve Him. Thank you for the times you have led in worship, drawing us closer to the throne. Thank you, to Darren's wife, Amy, for sharing with us in song her love for the Lord Jesus Christ. We will miss both of you, along with your darling children, Makena, Gianna and Dakota!

We have planned a continental breakfast at 9:30 a.m., South Campus, Fellowship Hall before worship on Sunday, June 27. Please join us in giving a warm thank you and send off.

Darren’s next role is Director of Training Leaders International, a mission organization that provides theological education in locations around the world. This summer Darren is headed to Kenya and Uganda to help train Christian leaders. In Kenya, Darren will be leading a team that will teach basic theology to pastors in the Kibera slum (the largest slum in the world!). In Uganda, Darren will be leading a team to teach classes at Gaba Bible Institute. Darren’s role will be to oversee the operations of the ministry and help provide theological education to people around the world who have little access to any type of formal training.

Darren, Amy and the kids will go back to attending Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mounds View. He will also be providing pulpit supply for area churches.

An Important Announcement!

Last Wednesday evening, June 16, there was a special meeting called for all members for the purpose of voting on our lead pastoral candidate. Our candidate, Joel Preston, received a confirming vote to call him to be our pastor. We are delighted to announce that Joel and his wife Jenine have accepted that call, and their first Sunday with us will be July 25. Joel and Jenine have two sons, J.J. and Jace.

Taking Action

There is a huge need for clean up efforts where the tornado went through in the area southeast of Pine City last Thursday. Lisa Steven is organizing our Take Action Group to serve a family in particular who lost their home during that tornado. Gene and Marlene LaMott who have lost their home and everything in it, are in the hospital with a number of injuries (please pray for this dear couple). Our group will start the clean up on Wednesday, June 23 at 8:00 am and again on Saturday morning. They are meeting at the Lighthouse at 7:30 am. If you would like to drive to the site on your own, take Hwy. 70 east. The site is a 1/2 mile this side of the river on the left hand side. Chainsaws are needed. Lunch will be provided. Below are a few pictures of Gene and Marlene's totaled home and garage.

Heather's Shower

With much joy, the ladies of Pine City EFC hosted a shower at the home of Ellie White in honor of Heather Young, Tim Rinden's bride-to-be. Ellie gave a wonderful devotional and Adrienne Roubinek facilitated the games (ask someone about the life jackets)! Need I say more? We had so much fun and it was a joy to get to know Heather better and hear about Tim's marriage proposal to her... what a hoot! Below are just a few pictures of this very special evening.

They've Grown Together
and Grown Up Together

They’ve graduated… our kids. And, over these past years of high school no one will ever know how many burgers they’ve eaten, how much time they've spent on facebook, how many text messages they’ve sent, or all the experiences they’ll never forget.

We recognized our grads, Sunday, May 30. It was so fun to reminisce as we watched the pictures of years gone by. These kids have “grown” together and have “grown up” together and it was with joy to see their excitement in looking to the future.

Aaron Goodenow, Student Ministries Director did a great job encouraging our kids (and everyone) from Proverbs 3:1-6. Our grads were encouraged to enjoy life in light of eternity and to enjoy life with much joy….creating memories that create stories to share with their children. They were reminded to invest their life for God, sooner than later, and to make sure to invest their life in ventures that will count for time and eternity.

Congratulations to six wonderful young adults, Bri, Ben, Isaac, Josh, Nick and Taylor! We love you guys! Below are a few pictures of the special morning.