Gifts God Gives

The Bible says that God is the giver of every good gift!  James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

As we enter into the Christmas season I want to celebrate some of the wonderful gifts God has given to us through sending His Son, Jesus! Join us each Sunday for worship at 10:30 a.m., Pine City EFC, Lighthouse.

Sermon Schedule:
December 4 - "The Gift of Hope"
December 11 - "The Gift of Joy"
December 18 - "The Gift of Satisfaction"
December 25 - "The Heart of Christmas - Jesus"

What Will I Give to Christ This Christmas?

I want every member and attender of PCEFC to begin praying about this question - "What gift will you give Christ this Christmas?" We all enjoy giving gift to those we love - what about Jesus?

Perhaps, you could give Him a gift of your time in serving others, a financial gift, or even giving Him a part of you that you have held back from Him. There is no wrong gift - but He deserves our everything!

We will distribute cards for you to write your gift to Jesus, collect them and perhaps read some of them anonymously on Christmas day so many can be blessed by our gifts to Christ!  -Pastor Joel

Special Praise and Thanksgiving Service

There are times when awe and gratitude overwhelm us, whether we're seeing a sunset, being with our loved ones, or just appreciating a special moment. These are the moments we just want to thank God for all He’s done in our lives and praise Him for all of his many blessings. But, scripture calls us to a life of gratitude, not just in those special moments… but a daily attitude of thanksgiving.

Psalm 92:1 says, “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night… “

As we reflect on this past year of God's goodness and greatness, join us for a very special Praise and Thanksgiving Gathering, Tuesday, November 22, 7:00 pm, PCEFC, Lighthouse.

A Lighthouse Christmas

See, smell, and hear the signs of Christmas at Pine City EFC, Lighthouse on Saturday, December 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We’ll have the coffee on, the music playing, and the Christmas goodies waiting for your arrival!

Browse through the array of Christmas treasures to fill the stocking, decorate your home, or give to others. Many items to choose from a number of craft and home-based artisans, who have chosen to share their talents with us.

You'll find… jewelry, handmade soaps, crocheted items, inspirational wall art, candles, purses, spa items, Christmas decorations, baskets, silk scarves, baked goods, jams, salsa, Christmas trees and much, much more!

Each artisan has committed to giving a portion of their proceeds to Bible camp scholarships and Pine City Food Shelf.

Contact Marcia Howard, coordinator, with questions.

Skype With Ben and Holly

Sometimes our missionaries seem like they are just pictures on the wall and we support them with finances so that they can do whatever God has called them to do "over there."  The reality is that God has called us all, together as a church, to "make disciples of all nations."  We can partake in disclipling of the nations through our encouragement and support for those whom we have sent.  We have just such an opportunity!  Please join us during the Sunday School hour (9:30-10:15 a.m.) on November 27 to encourage, pray for, give thanks with, and rejoice with Ben and Holly in South Asia through Skype.  This will be a great opportunity to interact with our missionaries directly in the field LIVE through Skype.  Join us as we listen to what God is doing in and through them in South Asia, giving thanks for what He is doing and praying together as a church with Ben and Holly for God's continued work in bringing the Word of God to the peoples of South Asia.

Small Group Student Ministry

Our Jr. and Sr, High students meet on Wednesday nights at the Lighthouse from 6:00-7:30pm. The purpose of Frontline is to introduce people (mainly teenagers) to the person of Jesus Christ, help them grow in their relationship with Jesus and other followers of Jesus, and to equip them to go and do the same.  One way of helping fulfill this purpose is through our small group ministry in Frontline.  Small groups are being launched in the next couple of months to help us grow in our relationship with Jesus and each other. We are looking forward to what the Lord will do in and through these small groups.    ~Frontline Leadership Team 

Being Thankful in Tough Times

This week at PCEFC - "Being Thankful in Hard Times." It is easy to sing God’s praises when all is going well; but what about when life caves in and our hearts are breaking? Scripture says we are to seek to be grateful not only IN bad times but FOR them. Come out this week and be encouraged even in your difficulty... Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Lighthouse.

Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Drop Off Site

Next week will be an exciting week around PCEFC. Monday, November 14– Monday, November 21 is Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Drop-Off Week and PCEFC is the collection site for this area. If you’d like to be a part of the excitement, here’s how you can help:

First of all, you can pack a shoebox for a child. Here's what to do:

Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. (Don’t forget to pray for the child who will receive your gift).

Then, determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box. (You may pick up labels at Pine City EFC or print a label).

Now, grab a friend, spouse, parent or child and select a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child from a nearby store and fill your shoebox. Use the gift ideas provided below if you’d like.

Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our EZGIVE option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation. Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at Pine City Evangelical Free Church (625 Golf Ave SW, Pine City) or a Collection Center nearest you during collection week November 14 - 21 at the following times:

Monday-Friday, November 14-18, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Saturday, November 19, 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Sunday, November 20, 12 noon-1:00 pm
Monday, November 21, 9:00-2:00 pm

Some idea items for shoeboxes 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 (it melts on the other items).

One other important item is to send a personal note along with your shoe box. There is a recommended donation of $7 for each box to cover shipping cost. Also, did you know you can follow your shoebox online to find out the destination of your box by making your donation online at www.samaritanspurse.org/ezgive ?

The second opportunity to help is that you may volunteer your time at OCC Collection Week at Pine City EFC. If you would like to help out in this way call PCEFC office at 629.2584. Join in and give a child a special Christmas! Thank you everyone!

Ladies, Put On An Attitude of Gratitude...
at the next Ladies' Morning Out!

It's been too long! Let's get together for another Ladies' Morning Out at Jenine's home on Saturday, November 12, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.  Please sign-up with Jenine, so she knows just how many are coming.  Come and be prepared to share about Thanksgiving… maybe some of your family traditions and what you are thankful for.  Hope to see you there!

Guys Night Out

Next Thursday night, we're filling up the vans and heading on down to North Branch for a "Guys' Night Out" to see the movie, Courageous. We'll leave the church at 6:15 pm, see the movie which starts at 6:50 pm and then make a quick stop at Denny's Restaurant for some great fellowship. Guys you won't want to miss out.... read below a little bit about the movie.

Honor Begins at Home

Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children? Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous!

Women Helping Others

Every Monday there is an amazing group of women from PCEFC who meet, with the purpose of getting things accomplished.  If you do not know about this group, they just simply call the group "Women Helping Others" or WHO. We are so blessed to have a group of women in this church who love Jesus with all their hearts and want to share that love with others in practical ways.  They typically meet every Monday at noon and get to work.... they organize the clothing shelf, they spend the afternoon cooking or baking and then delivering warm meals to those who are sick or in need.  These same women may choose to spend the afternoon at Lakeside Nursing Home reading, visiting or playing games with residents. Around PCEFC buildings, closets and cupboards are cleaned and organized. Blankets have been tied and given to children in our church who have recently lost a grandparent.

This remarkable group of women are an example of "giving a cup of cold water in Jesus name"....  and if you would like to join in and give out Christ in these practical ways, stop by the church around noon on Mondays!

Frontline Folk

We're heading on out to the  MegaRally at Bethel on Sunday night. Meet at the church at 4:00 p.m. (we’ll be back around 9:15 p.m.).   We’re going to brown bag it for dinner…. so don’t forget your brown bag with your most favorite delicacies encased within a Baggie.

MegaRallies are high-powered events featuring some of the most dynamic Christian speakers and performers around. Geared to encourage, challenge and entertain junior and senior high students, MegaRallies provide a great opportunity for students to invite friends to a time of fun and outreach.  Music by  Superchick.  Speaker is Jason Strand who met his Savior, Jesus Christ, as a student at Bethel.  Jason is a teaching pastor at Eagle Brook Church and a frequent speaker at conferences and retreats, Jason is known for taking deep biblical content and communicating it in a relevant, humorous, and applicable way.

Hand Stamped Greeting Cards Now Available at Welcome Desk

"Hand Stamped"  note cards are now available at the Welcome Desk.  Please feel free to take one and write a note of encouragement, thank you, thinking of you, or whatever is in your heart to someone at Pine City EFC.  Bless someone in this way and place the card in their church mailbox.  Enjoy!

Christmas Hang-Ups

We are thrilled to invite our PCEFC children to participate in this year’s Christmas musical entitled Christmas Hang-Ups and we are excited to invite you, our church family to this Christmas Dinner and Musical Performance on Sunday, December 18.

A bit about the musical…

It’s just before Christmas and the tree ornaments have been awakened from their yearly hibernation by the movement of their storage box.  It’s time!  As they begin to prepare for another season on the Watson’s Christmas tree they are greeted by a rather strange and “unChristmassy” ornament:  A Hula-Girl.  The Star, the Snowman, the Angel, and others don’t understand what she has to do with Christmas and give her a rather cool reception until another significant figure from the mantel piece shows up to explain to all of them what Christmas is about and how they each have significance in God’s amazing plan of redemption through His Son, Jesus.

A humorous and engaging story with delightful songs and a solid salvation message that will teach children what Jesus’ coming was all about and remind kids and congregation alike that Christmas is truly a time to celebrate! 

So mark your calendars now. You don’t want to miss this production!

Trunk and Treat

We had so much fun working together with Our Redeemer Lutheran Church to minister to the community on Halloween night. We had over 350 kids trick or treat from trunk to trunk while music played, adults visited and kids enjoyed seconds on hot dogs or sloppy joes. Games were played and tons of candy was handed out. This was really a fun project to do and we're already making plans for next year!