Camp Shamineau
Retreat46

Our 4th, 5th and 6th grade kids had a blast at Camp Shamineau the weekend of April 13-15. The retreat weekend fueled our kids with a passion to live for Christ. Our kids were challenged that even though they are young and not full grown... they can do BIG things for the Lord.  Being a Christian, although hard at times, can be fun and exciting because God will take you places that you would never expect to be! "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)  This was the focus for the weekend! Herb Bloomquist, Camp Director, did a wonderful job connecting with the kids and talking to them about living out their dreams… dreaming big… and doing big things for Christ!  Herb stressed what an awesome and adventurous life it can be lived with Christ!
Below is just a glimmer of a BIG weekend.

Pine City High School Prom 2012

It's literally minutes before the 2012 Pine City High School Prom begins.  122 minutes to be exact.  Pine City EFC Lighthouse is once again the host site for the prom dinner  I was just down at the Lighthouse and there's a lot of scurrying around to put the final touches on everything so it is "just right".  A huge thank you to many people from our church who have been working hard to set up and assist Chubbies (the caterer) and those who will work late into the evening to do the dishes, clean up, take down and set up for worship tomorrow. This is such a fun event to host. Thanks everyone for your hard work in ensuring our kids have wonderful memories.

Retreat 456

Some of our 4th, 5th and 6th graders are attending Retreat46 at Camp Shamineau this weekend.  They are looking forward to being together and learning more about God and having a blast doing so! This growth level retreat will have many activities, games and chapel times geared specifically for their age.  Some weekend highlights the kids will enjoy are: zip line, climbing wall, riflery, chapel times, crafts, campfire donuts, nature center and horseback rides.  This will be an absolutely amazing weekend! Above is a picture of the group right before they left this afternoon.

Celebrate the Resurrection!

We warmly invite you to our Easter Celebration this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.  Come and hear how Christ has reclaimed life for all those who believe in Him. Through God's work done on the cross, we may have eternal life.  "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live" (John 11:25). Death is not the end. And the resurrection of Jesus Christ proves it. Invite others to come and experience what you have in Christ Jesus! See you Sunday!

Christ Our Passover

 

We're looking forward to a very special evening tomorrow night with Hinckley Evangelical Free Church at a Seder meal we will share together. We have over 200 reservations! This will be a very meaningful time as we understand the significance of Christ as our Passover Lamb.

Off to New Orleans!

Bridget Gossen and Elijah Harer (shown above with Jack Allen, Ben and Katie) are going on a missions trip organized by Jack Allen called Urban Impact, New Orleans. The team, leaving from Sandstone, picked both of them up at our church at 1:30 pm this afternoon (Friday). Here's a little of what they will be doing...  Six years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, EFCA TouchGlobal Crisis Response is still making a kingdom impact on New Orleans.  This team is going to help be the feet and hands of Christ by partnering in this ministry. The adults and youth will be doing everything from helping to rebuild homes and churches, to prayer walking the streets and hosting block parties as a way to build relationships.The group will return home on April 8.  Please be in prayer!  Thank you!

Now Showing: "The Passion of the Christ"

Everyone is invited to see the showing of: “The Passion of the Christ” on Friday, April 6 at 6:30 pm, Pine City EFC, Lighthouse.

The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 American drama film directed by Mel Gibson and covers the final 12 hours of Jesus’ life beginning with the Agony in the Garden and ending with a brief depiction of his resurrection.  Flashbacks of Jesus as a child and as a young man with his mother, giving the Sermon on the Mount, teaching the Twelve disciples, and at the Last Supper are also included. If you missed seeing it in the theaters, now’s your time to see it!

This movie will touch your hearts with the realization of what Christ truly did for each one of us.  Because the movie is graphic, we recommend that 7th grade and above attend.

Take The... Our Response: 14% Challenge!

Take the Our Response: 14% Challenge!  Read on... On average, Americans throw away 14% of the food we purchase while billions of people try to survive on less than $2/day.  Our Response, a unified community effort to "respond" to global poverty, is challenging the people of East Central MN to take the 14% Challenge during the month of April.  What an amazing impact we could have if we reduced our food purchases (grocery store, eating out, etc.) by 14% during the entire month of April and donate the savings to fight malnutrition in Kivuruga, Rwanda. Several of us have been there and served meals to children that were made possible only through the donations of Our Response; and we want to fulfill our commitment to fully fund that Nutrition Center. If you decide to take this challenge, at the end of April, drop off your donation in an envelope marked "Our Response: 14% Challenge” at the PCEFC office or drop in the offering plate.  Thank you everyone!

Looking Forward to Easter Week!

Looking forward to Easter week @ PCEFC starting with "The Palm Sunday Parade."
We will also be hosting...
Thursday, April 5 @ 6:30 pm- A full Seder dinner with Hinckley EFC
Friday, April 6 @ 6:30 pm- Showing "The Passion of the Christ"                                                        
Sunday, April 8 @ 10:30 am- Easter Celebration Service
All activities will be at the Lighthouse. See you there!

Miss Minnesota Junior Teen
1st Runner Up

Congratulations goes to Amanda Basta, as she was crowned 1st Runner Up Miss Minnesota Junior Teen!  The competition was last Saturday, March 25 in the Twin Cities.  We are so proud of you, Amanda!  You are our little sweetheart!!  Pray for Amanda as this title will be an opportunity for her to give out the love of Christ to others and set an example of what it means to love the Lord Jesus Christ.  Congratulations, Amanda!