A LETTER FROM OUR PASTORAL STAFF
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Hello Church Family,
In the first few days of 2019, we’ve all taken a few moments to look ahead and decide what kind of year we want it to be. We think through changes we want to make, attitudes we want to have, and habits we want to form. Whether we call them resolutions or not, almost all of us are resolving to live intentionally this year.
God’s people are, to a degree, characterized by their resolve to grow in Him and remain faithful to Him. But biblically this does not start with a survey of the year to come. It starts with a look back. Last year holds the key to next year.
2018 was filled with every kind of event – good and bad – in our community. As a church, we’ve experienced increasing unity and sanctification. Brothers and sisters have been added to our family. There were life-giving and invigorating ministry events, but there were also draining hardships. New members of our church were born, and some members of our church were brought home to Jesus. In student ministry, we had an amazing intergenerational year while also being confronted with new challenging issues in the culture and on school campuses. I watched students get baptized last year, and I saw students doubt their faith. These things are the reality of being a church community.
However, underlying it all, one constant remains year in and year out. In every high and low it is God’s faithfulness that shines through. In 1 Samuel chapter 7, God is faithful to His people. Samuel watches as God grants the Israelite army victory, and then he sets a marker on the battlefield and states “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” Samuel understood that God’s pattern of faithfulness is always repeated. If the Lord has helped us thus far, He is sure to continue.
This is our job together as a family – to stop at the beginning of 2019 and declare together, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” And oh, has He ever! We must reflect with gratitude on the moments of 2018, big and small, and only after that can we look ahead. Let us pray together in thanksgiving for the consistent faithfulness of God. Then, let us pray in supplication that we will cling to His faithfulness in the year to come. May our praise in this next chapter of our family’s story resound with the praise from the years before: “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
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Tim Hummel
High School Pastor
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OnRamp
Sunday, January 6, from 11:30am, C212, above The Well
Are you new to EvFree and looking for a way to get connected? Do you want to learn a bit more about EvFree before committing to be “all in”? Have you been here longer, attending the worship service but still want to know more or find a way to connect? OnRamp may be for you!
OnRamp is a six-session-long class, being offered on an ongoing, revolving basis to allow you to jump in at any point and is designed to answer the “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” of EvFree:
- Who is here for me at EvFree?
- What does EvFree believe?
- When do things happen here?
- Where can I find things here?
- Why does all of this matter to me?
- How can I participate?
These six sessions will also introduce you to people, ministries and opportunities to connect here at EvFree. The first six-week cycle will begin on Sunday, January 6. If you have questions about OnRamp, would like more information, or to confirm your attendance, email John Schaefer or Heather Freeman.
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Membership Class
Sunday, January 6, from 1:30-3:30pm, C212
Scripture talks about how believers are members of a body. In this same way, church membership is a public declaration of your commitment to this body. It is not like membership at a country club or Costco, where you pay a fee and expect a benefit; rather it means that you are invested and willing to serve. It means that you will seek to be a blessing to other members; it means, “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it.” Want to become an official member of the EvFree Fullerton church family? Come to this free class to learn about what it means to engage in true church membership and start the journey to official membership here at EvFree!
Snacks and drinks provided. Sign up here or for more information email Heather Freeman.
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Sunday Night "Service"
Sunday, January 6, from 5:00 - 7:00pm
Since we had so much fun last time at our Sunday Night “Service” we’ll be hosting Laundry Love again at the Quick N Clean Laundromat in Fullerton. This is an opportunity for us to love our neighbors by the simple act of paying for their laundry. Laundry Love gives everyone from our church the opportunity to get to know people in our community over the simple act of washing clothes. All you need to do is show up with an eager heart to make new friends. For any questions or to sign up, please contact Mitch Fierro.
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Grand Huddle
Thursday, January 17, 7:00-8:30pm, NC190
Nothing is more important than praying for our grandchildren with so many influences, distractions and choices surrounding them. Join other grandparents as we explore creative strategies and suggestions for praying for our grandchildren in the New Year . . . as well as pray! Refreshments will be served.
Be sure to sign up here for the National Legacy Coalition Grandparenting Summit happening at EvFree February 21-23, 2019.
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Men’s Retreat 2019 Save the Date
Mark your calendars and save the date for the 2019 Men’s Retreat coming April 26 - 28. Join us as we ship out to Catalina for a weekend of rest, adventure, and spiritual invigoration. Look for more details to come in January.
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John Winterling Memorial
The memorial service for John Winterling has been rescheduled and will be held on Thursday, January 17th at 2:00pm in the Chapel.
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Howie Stevenson Memorial
The memorial service for Howie Stevenson will be held on January 18 at 2:00pm. The service will be held at Skyline Community Church in La Mesa, CA. For those interested in traveling to the service via EvFree bus, please contact Patty Mullen. EvFree will host a "live stream" of the service in the Chapel at 2:00pm.
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OC United
Want to make a difference in your city? OC United was founded on the core beliefs that ANYONE could make a difference. We believe that communities are made better when we're united on the front lines with compassion to empower the vulnerable. Join OC United, be a part of the movement!
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Budget–Year to Date
Budget: $5,010,000
Received: $4,464,990
Surplus (or deficit): ($545,010)
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Actual–Year to Date
Actual Income: $4,464,990
Actual Expenses: $4,144,208
Positive Cash Flow: $320,782
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God’s provision, the generosity of our church, and conservative spending by staff have placed our General Fund income well above expenses as of the end of the calendar year. This has allowed all the regular ministries in Heritage, Response, Frontier and Anchor Ministries to finish the calendar year strong. In addition to these provisions and generous giving to $50 Thousand Days of Christmas, we have also been able to bless a number of people beyond what our General Fund allows us to regularly provide.
In the book of Genesis God provided Abraham with a substitute for the sacrifice of Isaac. Abraham recognized God as Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides. Clearly, a God who so abundantly provides for our financial needs can be called on to meet our other needs.
These testimonies of our God’s provision should inspire us to call upon Jehovah-Jireh for all our personal, work, church, city, state and national needs.
Numbers are based on an annual budget of $7 million dollars.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
(Photo: Bob Hayden)
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