January 16, 2019
EFM Missionary Speakers
David and Jonathan Howell, EFM missionaries to Ireland, will be in EFC-ER during February and part of March.  Tricia and Moriah remain in Ireland this trip. Learn more about the Howells by clicking on the video link to the right and by visiting their EFM page here .

The Howells are available to share in Sunday worship, mid-week small groups, and family meals. Please email Julie Jenkins ([email protected]) to schedule the Howells.
Abe and Diane Bible - January is still a festive season in the Orthodox Church celebrating significant events in the life of Christ. Pray that this season will provide openings for spiritual conversations (Ephesians 6:19-20). Also pray for Abe as he leads training conferences in evangelism and church planting this month.

Click on the video link to the left for an exciting update from Abe Bible regarding evangelism, discipleship, and training for church planters.
Prayers for the Church (2/7) - A prayer for compassion (Dan Reiland)
Jesus, we thank you for the compassion that you so lavishly and continually pour out upon us .  Your Word makes it clear that you care deeply for those who are like sheep without a shepherd. Your love is great for those in physical and financial need, for those who suffer, for the fatherless, for those who need healing, and so many more. We pray, Jesus, that your spirit would prompt us to live out that same kind of compassion. May we do for one what we’d like to do for many. We pray that we would continue to grow as a compassionate, caring and loving church, starting with each of us as leaders.
End-of-Year Statistic Reports - Pastors and Statisticians, please return the completed packet to Marie Hagin ( [email protected] ) by February 8, 2019. You can download the form at www.efcer.org/forms .
Mutual of Omaha Insurance Questions
We have received a few recurring questions from our pastors regarding insurance forms . We hope this information will bring clarity:

  1. Both Life and Long-Term Disability forms need to be completed for Mutual of Omaha insurance and returned to the Evangelical Friends Headquarters. The two go together; neither is optional for our full-time pastors.
  2. Voluntary Life Insurance is available during open enrollment (now through January 31) if you want to purchase supplemental insurance. If you do not want to enroll in Voluntary Life Insurance, please disregard the form.
  3. Everyone currently on Voluntary Life Insurance needs to complete the new form for Mutual of Omaha and return to the Evangelical Friends Headquarters, even if you are not changing your coverage.
Visit the events calendar on our website at www.efcer.org/events .

* January 21-22 -  Church Health Team and Leadership Development Team meetings at the Evangelical Friends Headquarters (EF HQ).
* January 23-24 -  Multiplication Team meetings at the EF HQ.
* January 24 -  Finance & Administration Team meeting at the EF HQ.
* January 25-27 -  Youth Awakening Retreat at New Life Community Church in Ridgeway, VA. Find out more at https://nlccalive.com/youthawakening/ .
* January 28 - February 1  - NAE Christian Student Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. Find out more and register at   www.NAE.net/cslc .
* February 12-13 -  Oversight Board meeting at the EF HQ.
* May 6-10 - Pastors Conference in Gatlinburg, TN.
* July 20-23 - Yearly Meeting at First Friends Church in Canton, OH.
Quotes for the Week

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me.]
- Matthew 16: 24 (AMP)
Julia McDonald, Editor | 1-800-334-8863 | [email protected] | www.efcer.org

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