Lanse Link :: November 23, 2025

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Church Family News

Deck The Halls
Come help Maria & her team decorate for the Christmas season tomorrow at 5:30pm.

Outside Tables and Chairs
As winter approaches and the pavilion is being used less often, we ask that a group of people help today with putting the last of the tables and chairs away into the shed but leaving the all-weather picnic tables for nice days. Thank you!

Open Administrative Assistant Position
The elders have begun interviews for the next Administrative Assistant to serve the church family in the church office. The job description for this open position (part-time, hourly) is available in the foyer. To be considered, please send a resume and a letter of application to Pastor Matt by November 30^th.

LEFC Christmas Party
Join us after church in a few weeks on December 7^th for a Christmas Party! Lunch will be provided after we play games together and hear about ideas for celebrating the season in your home. You won’t want to miss out!

Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Join the deaconesses as they partner with the compassion ministry of the WB Churches to brighten the lives of needy children and families within our community.

• Giving Tree Tags – Unwrapped gifts should be returned to the church by Sunday, December 14^th. There are 20 tags total with a few already taken, please make sure you write their names on the paper in the foyer.
• Food Bank – In need of the following; boxed mashed potatoes, boxed stuffing mixes, noodles and canned gravy for holiday meals. The donation box is in the foyer. Donations will be accepted through the month of December as well.

Blessed To Be A Blessing
The WB Ministerium is thankful for all of the generosity expressed at the Blessed to Be a Blessing event last month. In addition to donations of food, clothing, shoes, soaps, and coats nearly $700 was given to the ministerium’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors compassion assistance fund. Thank you to Joe Quick and his boys for giving a concert and for all of the churches who served food and welcomed guests to the event. Our community is blessed!

Christmas Presentation
All kids age Preschool – Grade 6 are invited to participate in a combined Adult Choir & Kids Christmas Presentation taking place during the morning worship service on Sunday, December 21^st. Join us as we share the Nativity Story with songs, costumes and action!

Practices will be every Sunday from now – December 14^th during the first 15 minutes of KBC class time in the prayer room. Dress rehearsal for both kids and adults will be on Saturday December 20^th at 9:00am. If you have any questions, see Vicky Albert or Amy Jo Belko.

Snow Removal Signup
Our Facilities Team is looking for a few individuals to help maintain our walkways during the winter months. Are you able to help with removing snow and salting the sidewalks on Sunday mornings here at the church this winter? Sign up in the foyer. Questions? See Randy Albert.

Prayer Corners
During and after the last song this morning, members of our prayer team will be stationed in both of the front corners of the auditorium to pray with anyone who meets them there. You are invited to share your confidential requests with them today.

Explore The Bible At Home
Many adults in our church are utilizing the Explore the Bible resources to dig deeper into God’s Word. Pick up your free copy of Matthew 1-13 and join as we study this through the Winter Quarter, which starts in December. These booklets are available in the foyer.

Wholeness Books by Bruce Weatherly
Bruce Weatherly has recently published a set of books full of mediations on the Christian life. For many years, Bruce and Donna Weatherly were active members and leaders at LEFC and then served as missionaries with ReachGlobal. Bruce’s books are available in the foyer for purchase.

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Growing Together

Snack and Yack
Directly after service, kids in grades 3-7 who heard the sermon are invited to meet in Pastor Matt’s office for a snack and a brief interactive conversation about today’s message. To help listen closely, kids can fill out a “Snack n’ Yack Notes” handout that are in the foyer. Parents are always welcome to join in, too! Leading this week are Keith & Pennie Folmar.

Adult Class
The adult class meets here on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm at the church, they’re going through the book of Ecclesiastes. You’re encouraged to join as they examine the ancient wisdom of the “Teacher”.

Youth Group
There will be NO Youth Group on November 23^rd, 30^th and December 7^th. It will resume on Sunday, December 14^th.

Ladies’ Fellowship Hour
There will be NO Ladies’ Fellowship Hour on November 26^th. It will resume the following week on December 3^rd.

Join Us at Prayer Meeting
There will be NO Prayer Meeting on November 26^th. It will resume the following week on December 3^rd.

Explore the Bible at Home
Many adults in our church are utilizing the Explore the Bible resources to dig deeper into God’s Word. Pick up your free copy of Numbers & Deuteronomy and join as we study this week with Session 12: Fully Committed.

This Week in Kids Bible Class
Today, the Little Learners and Bible Explorers will be studying 2 Chronicles 36 about Judah Was Taken Captive. Resources for family worship and conversation centered on this lesson are available through the link you will receive in “The Family Table” email arriving this afternoon. For more information about this week’s lesson, check out The Gospel Project Big Picture Card which your child will receive at the end of class to bring home. If you are not currently receiving “The Family Table” or need assistance with accessing the family resources, please see Jordyn Skacel or Vicky Albert.

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Additional Resources

Church Office Running Remotely
Jenni is running the office remotely. She is still able to print the items you need and communicate as normal. If you need to contact her, you may call the office phone and she will receive a voicemail OR you may call/text her on her personal cell (814) 592-7067. If you would like information to be in next week’s bulletin, please have it in by 1:00pm Thursday. Last minute prayer requests need to be submitted to the office by 9:00am on Friday.

Lanse Free Fridge
Our community fridge and pantry is open 24/7. Contributions may include fresh or frozen foods, dairy products, canned or dried goods, cereals, or prepared foods. Anyone is welcome to donate or rehome food.

Need Prayer?
Our church and our pastor love to pray for you. If you have a need for prayer, you can email us at [email protected]. All emails being sent to this address will be seen by Pastor Matt. Please indicate if this is a private request (for Pastor Matt and the Elder Board) or public request for the prayer chain. Want to join this list? Send an email to [email protected] and we will add you.

Email Subscriptions
We want everyone to know what is happening at LEFC! Are you on the “All Church Notifications” email list to get key announcements such as cancelations and other schedule changes? Subscribers also receive “The Lanse Link,” our weekly news bulletin. In addition, parents can subscribe to “The Family Table,” a Sunday newsletter filled with useful resources for family discipleship. Subscribe on the church website or send your email address to the church office and we will add you to the list.

Library
We offer many free resources in our church library, located to the right as you leave the auditorium. Our catalog of books is now online! www.librarycat.org/lib/LanseFreeChurch. Check something out today.

Sermon Publications
Missed a Sunday? You can read, listen to, or watch the message online in multiple ways throughout the week (YouTube, Facebook, Apple Podcast, Spotify, Pastor Matt’s blog, or the LEFC website [audio, video]). Need help subscribing or finding a particular sermon? See Jenni English.

Fellowship Hall Reservations
If you would like to use the Fellowship Hall for your event, please contact Jenni English in the office to check availability and get approval.

Offering
Thank you for continuing to support our ministries and missionaries. The offering plates are available at the back of the auditorium. Gifts can also be mailed to the church or given electronically through your bank’s bill pay program or through online platforms: PayPal and Venmo. Our account is [email protected]. Questions? Contact Jenni English.

Giving Opportunities
Designated giving funds are open for the deaconess compassion fund to help those in need within our church family, and future updates/additions to the Ark Park Pavilion. Please mark your gifts and drop them in the offering plate.

Thank you for continuing to support our ministries and missionaries. Ways to give:

Mail your offering check to us at PO BOX 114, Lanse, PA 16849.

• Cash or Check in person. Drop off your offering at the church during office hours in the offering plate right inside the  office door.
• E-banking – Check with your financial institution about using their bill pay programs to have the bank send us a check directly at no cost.
• Online Payments – PayPal and Venmo are our current e-giving options. Our account address is our email: churchoffice@lansefree.org.

Opportunities for Service
Become a part of our ministries! To get started serving in our church, contact the following people: Attendance (Jenni English), Coffee Ministry (The Crumrines), Greeting Ministry (Katie Kerlin & Haylee Simler), Kids Bible Classes (Vicky Albert), Nursery (Becky Schiefer), Prayer Corners (Jenni English),  and Worship Team (Pastor Matt Mitchell).

Director of Family Ministry
Jordyn Skacel serves as our Director of Family Ministry. She is happy to meet with you at the church, in her home, in your home, or in public, with or without kids! Catch her at church or contact her via phone, text, or email, (814) 592-9280 or [email protected] to schedule a time to meet. She’d love to hear your ideas, how you’d like to be involved, and to be a resource for your family.

Church Elders
Keith Folmar [814-345-5980]      Cody Crumrine [724-787-8351]
Abe Skacel [717-606-9344]           Keith Hurley [814-553-5624]
Curtis Quick [814-404-3798]       Pastor Matt Mitchell [814-762-7336]