Lanse Link :: February 22, 2026

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Church Family News

LEGO Roses Display
The LEGO roses that are on the keyboard today are placed by family members in memory of Jonalie Evans at her birthday who loved roses and always proudly displayed her nieces’ LEGO creations in her home.

Stay Sharp
Our annual Stay Sharp theology conference will be held March 9^th – 10^th at Waterdam Church. The theme this year is “True Spirituality.” Register online by tomorrow, February 23^rd. For more information, pick up a flyer in the foyer, and see Pastor Matt.

Membership Seminar
Are you interested in learning what it means to be a member at LEFC? There will be a membership seminar this Friday, February 27^th at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Talk with Pastor Matt today to take part in this seminar.

Baby Bottle Blessings
Our church is participating in the PRC’s Baby Bottle Blessing campaign. Please fill your bottle with your extra change, bills or checks. If your bottles are filled, please place them inside the church office. Bottles are due back no later than March 1^st. 

Baptism Classes
Want to know more about baptism? Pastor Matt will soon be offering classes for both kids and adults. See Pastor Matt if you are interested.

Challenge 2026
There are info sheets and registration forms available in the lobby. You may use this QR code to fill out your registration online. A $100 deposit is required to register, and payment information is available on the form(s). The deadline to sign up is March 15^th. Students entering 7^th grade in 2026 through graduating seniors can join us in heading to Kansas City, MO this July 13^th-17^th for a mix of worship, learning, mission and fun. See Holly or Cody Crumrine or contact the church office if interested.

Egg Your Yard!
Support our Challenge students! Friends and family of LEFC can wake up to their own personal egg hunt on Easter morning for a suggested donation of $50 for 100 eggs or $75 for 150 eggs. Deliveries will be made the evening of April 4th, rain or shine. Reservations and payment due March 28th. You can register online with this QR code or by filling out a registration form on the table in the church lobby.

Egg Hunt at the Ark Park
The Family Ministries team is once again having an Egg Hunt this year on April 4^th, the day before Easter. The hunt is at 10:00am with registration beginning at 9:00am. We are seeking volunteers to help with the hunt, as well as donations of individually wrapped candy to fill the eggs and prizes. Donations can also be placed under the table in the foyer. Please see Jordyn Skacel for more information!

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 14-27 and join as we study this through the Spring starting on March 1^st. These booklets are available in the foyer.

West Branch Ministerium Scholarship
The H. Lee Hebel Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship given to a high school graduate or those pursuing a second career, and will, in the next 9 months, be enrolled in college, seminary, or Bible school. They should be pursuing full time Christian service, including pastoral ministry, counseling, youth ministry, or teaching in a Christian school. Applications should be postmarked by May 1^st and can be found in the foyer on the Community Bulletin Board.

Homeschool Support
Attention homeschooling families! Would you be interested in a homeschool group right here in the West Branch area? With several homeschooling families in our church and others who are considering it for the future, we want to support and provide opportunities for you. If you have any interest in homeschool support, whether navigating the “how-to’s”, attending events and field trips, or opportunities for your child to learn from professionals, please see Vicky Albert or Jordyn Skacel and let us know what would be helpful for you. Talk to Vicky or Jordyn if you have questions!

Register for Summer Camp!
Don’t forget to register for camp at Miracle Mountain Ranch! Camps are available starting at age 6. See Marilynn Kristofits to get registered for a discount, with questions, or for more information!

Lenten Worship Services
Each year the ministers of the West Branch Churches plan Lenten Services on Sundays throughout our area. A schedule of this location and speakers for these services is located on the community bulletin board in the foyer.

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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. There is NO class this week on February 22^nd. Their next class will be on Bible Translations, beginning March 1.

Youth Group
The youth group meets Sunday evenings at 7:00pm at LEFC. All students in grades 7 and up are invited to come for games, snacks, and fun while studying our Bibles together. See Cody & Holly Crumrine for more information.

Ladies’ Fellowship Hour
Ladies, join us on Wednesday mornings at 10:30am for a time of fellowship with one another, praying for one another and missionaries, and reading Scripture.

Join Us at Prayer Meeting
Wednesdays at 7:00pm, a group of Christians meet to pray and to study God’s Word in the Prayer Room. We are going through a study of the book of 1 John. Nobody is put on the spot to pray out loud, but all are encouraged to attend and help lift up the needs of our church, community, nation, and world.

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 week with Session 12: Judgment Coming. Winter resources are available in the foyer.

This Week in Kids Bible Class
Today, the Little Learners and Bible Explorers will be studying Malachi about The Prophet Malachi. 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, summer camp to pay for registration fees,  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: [email protected].

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