LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, September 13, 2020
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

• From the Pastor
• Home Worship Guide
• Church Family News
• Prayer Items

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

I’m truly excited about our upcoming Celebration Sunday! I’m really looking forward to having so many of us gather together in one place at one time to praise the Lord and thank Him for the last 128 years of His faithfulness to our church family. This year has been very hard, but the Lord’s steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136).

My annual prayer retreat will be on Tuesday this week. Thank you for sharing your family’s requests with me. It is a such a great privilege to walk alongside you and intercede for you before the throne of grace. Please also continue to pray for me as I seek to be a faithful shepherd of the Lord’s flock under my care (1 Peter 5:2-5).

I hope that the “fortifying truth” of the Psalms is exactly what your heart needs right now. I know it is helping me to persevere. The church elders team studied Psalm 93 together on Tuesday at our regular meeting, and I was so encouraged by it, I thought, “I have to preach that on Sunday!” I’m so grateful that the Lord’s throne will never budge one inch.

Whether at home or on campus, let’s make sure that every single one of us in this precious church family worships the Lord Jesus Christ.

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. The theme of our worship time this weekend is God’s mighty reign over everything. What is your favorite song about the God’s sovereign rule? Sing it to Him!

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship

Read Psalm 93 as your family gathers to worship.

**Option. Pastor Matt’s message will be about Psalm 93. Families with children at home could prepare them by asking, “What is Psalm 93 about?” “What do you think Pastor Matt will say about Psalm 93 today?” “What did Psalm 93 make you think or feel when we read it?” “What does Psalm 93 teach us about God?” “What does Psalm 93 teach us about ourselves?” “What does Psalm 93 teach us about Jesus?”

Have someone pray and ask God to bless your time of worship at home.

2. Worship in Singing

As a household sing “O Worship the King” by Robert Grant (1833).

YouTube Video

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” “Blessed Be the Name,” “Lift High the Name of Jesus,” “King Forevermore,” and “Be Thou My Vision.” One or more of those songs may be good for your family to sing as well or instead.

3. Worship in Unity

Recite together Article 5, Point #1 of the Westminster Confession of Faith:

“God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by His most wise and holy providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will, to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.”

4. Worship in Lament and Thanksgiving

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).

Share with your family those things you are thankful for and those things you are lamenting this week.

5. Worship in Bible Memory

Recite our current “Hide the Word” memory verses, Philippians 4:4-7.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

**Option: Has your family started in on verse 8? How many words can you do before looking?

6. Worship in Prayer

Take prayer requests and pray for each other.

Read the prayer guide together and pray for the rest of the church family and the requests listed.

7. Worship in the Word

Watch or read Pastor Matt’s message: “The LORD on High Is Mighty.”

Facebook Video

YouTube Video

Read on Pastor Matt’s Blog

[The message will be available online by Sunday morning.]

Some families may want to watch/read the message on their own and then have a Bible study and discussion together during this time.

8. Worship in Singing

Sing “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Reginald Heber (1826).

YouTube Video

9. Worship All Week

Have someone pray a prayer of commissioning for your family as you end this time of gathered worship and face a week of new opportunities and new challenges to serve the Lord, the church, and the world in His Name.

10. Participate in LEFC Family Fellowship Meeting on Zoom – 6:30pm on Sunday September 6.

Many of us are meeting through video-conference online this Sunday at 6:30pm:

• See one another’s faces and hear each other’s voices.
• Listen to announcements of church family news.
• Interact with Carl Johnson representing Trinity International University. Carl most recently visited our church during our 125th anniversary celebration in 2017.
• LEFC Zoom Kids, Pastor Matt is going to do another “object lesson,” and this week we want to see some measuring devices in your house. Scavenger Hunt: Can you find a rule, a tape-measure, a level, or even a “plumb-line?” What do you think we might liken a measuring tool to in the Christian life?
• Pray for one another live and online.

If you have any questions about how to do this, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Church Family News

Pastor Matt’s Prayer Retreat

Pastor Matt will be spending time Tuesday praying for each person and family connected to our church. You should have received information about this in the mail. Be sure to turn in your prayer request surveys in the box in the foyer. Did you forget yours today? Drop it off here at the church on Monday or send Pastor Matt a message with your prayer requests before Tuesday morning.

LEFC Celebration Sunday

On September 27th at 9:30 we will hold a special outdoor combined service to celebration 128 years. Plan now to join us for this celebration service. Look for more details later this week. Note: Rain Date – October 4, 2020.

Directory Additions – Corrections

We celebrated with Zach & Haylee Simler as they were married last month. Two weeks later, Matt & Amy Modzel were also married. Please contact the church office to receive their updated addresses and information. Thanks!

Zoom This Week

Join us Sunday at 6:30pm for our Church Family Fellowship on Zoom. We will visit together, share Church Family News items, and spend some time interacting Carl Johnson, representing Trinity International University. Kids, Pastor Matt is going to do another “object lesson,” and this week we want to see some measuring devices in your house. Scavenger Hunt: Can you find a rule, a tape-measure, a level, or even a “plumb-line?” What do you think we might liken a measuring tool to in the Christian life?

Missionary Christmas in September

Each year we collect a special offering aimed to bless the missionaries we support and give them some extra money to use in whatever way they like. Donations will be accepted for the next 3 weeks. There are envelopes in the foyer on the resources tables or you can place it in the offering plate marked “Christmas.”

Red Cross Blood Drive

On Tuesday, September 29^th, we will be hosting a blood drive here at the church for the American Red Cross. Blood supplies remain low due to the increased precautions needed to ensure donor health. If you or someone you know can give blood, please sign up to donate. Volunteers are needed to help with initial temperature screenings, donor check in, and canteen staff to offer snacks. We are also looking for a limited number of baked goods. If you can help work the drive, please contact Marilynn in the office. Thank you.

Children’s Church

All children ages 3 – 3^rd grade are invited to join us for Children’s Church at our 9:30 worship service. Parents: When indicated in the service, please bring your kids back to the foyer. Drop them off at the end of the hall with a volunteer. We will bring them back out the hallway to the foyer to meet you at the conclusion of our program time. All ministry workers have their clearances.

On-Campus Prayer Meeting

Join us Wednesdays at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall for a brief Bible study, praising God through song, and praying with other believers. Reminder: Because we are inside, masks or shields will be required of all who attend. We will continue to send the Prayer Meeting at Home guide to anyone who requests it. Contact the church office to get this weekly email.

Pavilion Fund

We have opened a designated giving fund for a picnic pavilion here at church. You can donate to this by marking your gift “pavilion” and placing it in the offering.

You Matter 5K & 10Mile Ride

The Pregnancy Resource Clinic will be hosting their annual 5K walk/run and 10Mile bicycle ride on Saturday, September 26^th. This year you can choose to participate in person or complete the race virtually. For more information on all of the details and safety plans for this event, visit scprc.com.

Compassion Walk

You are invited to join with other West Branch area churches on Sunday, October 4th, at 1 pm for the second annual West Branch Ministerium Compassion Walk. This ministry helps families in need with utility bills, and provides gas, food, and hotel stays for homeless and victims of domestic violence. Registration is at Palestine UMC and forms are located in the foyer. The walk is also being offered as a virtual event for those who are less comfortable gathering at this time. Can’t walk? Consider a donation for this vital ministry. Mark your gift “Walk” and drop it in the offering plate. See Marilynn Kristofits with questions or to get involved.

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.

Sunday Morning Greeter Sign-Up

Do you like to say hi to people? Can you smile behind your mask? Be sure to stop in the foyer on your way out and sign up to greet for a service (or more!) in September, October, and November.

Continuing to Give

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 (9:30-2:30 Tuesday – Friday) in the offering plate right inside the door.
• Online Payments – P2P (CNB), PayPal, and Venmo are all e-giving options. Our account address is our email: [email protected] Contact Marilynn if you need any help navigating this way of giving.

Prayer Items

Contact the church office for this week’s prayer requests from the bulletin.