LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, November 29, 2020
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

• • • • From the Pastor
      • Home Worship Guide
      • Church Family News
      • Special Plans for Advent & Christmas 2020
      • Prayer Items

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

This weekend on the calendar is always a fascinating confluence of seasons:

• We just celebrated Thanksgiving and still have many more things for which to be grateful.
• We step into Advent–a season of hopeful waiting, something we’ve been learning a lot about in 2020.
• We start preparing in earnest for Christmas–a season of joy as we celebrate the birth of the King of Kings.
• And here in Pennsylvania, rifle season also begins so that many of us head into the woods in pursuit of the elusive whitetail. The seasons of nature change right about now, as well, and we get chilly tastes of winter as autumn completes its beautiful work. This is a wonderful moment to marvel at our Creator’s wise handiwork.

Our Lord is the Lord of all of the seasons and is worthy of all of our worship.

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

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. Singer/songwriter Sandra McCracken is one of my favorite musical artists. Her Psalms album is full of beautiful and memorable songs including one on Psalm 104, “All Your Works Are Good” (Spotify / YouTube). What songs are filling your mind, heart, and mouth?

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship

Read Psalm 117 with thanksgiving as your family gathers to worship.

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

2.Worship in Singing

As a household sing “For the Beauty of the Earth” by Folliott S. Pierpoint (1864).

YouTube Video

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “Now Thank We All Our God,” “Because He Lives,” “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “Step by Step,” and “How Great Is our God.” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.

3. Worship in Child Dedication

During the 9:30 worship time on campus, Trey and Jenni English will be dedicating Blake English to the Lord by making a series of promises.

The church family is also promising “to cooperate with God in the modeling, encouragement, and exhortation of Blake English in the life of faith in Jesus Christ from this day henceforth.”

Have your family pray blessing on the English family.

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 4:4-8.

“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. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

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: “How Many Are Your Works, O LORD!”

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 “This Is My Father’s World” by Maltbie Babcock (1901).

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.

Church Family News

Preparing for the 2020 Annual Business Meeting

The 2020 Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday December 13th at 2:00pm on Zoom. The proposed budget and slate of nominations for officers for 2021 are posted in the foyer and also available for download [Budget / Officers]. Active members will receive more information, connection details, and a written ballot next week. If anyone wants to make an additional nomination (with the nominee’s prior consent), please contact Chairman Bob Gisewhite by December 1st to have it included.

Treasures for Children

Join the deaconesses as they partner with the Salvation Army to brighten the lives of needy children within the West Branch community. We only have five tags left for you to sign out. They are located on the table under the map in the foyer. Unwrapped gifts should be returned to the church by Sunday, December 6^th. Thank you!

Adopt A Student – Heart for Haiti

The 2019-2020 school year has finally ended for our eight students we sponsored at College Susan Schuenke in Haiti (2019 Family Bible Week project). The students transitioned directly into the 2020-2021 studies earlier this month. We would like to help these kids find yearly sponsors. $375 will keep one of our eight kids from last year in the school for the current academic year.

Christmas Carols by Request

As we plan our services leading up to Christmas, we want to be sure to include your favorite carols!  Please take a moment to submit yours through the link provided in your email. 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.

Mitchell Christmas Gift

Every year we open a fund for our Pastor’s Christmas Gift. If you would like to give a gift of appreciation for the Pastor’s Christmas Gift, please mark your check or envelope “Pastor Christmas.” Offerings will be collected now through December 20^th.

Pregnancy Resource Clinic Open House

You are invited to Pregnancy Resource Clinic’s Holiday Open House on Monday, December 7^th from 12-7 pm. Take this opportunity to tour their new space at the clinic, meet the staff and volunteers, and learn more about the work being done there. Appointments are necessary and you can RSVP by visiting their website: scprc.com.

Amazon Smile

Do you shop with Amazon? Amazon Smile offers you a way to have a percentage of your sales be donated to a participating nonprofit organization. Simply go to smile/amazon.com and select your charity. Here is a list of participating organizations our church partners with: Evangelical Free Church of America, Evangelical Free Church of Lanse PA, Pregnancy Resource Clinic, Miracle Mountain Ranch Missions, Cru/Campus Crusade for Christ, and Vision of Hope Ministries Inc.

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 are 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.

Sunday Morning Greeter Sign-Up

Do you like to say hi to people? Can you smile behind your mask? Be sure to stop on your way out today and sign up to greet for a few services in December and January.

Pardon Our Dust – Ladies’ Restroom Project

Our Facilities Team has begun the demolition of our ladies’ restroom. They will be working on gutting the room and preparing it for a much-needed update. Thanks to these dedicated guys who work so diligently to make improvements and keep our building updated and functional. The project is scheduled to be completed some time in December. Ladies: The family restroom is open and available for use.

New Here?

Thanks for joining us today! Newcomer cards are on the Welcome Tables in the foyer. If you have not received one yet, please ask one of our greeters where they are. We appreciate you joining us and would like to know more about you. Please take some time to fill it out then drop it in the offering plate when you leave. Thanks!

Need Prayer?

Our church and our pastor love to pray for you. If you have a need for prayer, you can email us at prayer@lansefree.org. 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.

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: churchoffice@lansefree.org. Contact Marilynn if you need any help navigating this way of giving.

Special Plans for Advent & Christmas 2020

Candles and Carols Outdoors on Christmas Eve

Our candlelighting service is moving outdoors! Join us at 6:00pm in the west parking lot for a special time of worship and fellowship on December 24th. More details will be available soon.

Offer Your Talent on Sundays During Advent

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we are looking for people to provide special music, reading, or drama presentation that reflect the true Reason for the Season. Because of our new worship schedule, there are 3 Sunday morning services planned each Sunday for the Advent season (8:00, 9:30, and 11:00). Talk with Pastor Matt today about scheduling a time to share your talent with the church family.

Advent Readings

The theme this year of our Advent Readings is “Let Earth Receive Her King!” centering on Psalm 98. We will be posting videos of families in the congregation doing the Advent Readings online and encourage each family in the church to do a wreath at home as well!

Deck the Halls

This year we asked family units to volunteer to ready the church for the Christmas. Thank you to those who helped so far! We are still looking a family to help create an outside display for our Christmas Eve celebration. Contact Marilynn Kristofits with any questions or ideas. Note: Due to the Christmas Eve service being held outside, we will forgo poinsettias this year.

Prayer Items

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