LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, January 10, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

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

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

You might have noticed that we’ve been reciting the same “Hide the Word” church memory verses ever since last Spring (April 26, 2020 to be exact). Every few weeks, I think about switching us to another passage because the Scriptures are chock-ful of wonderful truth to fill our hearts and minds.

But then I look at Philippians 4:4-8 again, and my heart says, “That’s exactly what I need to hear again today,” and I assume that’s true for most of us. After the troubling events of this week in our nation’s capitol, I know that I need, as a Christian, even more to rejoice no matter what, to not be anxious, to pray, and to fill my mind with whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

So even though we have a new year with new challenges, we are going to be sticking with these same trustworthy words and embed them in our hearts so that we will not sin against the Lord (Psalm 119:11).

And yet, of course, we also know that until the Lord returns, we will continue to sin, so I’m glad that we are also focusing this weekend on God’s amazing, cleansing grace. I am so thankful for the blood of Jesus Christ which purifies God’s children (1 John 1:9).

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

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. I’m really glad that we get to gather again on campus and am especially looking forward to singing with all three worship gatherings–including the folks taking advantage of our new radio transmitter and worshiping from the church parking lot with “WLFC” on 89.5FM. Sing loud out there!

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship

Read Psalm 51 from the heart as your family gathers to worship.

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

**Option. Families with small children may want to shorten the open reading to Psalm 51:6-13 or read Psalm 32 as a more immediately joyful way to begin worship while meditating on the same theme.

**Option. Families with children at home could prepare them by asking, “What is Psalm 51 about?” “What do you think Pastor Matt will say about Psalm 51 today?” “What did Psalm 51 make you think or feel when we read it?” “What does Psalm 51 teach us about God?” “What does Psalm 51 teach us about ourselves?” “What does Psalm 51 teach us about Jesus?”

2.Worship in Singing

As a household sing “Nothing But the Blood” by Robert Lowry (1876).

YouTube Video

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “To God Be the Glory,” “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” “Jesus Paid It All,” and “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone).” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well. The chorus “Create In Me A Clean Heart” and the hymn “Whiter Than Snow” would also be very appropriate.

3. Worship in Unity

Recite together Article #1 of the EFCA Statement of Faith:

“We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.”

4. Worship in Thanksgiving and Lament

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

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

5. Worship in Bible Memory

Recite our church’s current set of “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.”

**Option: Take turns reciting each sentence. Some families may want to pass a bean bag or other token from one member to another. Whoever said the previous word or sentence gets to choose the next person to recite.

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.

**Option: Pray for Church Leaders. The elected officers for 2021 are listed below. Take some time to pray for the Lord’s wisdom and guidance for them as they do their ministry in the coming months.

7. Worship in the Word

Watch or read Pastor Matt’s message, “Cleanse Me.”

Facebook Video

YouTube Video

Read Message Manuscript

[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 “Cleanse Me” by J. Edwin Orr (1936).

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

Additional Outdoor Seating Options

We are now broadcasting audio of all 3 worship times into the church parking lot on 89.5 FM. We also have a tent seating section available with a sound system transmitting the words and music outside when weather allows. Please contact the church office if you want to know for certain if the tent will be open on any particular Sunday. While outdoors, protective face coverings are optional. Outdoor worship resources are available on tables near the entrances.

Read Your Bible in 2021

The Gospel Coalition is partnering with Crossway again this year to encourage individuals and churches to feast on God’s Word in 2021. Their Bible reading plan was included in the care package you received just before Christmas. There is also a daily newsletter, an audio podcast reading of Don Carson’s For the Love of God to help answer tough questions within the daily scripture readings. Let’s seek Him anew by reading His Word in 2021.

Annual Reports

Attention all ministry leaders: It is time to turn in your review of 2020 and vision for 2021 for your area of ministry. Prepared reports should be turned in to Marilynn Kristofits by Wednesday, January 20^th. Thank you for serving our church in 2020!

Tax Receipts

If you need a tax receipt for your giving in 2020 and have not gotten one previously, please let Anita Allen know so that she can prepare one for you.

Gideon Fund

A designated giving fund will remain open the rest of this month to help with the work the Gideons are doing spreading God’s Word. To do this, please mark your gift “Gideon Fund” and place it with your offering. Thank you.

Red Cross Blood Drive

On Tuesday, January 12^th, our church will host the Morrisdale Community Blood Drive from 1:30-6:30pm.  We are looking for 2-3 people willing to work this drive either to prescreen or register donors or in the canteen. We will happily accept leftover Christmas to use in our drive. Please package donations in individual bags before dropping off. Questions? Call Marilynn Kristofits.

On-Campus Prayer Meeting                                                                                         

Join us Wednesdays at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall as Joel Michaels leads us in a brief Bible study, praising God through song, and praying with other believers. Reminder: Because we are inside, masks 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.

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.

Sunday School at Home

The Explore the Bible winter Sunday School at home continues this week. Pick up your copy of Luke 1-9 and spend this quarter reading along at home. We have five copies in large print available too. Call the church if you would like these resources mailed to you.

Adopt A Student – Heart for Haiti

We would like to help the kids from our 2019 Family Bible Week project find yearly sponsors for College Susan Schuenke this year. $375 will keep one of our six remaining kids in school for the current academic year. You can choose to support a student with a one-time gift here at church or monthly payments directly to VOHM.

Pavilion Fund

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

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 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.

Prayer Items

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