LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, January 17, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

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

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

“Raise your gaze.”

That’s the refrain that has echoed through my thoughts as I’ve grappled in my mind with current events. We are faced with a dangerous intersection of multiple deadly and divisive problems in our nation right now, and I have been sorely tempted this week to give in to some anxious thoughts and even feelings of despair.

At hard times like this, I know that I need to redirect my focus on what is eternal and true. I need to raise my gaze and concentrate on the King of all the Earth. When we raise our gaze, we don’t pretend that the problems we are facing are unreal or unimportant, but we get reoriented to what is even more real and of the ultimate importance.

That’s why I’m glad we are focusing on Psalm 96 this morning as a church family. I pray that as we look up and proclaim together His greatness, glory, splendor, and majesty, our hearts are redirected and our lives, though lived in a broken world, are blessed.

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

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. “Sing to the LORD a new song!” This weekend we’re introducing a new song for our church which focuses on our hope being only in Christ Jesus. Make sure to listen to “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” closely and sing it from your heart.

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship

Read Psalm 96 with awe and wonder 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 learn the song “The Trees of the Field” by Steffi Rubin and Stuart Dauermann which is drawn from Isaiah 55:12 and depicts a similar scene personifying nature in joyful worship of the Lord as Psalm 96:11-13. “The Trees of the Field” would be a good song to sing several weeks in a row in family worship to reinforce its message.

**Option. Families with children at home could prepare them by asking question, “What is Psalm 96 about?” “What do you think Pastor Matt will say about Psalm 96 today?” “What did Psalm 96 make you think or feel when we read it?” “What does Psalm 96 teach us about God?” “What does Psalm 96 teach us about ourselves?” “What does Psalm 96 teach us about Jesus?”

2.Worship in Singing

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

YouTube Video

**Option. Those worshiping on campus this weekend are learning the new song, “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, and Michael Farren (2018). Your family may want to listen to the recording online or even try to sing it together for the first time.

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “This Is Amazing Grace” and “The Trees of the Field.” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well. The chorus “Shout to the Lord” would also be very appropriate.

3. Worship in Unity

Recite together Question #1 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647-1649).

Q: What is the chief end of man?

A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

**Note: When the WSC says “chief end,” it means “greatest purpose or goal,” and by “man,” the framers of the WSC meant “humanity” or “people.” We exist to glorify and to find our joy in the Lord.

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: Can everyone in your family say it without looking? If not, what part still needs work?

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, “A New Song.”

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 “How Great Thou Art” by Stuart Hine (1953).

YouTube Video

**Option. Some families may want to sing “All Glory Be to Christ” by Dustin Kensrue (2012).

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.

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!

Baby Bottle Blessings and Baby Shower

Our church is participating in The Pregnancy Resource Clinic’s Baby Bottle Blessing campaign. Stop by the table in the foyer and take a baby bottle home and fill it with your extra change and bills over the next few weeks. Baby bottles are due back February 21^st. Join us as we help further the impact of the PRC.

Going to Summer Camp?

Miracle Mountain Ranch is moving forward with plans to have their summer camp program. There are a variety of camp options for campers age 6-18. Anyone interested in learning more or registering for camp should pick up a flyer in the foyer. The church is once again paying the $75 registration fee for each camper. We will register as a group (no matter the size) to take advantage of our E-Free discount too. Call Marilynn Kristofits soon with any questions or your preferred camp dates.

God’s Promises Bulletin Board

There are thousands of God’s promises to discover in the Bible. Help us “Hang on God’s Promises This Year” by finding them in your Bible. Write down a promise God has made to you on a cutout from the table in the foyer. Cut outs can be taken home to fill out and returned as well. Promise references can also be emailed to the church office. Be encouraged as our bulletin board fills up.

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.

Ladies’ Restroom Project

Please excuse our dust as the work in the ladies’ restroom has entered the next stage. We hope to have this project completed soon. Ladies: the family restroom is open for you to use throughout this project.

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 copies in large print available too. Call the church if you would like these resources mailed to you.

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.

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 January and February.

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.

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.

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.