LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, January 24, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

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

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

“Take it to the Lord in prayer.”

Right now, I am more convinced than ever that we need to be people of prayer and more convicted than ever of my own weakness and failings in this area. I am humbled by how many of you have entrusted me with your personal prayer requests, and I’m learning how to more faithfully bring them before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).

As we focus on Psalm 86 this weekend, I am struck by how King David talks to the Lord in prayer. In just one psalm, he repeatedly cries out for help, reverently reflects on God’s holy nature, repentantly pleads for mercy, and revealingly requests an undivided heart. I want to learn to pray like that!

Thankfully, God has given us these psalms in His Word to teach us–no matter how weak and heavy laden, how cumbered with a load of care, even if we are despises or forsaken–to take it all to the Lord in prayer. Wonderfully, in the day of our trouble, we know that He will answer (Psalm 86:7).

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

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. How do you like the new song we are learning? Here is the Christian musical group Selah’s version of “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me.” Sing your own version to the Lord!

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship

Read Psalm 86 with faith and hope 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 sing again “The Trees of the Field” by Steffi Rubin and Stuart Dauermann to reinforce last week’s message. Make sure to clap with the trees!

**Option. Families with children at home could prepare them by asking, “What is Psalm 86 about?” “What do you think Pastor Matt will say about Psalm 86 today?” “What did Psalm 86 make you think or feel when we read it?” “What does Psalm 86 teach us about God?” “What does Psalm 86 teach us about ourselves?” “What does Psalm 86 teach us about Jesus?”

2.Worship in Singing

As a household sing “Fairest Lord Jesus,” an anonymous German hymn from the 17th century translated into English in the 19th century.

YouTube Video

**Option. Our church family is 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 sing it every Sunday for the next several weeks.

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” “Lift High the Name of Jesus,” and “His Mercy Is More.” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.

3. Worship in Unity

Recite and pray together the model prayer the Lord taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

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.

7. Worship in the Word

Watch or read Pastor Matt’s message, “Hear My Prayer, O LORD.”

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 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Joseph M. Scriven (1855).
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.

Stay Sharp : 2021 EFCA Theology Conference

The Psalms are the Church’s song and prayer book. We have rightly been drawn to them during these days filled with changes and challenges. Thankfully, God remains the same. The theme of this year’s live-streamed Theology Conference is The Psalms: The Undershepherds’ Shepherd. The conference will be held February 3^rd and 4^th online. Our church has purchased a group registration for this online event. Join us by letting Pastor Matt know and providing your email address to him.

Baby Bottle Blessings

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.

Ladies’ Restroom Project

Please excuse our dust as the work in the ladies’ restroom has entered the next stage. The tile was installed this past week, and work will continue next week. 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 also have a few copies in large print available. 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.