LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, February 28, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

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

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

As the month of February comes to an end, here are some key things to focus upon:

New missionaries! I’m truly excited for us all to get to know ReachGlobal missionaries Adam Bailey and Fred & Cindy Cressman. Our Missions Ministry Team has enjoyed working together over the last several months to prayerfully discover the Lord’s plan for our newest missionary partnerships and is looking forward to introducing them to the whole church family over the next month. Their pictures and some basic information about them both are included in this worship guide and everyone is invited to meet them on Zoom at our Family Fellowship Meetings in March (Adam Bailey – March 7^th, Fred & Cindy – March 21^st). I’m happy to see this coming together and eagerly anticipate what the Lord might do through new strategic gospel partnerships in Asia and Africa.

Writing week! We have set aside this coming week for me to work on some significant writing projects. Please pray against distraction and for focus as I choose my words carefully for maximum ministry impact. If you need anything this week, contact the office or one of the Church Elders Team.

Unfailing love! The great Christian theme of love has been our focus in February. Thankfully, that focus never has to end with the end of a calendar month. As William Cowper wrote in his famous hymn, “Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die.” (“There Is a Fountain,” stanza 4). And we know that the Lord’s steadfast love lasts forever beyond that, as well!

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

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. Psalm 30 calls us all, “Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.” As I’ve been preparing my heart to preach it this Sunday, I’ve been listening to this catchy musical rendition by Jesse & Leah Roberts and the “throwback” worship song, “Mourning Into Dancing.” Let’s not stay silent but sing to Him with thanksgiving forever!

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship

Read Psalm 30 as your family gathers to worship.

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

**Option. Families with children at home could prepare them by asking, “What is Psalm 30 about?” “What do you think Pastor Matt will say about Psalm 30 today?” “What did Psalm 30 make you think or feel when we read it?” “What does Psalm 30 teach us about God?” “What does Psalm 30 teach us about ourselves?” “What does Psalm 30 teach us about Jesus?”

2. Worship in Singing

As a household sing “May Jesus Christ Be Praised” a German hymn written in 1828 translated into English by Edward Caswall in 1854.

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 want to sing it every Sunday for the next several weeks.

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “Praise Him! Praise Him!” “Blessed Be Your Name,” and “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone).” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.

3. Worship in Unity

As a household, recite Article 2 of the EFCA Statement of Faith on The Bible:

“We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.”

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: If you are looking for a new memorization challenge, consider hiding Psalm 73:25-26 in your heart: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

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, “Rejoicing Comes in the Morning.”

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 “In My Heart There Rings a Melody” by Elton M. Roth (1924).

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.

Pastor Matt’s Writing Week

Pastor Matt will be out of the office this week to work on some significant writing projects. If you need anything this week, please contact any of the Elders (Keith Folmar, Bob Gisewhite, Todd Dobo, or Joel Michaels) or Marilynn in the office (Wednesday – Friday this week).

 West Branch Ministerium Scholarship

The H. Lee Hebel Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship given to a high school graduate or those pursuing a second career, and will, in the next 9 months, be enrolled in college, seminary, or Bible school. They should be pursuing full time Christian service, including pastoral ministry, counseling, youth ministry, or teaching in a Christian school. Applications should be postmarked by April 15 and can be found in the foyer on the Community Bulletin Board.

 Directory Updates and Additions

Directory updates for Anthony Pase, Regina Hayles, and Nathan & Tonya Harned were provided in the bulletin and your email. Be sure to update these in your personal directory.  

Children’s Church – To the Cross

Our Children’s Church program began a 7-week study of Jesus’s journey to the cross last Sunday. All children (ages 3 – 3^rd grade) are invited to join us at our 9:30 worship service as we focus on the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Parents: When indicated in the service, please bring your kids back to the foyer and 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 child protection clearances.

 Sunday School at Home – Spring Quarter

Our Sunday School classes continue to study at home and will begin a study next week. Be sure to pick up your copy of Luke 10-24 so you are ready to follow along at home. We have several copies available in large print. Not coming on campus yet?  Marilynn Kristofits would be happy to mail them to you.

Ladies’ Restroom Project

Please excuse our dust as the work in the ladies’ restroom finishes up soon. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we update this room. Ladies: the family restroom is open for you to use throughout this project.

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 this Spring.

Christian Servant Academy Interest Survey

Christian Servant Academy is a school scheduled to open to kindergarten and first grade students in August 2021. The mission of the Christian Servant Academy is to develop humble disciples and God-fearing citizens by providing rigorous instruction, rooted in the Word of God, along with high standards of discipline for moral character. Samuel Smeal is looking for feedback from prospective parents and community members. Your answers to this survey will help them gauge interest in the school and open lines of communication for parents of prospective students and others who are interested in supporting CSA.

 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.

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.