LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, March 14, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

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

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

“If you had told me one year ago…” How many times have you heard a version of that retrospective phrase in the last few days?

52 Sundays ago, on March 15, 2020, we held our last “normal” worship time, and I preached a message on 1 Peter 4 somewhat cheekily entitled, “The End of All Things Is Near.” What Peter was saying in his letter then is still true 52 Sundays later. We still need to keep our heads, stretch our love, and use our gifts to magnify our Lord. I would never choose the events of the last 52 Sundays, and I greatly lament the losses our community, country, and world have experienced, but I am also deeply thankful for how the Lord has worked among and walked with us every step of the way.

This weekend marks the 52^nd video message that we’ve produced and the 52^nd Guide to Worship at Home for our church families. Our webservant, Paul Oyler, has created a video sermon archive on our website where anyone in the world can access all 52 short sermons on Matthew, Philippians, Psalms, and more. Check it out!

I’m really excited about the 2 special outdoor worship gatherings we are planning for Passion Week this year. Nothing is going to stop us this year from all gathering together at one time in one place to commemorate our Lord’s sacrificial death and celebrate His glorious resurrection! I can’t hardly wait.

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. Do you know what the word “fain” means in the hymn “Beneath the Cross of Jesus?” It means “with pleasure” or “happily” so the hymnwriter is expressing that she finds true joy in spiritually standing beneath the Cross of Jesus, in the shade of its mysterious power. I love the poetry of old songs like that and learning old ways of saying and singing timeless truth.

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship

Read Psalm 69 as your family gathers to worship.

**Option. Some families will want to simply read the last stanza of Psalm 69, verses 29-36, to begin their worship time.

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

2. Worship in Singing

As a household sing “My Savior’s Love” by Charles H. Gabriel.

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, “Beneath the Cross of Jesus,” “There Is Power in the Blood,” “What Day That Will Be,” and “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks.” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.

3. Worship in Unity

As a household, recite Article #3 of the EFCA Statement of Faith on the Human Condition:

“We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.”

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, “The Waters Have Come Up to My Neck.”

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 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” by Isaac Watts.

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.

Cemetery Care Bids

The Facilities Team is now accepting bids for cemetery mowing this Summer. Mowing will begin as soon as the grass needs its first trim and will conclude in mid to late fall depending on the weather. You are responsible to provide your own gas and equipment. If you have any questions or to submit your bid, please see Bryan Sones by March 28th.

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.

Children’s Church – To the Cross

Our Children’s Church program will continue their 7-week study of Jesus’s journey to the cross. 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 the new quarter has just begun. Be sure to pick up your copy of Luke 10-24 and follow along at home with Lesson 2: Celebrate? We have several copies available in large print. Not coming on campus yet?  Marilynn Kristofits would be happy to mail the study resource to you.

Ladies’ Restroom Project

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

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 March or April.

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.