LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, April 11, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

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

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance” (Psalm 16:6). My heart is still overflowing with joy and gratefulness for the blessing of our worship gathering last week on Resurrection Sunday! How sweet it was to be all together at the same time and the same place worshiping the same risen Lord.

And here’s a thought that is even more glorious–Christ is STILL risen indeed! The resurrection is not just a historical event which we commemorate once a year. Jesus lives right now in the power of an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16, 25). We gather on Sunday every week to remind us that the resurrection is a reality forever. Our King is alive, and that means that His kingdom will come and will never end.

If you haven’t already, please answer the Spring Survey that we sent out last Sunday. The Elders are praying and plotting out a path to full participation for the whole church in worship, instruction, fellowship, evangelism, and service. Please let us know how your family’s current thinking, concerns, and hopes.

“As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight” (Psalm 16:3). Whether at home or on campus this weekend, let’s make sure that every single glorious saint in this beloved church family worships the Lord Jesus Christ.

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. I hope you are still singing resurrection songs. Because Christ is still risen, they are always appropriate! “He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today.”

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship

Read Psalm 72 as your family gathers to worship.

**Option. Families with older children at home could prepare them by asking, “What is Psalm 55 about?” “What do you think Pastor Matt will say about Psalm 72 today?” “What did Psalm 72 make you think or feel when we read it?” “What does Psalm 72 teach us about God?” “What does Psalm 72 teach us about ourselves?” “What does Psalm 72 teach us about Jesus?”

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

2. Worship in Singing

As a household sing “Our God Reigns” by Leonard E. Smith, Jr.

YouTube Video

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “Because He Lives,” “I Saw the Light,” “You Are My King (Amazing Love),” and “Man of Sorrows.” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.

3. Worship in Unity

As a household, recite Psalm 100:

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

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: Beginning next week, we will start memorizing all of Psalm 100 as the new “Hide the Word” set of memory verses. Your family could begin right now.

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, “He Will Rule.”

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 “Jesus Shall Reign” 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. No LEFC Family Fellowship Meeting on Zoom This 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.

Spring Congregational Update & Ballot

Active members of LEFC will find a packet of information in their church mailboxes with the information usually presented at the April Church Family Meeting. The packet includes a ballot to register your vote on partnering with ReachGlobal missionaries Adam Bailey (Japan) and Fred & Cindy Cressman (Malawi) whom the Mission Ministry Team introduced us to in March. Please return your ballot to the church office by Monday April 26th. Any packets not picked up by Tuesday April 13th will be mailed to members’ homes. If you have any questions, contact Keith Folmar (church chairman) or Curtis Quick (missions chairman).

Children’s Church

All children (ages 3 – 3^rd grade) are invited to join us at our 9:30 worship service for our Children’s Church program. 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.

 Family Fellowship on Zoom

Our next Church Family Fellowship on Zoom will be April 18th at 6:30pm. Join us as we catch up with educators from our church family. Find out how the Lord is answering our prayers and also pray some more for students, aides, administrators, and teachers in primary, secondary, and higher education.

Red Cross Blood Drive

On Tuesday, April 20^th, our church will host the Morrisdale Community Blood Drive from 1:00-6:30pm. We are looking for 2-3 people willing to work this drive. We need help with temperature checks, registration, and in the canteen. We can also use a few dozen cookies or brownies (individually packaged) to offer our guests after they donate. Questions? Call Marilynn Kristofits.

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 6: Sinners? We have a few copies available in large print. Not coming on campus yet?  Marilynn Kristofits would be happy to mail the study resource 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: Bring a jacket along. Now that the weather is warming up, we will sometimes meet outdoors.  Masks are required inside and optional outside.

Summer Camp

It is not too late to send your kids to camp at Miracle Mountain Ranch! We have some kids heading up to the ranch the weeks of June 27-July3 and July 4-9. If you are interested in more information, pick up a flyer in the foyer and contact Marilynn Kristofits soon to register your child.

New Here?

Thanks for joining us today! Newcomer cards are on the Welcome Tables in the foyer. If you have not received one yet, please ask one of our greeters where they are. We appreciate you joining us and would like to know more about you. Please take some time to fill it out then drop it in the offering plate when you leave. Thanks!

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.

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.

Designated Giving Funds

Each year we open a designated giving fund here at church to help pay the registration for the kids attending church camp. If you would like to give to this need, mark your gift “Camp Fund.” A designated giving fund for a picnic pavilion here at church also 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.