LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, April 18, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

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

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

I am so grateful that we belong to a family of churches that proclaims the same good news that we do! This Sunday marks 23 full years from when I first stepped on campus here at LEFC as the candidate to be your new pastor. That very same weekend, Heather and I also got to meet the leaders of the other churches of the awesome Allegheny District at a conference in State College. Right away, we felt right at home and a real kinship in the gospel.

This weekend also marks 1 full year of official service for Kerry Doyal as our fifth Allegheny District Superintendent. I don’t know how I would have gotten through the last twelve months without his ministry to me, and I’m really glad that Kerry and Robin are with us this weekend to remind us of our core mission to proclaim Christ. Listen closely to my pastor as he teaches. I will be.

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

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. Keep singing about Jesus’ resurrection! Did you know that Christians throughout the centuries have focused on the resurrection for 50 days after Resurrection Sunday in a season often called “Eastertide?” I think that’s a great idea to remind ourselves that Jesus is still risen. “He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today.”

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship & Worship in Bible Memory

Begin your family’s time of worship by reciting Psalm 100 together:

“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.”

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

**Option. Psalm 100 is our newest set of “Hide the Word” verses. Your family could begin working on memorizing them right away. A good way is to read/recite it several times in a row.

2. Worship in Singing

As a household sing “Worship Christ the Risen King” by Jack W. Hayford.

YouTube Video

(The tune is the same as “Angels from the Realms of Glory” which ties together Jesus’ humble incarnation and His glorious resurrection.)

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” “Jesus Paid It All” “There’s Just Something About That Name,” and “In Christ Alone.” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.

3. Worship in Unity

As a household, Article #4 of the EFCA Statement of Faith on Jesus Christ:

“We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel’s promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.”

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 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.

6. Worship in Scripture Reading

Have someone read Colossians 1:27-29 to prepare to listen to today’s message.

**Option. Some families may want to read the whole first chapter of Colossians to understand the broader context.

7. Worship in the Word

Watch or read Pastor Kerry Doyal’s message, “We Proclaim Christ! Right?”

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 “The Solid Rock” by Edward Mote.

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.

Spring Congregational Update & Ballot

Active members of LEFC should have received their packet 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. 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.

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.

Pregnancy Resource Clinic Open House

This spring, the Pregnancy Resource Clinic invites you to visit them in their home at 423 and 421 South Pugh Street. The PRC’s Spring Open House will take place on Tuesday, April 27th and Thursday, April 29th from 1-8pm. Guests will receive a tour of both buildings, hear testimonies from clients and volunteers, visit with staff, and enjoy some light refreshments.  An RSVP is required, so please register to reserve your time slot. (link provided in your email) If you know someone who you would like to introduce to PRC, we encourage you to invite them to join you.

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.

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.

Family Fellowship on Zoom

Our next Church Family Fellowship on Zoom will be tonight 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.

 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 7: Cornerstone?

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.