LEFC Guide to Worship – 25 April 2021
LEFC Guide to Worship
Sunday, April 25, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church
From the Pastor
Dear Church Family,
I have three big items I want to thank you for this weekend:
1 Thank you for sharing your family’s plans for participation in church in the next couple of months. We received back more than 60 Spring Surveys in the last few weeks which gave us a clearer understanding of what our whole church family needs and hopes for in the next season of ministry together.
Your Church Elders Team has been praying together, reading the survey responses, following the public data, and reviewing the current guidance from CDC and the PA Department of Health. We are developing a plan for the Spring which we are eager to share with you soon. The first step is to make a number of small changes to help us feel less restricted and constricted when we gather inside on Sundays. I’m really excited to see us plot our way back to more normalcy, comfortability, and fellowship.
2 Thank you for continuing to wear your masks when we gather inside. Thank you for your continued compliance and patience as we both protect each other from disease and, as obedient citizens of Christ’s kingdom, submit to earthly authorities (Titus 3:1). Thank you, also, for being kind to one another while we wait for things to change. We have the most loving and unified congregation!
3 Most of all, thank you for praying for the whole church family! It is a joy to pastor a praying church. Thank you for praying for wisdom and direction from the Lord for our church leaders as we make these plans especially that we continue to say focused on our mission of bringing people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
By the way, Heather and I are scheduled to receive our second dose of vaccine this week. Please pray for us as we deal with any side effects as the vaccine prepares our immune systems to fight off future infection. The good news is that by May 11, I’ll be fully vaccinated, and I plan to take full advantage of my immunity to increase my ministry of visitation. Invite me over, and I’ll be there!
In the meantime, we patiently wait and joyfully worship. 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. I hope you’re still singing songs about Jesus’ resurrection. Remember, Jesus is still alive today. “Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! / The strife is o’er, the battle done; / the victory of life is won; / the song of triumph has begun. / Alleluia!” (Unknown author, translated by Francis Pott in 1861)
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.
**Option. Your family may want to review Philippians 4:4-8 to make sure you it’s still hidden in your hearts.
2. Worship in Singing
As a household sing “O Worship the King” by Robert Grant.
**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,” “Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me,” and “Praise the Saviour.” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.
3. Worship in Unity
Recite together Question #1 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647-1649).
Q. What is the chief end of man?
A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
**Note: When the WSC says “chief end,” it means “greatest purpose or goal,” and by “man,” the framers of the WSC meant “humanity” or “people.” We exist to glorify and to find our joy in the Lord.
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 Psalm 34 to prepare to listen to today’s message.
7. Worship in the Word
Watch or read Pastor Matt’s message, “Taste and See that the LORD is Good.”
[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 “Trust and Obey” by John Sammis.
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 Fellowship Meeting on Zoom This Sunday.
Plan to join us May 16th (6:30pm) as we pray for the educators in our church family as they reach the end of this difficult school year.
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.
Graduation Sunday
Every year we set aside some time to honor those in our church family who have graduated from high school, college, or graduate school. Are you completing any type of schooling during the 2020-2021 school year? Please fill out this online form. We will provide more information soon on how we will celebrate our graduates and their accomplishments.
Cemetery Care
Bill Mostyn and his son, Nick, will be mowing the cemetery this year. If you notice anything that needs to be taken care of in our cemetery, please contact Bill (phone number provided in your email), and he will see that it is addressed.
Return Your Ballot
Active members of LEFC are reminded to 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).
Fellowship Evening at Miracle Mountain Ranch
You are invited to join Miracle Mountain Ranch on May 13th at 6:00pm for an evening of food, fellowship, and updates on the ministry of the Ranch. This is a great opportunity to be introduced to the mission and work of Miracle Mountain Ranch. There is no cost, but an RSVP (814.664.7673) is needed so they can better prepare.
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 this week (Tuesday and Thursday) 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. If you know someone who you would like to introduce to PRC, we encourage you to invite them to join you.
Children’s Church
All children (ages 3 – 3rd 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.
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 8: Remembered. 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.
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.
Lanse Free Church
255 Cotohisc Road
Lanse, PA 16849
Phone: 814.345.6500
Social Connections
Worship Service: Sunday, 10:00am
Prayer Meeting: Wednesday, 7:00pm
Broadcasting to the parking lot on 89.5FM.
Pastor Matt's Blog
Pastor Matt’s Blog
- “It Is Finished” [Matt's Messages] November 17, 2024
- “Here Is Your King” [Matt's Messages] November 10, 2024
- “Who Is It You Want?” [Matt's Messages] November 3, 2024