Lanse Link – 5 December 2021

Sunday, December 5, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

Church Family News

Communion

Prepackaged communion elements are available with the worship bulletins in the foyer. Be sure get yours before we worship at the Lord’s Table this morning.

Today’s Guest Preacher

Pastor Chris Grella joins us today. He is on staff as senior pastor at our sister church in State College. After graduating from Virginia Tech, Chris entered ministry with Cru, helped with Christian broadcasting in Florida, and served a few churches before eventually settling in State College with his wife, Angie, and their two teenage sons.

Annual Business Meeting

Our Annual Business Meeting will be held on next Sunday immediately following our worship service. Members, please plan to stay for this brief yearly meeting. Copies of the agenda, the proposed budget for 2022, and a list of nominations for officers have been posted in the foyer for you to review in advance. The Annual Business Meeting will be held in the auditorium with FM transmission available for members participating from their vehicles. We are planning to use paper ballots for all the major decisions. If you have a question or concern, please see church chairman Keith Folmar or any member of the 2021 nominating committee–George Leathers (chairman), Holly Crumrine, Renee Mostyn, Joel Michaels, or Pastor Matt.

Additional Indoor Seating Options

We are broadcasting the audio of the worship gathering into the Fellowship Hall, Foyer, Ladies’ Classroom, Prayer Room, and the upstairs Youth Room on Sunday mornings. Now that the weather has turned colder, those who have been worshipping outside may find these spread-out indoor seating options more comfortable.

Snow Removal Signup

The weather has turned cold, and the snow has begun to fall. Our Facilities Team is looking for a few individuals to help maintain our walkways during the winter months. Are you able to help with removing snow and salting the sidewalks Sunday mornings here at the church this winter? Sign up in the foyer.

Red Cross Blood Drive

The holiday season is putting stress on an already taxed blood supply. On Tuesday, December 28th, our church will host the Morrisdale Community Blood Drive from 1:00-6:30pm to try and help with this shortage. If you are eligible to donate, consider making an appointment to meet the critical need for blood. We are also looking for people willing to work in the canteen. We will happily accept donations of leftover Christmas cookies to use in our drive as well. Questions? See Marilynn Kristofits.

Salvation Army Angel Tree Tags Available

Join the deaconesses as they partner with the Salvation Army to brighten the lives of needy children within the West Branch community. If you would like to participate, please sign out one of the five remaining tags from the table in the foyer. Unwrapped gifts should be returned to the church on Sunday, December 12th. Be an angel and help provide some treasures for children on Christmas Day.

2022 Church Directory Updates

It is time to gather all the details for our next church family directory. Today is the last day to stop by and update your personal contact information. If you are new to Lanse Free, we want to help you to connect to our church family. Fill out an information sheet so we can add you to the directory. If you would like to update or submit a digital picture to be included in the directory, please email it to Marilynn at churchoffice@lansefree.org.

Explore the Bible at Home

Many adults in our church are utilizing the Explore the Bible resources to dig deeper into God’s word. Pick up your free copy of Explore the Bible: Ezekiel; Daniel and join them as they begin with Session 1: Commissioned.

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.

Preparing for Christmas

Mitchell Christmas Gift

Each year we open a fund for our Pastor’s Christmas Gift. If you would like to give a gift of appreciation for the Pastor’s Christmas Gift, please mark your check or envelope “Pastor Christmas.” Offerings will be collected through December 19^th.

Christmas Carols by Request

On Sunday, December 12 & 19, we will be taking hymns by request during our Worship in Singing & Sharing time. Be sure to have your request and the reason it is special to you ready to share as we lift our voices together.

Children’s Christmas Program

We are planning now for a Children’s Christmas program for Sunday, December 19^th. Practice will take place Sunday mornings at 9:15 on the 12^th and the 19^th. Parents of kids 6^th grade and younger who wish to have their children participate should sign up online through the link in the email today or talk with Misty Michaels.

Christmas Poinsettias

If you are interested in purchasing a poinsettia in memory of a loved one to decorate the church for Christmas, please see Art & Sharon Folmar.

Christmas Caroling

Join us on Sunday, December 19^th at 3:30pm for Christmas Caroling! We will gather and practice a few songs outside in the main parking lot. Then we will break out in teams and carol through our communities, stopping by the homes of some of our shut-in families. We are looking for a handful of team leaders – a sense of direction is all that is needed! Talk with Pastor Matt today to help organize this event.

Be a Part of Our Christmas Eve Service

Our worship planning team is seeking people to help with our Christmas Eve Candlelight services. We are looking for greeters, ushers, musicians, special music offerings, drama presentations, readings, etc. See Pastor Matt if you are interested in participating in our 7:00pm service.

Holiday Open House – Pregnancy Resource Clinic

You are invited to an open house at the PRC. On Monday, December 6^th, the team at PRC would be honored to show you the space at 421 & 423 Pugh Street where the real work we do happens. Spend some time over light refreshments getting to know the people who carry out the work for the PRC. RSVP: 814.234.7341.

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.