Lanse Link – 4 December 2022

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Lanse Evangelical Free Church

• • Church Family News
  • Prayer Items

Church Family News

Communion Sunday

Today we will be passing communion plates for those partaking in the auditorium. There are pre-packaged communion elements for anyone, inside or outside, who would prefer to use them as we worship together at the Lord’s Table. We have a gluten free option for those with special dietary needs.

Children’s Christmas Program

We are planning now for a Children’s Christmas program for Sunday, December 25^th. Practice will take place Sunday mornings at 9:00am on the 11^th and 18^th.  Arrival time of 9:30am Christmas morning to line up. The parents of kids 6^th grade and younger who wish to have their children participate should sign up today online through “The Family Table” or Lanse Link or talk with Emigh Modzel.

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 a tag from the table in the foyer. Unwrapped gifts should be returned to the church on Sunday, December 11^th.

Annual Business Meeting

Plan to stay for our Annual Business Meeting on Sunday, December 11^th immediately after worship in the auditorium. Members will receive updates on finances, facilities projects, the potential missions trip, pastoral sabbatical plans, and also discuss next steps for the recommendations from the Family Discipleship Vision Team. We will also present the slate of our 2023 officers and budget for approval. Copies of the proposed budget for 2023, and a list of nominations for officers have been posted in the foyer for you to review in advance. If you have a question or concern, please see church chairman Keith Folmar or any member of the 2022 nominating committee—Pennie Folmar (chairman), Cody Crumrine, Jeff Schiefer, Jordyn Skacel, or Pastor Matt.

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 Carols by Request

On Sunday, December 11^th & 18^th, we will be taking hymns by request during our Worship in Singing time. Be sure to have your request and the reason it is special to you ready to share as we lift our voices together.

Christmas Caroling

Join us on Sunday, December 18th at 3:00pm for Christmas Caroling! We will gather on campus and practice a few favorite songs before caravaning throughout our community to brighten the holiday season of some of our church families. Talk with Pastor Matt if you have questions or ideas for 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.

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 18^th.

Christmas Literature

We have Christmas books and pamphlets for you to read or to share with others this Christmas season on the table by the office.

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. Questions? See George Leathers.

Holiday Open House – Pregnancy Resource Clinic

You are invited to an open house at the PRC. On Monday, December 5^th, the team at PRC would be honored to show you the space at 421 & 423 Pugh Street where the work they do happens. Spend some time over light refreshments getting to know the people who carry out the work for the PRC. RSVP at scprc.com.

Worldview Training for Youth

“Ideas Have Consequences.” Keith Hurley is offering a worldview training class for youth (grades 7-12) in the upstairs Youth Room every other Sunday evening at 7:00pm. Make plans now to join them tonight for their next class. Questions? See Keith Hurley.

Ladies’ Fellowship Hour

Ladies, are you interested in meeting with other women for a time of fellowship with one another and supporting each other in your faith? During the Ladies’ Fellowship Hour, women enjoy visiting with each other, praying for one another and missionaries, reading Scripture, and enjoying occasional snacks. Join us Wednesday, December 7^th at 10:30am in the fellowship hall. If you have questions or ideas, see Judy Carlson or Ruth Murray. All ladies are invited to attend.

Join Us at Prayer Meeting

Each Wednesday at 7:00pm, a group of Christians meet to pray and to study God’s Word in the Prayer Room. Some who attend find it to be one of the most heartening hours of their week. Pastor Matt is leading us through a study in Exodus. Nobody is put on the spot to pray out loud, but all are encouraged to attend and help lift up the needs of our church, community, nation, and world.

This Week in Children’s Church

What is a miracle? A miracle is something God does that usually cannot be done. Today, the Little Learners and Bible Explorers will be studying Joshua 23-24 learning how Joshua challenged the Israelites to continue worshipping God. Parents, reinforce today’s lesson by asking your kids what they learned in class and talking about how it might apply to their lives in the week ahead. More resources for family worship centered on this lesson are available through the link you will receive in “The Family Table” email arriving this afternoon. For more information about this week’s lesson, check out The Gospel Project Big Picture Card for Volume 3, Unit 8, Lesson 3.

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 John 1-11 and join as we start our study this week with Session 1: In the Beginning. The Winter quarter resources are now available in the foyer.

Our Daily Bread

The latest edition of Our Daily Bread for December, January, and February is now available on the worship resource tables and by the Community Bulletin Board.

Giving Opportunities

Designated giving funds remain open for our deaconess compassion fund to help those in need within our church family and a future pavilion here at the church. Please mark your gifts and drop them in the offering plate.

All Church Notification Email List

Do you receive our weekly news bulletin (Lanse Link) and notifications from the church? We use this list to keep you up to date on any key announcements and changes to our regular worship service. To be added, send your email address to the church office (churchoffice@lansefree.org) and Misty will include you.

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