Lanse Link – 4 February 2024

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.

Wild Game Dinner – Planning Meeting
Join us for a brief meeting today in the auditorium after worship to continue planning and to learn how you can be a part of this outreach ministry opportunity. See Abe for further information.

Wild Game Dinner Information
Posters are available in the foyer. Take one (or a few) today and hang it in your local post office, at the gym, at your place of employment, or any place of business you feel will help us reach people. Letters are in the foyer for local businesses thanking them for their past help and a promise to purchase something from their business as a door prize. Please help in getting these handed out and purchasing door prizes. Tickets are printed and available, please see Andy Dobash for tickets.

Mailbox Update
All mailboxes in the foyer were updated this past week. Due to all the new members and the increase in attendance, we needed to add and/or combine some mailboxes. If your mailbox was missed or you would like one, please let Jenni know.

Challenge Commitment Deadline
For students in grades 6-12 who are considering joining the Challenge Crew this year, keep in mind that the deadline to commit is February 18^th. A $100 deposit secures your spot and allows us to start booking hotels, planning transportation, and fundraising. You can email the church office, Cody, or Holly Crumrine for more information. (Financial assistance available if needed.)

Annual Reports
Copies of the 2023 annual report are available in the foyer. Grab one and be encouraged by how God worked through our ministries last year.

Directory Deadline
Friday, February 16^th is the last day we will be able to take new or updated directory information, as well as photos. Please get all of your information into Jenni by then so we can get these printed.

Opportunities at River of Life Camp
Chip and Kim Wolfe serve every summer at River of Life Camp in Irasburg, Vermont (riveroflifecamp.com). The Wolfes train the ministry staff in personal evangelism and teach the Bible to campers. There are many opportunities to volunteer at River of Life Camp–cabin counselors, kitchen staff, maintenance workers, etc. If you are interested in getting involved even for just a weekend or up to a whole summer, talk with Chip or Kim.

Easter Egg Hunt
The Family Ministries Team is organizing an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 30^th at 10:00am here at the church. In addition to the hunt, we’ll be organizing indoor crafts and activities to enjoy. Children ages 0-12 are invited to participate. Registration will begin at 9:30am. Pre-registration is available for children who are attenders of LEFC. Donations of plastic eggs, candy, and prizes are needed, as well as volunteers. See Jordyn Skacel, Holly Crumrine, or Vicki Albert with questions, to pre-register, or to get involved!

Pop-Up Baptism Classes
Pastor Matt will be starting adult baptism classes on Sunday mornings at 8:30am on February 25^th and March 10^th. He would like to have a kid’s class again soon as well. Talk with him about scheduling if you’re interested.

Baby Bottle Blessings
Our church is participating in The Pregnancy Resource Clinic’s Baby Bottle Blessing campaign. If you need a bottle, there are more in the foyer. Please fill your bottle with your extra change and bills over the next month.

Save The Date – Stay Sharp
Our annual Stay Sharp theology conference will be held February 26^th-27^th at Waterdam Church. The theme this year is “Always Making Disciples.” For more information, pick up a flyer in the foyer, and see Pastor Matt.

KBC Teacher/ Volunteer Breakfast
Plan to gather on Saturday, February 17^th from 9am-11am for BREAKFAST, fellowship, classroom tips/training and prayer! Where: LEFC Fellowship Hall, When: Saturday, February 17^th from 9am-11am, What to do: Please let Vicky know if you are attending by February 11^th, Email: 3teach4@gmail.com or Text: 814-424-0620. Anyone interested in joining this ministry is welcome to attend!

Lenten Worship Services
Each year the ministers of the West Branch Churches plan Lenten Services on Sundays throughout our area. A schedule of this location and speakers for these services is located on the community bulletin board in the foyer.

It Is Not Too Late to Go to Summer Camp
Thinking about attending summer camp at Miracle Mountain Ranch? The church will pay the first $75 to register your child. The cost per camper for regular camp (ages 8-16) will be $275, Buckaroo camp (ages 6-9) will be $110. Interested in attending, see Marilynn Kristofits.

Open Staff Position
We are searching for a Director of Family Ministry (part-time, salaried) to lead our ministries to children, youth, and parents. The job description for this new ministry position is available in the foyer. To apply, please send a resume and a letter of application to Pastor Matt.

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

Offering
Thank you for continuing to support our ministries and missionaries. The offering plates are available at the back of the auditorium. Gifts can also be mailed to the church or given electronically through your bank’s bill pay program or through online platforms: PayPal and Venmo. Our account address is churchoffice@lansefree.org. Questions? Contact Jenni English.

Church Office
Our church office is open every week, Tuesday – Friday from 9-3. You can reach Jenni in the office by phone (814-345-6500), or email at churchoffice@lansefree.org. If you would like information to be in next week’s bulletin, please have it in by 1:00pm Thursday. Last minute prayer requests need to be submitted to the office by 9:00am on Friday.

Chasing Love – Bible Study for Teens by Sean McDowell
The “Chasing Love” curriculum is designed for teens.  However, due to the subject material, young adults who believe they might benefit from this discussion are welcome to attend, as are concerned or curious parents of any youth attending. This is a 9-week study that will meet Sunday Evenings at 7:00 here at Lanse Free.

Snack and Yack
When the auditorium empties after worship, young people in grades 3-7 who heard the sermon are invited to meet in Pastor Matt’s office for a snack and a brief interactive conversation about today’s message. To help kids listen closely, they can fill out a “Snack n’ Yack Notes” handouts that are in the foyer. Parents are always welcome to join in, too! Leading this week are Cody & Holly Crumrine.

Ladies’ Fellowship Hour
Ladies, join us Wednesday, February 7^th at 10:30am for a time of fellowship with one another, praying for one another and missionaries, reading Scripture, and enjoying occasional snacks. This week’s leaders are Linda Carlson and Isabel Bryan. All ladies are invited to attend.

Community Group
The community group meets Sunday evenings at 7:00pm in the Skacel home for fellowship and Bible study. People of all ages are welcome (including kids!). See Abe or Jordyn Skacel if you want to check it out!

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. We are going through a study of the book of Psalms. 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.

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 Genesis 1-19  and join as we study this week with Session 10: Promised.. The Winter quarter resources are available in the foyer.

This Week in Kids Bible Class
Why does God command Christians to tell others about Jesus? We tell others about Jesus so they will hear and believe the good news. Today, the Little Learners and Bible Explorers will be studying Acts 3 learning about how Peter Healed a Man. 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 10, Unit 30, Session 2 which your family received in your mailbox.

Opportunities for Service
Become a part of our ministries! To get started serving in our church, contact the following people: Attendance (Jenni English), Coffee Ministry (Cody & Holly Crumrine), Kids Bible Classes (Vicky Albert), Nursery (Becky Schiefer), Greeting Ministry (Jordyn Skacel & Haylee Simler), Prayer Corners (Jenni English), and Worship Team (Pastor Matt Mitchell).