Lanse Link – 1 January 2023

Sunday, January 1, 2023

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.

Read Your Bible in 2023

Get ready to read through your Bible this year! There are two different reading plans for free on the Bible table in the foyer. Stop by and take a plan home with you today.

Poinsettias

If you purchased a poinsettia to help decorate our sanctuary, Thank you!  Please take it home with you today and enjoy it for the remainder of the holiday season.

New Office Hours

Starting this week, Misty Michaels’ new office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9-3.

Red Cross Blood Drive

On Tuesday our church will host the Morrisdale Community Blood Drive from 12:30-6:00pm. If you are eligible to donate, consider making an appointment at redcrossblood.org. We are still looking for people willing to work in the canteen. See Misty Michaels today if you can help.

Undeck the Halls

Many hands make light work. Please join us Wednesday at 6pm as we take down the decorations from the Christmas season. See Maria Jackson with questions.

Gideon Fund

During the worship service on January 8^th, we will be highlighting the Gideons and the work they do in spreading God’s Word. We have opened a designated giving fund to enable you to better support their mission. Mark your gift “Gideon Fund” and place it in the offering. Plan to join us to learn more about the work being done by these local businessmen.

Praying the Bible Pop-Up Class

We know that prayer is important, powerful, and vital to our Christian life, but many times that is not how we experience it. Sometimes prayer seems boring, repetitive, and dry – or we find it difficult to focus our minds when we pray. In his short book, Praying the Bible, Donald Whitney takes on this inconsistency with a soul-reviving remedy: What if we learned to talk to God using God’s words? Join us for a one-week pop-up class on this book and applying this discipline to our lives. The class will meet Sunday, January 8th at 8:45am in the Fellowship Hall. Pick up a free copy of Praying the Bible (a very short book!) in the foyer while supplies last.

Annual Reports

Attention all ministry leaders: It is time once again to prepare for our Annual Reports and Vision Meeting to be held on January 29^th. Please turn in your review of 2022 and vision for 2023 to Misty Michaels by Wednesday, January 18^th. Thank you for serving our church in 2022.

Tax Receipts

If you need a tax receipt for your giving in 2022 and have not gotten one in previous years, please let Anita Allen know so that she can prepare one for you.

Save The Date – Stay Sharp

Our annual Stay Sharp theology conference will be held February 27-28 at Waterdam Church. The theme this year is “Ecclesiology! What is a Church and Why Does That Matter?”. For more information, pick up a flyer in the foyer, and see Pastor Matt.

Going to Summer Camp?

It is once again time to start thinking about summer camp at Miracle Mountain Ranch! Early registration forms need to be turned in to Marilynn by January 29^th   to take part in the $25 discount. The cost per camper for regular camp (ages 8-18) will be $245 if you make this deadline and register as a group. Buckaroo camp (ages 6-9) is also available for our younger campers at a cost of $85 for this minicamp (June 21-23 or August 6-8). See Marilynn Kristofits soon with your preferred camp dates.

 Thank You!

“Dear church family, thank you so much for the generous Christmas Gift! It is a true joy to be your pastor.” – Pastor Matt & Heather

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.

Sermon Publications

Missed a Sunday? You can read, listen to, or watch the message online in multiple ways throughout the week (YouTube, Facebook, Apple & Google Podcasts, Pastor Matt’s blog, or the LEFC website). Audio CDs are also available in the foyer under the community bulletin board. Need help subscribing or finding a particular sermon? See Pastor Matt or Misty Michaels.

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 January 8^th 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, January 4^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 the punishment for sin? The punishment for sin is death. Today, the Little Learners and Bible Explorers will be studying Judges 13-16 learning how God used Samson. 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 9, Lesson 2.

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 5: Everyone Who Believes. The Winter quarter resources are now available in the foyer.

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.

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. Want to join this list? Send an email to prayer@lansefree.org and we will add you.

 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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Prayer Items