Lanse Link – 21 November 2021

Sunday, November 21, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

Church Family News

Additional Indoor Seating Options

We are now 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.

Deaconess Compassion Fund

Did you know we have a fund here at the church designated to help those within our church family who are having a financial crisis? The beginning of 2020 saw very generous giving to help our church family during the shutdowns. Over the past 20 months the Deaconess fund was used to bless several families as they dealt with lost income due to quarantine or illness and assist with others who had a financial crunch. What a blessing we have been to our church family thorough these gifts. Nearly 2 years later these funds need replenishing. Included in this week’s bulletin is a small envelope. Prayerfully consider a gift to help continue these blessings.

Annual Business Meeting

Our Annual Business Meeting will be held on December 12th immediately following our service. Mark your calendars and plan to stay for this brief meeting. We will present the slate of our 2021 officers and budget for approval. A copy of this year’s proposed budget and nominations will be posted soon.

Sign the Thank You Card

Boy Scout Troop #46 has graciously allowed us the use of their tent for the past 18 months. Take a moment before you leave to stop by the table in the foyer and sign the card we created for them. You will find it on the table in the foyer.

2022 Church Directory Updates

It is time to gather all the details for our next church family directory. Please stop by the table in the foyer 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.

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 12th. Be an angel and help provide some treasures for children on Christmas Day.

Limited Office Hours This Week

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Marilynn will have limited office hours. Feel free to email the church office or leave a message at the church. If you need anything in the bulletin, please submit it by 10am Friday. Thanks!

Lanse Free Blessings Tree

Help us fill our Blessings Tree in the foyer! We want to spend some time focusing on all the many blessings in our lives this year. Write down one of God’s blessings in your life on a leaf cutout from the basket in the foyer or pick up a leaf (or more!) and take them home to fill out. Then be encouraged as our Blessings Tree fills up this month. Blessings can also be emailed to the church office.

Ministry of Meals

Our Deaconess Team is looking for people willing to be a part of our meal ministry – blessing families with dinner delivered to their home when they have a significant life change or illness. If you would like to have your name on the list for this ministry opportunity, please fill out the form on the resource tables and drop them off in the offering plate or the box by the office. Thanks!

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.

Follow the Lord in Water Baptism

We are planning for more baptisms again this Winter. If you would like to learn more about what it means to follow Christ in water baptism, talk to Pastor Matt for options that fit your schedule. Classes will be set up to meet your scheduling needs.

Save the Date – Wild Game Dinner 2022

Mark your calendars and join us for our 2022 Wild Game Dinner on Saturday, March 19th with special speaker Kim Cone. More details on how you can be involved with this outreach ministry will be announced early next year. Hunters: don’t forget to save some meat for our dinner.

Explore the Bible at Home

Many adults in our church are utilizing the Explore the Bible resources to dig deeper into God’s word. They will be completing Explore the Bible: Philippians; Colossians; Philemon this month. Join them as they work through Session 12: The Gospel and Relationships this week. Our new books have arrived and are available in the foyer. Pick up your free copy of Explore the Bible: Ezekiel; Daniel and be ready to join in on December 5th as we dive deeper into these two books.

Designated Giving Funds

A designated giving funds is open for future picnic pavilion. Mark your gift “Pavilion” and place it in the offering plate.

All Church Notification Email List

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

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.

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

Children’s Christmas Program

We are planning now for a Children’s Christmas program for Sunday, December 19th. Practice will take place Sunday mornings at 9:15 on the 12th and the 19th. Parents of kids 6th grade and younger who wish to have their children participate should sign up online through the link in the email by December 5th or talk with Misty Michaels.

Deck the Halls

You are invited to help ready our church for the Christmas season on Wednesday, December 1st as we deck the halls. Plan now to join us starting at 5:30pm as we set up the tree, hang banners, and put all the other special touches in and around our church building.

Christmas Caroling

Join us on Sunday, December 19th 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.

Miracle Mountain Ranch Christmas Party

You are invited to celebrate the birth of Jesus with MMR on December 4th at 6:00pm. Invite some friends and bring some finger foods or cookies to share. An RSVP to (814)664-7673 is appreciated, but not required. Check out their website for the details.

Holiday Open House – Pregnancy Resource Clinic

You are invited to an open house at the PRC. On Monday, December 6th, 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

Worship Service: Sunday, 10:00am

Prayer Meeting: Wednesday, 7:00pm