Lanse Link – 26 November 2023

Sunday, November 26, 2023

• • Church Family News
  • Prayer Items

Church Family News

“Giving Tree” Tags Available

Join the deaconesses as they partner with the Neighbors Helping Neighbors ministry of the West Branch Churches to brighten the lives of needy children within our community. We have 24 Giving Tree tags this year. 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 10^th.

Deck the Halls

You are invited to help ready our church building for the Christmas season on Wednesday. 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 facility. Questions? See Maria Jackson.

There’s Music In The Air !

Our Bible Explorers Class is excitedly practicing a Hand Bell version of the well-loved Christmas classic, Silent Night.  Practices take place each Sunday morning during the first few minutes of Kids Bible Class. ALL kids in grades 1-3 are encouraged to participate!  The kids will be sharing their selection during the regular 10:00am Sunday Worship service on December 10^th and also at the special Christmas Eve service at 7:00pm, December 24^th.  Mark your calendars!

Annual Business Meeting

Our Annual Business Meeting will be held on December 17^th immediately following our service. Mark your calendars and plan to stay for this brief meeting. We will present new members to receive and a new slate of officers and budget for approval. A copy of next year’s proposed budget and nominations are posted on the bulletin board in the foyer.

Celebration Choir

Lift your voice and sing! The Celebration Choir is rehearsing every Thursday at 7:30pm during this season. Talk to Amy Jo Belko if you have any questions.

Eagle Scout Project Fundraiser

Kevin Hurley is selling Troy’s Hoagies to support his Eagle Scout Project which is repairing and replacing two outdoor signs for community churches, including one of LEFC’s. Anyone interested in purchasing a hoagie should see Keith or Kevin Hurley after church today. Kevin’s goal is $600. Money needs to be in by December 1^st, and delivery will be Friday, December 8^th. Anyone wishing to pick up their hoagie at the church can do so after 4pm on the 8^th.

Snow Removal Signup

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.

Wild Game Dinner – Team Members Needed

We would like to have another Wild Game Dinner next year on March 16^th. Abe Skacel is looking for some people to help him lead this outreach. Talk to Abe soon so that he can gauge interest. And, hunters, save some meat from this year’s harvest to share!

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.

Open Staff Positions

• Administrative Assistant – We are searching for the next Administrative Assistant (part-time, hourly) to serve the church family in the church office. The job description for this open position is available in the foyer. To apply, please send a resume and a letter of application to Pastor Matt.
• Director of Family Ministry – 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.

Office Hours

Misty is no longer in the church office during daytime business hours. Misty is checking emails (churchoffice@lansefree.org) on Thursday evenings. If you need something during the day, contact Pastor Matt (pastormatt@lansefree.org) during this transitional period.

Miracle Mountain Ranch Christmas Party

You are invited to celebrate the birth of Jesus with MMR on Saturday, December 2^nd 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

This year’s PRC Holiday Open House will be held in Lock Haven! Have you been curious about how things are coming at Pregnancy Resource Clinic’s Lock Haven site? Stop by 53 West Main Street on Monday, December 4^th between 4pm and 8pm to see the progress on their new building, visit with staff and volunteers, and enjoy a warm drink and light refreshments. RSVP at scprc.com.

Renewing the Prayer Guide

During this time of transition in the church office, we are refreshing the “Ongoing Health Concerns” and “Cancer Treatments” sections of the prayer guide. If you have a loved-one you want listed in those sections, please indicate that via email (churchoffice@lansefree.org) or a written note in the offering plate. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Matt.

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” handout. Parents are always welcome to join in, too! Leading this week is Cody & Holly Crumrine

Community Group

The community group meets Sunday evenings at 7pm 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!

Ladies’ Fellowship Hour

Ladies, join us Wednesday, November 27^th at 10:30am for a time of fellowship with one another, praying for one another and missionaries, reading Scripture, and enjoying occasional snacks. Isabel Bryan will be leading. 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. We are going through a study of the book of Acts. 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 Kids Bible Class

We are taking a short break from The Gospel Project lessons this week. After the service, take time and ask your kids what they learned today during Kids Bible Class.

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 Mark and join as we study this week with Session 13: Alive. The Winter quarter resources are now available in the foyer. Pick up your free copy of Genesis 1-19 and be ready to join us in this study next Sunday with Session 1: The First Week.

Giving Opportunities

Designated giving funds are open for 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.

Sermon Publications

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

Email Subscriptions

We want everyone to know what is happening at LEFC! Are you on the “All Church Notifications” email list to get key announcements such as cancelations and other schedule changes? Subscribers also receive “The Lanse Link,” our weekly news bulletin. In addition, parents can subscribe to “The Family Table,” a Sunday newsletter filled with useful resources for family discipleship. Subscribe on the church website or send your email address to the church office and we will add you to the list.

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