Lanse Link :: January 11, 2026

Sunday, January 11, 2025

Church Family News

Annual Reports
Attention all ministry leaders: It’s crunch time to prepare for our Annual Reports and Vision Meeting to be held on January 18^th. Please turn in your review of 2025 and vision for 2026 to Jenni no later than Tuesday, January 13^th.

Celebration Choir
The Celebration Choir is starting back up again on January 15^th and will be rehearsing every Thursday at 7:30pm. Please see Amy Jo Belko to get involved.

Midwinter Meal: An Italian Feast!
Let’s keep warm together with a big Italian lunch on January 18^th before the church family meeting. Bring your family’s favorite pasta dish or pasta/Italian-style salad or a dessert. The hospitality team will provide garlic bread and beverages. Everyone is welcome and wanted! We always have lots of food.

Annual Reports & Vision Meeting
Stick around after the worship time next Sunday for our annual review what the Lord did in and through us in the previous year and a preview of items we are working towards and praying for in 2026. See church chairman Cody Crumrine for further details.

Men’s Breakfast & Fellowship
On Saturday, January 24^th at 8:00am in the fellowship hall at LEFC a men’s breakfast will be held. All men are invited to come out, bring something to share to eat and enjoy some time with men sharing. Please see Keith Folmar or John Forcey for more info.

Deaconess Committee Meeting
The Deaconess team will be having a meeting Sunday, January 25^th after service in the Fellowship Hall. Please see Renee Mostyn if you have any questions.

Save The Date – Stay Sharp
Our annual Stay Sharp theology conference will be held March 9^th – 10^th at Waterdam Church. The theme this year is “True Spirituality.” Register online by February 23^rd. For more information, pick up a flyer in the foyer, and see Pastor Matt.

Moms & Kids Playdate
This week is our monthly Moms & Kids Playdate on Thursday from 9-10 in the Fellowship Hall. Children can play with provided toys and games while moms enjoy fellowship with one another. Moms who are at home with their kids are encouraged to come join us!

Dads & Kids Mario Kart Tournament
Dads and Kids, join us this week on Friday, January 16^th at 6:00 for a Mario Kart Tournament! Spend an evening connecting with your kid(s) and other families playing Mario Kart on various gaming systems, snacking, and spending some time in the Word. This is a special event for dads and kids to enjoy together. See Jordyn if you’re able to provide a gaming system with Mario Kart, a spare TV we can use, or are willing to bring a snack along!

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Growing Together

Snack and Yack
Directly after service, kids 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 listen closely, kids can fill out a “Snack n’ Yack Notes” handout that are in the foyer. Parents are always welcome to join in, too! Leading this week are Keith & Heather Hurley.

Adult Class
The adult class meets here on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm at the church, they will be continuing a study through the book of Ecclesiastes. You’re encouraged to join as they examine the ancient wisdom of the “Teacher”.

Youth Group
The youth group meets Sunday evenings at 7:00pm at LEFC. All students in grades 7 and up are invited to come for games, snacks, and fun while studying our Bibles together. See Cody & Holly Crumrine for more information.

Ladies’ Fellowship Hour
Ladies, join us on Wednesday mornings at 10:30am for a time of fellowship with one another, praying for one another and missionaries, and reading Scripture.

Join Us at Prayer Meeting
Wednesdays 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 1 John. 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 Matthew 1-13 and join as we study this week with Session 5: Authority Acknowledged. Winter resources are available in the foyer.

This Week in Kids Bible Class
Today, the Little Learners and Bible Explorers will be studying Ezra 4-6; Haggai 1-2 about how Rebuilding the Temple. Resources for family worship and conversation 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 which your child will receive at the end of class to bring home. If you are not currently receiving “The Family Table” or need assistance with accessing the family resources, please see Jordyn Skacel or Vicky Albert.

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Additional Resources

Church Office Running Remotely
Jenni is running the office remotely. She is still able to print the items you need and communicate as normal. If you need to contact her, you may call the office phone and she will receive a voicemail OR you may call/text her on her personal cell (814) 592-7067. 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.

Lanse Free Fridge
Our community fridge and pantry is open 24/7. Contributions may include fresh or frozen foods, dairy products, canned or dried goods, cereals, or prepared foods. Anyone is welcome to donate or rehome food.

Need Prayer?
Our church and our pastor love to pray for you. If you have a need for prayer, you can email us at [email protected]. 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 [email protected] and we will add you.

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.

Library
We offer many free resources in our church library, located to the right as you leave the auditorium. Our catalog of books is now online! www.librarycat.org/lib/LanseFreeChurch. Check something out today.

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]). Need help subscribing or finding a particular sermon? See Jenni English.

Fellowship Hall Reservations
If you would like to use the Fellowship Hall for your event, please contact Jenni English in the office to check availability and get approval.

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 is [email protected]. Questions? Contact Jenni English.

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

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.

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 (The Crumrines), Greeting Ministry (Katie Kerlin & Haylee Simler), Kids Bible Classes (Vicky Albert), Nursery (Becky Schiefer), Prayer Corners (Jenni English),  and Worship Team (Pastor Matt Mitchell).

Director of Family Ministry
Jordyn Skacel serves as our Director of Family Ministry. She is happy to meet with you at the church, in her home, in your home, or in public, with or without kids! Catch her at church or contact her via phone, text, or email, (814) 592-9280 or [email protected] to schedule a time to meet. She’d love to hear your ideas, how you’d like to be involved, and to be a resource for your family.

Church Elders
Cody Crumrine [724-787-8351]             Keith Hurley [814-553-5624]
Keith Folmar [814-345-5980]                 Abe Skacel [717-606-9344]
Curtis Quick  [814-404-3798]                 Pastor Matt Mitchell [814-762-7336]