Lanse Link :: May 3, 2026

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Church Family News

New Mission Trip – Crisis Response
Several of our Kentucky volunteers have stepped up and expressed interest in serving again with Crisis Response. They will be going the week October 4^th to Fort Myers Florida, where Hurricane Ian struck in 2022.  ReachGlobal’s Crisis Response is there long after other agencies have left, and our team is able and willing to go help.  Are you?  If so, let Curtis Quick know soon.

Graduation Info
Every year we set aside some time to honor those in our church family who have graduated from high school, college, or graduate school. Graduation info-sheets can be found on the back table. Today is the deadline to turn in graduation forms.  This year’s Graduation Sunday will be May 24^th.

Child Protection Policy Rollout Meetings
On June 1st, we will be rolling out our new Child Protection Policy. This policy brings with it some new changes to our children’s programs that parents and volunteers need to be aware of. We have scheduled meetings to introduce the new policy and the changes that it will bring. We will share important information and answer questions so that all who are affected by it feel informed and equipped. Meetings will be as follows:
Volunteer Orientation (required for all who have submitted their clearances with us and have not attended the teacher briefing): Today, May 3rd after church.
Parent Meetings (strongly encouraged but not required for all parents/guardians of LEFC children who have not attended the teacher briefing or volunteer orientation): Choose either May 17th or May 31st after church.
If you are unable to attend or have questions about these meetings, please speak with Jordyn Skacel.

Mom’s Night Out
Moms with children in the home and those who are currently expecting are invited to Mom’s Night Out on May 16th at 7:00pm here at the church! Mark your calendars now to join us for a fun evening out of the house enjoying conversation, activities, and plenty of snacks & desserts! The Event is free, but registration is required. See Jordyn Skacel for more information.

Family Bible Week 2026
Family Bible Week will be June 14-18 this year. Save the date now on your calendar to attend Sunday morning at 10:00 and Monday through Thursday at 6:15. Dinner will be provided starting at 5:30. All ages are welcome! Classes are available for age 3-adult. More information to come!

 Challenge Giving Fund
If you would like to financially support our group of 13 students going to Kansas City for the EFCA’s biennial national youth conference, you can contribute to our fund by marking your gift “Challenge.”

Register for Summer Camp!
Don’t forget to register for camp at Miracle Mountain Ranch! Camps are available starting at age 6. See Marilynn Kristofits to get registered for a discount, with questions, or for more information!

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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 Pastor Matt & Heather Mitchell.

Adult Class – The adult class meets here on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. This week we will continue in the Book of Joshua. See Keith Hurley for additional information or questions.

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.  This week they are joined by Pastor Matt leading their discussion.

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. 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 14-27 and join as we study this week with Session 10: Honor. Spring resources are available in the foyer.

This Week in Kids Bible Class – Today, the Little Learners and Bible Explorers will be studying John 2 about Jesus’ First Miracle. 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
Our church office is open every week, Tuesday – Friday from 8:00am – 2:00pm. You can reach Keith in the office by email at [email protected] or by phone (814-345-6500). 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 Keith Hurley.

Fellowship Hall Reservations
If you would like to use the Fellowship Hall for your event, please contact Keith Hurley 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 Keith Hurley.

Giving Opportunities
Designated giving funds are open for the deaconess compassion fund to help those in need within our church family, summer camp to pay for registration fees,  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: [email protected].

Opportunities for Service
Become a part of our ministries! To get started serving in our church, contact the following people: Attendance (Keith Hurley), Coffee Ministry (The Crumrines), Greeting Ministry (Katie Kerlin & Haylee Simler), Kids Bible Classes (Vicky Albert), Nursery (Becky Schiefer), Prayer Corners (Keith Hurley),  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]