Lanse Link

Sunday, September 20, 2026

Church Family News

  • Celebration Sunday: Today we are celebrating our 134rd birthday! After the service, we will be taking our annual church family photo together. Everyone is invited to be in the photo, but participation is completely optional. Every year, this family portrait is used in church publications, posted on the church’s social media and website, and gets hung on our history wall for future generations to view. After we get our picture taken, we will be enjoying cake provided by the Hospitality Team.
  • Find Your Place To Serve: Looking for a way to get more connected at church? Serving is a great way to meet people, build relationships, learn new skills, and discover how God has gifted you. There are several ways to get involved:
    • Greeting – Welcome people as the arrive and get to know others in our church family.
    • Tech Team – Learn something new while helping with the technology that makes our worship services possible
    • Attendance – Help keep track of those worshiping with us while getting to know the people who make up our church family.
    • Other Ministries – Nursery, KBC Teachers & Assistants, Prayer Corners, Coffee Ministry, etc. There are many other opportunities to serve depending on your interests, abilities, and availability.

    You don’t need to know exactly where you fit. Come give it a try, meet some new people, and see how serving can become a meaningful part of your church life. Interested in getting involved? Talk to Keith Hurley or contact the church office at [email protected].

  • Roots Sermon Notes: Kids, be sure to pick up a sermon notes pamphlet and take notes, draw something you heard during the sermon, and mark down what made you laugh. And don’t forget to bring it tonight to LEFC Roots at 6:30pm. Pamphlets are available on the foyer tables.
  • Celebration Choir: The Celebration Choir is rehearsing every Thursday at 7:30pm during this season. Please see Amy Jo Belko to get involved.
  • Family Discipleship Surveys: LEFC families, if you have a survey that you have not yet returned to Jordyn, please complete it and place it in her mailbox. These surveys will help our Family Ministries Team to plan how best to support our families and shape our ministries. If you need another survey, they can be found in the clear wall file above the kids check-in table. Thank you!
  • Missionary Christmas: Each year we collect a special offering aimed to bless the missionaries we support and give them some extra money to use in whatever way they like. Donations will be accepted throughout the month of September. There are envelopes in the foyer on the tables, or you can mark your gift “Christmas” and drop it in the offering plate.
  • See You At The Pole: All are invited to join West Branch’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes for a time of prayer at the school’s flagpole. Students will meet at 7:10am on Wednesday, September 23rd. Adults, please park at Gethsemane, walk to the flagpole, and join the kids as they pray for their school.
  • Blessed to be a Blessing: The West Branch Ministerium’s Blessed to be a Blessing Generosity Fair will be on October 4th at Gethsemane UMC. The Ministerium has set a goal of $1200 for the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund, which helps families in the area facing hardships. If you would like to give towards that, place your donation in the offering marked Blessed to be a Blessing. Donations of food, clothing, and toiletry items can be made at the event. More information can be found on the community bulletin board in the foyer.
  • Lost and Found: Our lost and found box has been accumulating stuff, and it’s time for some cleaning. We have items laid out on the foyer table. Please stop by and see if you have left anything. All items will be discarded after Oct 4th.
  • Apple Fest Opportunity: The 10th annual Apple Fest is being held at Martha’s Park in Lanse on October 10 from 10-3. Our church has been invited to participate. If you would like to spearhead this effort, talk to Holly Crumrine for more event details.
  • Lois Owens Directory Update: Lois Owens has moved. Her new address is Wynwood House, 2350 Bernel Road, State College, PA 16803.

Growing Together

  • LEFC Roots  (Grades 4–6) Sundays @ 6:30pm  — New for youth in grades 4-6. See Curtis Quick or Marilynn Kristofits for questions.

  • Youth Group (Grades 7–12) Sundays @ 6:30pm  — For students grades 7 and up. Runs 10 weeks. For more information, see Cody & Holly Crumrine.

  • Adult Class Sundays @ 6:30pm — Meets in the Fellowship Hall. Currently studying the EFCA Statement of Faith. For more information, see Keith Hurley.

  • Ladies’ Fellowship Hour Wednesdays @ 10:30am — Join us for a time of fellowship, praying for one another and missionaries, and reading Scripture.

  • Prayer Meeting Wednesdays @ 7:00pm — Meets in the Prayer Room to pray and study God’s Word (currently studying Judges). Nobody is put on the spot to pray out loud, and all are encouraged to attend.

  • 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 Romans in the foyer and join us as we study Session 3: Saving Faith.

  • This Week in Kids Bible Class: Today, the Little Learners and Bible Explorers will study Matthew 8, Mark 4, Luke 8 (Jesus Calmed a Storm). Resources for family worship arrive in “The Family Table” email this afternoon. Check your child’s Gospel Project Big Picture Card sent home today. Questions or need access? See Jordyn Skacel or Vicky Albert.

Serving & Giving

  • Ways to Give: Offering plates are available at the back of the auditorium.

    • Mail: PO BOX 114, Lanse, PA 16849

    • In-Person: Drop cash/check in the offering plate inside the office door during office hours.

    • E-Banking: Set up automated checks through your bank’s free bill pay program.

    • Online (PayPal & Venmo): Use account email [email protected].

  • Designated Giving Opportunities: Open funds include the Deaconess Compassion Fund (local church family needs), Summer Camp (registration fees), and future updates to the Ark Park Pavilion. Please mark your gifts clearly and drop them in the offering plate.

  • Opportunities for Service: Want to get involved? Contact the ministry leaders below:

    • 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

    • Worship Team: Pastor Matt Mitchell

Quick Info & Contacts

  • Church Office: Open Tue–Fri, 8:00am–2:00pm | (814) 345-6500 | [email protected]

    (Bulletin deadline: Thursday @ 1:00pm | Last-minute prayer requests: Friday @ 9:00am)

  • Lanse Free Fridge: Community fridge & pantry open 24/7 in the foyer. Fresh/frozen foods, dairy, canned goods, and prepared items welcome.

  • Need Prayer?: Email [email protected] (seen by Pastor Matt). Indicate if your request is Private (Pastor & Elders only) or Public (Prayer chain).

  • Email Subscriptions: Stay up to date via All Church Notifications (schedule changes/cancellations), The Lanse Link (weekly bulletin), and The Family Table (family discipleship). Subscribe on the website or email the office.

  • Library: Free resources available to the right of the auditorium exit. Browse the online catalog: librarycat.org/lib/LanseFreeChurch.

  • Sermon Publications: Listen or watch weekly messages on YouTube, Facebook, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pastor Matt’s Blog, or the LEFC website. Contact Keith Hurley for help subscribing.

  • Fellowship Hall Reservations: Contact Keith Hurley in the church office to check availability and request approval.

  • Director of Family Ministry: Jordyn Skacel is available to meet at church, home, or in public! Contact her at (814) 592-9280 or [email protected].

  • Church Elders:

    • Cody Crumrine — (724) 787-8351

    • Keith Folmar — (814) 345-5980

    • Curtis Quick — (814) 404-3798

    • Keith Hurley — (814) 553-5624

    • Abe Skacel — (717) 606-9344

    • Pastor Matt Mitchell — (814) 762-7336