LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, November 8, 2020
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

• From the Pastor
• Home Worship Guide
• Church Family News
• Prayer Items

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

We have so many blessings to count! On this second Sunday of November, I am especially thankful:

• for the veterans of the military among us and their faithful service to our nation
• for the growing pile of gift-filled shoeboxes in the foyer
• for newcomers and first-time returnees on Sundays for on-campus worship
• for the holy Scriptures
• for the good news of the death and resurrection and soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Whether at home or on campus, let’s make sure that every single one of us in this church family worships the Him!

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. I re-discovered the music of Keith Green this week and played it on constant repeat while waiting for the election returns to come in. Green’s songs were passionate and focused on what really matters–eternal realities. It’s probably been a decade since I listened to these songs, but I could sing along right away because of the power of song. Let’s make sure our families are singing passionate and Christ-centered songs to focus on what lasts forever:

“Thank you, oh my Father

For giving us Your Son

And leaving Your Spirit

‘Til the work on Earth is done”

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship

Read Psalm 84 with great anticipation and joy as your family gathers to worship.

Have someone pray and ask God to bless your time of worship at home.

2.Worship in Singing

As a household sing “We’re Marching to Zion” by Isaac Watts (1707) or “Better Is One Day” by Matt Redman (1995).

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken,” “In Thanksgiving Let Us Praise Him,” “10,000 Reasons,” and “God Will Make a Way.” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.

3. Worship in Unity

Recite together Question #1 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647-1649).

Q: What is the chief end of man?

A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

**Note: When the WSC says “chief end,” it means “greatest purpose or goal,” and by “man,” the framers of the WSC meant “humanity” or “people.” We exist to glorify and to find our joy in the Lord.

4. Worship in Lament and Thanksgiving

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).

Share with your family those things you are thankful for and those things you are lamenting this week.

5. Worship in Bible Memory

Recite our current “Hide the Word” memory verses, Philippians 4:4-8.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

6. Worship in Prayer

Take prayer requests and pray for each other.

Read the prayer guide together and pray for the rest of the church family and the requests listed.

7. Worship in the Word

Watch or read Pastor Matt’s message: “Sun and Shield.”

Facebook Video

YouTube Video

Read on Pastor Matt’s Blog

[The message will be available online by Sunday morning.]

Some families may want to watch/read the message on their own and then have a Bible study and discussion together during this time.

8. Worship in Singing

Sing “Trust and Obey” by John H. Sammims (1887).

YouTube Video

9. Worship All Week

Have someone pray a prayer of commissioning for your family as you end this time of gathered worship and face a week of new opportunities and new challenges to serve the Lord, the church, and the world in His Name.

10. Participate in LEFC Family Fellowship Meeting on Zoom – 6:30pm on Sunday November 8th.

Many of us are meeting through video-conference online this Sunday at 6:30pm:

• See one another’s faces and hear each other’s voices.
• Listen to announcements of church family news.
• Interact with Pastor Doug Marshall of Sandy Creek Bible Church (EFCA). Find out what the Lord is doing in and through our district sister church in upstate New York.
• LEFC Zoom Kids, we want to see your art! Can you draw a picture (or more than one) of Psalm 84? There are lot of images in Psalm 84 that would make a terrific drawing with crayons, colored pencils, or paint. Parents may want to re-read Psalm 84 before getting online and discussing with your kids how it might relate to our lives today.
• Pray for one another live and online.

If you have any questions about how to do this, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Church Family News

Church Family Budget Meeting

The annual budget meeting will be held this Tuesday, November 10^th at 6:00pm. Leaders of ministry and committees who use church funds are asked to send along their ministry’s needs and any budget recommendations to the elder overseeing their area of ministry. Contact Bob Gisewhite if you have any questions.

 Lanse Free Blessings Tree

Help us fill our Blessings Tree in the foyer!  We want to spend some time focusing on all of 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.

Operation Christmas Child

It is time to return your shoeboxes! Did you have any items that would not fit into your box this year? Extra items can be placed in the basket on the floor in the foyer to be used to fill out other boxes. Any leftover items will be taken along with our boxes to be combined with other extras to fill more boxes. Shipping costs $9 for each box. You can help sponsor one or more of the shoeboxes we are sending by marking your donation “Shoeboxes” and placing it in the offering this morning.

Holiday Decorations

With the holiday season quickly approaching, we are looking for 3 or 4 families willing to commit to help with decorating our building. Would your family like to put up our tree or hang the banners? Maybe your family would like to decorate the foyer or hang the wreaths? Contact Marilynn Kristofits if you can help.

Children’s Church

All children (ages 3 – 3^rd grade) are invited to join us for Children’s Church at our 9:30 worship service. Parents: When indicated in the service, please bring your kids back to the foyer. Drop them off at the end of the hall with a volunteer. We will bring them back out the hallway to the foyer to meet you at the conclusion of our program time. All ministry workers have their clearances.

Thanksgiving Baskets

The deaconesses are collecting donations of food items to help brighten the Thanksgiving holiday of needy families in our community. Nonperishable items may be brought to the church through November 22^nd Our deaconess team will prepare all donations for safe delivery to needy families in our community. Please be sure to check the expiration dates on your donations to ensure they are fresh. If you know of any families who could use a basket this holiday season, please get in touch one of our Deaconess team members: Sylvia Gisewhite, Becky Hubler, Heather Hurley, Kay Knaul, Cindy Michaels, Renee Mostyn (Lead), Ildiko Schall, or Pam Weaver.

Sunday Morning Greeter Sign-Up

Do you like to say hi to people? Can you smile behind your mask? The next three months for greeter sign-up are now available in the foyer. Be sure to contact the church office this week if you are willing to greet for a service (or more!) in November, December, and January.

Pavilion Fund

A designated giving fund for a picnic pavilion here at church remains open. You can donate to this by marking your gift “pavilion” and placing it in the offering.

 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.

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 (9:30-2:30 Tuesday – Friday) in the offering plate right inside the door.
• Online Payments – P2P (CNB), PayPal, and Venmo are all e-giving options. Our account address is our email: churchoffice@lansefree.org. Contact Marilynn if you need any help navigating this way of giving.

Prayer Items

Contact the church office for this week’s prayer requests from the bulletin.