LEFC Guide to Worship – 12 July 2020
LEFC Guide to Worship
Sunday, July 12
Lanse Evangelical Free Church
From the Pastor
Dear Church Family,
Okay. I’ll go ahead and say it again: Rejoice! For the last 17 weeks, we have focused on rejoicing together as a congregation, and I think it’s been just what we all needed. This weekend is no exception. Regardless of the tight spots in which we often find ourselves, we have every reason to rejoice in the Lord.
I’m rejoicing this weekend as we launch our third new worship time at 11:00am on Sundays. While I’d much rather we were all together at our old time, I’m glad that having these three services will ensure that we have enough group seating sections to accommodate our entire church family every Sunday as, in time, everyone returns to worship on campus. Thank you to all who reserved a spot for this week, and if you’re ready, please do it again for next Sunday morning (8:00, 9:30, 11:00). Now that we have a place for everybody, it’s time to work at getting everybody in their place.
I’m rejoicing with every new family that comes back to worship in person. If this is your first Sunday back on campus, welcome home! I know these conditions are frustrating, especially making reservations and wearing face coverings, but I also know that it’s really good to be with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s day rejoicing in the Lord.
If you are a newcomer and this is your first Sunday ever or if you’re an “old-timer” and it’s your one thousandth time on campus, we’re all rejoicing that you are here. I’m looking forward to visiting with more people on Sundays after each worship time outside. Look for me under the tent, and let’s have some fellowship together!
I’m rejoicing that we have volunteers to serve in all of the Sunday morning ministry teams this week. It takes a lot of people to offer three worship times each Sunday, and we have a great bunch of wonderful servants to bring it off! Please consider jumping on board and taking up a ministry role. Every little bit helps.
I’m especially rejoicing to share this weekend that we are going to celebrate Family Bible Week this Summer. It will be a very different Family Bible Week than we’ve ever had before. Due to COVID-19, it will be a modified, simplified, shortened, and hybrid FBW experience with both in-person and virtual elements. It won’t be the same, but I’m rejoicing that we have a workable plan and get to do it this year! Family Bible Week is NOT cancelled!
We’ll tell you more about FBW this coming week, but I’ll share this now:
Monday night, July 20th, will be Kids’ Night under the tent on campus (6:30pm) with crafts, games, and lesson safe and fun outside just like Kids’ Bible Story Hour. We need parents to register their kids for that starting this Sunday afternoon.
Tuesday night, July 21st will be Youth Night under the tent on campus (6:30pm), the first time our youth have gotten together in person since March.
Wednesday night, July 22nd, will be Adult’s Night under the tent on campus (6:30pm), a lot like what we’ve been doing with Prayer Meeting outside the last month.
FBW will be only three nights this year, but we will be getting together to study our Bibles and grow in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. We will have a FBW Missions Project, and on the last Sunday of Family Bible Week, July 26th, we are planning to hold a socially-distant Fellowship Picnic here on campus! Tables, chairs, and cold drinks will be provided. We’ll bring our own food, lawnchairs, and canopies. It’ll be outside so masks will be optional, and while we might have to keep our distance, we can still see each other and have a good long visit. I can hardly wait!
That picnic may not be for everybody, especially those who need to be the most cautious right now. But we’ll also be providing daily videos with a word from the Word and an update on the missions project for Family Bible Week online. That’s a lot to rejoice about!
For those worshiping at home this weekend, we have prepared another ten-step guide for your family to use and will be posting another recorded video message from the book of Philippians. We have reached the actual passage in Philippians where Paul writes, “I will say it again: Rejoice!”
For our Worship in Unity portion this week, we are returning to the most famous question from the Westminster Shorter Catechism. The language may be archaic, but its meaning is timeless and timely. Remember: 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!
This Sunday evening, Lord-willing, we are going to connect again on Zoom for a Family Fellowship Meeting. The new time for this online event is 6:30pm and our first guest will be Greg Shuenke of Vision of Hope Ministries. I’m looking forward to learning how our ministry partners in Haiti are doing now that Henoc has gone to be the Lord. I hope you can join us.
I will say it again: I rejoice to be your pastor! Whether at home or on campus this weekend, let’s make sure that every single one of us in this precious church family worships the Lord Jesus Christ.
In His Grip,
– Pastor Matt
P.S. One more time: I hope you’re rejoicing in song. Sometimes I don’t feel like singing, but singing often helps me to feel like singing. Rejoice!
Home Worship Guide
1. Welcome to Worship
Read Psalm 100 with grateful gladness as your family gathers to worship.
**Option: Psalm 100 calls for shouting. Little kids especially love to shout. Parents could read a phrase at a time from Psalm 100 and have the kids repeat them back at the top of their lungs.
**Option: Families with older children may want to learn more about Psalm 100, a wonderful hymn of joyful praise to God. Pastor Matt taught on Psalm 100 in a sermon in 2007 entitled, “Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving.”
Have someone pray and ask God to bless your time of worship at home.
2. Worship in Singing
As a household sing “Rejoice, the Lord is King” by Charles Wesley (1746).
**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship,” “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” and “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone).” One or more of those songs may work better for your family.
**Option. Families with younger children might also or instead choose to sing “All My Ways Are Known To You” by CityAlight (2016).
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.
4. Worship in Lament and Thanksgiving
The Bible tells us in the very same verse to “rejoice with those who rejoice” and to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). Even as we focus on reasons for rejoicing today, it is always appropriate to lament our losses. Have each family member share something they are mourning and something for which they are rejoicing today.
5. Worship in Bible Memory
Recite our current “Hide the Word” memory verses, Philippians 4:4-6:
“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.”
**Option: How many words can the leader leave out and the rest of the household remember?
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: “I Will Say It Again, Rejoice!”
[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 “Coming Again” by John W. Peterson (1957). YouTube Video
**Option: Sing “Rejoice in the Lord Always.” We have sung this one many times this Spring, but in conjunction with this weekend’s message, it is the most appropriate. Remember, this song can be sung as an up to four part “canon” with singers starting at staggered intervals. Have your family trying singing it “in the round.”
**Option: Some families, especially those with young children who really enjoy repetition, may want to continue to sing “Jesus, Strong and Kind” by CityAlight (2019) each week.
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 July 12.
Many of us are meeting through video-conference online this Sunday at 6:30[,:
- See one another’s faces and hear each other’s voices.
- Listen to announcements of church family news.
- Interact with Greg Shuenke of Vision of Hope Ministries in Haiti
- Kids, let’s play Bible Charades again! Can you act out a Bible story for us, and we guess which story it is?
- 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
Zoom This Week
Join us at our new time (6:30pm) for our Church Family Fellowship on Zoom. Kids: Let’s play Bible Charades again! Can you act out a Bible story for us and we guess which story it is? This week we will welcome Greg Shuenke of Vision of Hope Ministries. He will share how our ministry partners in Haiti are doing now that Henoc has gone to be with the Lord.
On-Campus Worship Gatherings
Thank you for joining us! Be sure to let us know if you will be joining us next week. We have three gatherings for you to choose from (8:00, 9:30, and 11:00). Call the office to reserve your family seating section or register online through the links in your email.
Good News Cruise Detour to 2021
After prayerful deliberation, the GNC planning team has decided to cancel this year’s cruise-in due to COVID-19. Our regular event is too popular to be held safely this year. This month we are sending a letter explaining this to all previous registrants with a commemorative dash-plaque and a gospel presentation. Please continue to pray for spiritual fruit to come from this outreach. The next Good News Cruise has already been scheduled for August 21, 2021.
Challenge 2020 – Wednesday
This year’s Challenge Conference theme is “Restless: Longing and Belonging” and has been transformed into a free livestream event. Now is your chance to get a taste of what Challenge has to offer. Be sure to register online for this interactive evening with speakers Vašek Andrš, Stephen Love, Kempton Turner, and Justin Wevers. Seventh Hour will lead worship and some other surprises are also planned.
Clean Team
Our Clean Team could use extra hands to help clean the church between our three morning services. If you are willing and able to help, please contact Cindy Green.
Fellowship Tent Team
The big tent outside provides a bit of shade while giving an opportunity for safe socializing. When weather permits, we open the tent for our services. We are looking for some people to help with this on Sundays (by 9:00 am), Wednesdays (by 6pm), and other days as needed. Teams of two to four people can have it rolled up in just a few minutes. Contact Marilynn Kristofits if you can help!
Children’s Ministries Planning Meeting
There will be a planning meeting this Wednesday, the 15th, for those wishing to be involved with upcoming children’s ministries. Please remember to wear your mask!
Greeting Team
Are you calm under pressure and willing to wear a mask? Would you be willing to help greet people as they arrive for either of our on-campus services? We are looking for a few people willing to help greet and seat people on Sunday Mornings. Talk with Joel Michaels today about meeting this need.
On-Campus Prayer Meeting
Join us Wednesdays for on-campus prayer meetings at 7pm. We are asking everyone to bring and wear a protective face covering (mask). Whenever the weather permits, we will hold the Prayer Meeting outdoors. Questions about what is expected? Call the office.
Help for Haiti
VOHM has helped many families with basic nutrition needs. A designated giving fund remains open to assist VOHM to help meet the basic need for nutrition in their church families and community. If you would like to give to this through the church, please mark your gift “Haiti” or you can donate online here.
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.
Helping One Another
We have developed an online form to identify those from our church family and community who may need some assistance and those who are willing to help others during this pandemic. If you need help, know of someone who needs help, or can help, please contact the church office.
Safe Pastoral Visits
Pastor Matt would love to see many of you in person to pray with you, share concerns, ideas, or just have a conversation. If you are open to a porch visit, driveway visit, or a visit in another setting that would allow for safe and appropriate distances, please get in touch with him to schedule a time. You can reach him at the church (345.6500), call on his mobile phone, send him an email (pastormatt@lansefree.org), or connect with him on social media.
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 Office to be sent these items.
More Links to Helpful Resources:
“How to Find Joy During Trials” by Greg Palys
“Kids Can Discover Compassion and Empathy by Exploring a World Outside Their Own” by J.A. Myhre
“4 Reasons to Wear a Mask, Even if You Hate It” by Brett McCracken
Lanse Free Church
255 Cotohisc Road
Lanse, PA 16849
Phone: 814.345.6500
Worship Service: Sunday, 10:00am
Prayer Meeting: Wednesday, 7:00pm
Pastor Matt’s Blog
- “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” [Matt's Messages] April 14, 2024
- “I And The Father Are One” [Matt's Messages] April 7, 2024
- "I Am The Good Shepherd" [Matt's Messages] March 31, 2024