LEFC Guide To Worship – 16 May 2021
LEFC Guide to Worship
Sunday, May 16, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church
From the Pastor
Dear Church Family,
Don’t forget: Jesus is still alive!
We are entering into the last week between Resurrection Sunday and Pentecost Sunday (what has historically been called “Eastertide”) which is an excellent time to remind ourselves once again that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and lives today. The reason we gather on Sundays for worship is to remind ourselves weekly that the grave could not hold Him and that He lives in the power of an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16).
I’m excited about the changes that are coming around the corner. I’m looking forward to our special outdoor service on May 30th and the two new worship times starting on June 6th (9:00 and 10:30). Please be praying for all of the preparations for these two things and also for the longer term planning of summer ministries. Parents, Misty Michaels is looking for input on children’s ministries this summer. See her with any ideas or concerns you have. We will share more next week about the plans that are being formed.
Whether at home or on campus this weekend, let’s make sure that every single person in this beloved church family worships the Lord Jesus Christ.
In His Grip,
– Pastor Matt
P.S. The fact that Jesus is still alive today makes all of the difference for today and eternity, and is worthy of our joyful song: “Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian / Lift up your voice and sing / Eternal hallelujahs / To Jesus Christ the King!”
Home Worship Guide
1. Welcome to Worship & Worship in Bible Memory
Begin your family’s time of worship by reciting Psalm 100 together:
“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Have someone pray and ask God to bless your time of worship at home.
2. Worship in Singing
As a household sing “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” by Joachim Neander.
**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “Redeemed,” “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” “Before the Throne of God Above,” and “How Great Thou Art.” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.
3. Worship in Unity
Recite together Article #1 of the EFCA Statement of Faith:
“We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.”
4. Worship in Thanksgiving and Lament
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).
Share with your family those things you are celebrating and those things you are lamenting this week.
5. 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.
6. Worship in Scripture Reading
Have someone read Psalm 99 to prepare to listen to today’s message.
7. Worship in the Word
Watch or read Pastor Matt’s message, “The LORD Our God Is Holy.”
[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 “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Reginald Heber.
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.
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.
- Check back in one last time with educators from our church family as they strive towards the end of a very difficult school year. Find out how the Lord is answering our prayers and also pray some more for students, aides, administrators, and teachers in primary, secondary, and higher education.
- Pray for one another live and online.
Connection details can be found in your email.
Church Family News
Additional Outdoor Seating Options
We are now broadcasting audio of all 3 worship times into the church parking lot on 89.5 FM. We also have a tent seating section available with a sound system transmitting the words and music outside when weather allows. Please contact the church office if you want to know for certain if the tent will be open on any particular Sunday. While outdoors, protective face coverings are optional. Outdoor worship resources are available on tables near the entrances.
Be A Part of Our Outdoor Worship Gathering
If you would like to share your talents in music for our special outdoor service on May 30th, please see Pastor Matt today. We are also looking for a few people willing to assist with parking. See Keith Folmar if you can meet this need.
EFCA One 2021
This year’s biennial conference will be a one-day virtual event held on Wednesday, June 23rd with a 5:30-7:00 Celebration Service. By participating, they hope you’ll feel refreshed and inspired with a renewed sense of what God is doing through the EFCA. This virtual service is free and available to anyone involved in EFCA Churches. Register online to attend the EFCA One Celebration Service.
Christian Servant Academy Open House
You are invited to an open house at CSA on Saturday, May 29th from 10:00-4:00. This is a great opportunity to get to know this new ministry through education in our area. More details can be found in the foyer on their flyer or by visiting their Facebook Event page or their website.
Help Needed at Miracle Mountain Ranch
MMR is looking for some people willing to take a trip up to the ranch to do some mowing. Consider spending a day or two helping them prepare their grounds for the Summer Camp ministry season.
Our Daily Bread
The latest edition of Our Daily Bread for June, July, and August is now available in the foyer on the resources table. Pick up your free copy today.
Children’s Church
All children (ages 3 – 3rd grade) are invited to join us at our 9:30 worship service for our Children’s Church program. Parents: When indicated in the service, please bring your kids back to the foyer and 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 child protection clearances.
New Here?
Thanks for joining us today! Newcomer cards are on the Welcome Tables in the foyer. If you have not received one yet, please ask one of our greeters where they are. We appreciate you joining us and would like to know more about you. Please take some time to fill it out then drop it in the offering plate when you leave. Thanks!
Sunday School at Home
Our Sunday School classes continue to study at home. Be sure to pick up your copy of Luke 10-24 and follow along at home with Lesson 11: Sacrificed. Our Summer 2021 personal study guides have arrived and are in the foyer on the resources table. We will begin our new study, Explore the Bible: Job; Ecclesiastes, on June 6. Pick up your free copy today. Not coming on campus yet? Marilynn would be happy to mail them.
On-Campus Prayer Meeting
Join us Wednesdays at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall as Joel Michaels leads us in a brief Bible study, praising God through song, and praying with other believers. Reminder: Bring a jacket along. Now that the weather is warming up, we will sometimes meet outdoors. Masks are required inside and optional outside.
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.
Designated Giving Funds
Each year we open a designated giving fund here at church to help pay the registration for the kids attending church camp. If you would like to give to this need, mark your gift “Camp Fund.” A designated giving fund for a picnic pavilion here at church also remains open. You can donate to this by marking your gift “pavilion” and placing it in the offering.
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 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.
Prayer Items
Contact the church office for this week’s prayer requests from the bulletin.
Lanse Free Church
255 Cotohisc Road
Lanse, PA 16849
Phone: 814.345.6500
Social Connections
Worship Service: Sunday, 10:00am
Prayer Meeting: Wednesday, 7:00pm
Broadcasting to the parking lot on 89.5FM.
Pastor Matt's Blog
Pastor Matt’s Blog
- “It Is Finished” [Matt's Messages] November 17, 2024
- “Here Is Your King” [Matt's Messages] November 10, 2024
- “Who Is It You Want?” [Matt's Messages] November 3, 2024