LEFC Guide To Worship – 2 May 2021

LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, May 2, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

Did you hear the good news?

We have planned out our next steps for worship together this Spring

  1. As I wrote last week, we’re starting small this month with minor adjustments so that we feel less constricted when we gather inside. Have you noticed a few differences yet?

 

  1. The next big event will be another outdoor worship gathering at 10:00am on May 30th in the western parking lot. Live music will begin at 9:30am. We plan to recognize the Class of 2021 and to partake of the Lord’s Supper together. We’re looking for volunteers for special music and parking lot crew.

 

  1. Then, starting on Sunday June 6th, we will begin gathering at two new worship times: 9:00am and 10:30am. I really pleased that we are moving closer and closer to full participation for everyone!

Thank you for praying for wisdom for the church leaders as we make all of the preparations for these exciting next steps. And thank you, also, for your continued patience and kindness to each other as we all follow the Lord through these difficult times together.

Whether at home or on campus this weekend, let’s make sure that every single person in this beloved church family worships Jesus.

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. Of course, this plan is not the best news you’re going to hear this weekend. The best news is the gospel of Jesus Christ who “was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25). That’s news worth singing out!

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 “Immortal, Invisible” by Walter Chalmers Smith.

YouTube Video

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “To God Be the Glory,” “More Than Conquerors,” “Hallelujah for the Cross,” and “Be Thou My Vision.” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.

3. Worship in Unity

Recite and pray together the model prayer the Lord taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

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 71 to prepare to listen to today’s message.

7. Worship in the Word

Watch or read Pastor Matt’s message, “Since My Youth.”

Facebook Video

YouTube Video

Read Message Manuscript

[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 “Amazing Grace” by John Newton.

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. No LEFC Fellowship Meeting on Zoom This Sunday.

Plan to join us May 16th (6:30pm) as we pray for the educators in our church family as they reach the end of this difficult school year.

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. We are also looking for a few people willing to assist with parking. See Keith Folmar if you can meet this need.

Graduation Sunday

We plan honor those in our church family who have graduated from high school, college, or graduate school at our special outdoor service on May 30th. Are you completing any type of schooling during the 2020-2021 school year? Please fill out this online form or contact Marilynn for a print version by May 9th so you can be included in our celebration.

National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer is this Thursday. With so many problems facing our country right now, remember to set aside some time on Thursday to pray for our local, state, and national governments to lead us toward health, peace, and justice (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Cemetery Care

Bill Mostyn and his son, Nick, will be mowing the cemetery this year. If you notice anything that needs to be taken care of in our cemetery, please contact Bill (phone number provided in your email), and he will see that it is addressed.

Fellowship Evening at Miracle Mountain Ranch

You are invited to join Miracle Mountain Ranch on May 13th at 6:00pm for an evening of food, fellowship, and updates on the ministry of the Ranch. This is a great opportunity to be introduced to the mission and work of Miracle Mountain Ranch. There is no cost, but an RSVP (814.664.7673) is needed so they can better prepare.

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.

Sunday School at Home – Spring Quarter

Our Sunday School classes continue to study at home and the new quarter has just begun. Be sure to pick up your copy of Luke 10-24 and follow along at home with Lesson 9: Remembered. We have a few copies available in large print. Not coming on campus yet?  Marilynn Kristofits would be happy to mail the study resource to you.

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.

Sunday Morning Greeters

Reminder: Sunday Morning greeters, please stop on your way out today and sign up to greet for a few services this Spring. Signup sheets are hanging up in the foyer.

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

Worship Service: Sunday, 10:00am

Prayer Meeting: Wednesday, 7:00pm