LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, February 21, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

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

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

This February, we have been focusing on the great Christian theme of love.

The Bible says that God is love (1 John 4:16) and that there is no greater love than laying down your life for one another (see John 15:13). Jesus did that for us and showed us the way to do it for others, as well. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

To whom do you need to show sacrificial Christ-like love this week?

Because of the Lord’s great love, we can also love Him in worship. We recognize Him as our greatest treasure, the strength of our hearts, and our portion forever (Psalm 73:26).

Whether at home or on campus, let’s make sure that every single one of us in this beloved church family worships the Lord Jesus Christ.

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. The songwriter of Psalm 89 was dedicated to singing about the Lord’s great love. He wrote, “I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.” Let’s make this our model and sing of the Lord’s great love on endless repeat.

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship

Read 73 as your family gathers to worship.

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

**Option. Families with children at home could prepare them by asking, “What is Psalm 73 about?” “What do you think Pastor Matt will say about Psalm 73 today?” “What did Psalm 73 make you think or feel when we read it?” “What does Psalm 73 teach us about God?” “What does Psalm 73 teach us about ourselves?” “What does Psalm 73 teach us about Jesus?”

2. Worship in Singing

As a household sing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” by Martin Luther (1852).

YouTube Video

**Option. Our church family is learning the new song, “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, and Michael Farren (2018). Your family want to sing it every Sunday for the next several weeks.

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “All My Ways Are Known To You” and “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior.” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.

3. Worship in Unity

Answer together the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism (1563):

Q: What is our only comfort in life and death?

A: That we are not our own
but belong with body and soul
both in life and in death
to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

He has fully paid for all our sins
with his precious blood,
and has set us free
from all the power of the devil.

He also preserves us in such a way
that without the will of our heavenly Father
not a hair can fall from our heads;
indeed, all things must work together
for our salvation.

Therefore, by his Holy Spirit
he also assures us of eternal life
and makes us heartily willing and ready
from now on to live for him.

[Pastor Matt has worded the translation into the first person plural so that we declare it together as a community of faith with the communion of the saints.]

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 Bible Memory

Recite our church’s current set of “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.”

**Option: If you are looking for a new memorization challenge, consider hiding Psalm 73:25-26 in your heart: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

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, “My Feet Had Almost Slipped.”

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 “Be Thou My Vision,” an ancient Irish hymn translated by Mary Byrne.

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.

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.

Baby Bottle Blessings

Thank you to all who helped with The Pregnancy Resource Clinic’s Baby Bottle Blessing campaign. Bottles are due back today. If you forgot yours, contact the church office as soon as possible to make arrangements to turn it in.

God’s Promises Bulletin Board

There are thousands of God’s promises to discover in the Bible. Help us “Hang On God’s Promises This Year.” Write down a scripture reference for a promise God has made to you on a cutout from the table in the foyer. Cut outs can be taken home to fill out and returned later or emailed to the church office.

Ladies’ Restroom Project

Please excuse our dust as the work in the ladies’ restroom continues. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we update this room. Ladies: the family restroom is open for you to use throughout this project.

Sunday School at Home

The Spring Sunday School books have now arrived and are available for pick up in the foyer.  Once again, we have several copies available in large print.  Pick up your copy of Luke 10-24 so you are ready to continue following along at home next month. Explore the Bible Winter Sunday School at home continues this week with our current series: Luke 1-9. Call the church if you would like these resources mailed to you.

Christian Servant Academy Interest Survey

Christian Servant Academy is a school scheduled to open to kindergarten and first grade students in August 2021. The mission of the Christian Servant Academy is to develop humble disciples and God-fearing citizens by providing rigorous instruction, rooted in the Word of God, along with high standards of discipline for moral character. Samuel Smeal is looking for feedback from prospective parents and community members. Your answers to this survey will help them gauge interest in the school and open lines of communication for parents of prospective students and others who are interested in supporting CSA.

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: Because we are inside, masks are required of all who attend. We will continue to send the Prayer Meeting at Home guide to anyone who requests it. Contact the church office to get this weekly email.

Sunday Morning Greeter Sign-Up

Do you like to say hi to people? Can you smile behind your mask? Be sure to stop on your way out today and sign up to greet for a few services in March or April.

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.

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.

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.