LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, March 21, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

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

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

We’re just one week away from Palm Sunday!

I’m really looking forward to worshiping together with the whole church family the next two Sundays for our special outdoor Passion Week worship gatherings. One of the worst parts of ministry over the last year has been missing the fullness of sweet fellowship and physical togetherness. We have kept our distances from each other out of love one another, but that has been really difficult to endure. I can’t hardly wait to see families roll into the parking lot to be in the same place at the same to worship our crucified and risen Lord.

I hope you’re planning to meet Fred & Cindy Cressman Sunday night at the Family Fellowship Meeting via Zoom (6:30pm). I’m glad that we are able to use new technologies to forge new relationships with new missionary partners in new parts of the world.

Whether at home or on campus this weekend, 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. Music, especially singing worship songs, has been something the Lord has used to help many of us get through the pressures of the last year. Looking for some more good music? At the Gospel Coalition website Brett McCracken has compiled a list of music from the last twelve months that he found worthy of sharing. What music has been the most upbuilding for you?

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship

Read Psalm 55 as your family gathers to worship.

**Option. Some families with younger children may want to start with an upbeat psalm like Psalm 100 instead.

**Option. Families with older children at home could prepare them by asking, “What is Psalm 55 about?” “What do you think Pastor Matt will say about Psalm 55 today?” “What did Psalm 55 make you think or feel when we read it?” “What does Psalm 55 teach us about God?” “What does Psalm 55 teach us about ourselves?” “What does Psalm 55 teach us about Jesus?”

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

2. Worship in Singing

As a household sing “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” by Philip Bliss

YouTube Video

A**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 week until Resurrection Sunday.

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “This Is Amazing Grace,” “King Forevermore,” and “Were You There?” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.

3. Worship in Unity

As a household, recite Article #5 of the EFCA Statement of Faith on the Work of Christ:

“We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.”

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, “Cast Your Cares on the LORD.”

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 “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” by Elisha Hoffman.

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.

Be A Part of Our Passion Week Services

If you would like to share your talents in music for one of our two special services, please see Pastor Matt.

Parking Crew Needed

We are looking for a couple of people willing to come early the next two Sundays and help with traffic direction and parking. Please contact Keith Folmar today if you can help meet this need.

Children’s Church

Our Children’s Church lesson this week at the 9:30 service is “Jesus Is Arrested.” Parents can send their kids back when it is announced during the service. Our program will not meet during our special Passion Week Services. The lessons and activities pages for “Jesus’s Crucifixion” and “Jesus’ Resurrection” will be provided along with some other items for these two Sundays. Parents: Be sure to request your kids packs each Sunday when you arrive on campus.

Missionary Introduction on Zoom

The second of our two prospective missionaries will be with us for our Family Fellowship on Zoom.  Meet Fred & Cindy Cressman, ReachGlobal missionaries to Malawi. Find out how the Lord led them into missions, what ministry looks like in Malawi, and how we can partner with the Cressman’s in the Lord’s work in Africa. LEFC Kids: find out more about Malawi, Africa! Ask Mr. & Mrs. Cressman questions about the language, geography, what people eat, what animals there are there, and whatever other things you’d like to know about living in a different culture.

Cemetery Care Bids

The Facilities Team is now accepting bids for cemetery mowing this Summer. Mowing will begin as soon as the grass needs its first trim and will conclude in mid to late fall depending on the weather. You are responsible to provide your own gas and equipment. Bids should be submitted to Bryan Sones by March 28th. Call Bryan with any questions.

Red Cross Blood Drive

On Tuesday, April 20^th, our church will host the Morrisdale Community Blood Drive from 1:00-6:30pm. We are looking for 2-3 people willing to work this drive. We need help with temperature checks, registration, and in the canteen. We can also use a few dozen cookies or brownies (individually packaged) to offer our guests after they donate. Questions? Call Marilynn Kristofits.

10-Digit Calling

Reminder: Beginning on Saturday, April 3^rd, our area will be transitioning to 10-digit dialing. This means that all local calls must include the 814 area code. Be sure to update and reprogram your phone contacts so you will have frustration free calling.

West Branch Ministerium Scholarship

The H. Lee Hebel Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship given to a high school graduate or those pursuing a second career, and will, in the next 9 months, be enrolled in college, seminary, or Bible school. They should be pursuing full time Christian service, including pastoral ministry, counseling, youth ministry, or teaching in a Christian school. Applications should be postmarked by April 15 and can be found in the foyer on the Community Bulletin Board.

Sunday School at Home – Spring Quarter

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 3: Worthy? 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: 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.

Summer Camp

It is not too late to send your kids to camp at Miracle Mountain Ranch! We have some kids heading up to the ranch the weeks of June 27-July3 and July 4-9. If you are interested in more information, pick up a flyer in the foyer and contact Marilynn Kristofits soon to register your child.

Ladies’ Restroom Project

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we update this room. Ladies: the family restroom is open for you to use throughout this project.

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 fund here at church to help pay the registration for the kids attending 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.