LEFC Guide to Worship – 23 May 2021
LEFC Guide to Worship
Sunday, May 23, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church
From the Pastor
Dear Church Family,
It’s Holy Spirit Sunday!
Historically, Christians have marked off this day each year to celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2). The Holy Spirit, Who is God Himself, is also the Personal gift of God’s empowering presence within all of His children. His ministries to us are awesome, multiple, and manifold.
Right before He went to the Cross, the Lord Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever–the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17). Because He is in us, we have so much to be thankful for!
I can’t believe we’ve finally reached the last Sunday morning of offering 3 worship services due to the pandemic. I’m eager for us all to get closer together, but I also admit that I’ll probably miss singing all of the songs three times and getting to preach three times every Sunday morning, often outside at 11:00am! At the same time, I’m looking forward to discovering the new adventures the Lord has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10).
Our EFCA Statement of faith declares that “the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ.” Let’s be sure to join Him! Whether at home or on campus on this “Holy Spirit Sunday,” let’s make sure that every single person in this beloved church family brings glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.
In His Grip,
– Pastor Matt
P.S. The Bible closely relates being filled with the Holy Spirit to singing (Ephesians 5:19). As we come under His influence, we are led to worship with joy. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).
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 “The Comforter Has Come” by Frank Bottome.
**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “Breathe On Me, Breath of God,” “I Saw the Light,” “Holy Spirit, and “Wonderful, Merciful Savior.” You could add or substitute those songs for your household, as well.
3. Worship in Unity
Recite together Article 6 of the EFCA Statement of Faith.
“We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.”
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 115 to prepare to listen to today’s message.
7. Worship in the Word
Watch or read Pastor Matt’s message, “Not To Us, O LORD.”
[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 “Spirit of the Living God” by Daniel Iverson.
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.
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. While outdoors, protective face coverings are optional. Outdoor worship resources are available on tables near the entrances.
Follow the Lord in Water Baptism
We are planning a baptism service later this Summer. Classes will be set up to meet individual scheduling needs. If you would like to learn more about what it means to follow Christ in water baptism, talk to Pastor Matt about options that fit your schedule.
Family Bible Week
Join us for Family Bible Week July 19-22 & 25. Our first priority this year will be the children and youth classes and remind them that Jesus is our strong foundation. See Misty Michaels to be involved.
West Branch Ministerium Baccalaureate
The West Branch Ministerium Baccalaureate service is planned for Sunday, May 30th at 7:00pm at Gethsemane UMC. They are offering many ways to participate in this event: In-person, streaming on Facebook, and radio transmission. Join them and celebrate the class of 2021.
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 12: Revealed. Our Summer 2021 personal study guides are in the foyer on the resource tables. Pick up your copy of Explore the Bible: Job; Ecclesiastes as we will begin this study on June 6. Pick up your free copy today. Not coming on campus yet? Marilynn would be happy to mail them.
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.
Children’s Church
All children (ages 3 – 3rd grade) are invited to join us at our 9:30 worship service today for our Children’s Church program. Beginning this week, the children will meet in the back yard (weather permitting – masks optional outdoors). Parents: When indicated in the service, please drop your kids off with a volunteer. Ministry workers will bring the children back to the ABC room 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.
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 – Picnic Pavilion
A designated giving fund for a future picnic pavilion remains open. You can donate to this by marking your gift “pavilion” and placing it in the offering.
Designated Giving – Miracle Mountain Ranch
Miracle Mountain Ranch lost Fort Wilderness to a fire on Thursday. This remote location was home to their overnight adventures for Summer Camp. We have opened a designated giving fund to help them begin the rebuilding process. Mark your gift “MMR Fire” and place it in the offering plate. A designated giving fund remains open to offset the registration for the seven kids attending church camp this year. If you would like to give to this need, mark your gift “Camp Fund.”
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
Pastor Matt’s Blog
- “Expensive” [Matt's Messages] April 21, 2024
- “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