Lanse Link

Sunday, March 28, 2021
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

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

From the Pastor

Dear Church Family,

I’m so glad that we are all able to gather at the same time and same place to worship the same Lord during Passion Week this year. Being separated from one another on Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday was one of the worst parts of wrestling with the pandemic as a church family in 2020. Of course, gathering in the parking lot still isn’t “the same” or nearly as pleasant as it used to be (especially if it’s raining), but what matters most is the same–we gather to worship our crucified and risen Lord.

Please continue to pray for wisdom for our church leaders as we make plans for the Spring and Summer. We are eager to make prudential changes in ministry that bring us more and more together in fellowship as COVID numbers (hopefully) continue to go down and immunization numbers (hopefully) continue to go up. I am in line to get my vaccinations, and I will let you know when you are safe from getting the virus from me. I can’t hardly wait to spend more time in person with all of you.

Things sure can change quickly. As our Lord Jesus humbly yet triumphantly rode into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday, a joyfully expectant crowd shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Yet on Friday of that same week another crowd was shouting, “Crucify him!”

This weekend, we are focusing our worship on what our Lord endured for us as He felt forsaken on the Cross and mark it by partaking of the Lord’s Supper together. Next weekend, we will celebrate the greatest change of all–life from the dead!

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. Make sure you sing as loud as you can during Passion Week. We are singing songs about the greatest news the world has ever heard. Even if you are alone in your vehicle on Sunday morning, this gospel of a crucified and risen Savior is worthy of exuberant exultation!

Home Worship Guide

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.

Children’s Church

 Since we are meeting outdoors in one group, children will stay with their parents. Parents: Be sure to pick up your kids pack this morning. The lessons and activities pages for “Jesus’ Crucifixion” will be provided along with some other items. Children’s church will return to the 9:30am service on April 11^th.

Serbia Van Project

Word of Life Ministries is raising money to replace the current van being used by Darko Vika and his camp program with the kids and teens in Serbia. The Missions Ministry Team decided to open a designated giving fund for the next three weeks to help meet this need for a new vehicle. Mark your gift “Serbia Van” and drop it in the offering plate.

Family Fellowship on Zoom

Our next Church Family Fellowship on Zoom will be April 18th at 6:30pm. Join us as we catch up with educators from our church family. 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.

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.

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 are due to Bryan Sones today. Call Bryan with any questions.

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 4: Worshiped. 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.

 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.

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.

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.