LEFC Guide to Worship

Sunday, August 30, 2020
Lanse Evangelical Free Church

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

Dear Church Family,

On a prayer walk this week, I was asking the Lord what I should preach on next, and the clearest answer that I got was “fortifying truth.” Our hearts need fed truth that strengthens us to live as faithful followers of Jesus in a turbulent and tumultuous world.

I’m not sure yet what that means for our next series of Sunday messages. Please pray about that with me. The Bible is brimming with fortifying truth, and I need fresh direction from the Lord about what specifically to focus our attention on this Fall. For this week, it’s Psalm 8, gaining a renewed vision of our majestic yet mindful Creator.

I’m excited for the kids who get to attend our experimental Children’s Church this Sunday during the 9:30am worship gathering. We haven’t had a weekly class for kids for five months! Please pray for the teachers and students to have a great experience of learning fortifying truth about our Lord Jesus.

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

In His Grip,

– Pastor Matt

P.S. I love having good music stuck in my head. I have two versions of Psalm 8 that were on constant mental repeat as I wrote the message for this weekend. One is the old chorus by Michael W. Smith that we are going use to start our worship times. The other is a new rendition by the band Poor Bishop Hooper as part of their EveryPsalm project.

Home Worship Guide

1. Welcome to Worship

Read Psalm 8 as your family gathers to worship.

**Option. Pastor Matt’s message will be about Psalm 8. Families with children at home could prepare them by asking, “What is Psalm 8 about?” “What do you think Pastor Matt will say about Psalm 8 today?” “What did Psalm 8 make you think or feel when we read it?” “What does Psalm 8 teach us about God?” “What does Psalm 8 teach us about ourselves?” “What does Psalm 8 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 “How Majestic Is Your Name” by Michael W. Smith (1981). YouTube Video

**Option. To correspond with Psalm 8, families might want to sing again the hymn we started with last week, “This Is My Father’s World” (Maltbie Babcock, 1901).

**Option. Those worshiping on campus are also singing, “I Sing the Mighty Power of God,” “To God Be the Glory,” “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” “All Glory Be to Christ,” and “Glorify Thy Name.” One or more of those songs may be good for your family to sing as well or instead.

3. Worship in Unity

Recite together Article 3 of the EFCA Statement of Faith:

“We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.”

4. Worship in Lament and Thanksgiving

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).

Share with your family those things you are thankful for and those things you are lamenting this week.

5. Worship in Bible Memory

Recite our current “Hide the Word” memory verses, Philippians 4:4-7.

 “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.”

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: “Majestic and Mindful.”

Facebook Video

YouTube Video

Read on Pastor Matt’s Blog

[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 “In Christ Alone” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend (2002).

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 August 30.

Many of us are meeting through video-conference online this Sunday at 6:30pm:

• See one another’s faces and hear each other’s voices.
• Listen to announcements of church family news.
• Interact with our ministry partners, Darko & Elizabeth Vika from Word of Life Serbia.
• LEFC Zoom Kids, Pastor Matt is going to do another “object lesson.” Can you and your parents find a slice or even a whole loaf of bread? Extra points: Can you find some yeast? What do think those things might teach us about the growth of the kingdom of God?
• Pray for one another live and online.

If you have any questions about how to do this, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Church Family News

Children’s Church Begins Today

 All children ages 3 – 3^rd grade are invited to join us for Children’s Church at our 9:30 worship service. Our Children’s ministry leaders have been working on a plan and are excited to offer this ministry once again to our LEFC Kids. Parents: When indicated in the service, please bring your kids back to the foyer. 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.

Our Daily Bread & Sunday School Books

 The latest edition of Our Daily Bread for September, October, and November are now available at church. The next personal study guide from our Sunday School series, Explore the Bible, has also arrived. Pick up your copy of Isaiah and spend time each week studying the lessons. For your convenience each of these resources are available in both the foyer and the breezeway.

Improvement Projects Update

The congregation has approved the Facilities Improvements Projects presented at the summer congregational meeting. Thank you all who voted by mail. Pray for the Facilities Team as they work with contractors to fit in the work on the parking lot, electrical panel, and ladies’ restroom this Fall.

On-Campus Prayer Meeting Moving Indoors

 Due to the changing weather, our On-Campus Prayer Meeting will be moving indoors beginning this Wednesday. Join us at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall for a brief Bible study, praising God through song, and praying with other believers. Reminder: Because we are inside, masks or shields will be 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.

Pavilion Fund

 We have opened a designated giving fund for a picnic pavilion here at church. You can donate to this by marking your gift “pavilion” and placing it in the offering.

Zoom This Week

 Join us Sunday at 6:30pm for our Church Family Fellowship on Zoom. We will visit together, share Church Family News items, and spend some time interacting with our ministry partners, Darko & Elizabeth Vika. Kids: Pastor Matt is going to do another “object lesson.” Scavenger Hunt: Can you and your parents find a slice or even a whole loaf of bread? Extra points: Can you find some yeast? What do think those things might teach us about the growth of the kingdom of God?

You Matter 5K & 10Mile Ride

The Pregnancy Resource Clinic will be hosting their annual 5K walk/run and 10Mile bicycle ride on Saturday, September 26^th. This year you can choose to participate in person or complete the race virtually.  For more information on all of the details and safety plans for this event, visit their website. Registering by September 3^rd will guarantee an event T-shirt. Consider supporting the PRC through this annual event.

Operation Christmas Child

With school supplies on sale, now is a great time to pick up some items in preparation for packing a shoebox to bless a needy child. Please note: No food items or toothpaste are permitted in these boxes.

New Addresses for LEFC College Students

New addresses for our LEFC kids and the September Birthday and Anniversary lists are available at the church and were also sent out via email. If your child is not listed there, be sure to get their address to our church office and we will print them next Sunday.

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.

Tech Team Members Needed

We are looking for a few more people willing to be trained to operate the sound system for church services on Sunday mornings. If you are willing to serve for one (or more) of our worship gatherings. Talk to John Kristofits to schedule training.

Sunday Morning Greeter Sign-Up

Do you like to say hi to people? Can you smile behind your mask? Be sure to stop in the foyer on your way out and sign up to greet for a service (or more!) in September, October, and November.

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 (9:30-2:30 Tuesday – Friday) in the offering plate right inside the door.
• Online Payments – P2P (CNB), PayPal, and Venmo are all e-giving options. Our account address is our email: churchoffice@lansefree.org. Contact Marilynn if you need any help navigating this way of giving.

Prayer Items

Contact the church office for this week’s prayer requests from the bulletin.