Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church
Dispelling the Darkness
May 4, 2008
Prelude Elaine Anderson
Welcome
Opening Hymn Revive Us Again (see bulletin)
Scripture Readings
Old Testament: Ezekiel
36:25-27
OT p. 653
New Testament: Luke 11:5-13 NT p. 58
Pastoral Prayer
Offering We Give Thee but Thine Own #391
Anthem Hallowed Be Thy Name Senior Choir
Children’s Object Lesson
Hymn Have Thine Own Way, Lord #460
Sermon
"Keys to Revival"
Acts 11:5-13
Pastor David Skordahl
Hymn Search Me, O God #478
Service of Holy Communion Hymnal (front) p.16-17
Confession of Faith Nicene Creed Hymnal (front) p.18
Consecration and Distribution
(Confirmands & their parents will be the first communion table)
Holy Communion #285, 417, 425, 431
The Benediction
The Doxology Hymnal (front) p. 24
A pastor and deacons will be in the front of the sanctuary following the service to meet with those who desire to receive Christ as Savior and Lord, those who wish to renew their relationship with Him, and those who need prayer for specific needs. Anointing with oil, according to James 5:14, is available upon request.
Stand (optional)
We are thankful to have you join us for today’s service. A word to our guests – we practice open communion which means that if you are trusting in Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are invited to commune with us. Please sign a registration card located in your pew.
Deacons at the Altar: Tom Mickelson and Gordy Vaksdal
Today’s radio broadcast is sponsored by family and friends in loving memory of Helen Johnson.
A member of our congregation has offered to pay all the fees for someone to go to Bible Camp this summer. If you know of anyone who would like to go but needs help with the fees, please contact Pastor Skordahl.
The Youth Board will sponsor a family in our congregation to attend Cedar Lake Bible Camp. Contact Lisa Vaksdal or Kathy Hoge for more information.
Let’s give a warm welcome to the new intern Pastor. On June 1st we will be having a brunch following the church service. It will be a good time of good food and fellowship. Please set aside this time so that we can encourage Patrick and Jennifer with a good turn out. There will also be a table set up for pantry supplies. If you can, just bring a food item, cleaning supply, etc. There is no need to wrap it. We have several breakfast choices for our brunch – egg casserole, biscuits and gravy, muffins, and fruit.
Join Hands is a nationwide opportunity for youth and adults of all ages to come together for special projects. The Grundy County Chapter of Thrivent is sponsoring "Join Hands with our Servicemen and Women." Thrivent will allow our church $100 to purchase items for our members who are in the military. Anyone who volunteers to be part of this project will then be invited to help pack the items on June 14th (Flag Day). Five area Lutheran Churches will be involved in this project. Pizza and pop will be served after the boxes are packed. If you are willing to participate in this project, please call the office.
Please Note
We do not want to overlook anyone who
would like a visit from our church.
If you would like a visit from Pastor
Skordahl,
please call the church office:
815 942-1145.
Pastor would like to visit you
and bring communion
at your request.
Please call when you would like
to be visited.
Thank You!
Prayer Connection —May 4, 2008
"But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh King of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands. But those who hate Him, He will repay to their face by destruction; He will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate Him." (Deuteronomy. 7:8-19) Our God is trustworthy; He is the essence of truth and consistency. God's faithfulness guarantees that all His promises and warnings will come to pass. God's faithfulness is just as great as He is. The more we know of Him, the better we are able to understand the faithfulness of our God. "Your love, O Lord, reached to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies." (Psalm 36:5) God is faithful to help us in all our troubles. "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Our Father in Heaven, Thank You for loving us that much! Your compassion reveals Your faithfulness. It is written that because of Your great love, we will not be consumed, for Your compassions never fail and they are new every morning. How great is Your faithfulness! Thank You Lord, for the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, who is the supreme demonstration of God's faithfulness to us, His people. Help us never to doubt You, or to feel abandoned by You, for You promised never forsake us. Thank You that even if we are faithless, You will remain faithful, because You cannot lie nor deny Yourself. Help our faithfulness by keeping our focus on honoring and glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to keep Your commandments, pray consistently, study Your word and trust You completely. Show us how to hold onto the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. In the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9) God has established us in Christ, but not merely for our own sake, but for the sake of the world around us. Let us face all that comes our way, be it joy or sorrow, victory or defeat in openness and trust that God is faithful. Let God's light shine through us to lead others to the truth of Jesus Christ. "Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 13:43) "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." (Genesis 9:16) "May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it." (Thessalonians 5:23-24) Call on me for any prayer needs at schwiesowfam@sbcglobal.net or 941-4645. God be with you all.
Ann Schwiesow
This Week at Bethlehem
Today: 8:00 am Men’s prayer in Pastor’s study
9:00 am Worship Service-Radio 95.7 FM
10:15 am Sunday School
10:30 am Bible Fellowship
Tuesday: 9:30 am Ladies’ Bible Study
6:30 pm Pioneer Club
Weds: 6:30 pm Choir practice
Thursday: 6:00 am Men’s Bible Study (IHOP)
Saturday: 7:30 am Men’s breakfast (Kitchen)
Sunday: 8:00 am Prayer in Pastor’s Study
9:00 am Worship Service-Radio 95.7 FM
10:15 am Sunday School
10:30 am Bible Fellowship
Please remember the following people in your prayers this week:
Missionaries: Under His Wings
Special Needs:
Vivian
Walker
Darlene
Hanson
Chris
Perry
Roy Egeland
Charlotte Larson Bob
Hopkins
Les Geisert
Sue Gipes
Rachael Frederick
Pastor Wigtil
(Special Needs requests will be in the bulletin for two consecutive Sundays.
Please call the office to be included for a longer period of time.)
Church of the Week: Grace Lutheran Church, Pastor Steve Heilmann
Praise: For the cleansing and new heart the Lord gives to believers
Pastor Dave and Cheryl Skordahl
38 Lynwood Drive Morris, IL 60450
815 942-3670 (Home) 815 735-7329(Cell)Then I will sprinkle clean water
on you, and you will be clean;
I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;
and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful
to observe My ordinances.Ezekiel 35 25-27
"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31
Come away with Jesus at Bible Camp this year. Enjoy God’s beautiful creation at Cedar Lake, Indiana. Let Him show you more of Himself. Please see your Pastor for more information.
Thank you to everyone for their prayers, phone calls, and cards I received while recuperating. Thank you to Pastor and Mrs. Skordahl for their prayers and visits. I appreciate all your well-wishes and prayers. – Arlene Johnson
Morris Christian Youth Center is in need of snacks to feed youth on Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Youth Center in Morris. We need people or groups to sign up for snacks for one week or one month, or even one night. There are usually 25 - 30 young people at each meeting. If you can help with this ministry, please contact Paula Lutz, Coordinator, at 942-9345.
Thank you to everyone for their prayers while I was in the hospital. Your prayers and messages of concern are very much appreciated. - Bob Hopkins
Morris Christian School and Preschool is currently registering students for next school year. For more information please visit www.morrischristianschool.org or call 941-9830.
Since next Sunday, May 11 is Mother’s Day, the next prayer meeting will be held on May 18th at 5 pm in the fireside room.
Last Sunday’s attendance: 154
Last Sunday’s offering: Current $2926.04 Missions $230.00
Needed to meet budget: Current $3589.00 Missions $306.00
Needed to meet budget with Intern: $4250.00