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“The Great Unknown”

May 17, 2020 11:00 am Service

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May 17, 2020

Preservice Song: “Indescribable”

From the highest of heights to the depth of the sea, Creation’s revealing Your majesty. From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring, Ev’ry creature unique in the song that it sings. All exclaiming:

Indescribable, uncontainable. You placed the stars in the sky, and You know them by name. You are amazing, God; All powerful, untamable, Awestruck, we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing, God.

Who has told ev’ry lightning bolt where it should go Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow? Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night? None can fathom.

Indescribable, uncontainable. You placed the stars in the sky, and You know them by name. You are amazing, God; All powerful, untamable, Awestruck, we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing, God.

Friendship Celebration Lutheran Church ~ Missouri Synod

765 E Chinden Blvd. Meridian, ID 83646 www.friendshipcelebration.org

Email: office@friendshipcelebration.org www.fclcpreschool.org

Church and Preschool Phone: 208-288-2404

Senior Pastor: Matt Henry Cell: 208-957-9364

Email: mhenry@friendshipcelebration.org

Founding Pastor: Tom Hausch Cell: 208-860-1274

Email: thausch@friendshipcelebration.org

Director of Christian Education: Brett Lindemood Cell: 208-982-1461

Email: blindemood@friendshipcelebration.org

Preschool Director: Lori Jensen Office: 208-288-2404

Email: ljensen@friendshipcelebration.org

Elders Serving: 9:00am Ron Bischoff ~ 11:00am Gary Chandler

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Indescribable, uncontainable. You placed the stars in the sky, and You know them by name. You are amazing, God; All powerful, untamable, Awestruck, we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing, God. You are amazing, God.

© 2004 worshiptogether.com Words by Music by Laura Story & Jesse Reeves

Used by permission CCLI #782217

Welcome and Announcements

Invocation & Call to Worship

Leader: Our worship is in the name of the Father, People: the one eternal God in whom we live and move and have our being,

Leader: and of the Son, People: our crucified and risen Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom the love of God is made manifest among us,

Leader: and of the Holy Spirit, People: the Counselor by whom we become the people of God and the church of Jesus Christ.

Opening Prayer

Leader: Loving God, we have gathered to meet You. We have come to listen to You, to seek You, to worship You. You are the beginning of all things, the life of all things; you knew us before we were born. In You we become; in You we live. Loving God, You are here and everywhere, around us and within us; You know our inmost thoughts. In You we hope; in You we live. You are the source of serenity, giving peace that is beyond our understanding. In You we are still; in You we live. Loving God, we live in You; we worship You. Loving God, You live in us; we worship You. People: Amen.

Opening Song Set: “Great is the Lord”

Great is the Lord, He is holy and just, By His power we trust in His love. Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true, By His mercy He proves He is love.

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Great is the Lord and worthy of glory; Great is the Lord and worthy of praise. Great is the Lord, now lift up your voice, Now lift up your voice, Great is the Lord! Great is the Lord!

Great is the Lord, He is holy and just, By His power we trust in His love. Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true, By His mercy He proves He is love.

Great are You, Lord, and worthy of glory; Great are You, Lord, and worthy of praise. Great are You, Lord, I lift up my voice, I lift up my voice, Great are You, Lord! Great are You, Lord!

© 1982 Meadowgreen Music Co. Words & Music by Michael W Smith & Deborah D. Smith

Used by permission CCLI #782217

“Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery”

Come behold the wondrous mystery, in the dawning of the King He the theme of heaven’s praises, robed in frail humanity In our longing, in our darkness, now the light of life has come Look to Christ, Who condescended, took on flesh to ransom us.

Come behold the wondrous mystery, He the perfect Son of Man In His living, in His suffering, never trace nor stain of sin See the true and better Adam, come to save the hell-bound man Christ the great and sure fulfillment of the law, in Him we stand.

Come behold the wondrous mystery, Christ the Lord upon the tree In the stead of ruined sinners hangs the Lamb in victory See the price of our redemption, see the Father’s plan unfold Bringing many sons to glory, grace unmeasured, love untold

Come behold the wondrous mystery, slain by death the God of life But no grave could e’er restrain Him, praise the Lord, He is alive What a foretaste of deliverance, how unwavering our hope Christ in power resurrected, as will we be when He comes.

© 2012 Bleecker Publishing, Getty Music ASCAP Publishing Designee, McKinney Music, Inc., Love Your Enemies Publishing

Words and Music by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa and Michael Bleecker Used by permission CCLI #782217

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Confession of Sins

All: Lord, bring new life where we are worn and tired; new love where we have turned hard-hearted; forgiveness where we feel hurt and where we have wounded; and the joy and freedom of your Holy Spirit where we are prisoners of ourselves.

Assurance of Forgiveness

Leader: To all and to each, on his community and on his friends, where regret is real, Jesus pronounces His pardon and grants us the right to begin again. People: Thanks be to God! Amen.

Acts 17:16-31 ESV

16Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.

22So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

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29Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

1 Peter 3:13-22 ESV

13Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

John 14:15-21 ESV

15“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

18“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Children’s Message

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Sermon Song: “You Are God Alone”

You are not a God created by human hands, You are not a God dependent on any mortal man You are not a God in need of anything we can give. By Your plan, that’s just the way it is.

You are God alone, from before time began You were on Your throne, You were God alone, And right now, in the good times and bad, You are on Your throne, You are God alone.

You’re the only God, Whose power none can contend, You’re the only God, Whose name and praise will never end, You’re the only God Who’s worthy of everything we can give, You are God, that’s just the way it is.

You are God alone, from before time began You were on Your throne, You were God alone And right now, in the good times and bad You are on Your throne, You are God alone . . .

Unchangeable, Unshakable, Unstoppable, That’s what You are, Unchangeable, Unshakable, Unstoppable, That’s what You are!

You are God alone, from before time began You were on Your throne, You were God alone And right now, in the good times and bad, You are on Your throne, You are God alone You are God alone.

© 2004 Billy Foote Music | Integrity's Hosanna! Music Words & Music by Billy & Cindy Foote

Used by permission CCLI #782217

Sermon: “The Great Unknown” Acts 17 “When in Rome…” but what to do when it’s Athens? Paul provides an excellent example of engaging the listener and framing the gospel on their terms, not his. Can you do the same? It means being observant, flexible, and appreciative of existing culture. If we want to connect with people, it means starting from their perspective.

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Life Group Questions

Head (what?)

What provoked Paul’s spirit? How are the idols today similar to the idols in Athens? Why did the people want to hear about Jesus and the resurrection? How did Paul reframe the Gospel?

Heart (so what?)

How can you use reason in service of the Gospel? What is the best way to learn someone’s perspective? What challenges do you have about sharing the Gospel from a different perspective? How can science become an idol?

Hands (now what?)

What can you do in discipling another to seek, feel their way toward, and find God? How do you respond when receiving personal criticism for sharing your faith? What is God calling you to show your appreciation of what He has given? Given our situation, how do science, reason and faith go together?

Offering You may give your offering by giving online through the church website

at www.friendshipcelebration.org, by signing up for automatic withdrawal which links to savings/checking account or debit/credit card (form is also available on church website), or by mailing your check to the church office.

Prayers The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory

forever and ever. Amen.

Words of Institution

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Preparation for the Lord’s Table Holy Communion: We celebrate the Lord’s Supper today by receiving the Body and Blood of Christ which is given in, with and under the bread and wine. In this meal, we receive the forgiveness of sins, the promise of life everlasting and the strength we need to live faithfully. We invite to the Lord’s Table baptized believers who are truly repentant of sin and seek the grace in this meal, forgiving of one another as we have been forgiven, and gladly believe and confess the Real Presence of Christ in this meal. All people, children and non-communing adults, are welcome to come forward for a blessing. Participating in the meal is how the church proclaims the Lord’s death, resurrection and imminent return. Red wine is used to best visually convey the blood of Christ. For personal or medical reasons, white grape juice is also available in the center of the trays.

Distribution Songs: “Broken for Me”

Broken for me, broken for you The body of Jesus, broken for you. He offered His body, He poured out His soul, Jesus was broken, that we might be whole. That we might be whole.

Broken for me, broken for you, The body of Jesus, broken for you, Come to My table, and with Me dine, Eat of My bread, and drink of My wine, And drink of My wine.

Broken for me, broken for you The body of Jesus, broken for you, This is My blood, I shed for you, For your forgiveness, making you new. Making you new.

© 1978 Sovereign Music UK Words & Music by Colin & Janet Lunt

Used by permission CCLI #782217

“What a Beautiful Name”

You were the Word at the beginning, one with God, the Lord Most High Your hidden glory in creation, now revealed in You, our Christ

What a beautiful Name it is, what a beautiful Name it is, The Name of Jesus Christ my King What a beautiful Name it is, nothing compares to this. What a beautiful Name it is, the Name of Jesus

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You didn't want heaven without us, so, Jesus, You brought heaven down. My sin was great, Your love was greater. What could separate us now?

What a wonderful Name it is, what a wonderful Name it is, The Name of Jesus Christ my King What a wonderful Name it is, nothing compares to this. What a wonderful Name it is, the Name of Jesus What a wonderful Name it is, the Name of Jesus

Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You. You silenced the boast, of sin and grave. The heavens are roarin’, the praise of Your glory, For You are raised to life again. You have no rival, You have no equal. Now and forever, God You reign Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory. Yours is the Name, above all names.

What a powerful Name it is, what a powerful Name it is, The Name of Jesus Christ my King. What a powerful Name it is, nothing can stand against. What a powerful Name it is, the Name of Jesus.

You have no rival, You have no equal. Now and forever, God You reign. Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory. Yours is the Name, above all names.

What a powerful Name it is, what a powerful Name it is, The Name of Jesus Christ my King. What a powerful Name it is, nothing can stand against. What a powerful Name it is, the Name of Jesus. What a powerful Name it is, the Name of Jesus. What a powerful Name it is, the Name of Jesus.

© 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing Words & Music by Ken Fielding & Brooke Lingertwood

Used by permission CCLI #782217

Closing Prayer

Leader: Everlasting God, in whom we live and move and have our being: You have made us for Yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they rest in You. Give us purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing Your will, no weakness keep us from doing it; that in Your light we may see light clearly, and in Your service find perfect freedom through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen.

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Blessing

Leader: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. People: Amen.

Closing Song: “Mighty to Save”

Everyone needs compassion, a love that’s never failing, Let mercy fall on me. Everyone needs forgiveness, The kindness of a Savior, the hope of nations.

Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save, Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me, all my fears and failures, Fill my life again, I give my life to follow, everything I believe in, Now I surrender, Yes I surrender.

Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save, Forever, Author of Salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine Your light and let the whole world see, We’re singing for the glory of the risen King, Jesus Shine Your light and let the whole world see, We’re singing for the glory of the risen King.

Savior, You can move the mountains, God, You are mighty to save, You are mighty to save, Forever, Author of salvation, You rose and conquered the grave, Yes, You conquered the grave.

Shine Your light and let the whole world see, We’re singing for the glory of the risen King, Jesus Shine Your light and let the whole world see, We’re singing for the glory of the risen King.

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Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save, Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.

Savior, You can move the mountains, God, You are mighty to save, You are mighty to save, Forever, Author of salvation, You rose and conquered the grave, Yes, You conquered the grave.

©2006 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Words & Music By Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan

Used by permission CCLI #782217

The After Party! We are continuing the FCLC Afterparty. You are welcome to join the fun and fellowship on Sundays at 10:00-10:30am on Zoom. It’s a good way to see each other and share stories, laughs and

play games. Interested? Just e-mail Pastor Matt at mhenry@friendshipcelebration.organd he will send you the invite

information from Zoom. The more, the merrier!

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Friendship Celebration Announcements ~ May 17, 2020

Welcome to Stage Two! Efforts to reopen the community continue. While the church has had the “green light” since Stage One, we are taking a gradual approach to reopening by providing on-line and in-person worship service choices for people along the way. The last few outdoor services have gone very well with 49 and 57 people in attendance. Special thanks to our Tech Team, Worship Team and Altar Team.

The weather looks good enough on Sunday so we are a “go” for the 11 am service on May 17. We will be celebrating Holy Communion at this service! (No communion or in-person attendance at the 9am service.) The 11 am service will be followed by a voters’ meeting at noon. As a reminder, people should bring and be able to carry their own lawn chairs and/or blanket. We sit on the grass as individuals or in family groups, but still observe social distancing. Facemasks are encouraged, but not required, since we are outside. The building is generally closed. However, we ask that if you must enter the building, such as for bathroom use, you wear a mask. Drinking fountains have been turned off, so you may want to bring a water bottle and hat to be comfortable. If you are not feeling well, please refrain from attending this service. While the Elders and Pastor recognize the need to make the Lord’s Supper available to the congregation, we also honor the decisions of people to remain at home for their personal health and safety. We are working on alternative ways of visitation and sharing of the meal. The online 9am service and the 11 am outdoor service will continue through the month of May.

The Voters Assembly meeting scheduled for this Sunday, May 17th, will be held outside on the lawn after the 11:00 am service. The main items to be covered include election of officers and directors, and Pastor Matt’s report including details on FCLC’s reopening. Regarding the election, since there is only one candidate for each position there is no need for ballots. A voice vote will be conducted. There is not a specific quorum requirement for this meeting, so the voters in attendance constitute a quorum. And, since there is no need for ballots or a specific quorum requirement, we are dispensing with the voter sign-in tables. Generally, a less is more type of approach.

Agenda 1. Introduce and recognize Nominating Committee 2. Introduce slate of candidates: President, Kevin Krafft Secretary, Phyllis Garner Director of Education, Rebekah Brune Director of Evangelism, Dale Bentley 3. Election 4. Pastor Matt’s Report & Update on reopening plan 5. Quick financial update 6. Recognize outgoing officers and directors 7. Adjourn

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Summer Day Camps at FCLC! FCLC summer camp has a new start date of July 6th. We are working to insure the health and safety of our campers and camp staff. The registration form is available on our church website. We’ve extended the early-bird discount to Sunday, June 7th. Questions/Concerns? Please contact Brett Lindemood (blindemood@friendshipcelebration.org).

Baby Bottle Drive! FCLC is proud to partner with Stanton Healthcare of Meridian for the essential cause of life and hope! We are having a Baby Bottle Drive from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day (May 10-June 21), except it will be virtual! This means you can give by texting MYBABYBOTTLE31 to 71777 or by sending a check in the mail to Stanton Healthcare, 2176 E Franklin Rd, Meridian, ID 83646. (Mark checks with: Friendship Celebration in the memo line.) In the last few months, Stanton has seen an increased need but also a dip in their resources. Let’s make sure Stanton’s doors of hope are open! To learn more about this wonderful pro-life ministry, watch this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_Q5VWaZ2po or visit www.stantonhealthcare.org This ministry saves lives. Every resource Stanton provides (pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, classes, baby supplies, counseling and more) is free of charge because of generous donations. Thank you for your prayers too!

If you’re skilled with a sewing machine and want to join in a large effort to help, join the 75,000 Face Mask Challenge by Lutheran World Relief. These cloth masks will be distributed in all areas LWR works — from slums to remote rural villages — for those who don’t have the option of social distancing or frequent hand washing. They will be distributed with upcoming international shipments of personal care kits already scheduled for summer and fall. Volunteers are invited to register their pledge for the number of masks they will sew at https://lwr.org/masks. The website also has directions on how make them and where to send once they are complete. Find more info on Lutheran World Relief’s website

FCLC Campus will remain closed during the weekdays and Saturdays. Presence in the office is still very minimal. We will do our best to return calls. The best time to call is Tuesdays and Fridays, 11am – 3pm. Please leave a message so your call may be returned or use the ministry contact list below to call or email us. Elders and ministry teams are also points of connection!

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NEED A MASK? If needed, homemade masks are available during the daytime for you to pick up. The bin is located outside underneath the entryway by the church office, Monday through Friday from 11am-3pm.

Some pointers: ✓ Please take what you need for you and your immediate family. ✓ Masks are machine washable. However, they should be air-dried and NOT go

into the dryer. ✓ Special thanks to Mary Lou Heinrich, Anita Gonzalez, & Annette Cavalieri for

making these masks with love!

Let’s Stay Connected! The best time to contact the church office is Tuesdays and Fridays, 11am – 3pm. The church staff is available throughout the week (contact info below) as well as ministry teams and your Elder. As spiritual or physical needs arise—such as food, medicine, transportation—please let us know! The church is still active in ministry through online worship services on Sundays, prayer support, online classes/visits and other ways of encouragement. Methods may change, but the work of ministry and showing love for one another continues. Together in the Spirit, let’s grow in Christ and help others do the same (Gal. 6:9-10).

Ministry Team Contact list: Email: Cell Phone: Pastor Matt mhenry@friendshipcelebration.org 208-957-9364 Pastor Tom thausch@friendshipcelebration.org 208-860-1274 Brett Lindemood DCE blindemood@friendshipcelebration.org 208-982-1461 Kayla Liehe kliehe@friendshipcelebration.org 208-871-2003

FCLC is offering 2 online Bible studies through Zoom.

Colossians--Sundays, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, led by Matt Holmquist (208-922-1445), mattholmquist@msn.com and Acts—Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 pm, led by Pastor Matt Henry (208-957-9364), mhenry@friendshipcelebration.org The Acts Bible study handout sheets are available on our church website under “Resources”. Let’s keep the habit of being in the Word together. E-mail or call “your Matt H. of choice” for more information and invites!

Prayer Chain-Prayer Requests - Call Jenny Kandler at 208-362-5410 or e-mail bob54109@msn.com to request prayer chain or if there are updates. If you email, also please call to let her know you’ve sent a prayer request via email. In the event that Jenny Kandler can't be reached for prayer chain, please call/notify, Donnette House (208-297-0775) at donnette15@gmail.com.

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Stay Connected! FCLC’s Friendly 411 is an e-newsletter that comes directly to your email inbox currently Tuesdays and Friday afternoons. If you are interested in signing up to receive the Friendly 411, please email the church office at office@friendshipcelebration.org and mark the subject “Subscribe 411”. You make also request the PDF copy of our monthly Friendly Findings newsletter. Just include” Subscribe FF” to the subject line in your email. Our newsletter is also available online at our church website. (www.friendshipcelebration.org).

Giving Made Easy--Want to be a more reliable giver in your offering? Forms for automatic withdrawal are now available! You can use your savings/checking account (preferred) or even a debit/credit card. You have complete control over the amount and frequency. It really does make for disciplined and dependable giving! Forms are available on the church website under the dropdown menu GIVE. Questions? Give Kayla Liehe a call (208-871-2003). She is working from home; so don’t hesitate to call her with any questions. You may also mail your offering to the church: 765 E. Chinden Blvd. Meridian ID 83646. The mail is being checked daily. Thank you for your faithful & generous giving during this difficult time especially those who have been mailing their offering into the office and/or giving online at our website!