The Thursday Update

APRIL 16, 2025

Lakeshore Friends,

Today, Lakeshore officially turns 30 years old. I love to tell the story of our very first service. Looking back, April 16, 1995 was such an amazing day in our history:

The weather was nice but chilly. After three practice services the previous Sundays, and after 14,464 direct mailers were sent out to all homeowners 54 years old and younger (I was only 33 years old back then), Lakeshore held its first public service.... In a bar.... At the Marriott hotel.... That held 75 adults comfortably.... The rest had to sit in a booth and watch the service.... Seated sideways (you paid a price for being late back then). On that day, 112 people showed up and three people became Christians in the somewhat beer-scented bar. It was an exciting day for our family and many others. Lakeshore Church was born.

Thank you to everyone who has made this work of God we know as Lakeshore possible. Your attendance, involvement, generosity, serving, and support have all been used by God to do amazing things.

For as great a day as that day was, there is a much greater day coming on Sunday: the resurrection of Jesus Christ! No day in human history was more meaningful in the entire history of the world. Think of it— no day is as great and earth-shattering as the day that Jesus became the first person ever to rise from the dead in a new body (Lazarus and others were technically resuscitated back to their same body). And because of it, this day means more for people than any other day.

We’ll explain it all at our Easter services this weekend as I talk about, “Why Easter Means Everything.” We’ll do our best to celebrate and explain the greatness of Easter, and our hope is that you’ll be here along with friends you invite to join you. Easter is the one holiday where more people come to church than any other day of the year, so it stands to reason that we should make as many invitations to others as we possibly can. I hope you have or will invite every friend, family member, coworker, and neighbor that you can.

Holy Weekend kicks off with a Good Friday service at 7:00 pm. We’ll remember the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and take communion together.

We are still just as passionate about reaching people in Rochester as we were 30 years ago! That’s not the norm for churches, because most gradually turn inward and focus on their own needs. This weekend is another opportunity for all of us to point people to the cross, the empty tomb and the Good News.

Warmly,
Vince

APRIL 10, 2025

Lakeshore Friends,

When we get a full, clear, and biblically accurate view of the cross, we see that it is a place where Jesus suffered on every possible level.

Physically, it was the most torturous death ever invented by humans. Emotionally, it meant that Jesus would be treated as unfairly as anyone has ever been treated. Relationally, Jesus was rejected by the majority of His own people, the nation of Israel, and mocked as a common criminal even though He was the innocent Son of God. And spiritually is where Jesus suffered the most, when He was forsaken by God the Father (Matthew 27:45-47 from Psalm 22:1-2) and took upon Himself every sin of every person who has ever lived (2 Corinthians 5:21) so that we might be reconciled with God and forgiven through faith in this infinitely valuable sacrifice.

It’s easy to see why that’s the case. But have you ever considered what the cross means to us and how we should view it? So few people and so few Christians really do.

I say that because of what Jesus said to those who wanted to follow Him in Luke 9:23 and again in Luke 14:25-27: “If anyone wants to follow Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.”

There are lots of people who want to wear a cross, but precious few who want to carry a cross. And yet, that’s what Jesus calls us to do. And it really makes sense in light of the fact that Christians should want to be like Jesus… yes, even in our sufferings!

What crosses are you willing to bear if you are a true follower of Jesus? It may be a physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual cross that God has called you to bear. While always hard, it is the path we are called to if we take our faith seriously.

The good news? There’s always an Easter Sunday following Good Friday. God will do the same for us when we take up our crosses daily and follow him.

Warmly,
Vince

APRIL 3, 2025

Lakeshore Friends,

A few weeks ago, I was at an area walking track trying to get in a three-mile walk. I love walking and it’s a great way for me to get my heart rate up and my mind wound down from the stresses of life and ministry. This day, as it would turn out, became a four-mile walk and it turned out to be one of the most exciting walks I've had in a long time.

About two miles in, I saw a neighbor who was entering the track. He’s a super guy and so we got right into some great conversation that led to what’s going on in the world. After talking a little politics, I told him that I believe that the Lord’s coming soon (he has a religious background so this felt right) and that people need to be ready or else they will be left behind at the Rapture of the church. I definitely got his attention! He asked me about what he would have to do to be ready, so I explained to him both what the future will be like biblically and how to become a Christian. I also gave him a Lakeshore invite card, which I always carry with me, and texted him Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, and Matthew 24.

Two more miles later I left and headed home, excited by my conversation with Mike.

I plan to invite Mike and at least 15 other people to join me at Lakeshore for Easter. The way I see it, they’ll be the most open to attending and hearing about the resurrection of Jesus and “Why Easter Means Everything,” which is my message title. It’s also a weekend in which I will make the most compelling case for Jesus that I can. People will be impacted, but only if they are invited by you and me.

With Easter just over two weeks away, who are you inviting to join you at Lakeshore? Who knows how many more chances we’ll get with the people we know and love. Let’s invite family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers we meet to church. I believe that God will use it to do something great in their lives.

Warmly,
Vince