The Wednesday Update

Lakeshore Friends—

With October ending this Saturday, we come to the end of Pastor’s Appreciation month.  I, and all our Pastors, want to express our sincerest thanks for all of you.  During this month, you have proven to us again that you are an amazing congregation.  We have received cards, treats and simple words of appreciation from you for being your pastors.  This means so much more to us than you could ever know.  The work of ministry can, at times, be a demanding responsibility.  All five of us feel a strong sense of responsibility to teach you and lead you with biblical truth behind all we do.  And while we don’t do some of the physically difficult work that many people may engage in, the spiritual demands of our position are significant and ever-present.

What makes all of you so special is that you are such an understanding and appreciative church, supportive of all we try to do.  Sometimes, I think to myself that I don’t deserve a congregation as amazing as you.  That is the absolute truth.  I would not trade you for any other congregation in the world!

So on behalf of Pastors Frank, Brian P., Brian R., Nate and myself, THANK YOU!

The greatest gift you can ever give us is not material or financial.  Instead it is seeing you each week wanting to know God more, worshipping Him in music with a genuine heart for Him, learning from what we teach from Scripture, and wanting to serve others- that is the greatest gift.  And the way you welcome change and new guests to our church is amazing.  You help to remind us in all of this that God is using us.

I know that I don’t know all of you but know that if we haven’t met, I’d love to meet you after any of our services.

I’m honored to be your pastor.  I truly thank God for you too!

Warmly,

Vince

P.S. On Sunday, we’ll continue our “Can You Relate?” series in 1 Thessalonians with a message on Making Work Work.  That’s not a typo!  I hope you’ll be here to learn the three absolutely essential ingredients to having a great job that you love!

Lakeshore Friends—

Over the past few years— especially the past two— we have experienced some very strong growth in our church.  We’ve seen it in just about every measurable, including the number of people who are serving on a ministry team, involved in a Small Group, attending Midweek Bible Study, being baptized, and the like.  But we’ve seen it most clearly in our Sunday attendance, which is where all the other areas of growth actually begin.  It’s the reason we added a third service a few weeks back.  It’s been exciting to see God bless our obedience and step of faith.

Last Sunday, we had our first-ever attendance of over 1,000 people without it occurring on a holiday or other “special” day.  It's another great milestone for our church.  And it’s not just a number— we’re seeing new people every week and lives are being changed as they attend.  Numbers equal people.  It’s thrilling to see.

With three services, we have more room to grow and continue reaching people who need Jesus.

I want to say thank you to those of you who pray for Lakeshore. Thank you for inviting people to church, even if the people that you invite don’t show up.  Thank you for being at church each week.  THANK YOU for your financial support of our church - your giving makes all of this possible in a practical way.

Finally, together let us THANK GOD for all the lives that He is changing through Lakeshore.  We don’t change lives, but God does.  He simply uses us like a master craftsman uses tools to construct a building. We are so blessed to be used by Him!

Let’s also keep inviting people to church.  Afterall, people matter to God and they should matter to us!

Warmly,

Vince

Lakeshore Friends—

Research shows that an overwhelming majority of people believe in prayer.  In fact, about 85% of Americans believe in some form of prayer and 44% pray every day.  We humans seem to know in our heart that there is something more to this life than what we can see.  Sadly, not everyone who prays actually prays to the one true God of the Bible.

For those who do pray to God, we know that God wants us to pray.  He asks us to tell Him what’s on our hearts.  He invites us to ask for anything according to His will so that He can answer us.  He even tells us that the fervent prayers of righteous people can accomplish much!

If that is the case, then why doesn’t He answer all of our prayers?  Why doesn’t God do the things we ask, which seem so good to us as we pray, but which go undone?  It can be confusing at best and even deeply discouraging at worst.  People today have shared with me how God didn’t answer their prayers and as a result they no longer believe in Him.  How unfortunate!

Why does God answer some of our prayers and not other ones?  We’ll look at that on Sunday as we continue our, “Can You Relate?” series by looking at this important relationship we have with God through prayer.

Invite people you know who could use some help on this topic.  We’ll do our best to help them and you.

Warmly,

Vince