The Thursday Update

FEBRUARY 26, 2026

Hi Lakeshore,

One of the reasons I’m so excited about our current series, Beyond A Reasonable Doubt, is because it’s pushing us to think deeply about what we believe and why we believe it. That’s really what apologetics is all about. The word simply means “a defense,” and as followers of Christ, we’re called not just to have faith, but to understand it and articulate it. In a world where truth is constantly questioned, studying apologetics helps us move from “I think” to “I’m confident,” and from “I hope so” to “I know why.”

Scripture makes this clear. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have—but do this with gentleness and respect.” That’s apologetics. It’s not about winning arguments; it’s about lovingly giving reasons for our hope. And in Acts 17, we see Paul reasoning with people in the marketplace, thoughtfully engaging their questions. God is not intimidated by honest inquiry, and neither should we be.

Studying apologetics also strengthens our own faith. When doubts creep in, or when family and friends start asking hard questions, we won’t be shaken so easily. Jesus said in Matthew 22:37 that we are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. Engaging our minds honors God. It deepens worship. It turns belief into conviction.

My prayer is that Beyond A Reasonable Doubt won’t just be another sermon series we attend, but a catalyst for growth. Let’s lean in. Engage our minds in thoughtful logic. Let’s ask questions. Let’s search the Scriptures. And let’s grow into believers who not only trust Christ deeply but can explain that trust clearly—confident, gracious, and grounded in truth.

Pastor Frank
Executive Pastor

FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Hi Lakeshore,

God is doing so much at Lakeshore. We’re welcoming new guests, celebrating new faith commitments, rejoicing in baptisms, and watching teams grow as new members step in. Not even “mud season” in Upstate New York can dampen our joy. (You know the season—mid-February to mid-May—when snow turns heavy with water, rain turns anything not paved into mud, and the trees stubbornly remain grayish-brown.)

There is nothing like helping people who have discovered a relationship with Christ become better disciples of Christ. There is no greater joy, no wiser investment of our time, and nothing more rewarding—both now and for eternity. Those of you who have participated in a class, small group, Midweek, baptism, or mentoring relationship know exactly what I mean.

The delight of helping someone respond to Christ—through serving, sharing their faith, or growing in their knowledge of God’s Word—will last forever. And while making disciples requires effort and perseverance, that work is rewarded both here and now and throughout eternity.

My prayer is that this year each of us who loves Jesus will ask Him to help us become better disciples by intentionally helping others become better disciples—who will, in turn, make disciples themselves.

Love and prayers!

Pastor Brian
Discipleship Pastor

FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Lakeshore Friends,

Doubt and deconstruction.

Typically, when we read those words, we think of something we’ve seen online, another Christian who has publicly announced their deconstruction, our lost friend or neighbor, or the hostile atheist. Many times, our focus is on the hostile, unbelieving world that needs to hear a logical apologetic for the Christian faith. This is good and needed. Although, there are two sides to this coin: what about the Christian who struggles with doubt? Often, this is a silent struggle for the Christian because talking about doubt as Christians can feel like a “taboo” topic. This Christian may feel shame, feel like they’re a “bad Christian,” or hide their questions for fear of the response of other Christians. I know because this was me. During my time in Bible College, I walked through a year like this, and asked questions like “why do I doubt when I’ve always believed, and others find it so easy?” Where I felt shame and fear of the response I’d receive, God’s Word comforted with me with the appropriate response due to doubters like me:

Be merciful to those who doubt (Jude 22).

This short, one chapter book in the New Testament gives light to the appropriate response to be given to doubters: mercy. Where we might expect to receive shame, or feel condemnation, Jude calls on Christians to be merciful on those who doubt. In fact, we see Jesus model this same attitude toward doubt. In Matthew 11:1-19 Jesus shows mercy and meets John the Baptist in the midst of his doubts (yes, John the Baptist - the last person you’d expect to have doubts about Jesus). In John 20:24-29, Thomas the disciple resolutely says, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (v.25). One week later, Jesus appears to Thomas, inviting him to see the nail marks in His hand and lets Thomas touch them to he may believe. Jesus did not condemn Thomas but comes down to His level and meets Him with mercy.

When I struggled with doubt, I was met with mercy. That mercy helped me not to be overcome by doubt, but helped me to ask questions, find real answers, and grow stronger in my belief than ever before. To the Christian who struggles with doubt, there is mercy for you. For the person who hasn’t placed faith in Jesus yet, there is mercy for you. For the Christian who does not struggle with doubt, let us be merciful, meeting doubters with love and allowing them to ask questions and seek answers. For all, our next series starting Sunday, “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt,” provides you an opportunity to come with questions, find real answers, and be met with the tender mercies of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God bless

Nate