The Thursday Update

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025

Lakeshore Friends,

It was a beautiful late summer morning—clear skies, a gentle breeze, calm and serene. Then, at 8:14am everything changed. In the space of 90 minutes planes struck the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In the days that followed, churches across the country were filled with people seeking comfort, praying, and asking where God was in the midst of such sorrow. But only one week later, what had felt like a spiritual wake-up call had faded into the background. The United States had changed, but spiritual life slipped quickly back to “normal.”

Life has a way of doing that. It lulls us into a spiritual stupor. The things we enjoy—our routines, our hobbies, our favorite places—can so easily take on an importance which puts spiritual growth on the “back burner” of life. And that’s one reason committing to a Small Group can feel difficult. It asks us to step out of our routine, to trade a little bit of “me time” for something deeper.

But here’s the good part: Small Groups at Lakeshore aren’t just another thing on the calendar. They’re a place to belong. A place to build friendships that truly matter. A place to grow in your relationship with God through His Son, Jesus, who loves you, gave His life for you, and longs for you to know Him deeply. It’s a space where people learn to care for one another—and where you’ll discover you’re not on this journey alone.

This week is your opportunity to take that step. Our Small Groups display will be in the Atrium for one more week, and we’d love for you to stop by, ask questions, and find a group that fits you. If you’ve been thinking about it, maybe this is the moment to break out of life’s lull and step into something that could change your life.

Brian Rathbun
Discipleship Pastor

SEPTEMBER 4, 2025

Lakeshore Friends,

As school bells ring and backpacks are zipped up, families everywhere are shifting from the carefree days of summer to the more structured pace of the school year. While this season often brings a mix of excitement and chaos, it’s also a golden opportunity to reset, realign, and rediscover the rhythms that give your family life meaning and momentum. Yes, back-to-school season is more than just sharpened pencils and early alarms—it’s a chance to cultivate habits that nurture hearts, minds, and relationships.

One of the most life-giving rhythms families can embrace this season is simply showing up—at the dinner table, at bedtime, and yes, even at church. In the hustle of practices, homework, and packed schedules, it's easy to let spiritual growth slip to the back burner. But carving out time to attend church regularly can anchor your family in ways that go far beyond Sunday morning. It’s a place where values are reinforced, community is built, and kids grow up knowing they belong to something bigger than themselves. Attending church isn’t about adding another thing to your to-do list—it’s about starting your week with intention, connection, and purpose.

This fall, consider making church attendance part of your family's weekly rhythm. Even if you're not a morning person or your Sundays have been filled with errands or sports in the past, a small shift in priority can have a big impact. In Lakeshore Kids, we are walking your kids through God’s Word in ways that allow your kids to connect what they learn to the life they are living. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s presence. Even showing up imperfectly teaches your kids that faith matters, and that your family makes time for what’s important.

Beyond church, this season is a great time to reestablish other family rhythms that may have slipped during summer. Try bringing back consistent mealtimes, reading together in the evenings, or having a short weekly family meeting to talk about the week ahead. These small practices create stability and connection—two things children crave as they adjust to new teachers, friends, and expectations. And don’t forget the power of rest. Protecting family downtime, especially on weekends, helps everyone recharge and reconnect.

Parents, you’ve got this. Back-to-school season can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a fresh chapter—a chance to lead your family with clarity, grace, and renewed purpose. As you juggle schedules, lunchboxes, and carpools, remember that what your kids need most isn’t perfection, but presence. With a few intentional rhythms—like regular church attendance, shared meals, and open conversations—you’re laying a foundation that will serve them for years to come.

So, take a deep breath, pack those backpacks, and step into the school year with hope. Your family’s new rhythm doesn’t have to be hectic. It can be holy. And it starts now.

Jill Freese
Children's Director

AUGUST 21, 2025

Lakeshore Friends,

In less than two weeks, my wife and I will celebrate 40 years of marriage. It’s hard to believe that well over half our life ago, two young Christians pledged our love to each other for life. And by God’s grace we have had a great marriage, at least I think so. 😊

But our marriage, like all marriages, has required lots of hard work. It’s also required so much more from both Sue and me than we fully realized back on that Saturday in late August 1985. Sacrifice, apologies, surrendering, forgiving, and pride swallowing have been a part of my role as a husband. By the grace of God, we’ve done what we needed to do to keep our love alive.

So often, we get the Hollywood, fairytale narrative of romance and marriage. It goes something like this. Love at first sight. Expensive dates together every night for a year. Laughing and loving each other as we talk about life, agreeing on almost everything we discuss. Never having to argue or fight because everything is just flowing so easily. Then we get married, thinking that all our problems will now go away. We have kids, buy a house, never have financial problems, keep agreeing on everything, never arguing, and the like. Then we retire together and live to 100. It starts so easy, operates easily, and ends happily ever after with few problems to speak of.

While I wish that were true, it’s not.

Unfortunately, it's easy to glamorize marriage as the cure for all our desires for happiness, not realizing how hard it is and how much work it takes to create a great marriage. One line I have used in many wedding ceremonies that I have performed is that, “Marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly…” How true that is. Or, as one person put it, “Love is blind, but marriage is a real eye opener!” How true.

I’m excited to talk about how to marry well from Proverbs on Sunday. I want to both explore the myths of an easy marriage and yet provide the skills needed to make sure you marry the best person you can and stay married to them for all the days of your life. That’s no easy task, but it is very possible when we apply what Proverbs says to our romantic and marital lives.

I hope you’ll be here on Sunday, no matter where you are in this incredible pursuit.

Warmly,
Vince