The Thursday Update

Lakeshore Friends—

God has been doing some great things in the 31 years that Lakeshore has existed.  From forming a core group for the first 11 months, to holding our first service on Easter 1995, to holding services in 11 different rented locations during our first 9 years of existence, to building our current facilities in 3 phases, all the way to now, we have had to make so many decisions to get to the place we are today. 

We weigh pros and cons, we seek advice and counsel from others, and most importantly we seek God for His will and guidance so that we make the right decision— one that glorifies Him.

We are at another crossroad today.  There are a number of changes that we are considering for this September that will impact how we do all that we do, the most consequential of which is the potential of adding a third service on Sunday mornings.  We would almost certainly use the same 3 service times we had on Easter Sunday if we did.  But it is a big decision for a number of reasons:

1. Will our attendance continue growing as it has?  For the first time ever, our 4 week average attendance has gone over 1,000 people and we hope that continues.  If so, we need to create more room for future guests.

1. Can we recruit more people to get involved as the need grows?  It will take even more people to help out and serve than ever before and we need to recruit more LCCers to make it happen.  It impacts almost every single ministry team.

1. Are we staffed effectively enough to handle to increased load?  We are considering a number of staffing ideas that will require financial strength and even some faith to trust God for.

With that all being said, I’d like to ask for your help!  And my ask is simple: would you consider fasting and praying (or just praying if fasting isn’t possible) for one day between now and Sunday, May 24?

To sign up, click this link and choose your day to pray.  We’ll provide our three prayer requests and a short video on biblical fasting and prayer after you do.  We hope that every member and everyone who calls Lakeshore home will be a part of this important time of prayer.

I hope you’re enjoying the current series, “What To Do When Life Really Hurts”.  This Sunday, we have a really important topic that always resonates with everyone who struggles with overcoming relational hurt.

This is a great Sunday to invite anyone who struggles to forgive.

Thanks for being such a great congregation!

Warmly,

Vince

April 16, 2026

Lakeshore Friends—

Today, Lakeshore officially turns 31 years old.  I love to tell the story of our very first service.  Looking back on April 16, 1995, it 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, this grand experiment we know as Lakeshore, possible.  Your attendance, involvement, generosity, serving, and support have all been used by God to do amazing things.

I love the fact that we are still just as passionate about reaching people in Rochester as we were 31 years ago!  That’s not the norm for churches, because most gradually turn inward and focus on their own needs and forget about the needs of their community.  The happiest churches are filled with people who are concerned for others as much as they are for themselves.  That fits you all to a tee!

On Sunday, we will continue our series, “What To Do When Life Really Hurts” with a great story of Jesus healing a paralyzed man.  If you know someone who needs to find help for their hurts, this is a great Sunday to invite them.

Thanks again for being such an impactful church!

Warmly,

Vince

April 9, 2026

Lakeshore Friends—

The greatest day in human history is Easter.  My hope is that you had a great Easter Sunday and that the services at Lakeshore played a part in that.

This past weekend our five services (including Good Friday) brought in 2,045 people, more than we have ever had before in our church’s history.  I hope you’ll celebrate this milestone.  It couldn’t happen without God’s grace, first and foremost, and the hard work of so many people because Holy week is the busiest week of the year for churches.  So let me share my thanks:

To our staff, thank you for working so hard in ways people don’t always see to make our services the best that they can be (and yes, I forgive you for turning me into a Peep… ewww!).

To our volunteers, thank you for working even harder than you normally do to make the experience a great one for all our guests and their families (you do this week in and week out).

To those who invited people to church, thank you regardless of whether many came or no one came (you are faithful just by extending the invitation).

To everyone who calls Lakeshore home, and the new people who are just starting to do this, thank you (we can’t do this without you).

I mentioned during the Easter message that you could access a few items that I mentioned in my message in this email so here they are:

1. Comeback: Is The Resurrection A Hoax Or A Help? (Easter 2024 message on the “4 E” evidence for the resurrection).
2. Comeback: Is The Resurrection A Hoax Or A Help? (Message outline notes).
3. Dating Jesus death and resurrection on April 3 and 5, 33 A.D. (In depth explanation from Dr. Harold Hoehner in his book, “Chronological Aspects Of The Life Of Christ”).

Warmly,

Vince