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