The Wednesday Update

Lakeshore Friends—

Change isn’t always easy, but it is often necessary and beneficial.  We often like the results of change but sometimes we’re not as enthusiastic about the work required to get there.  Maybe that’s why there’s a saying that “the only person who likes change is a baby with a wet diaper.”

But because so many people have worked and planned for this week since last April, most of the hard work is behind us and we’re excited for all the new things kicking off this week.  The three biggest are:

1. Midweek Bible Study kicks off on Wednesday from 7 - 8pm in the Auditorium. 

Midweek Bible Study is designed to help you go deeper and grow deeper in your faith.  On Wednesday, we are beginning the most important Midweek series we have ever taught— Life Foundations.  It is a 21-week series that will teach you the key beliefs and theology of the Christian faith.  We’ll look at why theology is not boring but critical to our lives, the nature of the Bible, understanding God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Angels (good and bad), human nature, salvation, sanctification (how we grow in our faith), the church, the resurrection, the afterlife and God’s prophetic plan for the future.  It’s designed to help you know why we believe what we believe while also helping you learn how to think through your faith so that you understand the Bible and God in every area of life.  And we have created a 115-page workbook that we will be giving everyone who attends free of charge! And there are classes for your younger kids – infants through 5^th grade!

2. Lakeshore Students also kicks off on Wednesday from 6:30 – 8:30pm in the Student wing.

Our student ministry is for kids in 6^th through 12^th grade and meets weekly to help kids understand their faith, grow in it and have fun with other kids all in one night.  We have kids who are exploring their faith, new in their faith and those who are advanced in their faith, so it really will meet your kids right where they are.  Our student Pastor Nate Zablotny as well as our new Student Administrative Assistant Erin Ortiz, lead a great team of leaders who will help your kids get closer to God, know more about the Bible, and form great positive relationships in an impactful environment.  And the good news is that it starts before and ends after Midweek Bible Study so you can make it an evening that your whole family enjoys!

3. We begin our new three-service format on Sunday as we make room for more people in Rochester: 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30am.

We’re also beginning a great new series in the New Testament book of 1 Thessalonians called, “Can You Relate?”  Thanks to the increased use of digital devices, hyper-individualism, information overload, shrinking attention spans, rising polarization and more, people are struggling like never before to communicate and relate well face-to-face with people.  As a result, relationships today can be shallow, superficial, unsatisfying and even more short-term than they could or should be.  So how can we build and maintain meaningful relationships with the important people in our lives as we navigate the realities of our day?  The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians.  This series will help you learn how to relate great to all kinds of people!

I hope you’ll make the time to be here for all of these faith-building experiences  and invite people who may need them to join you.

Warmly,

Vince