OCTOBER 30, 2025
Lakeshore Friends,
As October comes to an end, so does Pastor's Appreciation Month. It’s the month where Pastors are recognized and appreciated by their congregations and others for what we do. I want to begin this week’s email by expressing my sincerest thanks (on behalf of all five of our Pastors) for all the ways you show appreciation for us. You do this all twelve months too, not just October.
Some of you sent us cards and things like that and they mean so much to us. They encourage us and build us up in the midst of the work of ministry that can sometimes drain us. Some of you have even given us gifts. Thank you for all of this. But the greatest gift that you all bring to us as Pastors at Lakeshore is being such committed followers of Jesus Christ. Nothing makes a Pastor happier than to see his people hungry and growing in their walk with the Lord.
The Apostle John put it this way in 3 John 4: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Amen to that!
When you make being at church your top priority, when you worship God and hungrily take in the teaching during those services, when you show love to others who are at church (especially the many new people who are attending in really high numbers these days), when you read the Bible daily, when you share your faith with others and invite them to church, you are doing what John said in 3 John 4— walking in the truth. And when our Pastors hear and see that in you, we feel like John felt— we have no greater joy!
Thank you! I wouldn’t trade you and our church for anyone or any other church around. I mean that with 100 percent sincerity.
Shifting gears, here you'll find the chart I shared during my message last Sunday. It is a more complete version than the one I shared and it comes from Turning Point Ministries and Dr. David Jeremiah (a great ministry!). I hope it helps you understand how these two different places of judgment, at two different times, and with two different purposes contrast with each other. If you missed last Sunday’s message, One Minute After You Die, you can watch it here.
This Sunday, we’ll look at the most amazing place ever, heaven, and why we should be excited to go there and bring as many people as possible with us by sharing the Good News with them.
It will be a really great Sunday to invite friends and family who need to hear about it. I hope you’ll do that.
You’re the best!
Warmly,
Vince
Senior Pastor
Weekly notes from OUR Pastors, Staff, & Leaders
The Thursday Update is meant to bring you encouragement and thoughts to ponder as you go through your week. It's sent out each week in our email newsletter, which also includes a list of featured events, opportunities, and more.