The Thursday Update

March 5, 2026

Ever feel like science and faith are completely different and are in opposition to one another?  I know I have.  And there have been times in my life when I felt completely under-qualified…even stupid...engaging in this debate.  Sometimes the argument for science seems so compelling that it has caused me to question my own beliefs.  

But what would you say if I were to tell you that, even though you may feel underqualified, science and faith are not actually in competition with each other?  In fact, they go together like something as simple as peanut butter and jelly!   If this is a conversation you have found yourself in, know someone who only believes one way or the other, or you're just simply curious, I want to invite you to the last part of our series, “Beyond A Reasonable Doubt,” as we tackle the question, Can I Believe in God AND Science? 

Pastor Brian
Creative Arts Pastor

FEBRUARY 26, 2026

Hi Lakeshore,

One of the reasons I’m so excited about our current series, Beyond A Reasonable Doubt, is because it’s pushing us to think deeply about what we believe and why we believe it. That’s really what apologetics is all about. The word simply means “a defense,” and as followers of Christ, we’re called not just to have faith, but to understand it and articulate it. In a world where truth is constantly questioned, studying apologetics helps us move from “I think” to “I’m confident,” and from “I hope so” to “I know why.”

Scripture makes this clear. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have—but do this with gentleness and respect.” That’s apologetics. It’s not about winning arguments; it’s about lovingly giving reasons for our hope. And in Acts 17, we see Paul reasoning with people in the marketplace, thoughtfully engaging their questions. God is not intimidated by honest inquiry, and neither should we be.

Studying apologetics also strengthens our own faith. When doubts creep in, or when family and friends start asking hard questions, we won’t be shaken so easily. Jesus said in Matthew 22:37 that we are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. Engaging our minds honors God. It deepens worship. It turns belief into conviction.

My prayer is that Beyond A Reasonable Doubt won’t just be another sermon series we attend, but a catalyst for growth. Let’s lean in. Engage our minds in thoughtful logic. Let’s ask questions. Let’s search the Scriptures. And let’s grow into believers who not only trust Christ deeply but can explain that trust clearly—confident, gracious, and grounded in truth.

Pastor Frank
Executive Pastor

FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Hi Lakeshore,

God is doing so much at Lakeshore. We’re welcoming new guests, celebrating new faith commitments, rejoicing in baptisms, and watching teams grow as new members step in. Not even “mud season” in Upstate New York can dampen our joy. (You know the season—mid-February to mid-May—when snow turns heavy with water, rain turns anything not paved into mud, and the trees stubbornly remain grayish-brown.)

There is nothing like helping people who have discovered a relationship with Christ become better disciples of Christ. There is no greater joy, no wiser investment of our time, and nothing more rewarding—both now and for eternity. Those of you who have participated in a class, small group, Midweek, baptism, or mentoring relationship know exactly what I mean.

The delight of helping someone respond to Christ—through serving, sharing their faith, or growing in their knowledge of God’s Word—will last forever. And while making disciples requires effort and perseverance, that work is rewarded both here and now and throughout eternity.

My prayer is that this year each of us who loves Jesus will ask Him to help us become better disciples by intentionally helping others become better disciples—who will, in turn, make disciples themselves.

Love and prayers!

Pastor Brian
Discipleship Pastor