The Thursday Update

APRIL 20, 2023

LAKESHORE FRIENDS—

One of the biggest decisions you will ever make in your life— maybe the second biggest after the decision to become a Christian— is whether to get married or to stay single (or to remain single after you’ve lost a spouse for whatever reason).  Your decision will have life-changing consequences for yourself, the other person you get married to, and the world around us.

Marriage will impact you in a major way because now you’ll be living for both yourself and for the person you marry.  That’s because you will be called by God to pursue intimacy with another person who is likely very different than you and also fairly imperfect like you too.  The “two becoming one” process will take hard work, but it can lead to great joy personally and to children born into the loving context of marriage, as God designed.

Being or remaining single will also impact you in a major way.  You’ll be living on your own and with your own desires in mind.  That’s because you will be called to a lifestyle that does not involve the “one flesh” intimacy that only comes in the context of marriage (at least, when it is done God’s way).  It will take discipline and individual determination, but it can lead to great joy as well for reasons that are somewhat different than the married person might find.

So which is better for you?  Which one does God prefer?  Is one better than the other?  The answers in the Bible may surprise you.

One thing I absolutely do know is that God wants us to seek Him and His will in this decision.  Because it is the second biggest decision we can ever make.

Warmly,
Vince

APRIL 13, 2023

LAKESHORE FRIENDS—

This past weekend was a great one for our church.  Between Good Friday service and our Easter services, we had 1,318 people which is up by about 300 people from last year.  Though we haven’t fully returned to pre-covid attendance levels, we continue growing closer to them.  We hope that the services were both meaningful and impactful, and thanks to those who invested in people and invited them to church.  I had a few friends show up and it made my day.

This Sunday, we’ll kick off a new series and celebrate our birthday as a church.  On Sunday, we turn 28 years old! Looking back, it was April 16, 1995, and such an amazing day in our history!  

"I AM CONVINCED THAT OUR BEST DAYS ARE STILL AHEAD OF US."

The weather was nice but chilly.  After three practice services the previous three 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... 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. 

God has done amazing things since then:

• 765 people have been baptized
• About 1,250 people have professed a first-time faith in Christ
• Just over half of our attenders are involved in serving somewhere in the church
• We’ve given away about $1.2 million to world missions to impact our world for Jesus

Though time has passed, we are still passionate about reaching people in Rochester!  In truth, that’s not the norm because most churches gradually turn inward and focus on their own needs above all else.  I am convinced that our best days are still ahead of us.  I hope you do too.

Thank you for your part and for being passionate about the unique mission that God has given us.  Sue and I thank God for you!  After God, you’re the reason why we’re still impacting people and helping them discover and develop a growing relationship with Jesus.  People still matter to God, and I know they still matter to so many of you.  That’s why we honor God when we invest in and invite others.

Happy birthday to you, to us!

Warmly,
Vince

APRIL 6, 2023

Lakeshore Friends—

We call this week Holy Week, and for good reason. 

It was the last week that Jesus was on earth in His earthly body.  The process of Jesus taking on human flesh began when Jesus was conceived.  In some way, His divinity took on human flesh as we first saw on Christmas. 

Holy Week began last Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time to begin this final week.  On Monday, He cleared the temple of the corrupt money changers. Tuesday saw Him teach in the temple and be anointed in anticipation of His death.  On Wednesday, the plot against Jesus was established.  On Thursday, Jesus held the Last Supper with His disciples, and this served as both an Old Testament Passover Meal and the institution of a brand new practice Christians engage in today— Communion— all in one.  That night He would go to the Mount of Olives and pray in the Olive Garden of Gethsemane.  His arrest occurred there followed by 6 trials throughout the night.

At 9am on Friday, He was crucified and for six hours endured an agony that one else ever had.  True, others had suffered in a similar physical fashion, but no one had taken on the sins of the world while doing so.

After his burial before sunset, he was in the tomb given to Him by Joseph of Arimathea until Sunday.  His week ended with the greatest day in human history: resurrection from the dead!

As Holy Week draws toward an end, we want to both remember it and celebrate it with you.  On Friday night, we have a Good Friday service that helps us do that as I teach on the sixth statement Jesus made on the cross, “It is finished.”  We’ll worship Him in music, reflect on His sacrifice, and take communion together.

Then we’ll celebrate Easter in three identical services on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  I’ll be teaching from 1 Corinthians 15, the great resurrection chapter of the Bible as we celebrate.

So this is your chance to appreciate all Jesus did for you during this amazing week.  It’s also your chance to invite friends and family to join you to hear the good news of Easter!

Warmly,
Vince