The Thursday Update

JANUARY 5, 2023

Lakeshore Friends—

You all know of the tragic cardiac event that Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin suffered on Monday night during the first quarter of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals.  And I’m sure you all know what happened immediately afterward as players from both teams showed deep concern and offered support and prayer right there on the field.  So did many fans that night and again in the morning at various prayer vigils held at the hospital and in Buffalo. 

You may have seen that Damar’s charitable organization has raised around $6 million since this took place.  It’s been amazing and brought me to moments of shedding tears.  It’s beautiful to see.

What struck me on a big-picture level were these three things:

1. We’ve seen unconditional love in action. People are showing love regardless of any differences they may have.  How refreshing to see as opposed to all the division and hatred that we’ve seen so often, especially these past three years.  This is what the church is called to look like, and we strive to show that kind of love every day.  It’s not easy, but it is our aim.

2. We see people talking about prayer and actually praying. It’s interesting to see since so many people want to keep prayer out of every venue of life, except inside the walls of the church.  But to no surprise, when a crisis hits, people suddenly believe in prayer.  And did you see this from Dan Orlovsky on ESPN, of all places? Incredible! 

3. We hear the players talking about fellow players as brothers and family. I know the feeling that comes from spending tons of time with teammates on a sports team, and it is a band of brothers (and sisters for the ladies).  And the family that is healthy is called to be close, healthy, and strong for each other.

Let’s all try to be these same three things in mind for everyone we encounter. Let's also keep praying for Damar.  I’m praying that God would heal him and use this tragedy to do some healing in the way we treat each other in America, and the world.

Warmly,
Vince

DECEMBER 29, 2022

Lakeshore Friends—

Sometimes the way to move forward in life is to look backward. 

I’m not talking about rehearsing all that has happened in your life and living in the past.  And I’m not referring to thinking about some nostalgic days when people walked to school... everyday… up hill... both ways… in blizzards… October through April... What I mean is that there are some things that we have learned in the past that should always guide our future, regardless of what modern-day thinkers tell us we should embrace.

Too often, people assume that new ideas, new concepts, new technology, and new thinking will advance and improve our lives today from how we lived them in the past. But I’m fully convinced that’s not always the case.  Not all that’s new is better.  In fact, sometimes it takes us from the best that we already have.

As we ring out the old year and bring in the new year on Sunday, I want to kick off a series that will help us go "Back to the Future" in two important areas that have deeply concerned me these days: the Bible and the family.  There are voices calling us to move forward in dangerous ways in these two foundational areas of life.  I want to share how God wants us to go back to the standard He has set for us from the very beginning.

I can’t think of a more vital series to begin the year than this one.  I hope you’ll join us on January 1 as we look at going back to the Bible.

Don’t drink too much egg nog.  Do your best to go to bed a little after midnight, and let’s spend some time together on Sunday morning.

Warmly,
Vince

DECEMBER 22, 2022

Lakeshore Friends—

Are you anticipating Christmas?  It’s perhaps the one day on the calendar each year that we anticipate more than any other.  It holds our imagination, it conjures up fond memories, and it causes us to think hopefully.  Many people still see Christmas in those terms.

We want you to have the greatest Christmas ever, and we think that being at Lakeshore on Christmas Eve will help that happen.

We have an approximately one-hour service planned to help prepare you for the real reason for the season— Jesus’ arrival to earth as God and man.  We have three service times to try to help it work with your schedule.  We hope you’ll make it to one of them (service times and info here).

This will be our last service of 2022, so let me say thank you to all of you who call Lakeshore home.  This year has been a good year in so many ways and, after God Himself, we all thank God for you.  Seeing you each week is inspiring because you want to grow your faith and be with others who are going in the same direction.  For some, it’s a season to seek God. For others, it’s a season to build on your new faith, and for others, it’s a season to grow deeper in the Lord.  Regardless of which one fits you, it’s exciting to see you all heading in the same direction.  It’s not about perfection, but direction!

So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from me, my wife Sue, and our Staff, Elders, and Trustees!

We’ll see you this Saturday and/or next Sunday on New Year's day.

Warmly,
Vince