The Thursday Update

NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Lakeshore Friends—

For all the talk we hear about love today, it seems like we see so little of it expressed by people in tangible ways.  In fact, it seems like the opposite is a much more common sight. Our hurting world really needs to see love in action.  

What would real love (and not the artificial substitutes for it) look like if it were seen in our lives?  Jesus Christ was asked what the greatest thing a person could do in the eyes of God is, and His answer to this question reveals what real love truly looks like. 

For the next three weeks, we will unpack these words of Jesus on real love and explain how we can all live it out to God and show others what it looks like.

As the holidays approach, let’s be known as people (and as a church) that loves more than anyone else does.  And as the New Testament teaches us, this kind of love will cover all our shortcomings.

I hope you’ll be here as we learn how in this new series starting this Sunday!

Warmly,
Vince

NOVEMBER 10, 2022

Lakeshore Friends—

The midterm elections are now behind us, even if the complete results are not.  The results show some changes in the majority of the House of Representatives, while the Senate likely will not be decided for at least a few more days or even weeks.

As always, about half of Americans will be happy with the result and another half will be disappointed.  And in this current environment, we haven't been this divided since before the Civil War.  The things people are saying and doing these days lead me to believe this is true.  The coarseness of dialogue, the anger and vitriol, and the acts of violence and terrorism we see all around us are at really high and dangerous levels.

I hope that regardless of the results of any election (and how you may feel after this particular one), you’ll remember Jesus’ amazingly poignant words on this subject in John 18:36:

“My kingdom is not of this world.”

At the end of the day, this world will pass away one day— and that day may be sooner than any of us realize.  But the Kingdom of God will arrive and be here to stay when Jesus returns.

So I hope you are living for the Kingdom of God more than the kingdoms of this world.  After all, the kingdom of God will not arrive because of a human government, and God is sovereign over all the election results as He works out His master plan for the world.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the things that really matter will be given to you by God (Matthew 6:33).

That’s our focus here at Lakeshore, to help you continually seek the things that matter for eternity.

Warmly,
Vince

NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Lakeshore Friends—

Each year, October is designated as Pastor Appreciation month.  On behalf of all five pastors on staff here at Lakeshore, I just wanted to say thank you for all the kind things so many of you have said to us and have done for us this past month.  I even received a few cards and they meant so much to me (and us).  And yes, I did receive a couple of gifts too, and that is something beyond what I expected from you.  Again, thank you!

But more than anything else, the greatest gift I receive from you is seeing you at church on Sundays (and throughout the week) living, learning, and loving others as you are in pursuit of being more and more like Jesus Christ. 

Nothing makes me happier as your pastor than seeing you here each week, hearing how the services are impacting your everyday life, watching you welcome first-time guests with such care and personal attention, serving in one of the various ministries, and just having the desire to know God more deeply.  I feel like the Apostle John when he said this in 3 John 4:

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

So thank you for being such a great congregation of people to pastor.  It’s an absolute blessing to see you every time I do because you’re an amazing group of people who inspire me to try and lead you and this church with the very best I can.

Thank you for that!

Warmly,
Vince