The Thursday Update

JUNE 9, 2022

Hey Lakeshore!

I truly hope this email finds you well.  We have some exciting news for each of you that we have been hinting at for some time regarding our auditorium. Over the past 6 weeks, our auditorium has been going through some major upgrades and renovations, much of which was backstage (hence why our music has been a little different).  This week, however, you will get to experience the fruit of all that hard work. 

In March of 2021, we began to evaluate our technology in the auditorium, finding that many things were outdated and failing.  We began having a tremendous amount of trouble sourcing parts just for general upkeep.  As the conversation progressed, we realized it was time for the church leadership to consider a complete technology overhaul in the auditorium and throughout the campus.  These conversations led us to partner with CCI Solutions, a company that works specifically with churches in the area of technology and production. 

Since moving into our current campus, our technology was put together with limited funding and by many different people spanning nearly 2 decades.  We did our very best with limited expertise and resources.  Throughout that time, we know God was glorified.  We now find ourselves in a place where we are able to approach the technology in a complete and integrated fashion.  Our goal is threefold;  that the ministry teams throughout the church can focus on the ministry they are called to serve rather than troubleshooting equipment; to update outdated and failing equipment; and to set up the next generation of Lakeshore in the very best way possible.

In our partnership with CCI Solutions, we have decided to approach this by spreading the project out over 3 phases and we are thrilled to announce that as of THIS SUNDAY, phase 1 will be complete!  You will notice a lot of changes this Sunday to our lighting and how we present our video content as we transition to one large center screen.

There is still a time of learning and fine-tuning ahead.  We ask for your patience as we work through a lot of new realities and make this the absolute best experience to help us worship and focus upon our Savior.  We recognize this technology is merely a means of ministry, not the end goal.  We ask that you continue to pray for us as we embark on this new and exciting adventure because our ultimate goal in all of this is simple and has not changed: to help people discover and develop a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Pastor Brian Pawlowski

JUNE 2, 2022

Lakeshore Friends—

Summer is here.  Yes, it’s unofficial, but when you live in Rochester, you take whatever time you can get to enjoy it.  To me, these next three months are the best time to live here and appreciate all that Upstate New York has to offer.  People are outside and energized, doing so much to take in the beautiful, warm, and longer days.

I also like that things tend to slow down a bit at church.  Sunday still comes every seven days (to be sure), so the work is always there.  But we have fewer initiatives that we need to push beyond our efforts to create Sunday services that help you discover and develop a growing relationship with Jesus Christ in a meaningful way.

What don’t I like about the Summer?  It’s the fact that our attendance is typically down and people get out of the swing of attending church.  It’s what every pastor I know likes least about this time we call “The Summer Slump”.

No matter, I thank God for this time to reflect on my life, refresh physically, replenish spiritually, and reset our church for the upcoming ministry year that starts in September.

I hope you’ll take in and enjoy everything that summer has to offer.  I also hope that will include growing your faith on Sundays at Lakeshore.  We’ll do our very best to make every minute you spend here matter.

Warmly… VERY warmly until at least September,
Vince

MAY 26, 2022

Lakeshore Friends—

This weekend is the unofficial start of summer.  It’s a great time to get a break from work and enjoy a long weekend.  But it’s also an opportunity to remember and honor those who have died in American wars.  It originated in 1868 during the Civil War when citizens would place flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle.  It moved from being observed on May 30 to the last Monday of May in 1970.

This weekend, I hope you have a time to relax and enjoy some time with family and friends. I hope you’ll make time for the Lord, including being at church on Sunday.  And I hope you will remember the great sacrifice made by those who have given their lives for our freedoms in our great country. 

They are all reminders of John 15:13 where Jesus, anticipating His own death, said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Warmly,
Vince