The Thursday Update

DECEMBER 8, 2023

LAKESHORE FRIENDS—

Every Christmas, we all look forward to opening all kinds of gifts from all kinds of people.  We look under the tree to find wrapped gifts just waiting to be opened.  Deep down inside, we hope for things that we really want.  Sometimes we find them and other times we don’t.  Regardless, rarely do any of these gifts make a truly lasting change in our lives that will make Christmas all that we hope it will be. 

Maybe that’s because these gifts never can. 

But there are gifts that come our way that can’t be bought in stores, wrapped in boxes, or even placed under the tree.  They can only be experienced in life when God gives them (and people just can’t).  These gifts are truly lasting and life-changing because those are the only kinds of gifts that God sends out to His people.  And, of course, the greatest gift of God is the arrival of Jesus Christ from heaven to earth on Christmas. 

On Sunday, we’re beginning a new series, What’s Under Your Christmas Tree?  We’ll explore three amazing gifts that God sent out surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, and how these same gifts (in different forms) can be ours as well.  No matter what you find under your Christmas tree this year, God has gifts that are so much greater waiting for you if you will accept them.

Make this Christmas series a priority every Sunday.  It is the gift that God is looking for from those who love Him. Invite someone you know to join you, too.

Warmly,
Vince

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

LAKESHORE FRIENDS—

This week is a busy one here at Lakeshore and everything going on is so important and exciting to be a part of.

Earlier tonight, we continued our series in the book of Revelation by looking at the first half of the final 7 years of life on earth before Jesus returns.  We looked at the “seal judgments” and the four horseman of the apocalypse.  Who is the rider on the white horse? (hint: it’s not Jesus, but the exact opposite person).  Who is the rider on the red horse?  The black horse?  The Ashen horse?  What will happen to Christians then (those who are not a part of the Rapture that happened just before the start of the 7-year tribulation?  What will happen to the environment?  This fascinating chapter tells us how the end of the world begins.  The good news is that true Christians have nothing to fear!  Those who are not, however, will. If you missed tonight's Midweek service, you can watch it here.

On Friday night and Saturday, we'll be packing over 160,000 meals for Feed My Starving Children and it will be payed for through our giving to Making Waves 2024 (Guests who attend the event and are not a part of Lakeshore will be encouraged to donate $50/person to cover their costs).  It is one of the most energizing and action-packed events of the year and to think of the stomachs that we will fill and the lives that God will change through us is overwhelming.  I look forward to seeing you there if you’ve signed up to pack food.

On Sunday, we’ll wrap up our short series, “From Hunger To Hope”, and announce the packing totals from Feed My Starving Children.  We’ll also explain how you can be a part of helping those in need through Making Waves 2024.

Hope to see you here throughout the rest of the week and on Sunday!

Warmly,
Vince

NOVEMBER 22, 2023

LAKESHORE FRIENDS—

I hope you enjoyed the Relational Vampires series and learned some important lessons on how to respond in love to those people who 'suck the life out of us,' whether it’s the critic who hurts us, the needy person who drains us, the manipulator who uses us, the hypocrite who frustrates us, or the gossip who tries to put us down (to lift themselves up).  Maybe this series was perfectly timed for the holiday season and all the people we will be relating to over the next few weeks. 

I also want to thank those of you who filled a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.  Lakeshore contributed 323 boxes and in total we collected 1,656 boxes from the area.  You will make the Christmas of many children around the world brighter, all while pointing them to Jesus.

Speaking of that, we will have another opportunity for everyone to help the poor as we begin a new series on Sunday, From Hunger to Hope.  We’ll learn more about the poverty crisis in our world and how we will help meet needs through Making Waves 2024.  This Sunday, we’ll focus on the second biggest beneficiary of our Making Waves giving, ORPHANetwork, and we'll be privileged to host Bob Cleary, OPRHANetwork's CEO.  You will love his heart and learn more about what God is doing in Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the western hempisphere.  The following Sunday, December 3, we’ll celebrate Feed My Starving Children weekend and close out this short series.

I want to wish you all a fantastic Thanksgiving!  In 1621, the first Thanksgiving was held by the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony (present-day Massachusetts).  In search of religious freedom, the Pilgrims had left their home in England for the New World.  After enduring a difficult first year, they held a feast to thank God for His provisions and blessings.  What an important lesson and reminder.  Even when times are hard and life is difficult, we can always find thousands of reasons to thank Godd, and I hope you will every day (1 Thessalonians 5:18), especially on Thursday as we celebrate this important holiday with family, friends, food, football, and faith!

One thing I truly thank God for is you!  Thanks for being a great part of Lakeshore.

Warmly,
Vince