[LCC Announce] A great weekend ahead at Lakeshore

[Kathy Shepanski]

Lakeshore family-

 

I hope you're enjoying the nice weather we've experienced this week.
Could it be that Summer is finally here?

 

When I think of Summer, one of the events I have looked forward to as
much as any is Joint Service Sunday where we celebrate God's greatness
with other churches.  Back in 2006, we held a service together with Ark
Of Jesus Ministries and Bishop Dave Singleton spoke at the service.  It
was a big hit and he was a big hit (Bishop Dave has been helping me with
my speaking skills ever since :-)).  The next year two other
African-American pastors expressed a desire to be a part, so Victory
Fellowship and New Way Christian Faith Center and their people joined in
the past two years along with their pastors Pete Dillard and George
McKnight respectively.  This year, we're spicing things up with
Congregation Shema Yisrael, a Messianic Jewish congregation led by Rabbi
Jim Appel.  All four churches will be here celebrating together.  And
(at least from my perspective) it is a service of supreme significance.

 

The world is still filled with racism.  Some white people still don't
have a sound view of racial diversity that matches the heart of God.
Some people of color still struggle to get over past issues even when
people today try to show authentic concern and care.  Makes sense
because no race has an exclusive rights arrangement with sin.  But
racism is the exact opposite of what God had in mind in the garden of
Eden.  Since we all came from Adam, we all are one race in a very
certain sense.  And while the world tries to sound racially empathetic,
only the church can model racial equality with the most thorough and
genuine practices because we have God's Spirit living in us.

 

So this Sunday we say to the world, "In Christ, we are one!  Red,
yellow, black, white, whatever color of skin or ethnic background we
possess, we are all one in Christ."  That's why I hope you'll be at
church this Sunday.

 

Afterward we'll have our 15th annual church picnic with people from
these four churches.  This is a great opportunity to get to know each
other over a great cookout.  You can still purchase tickets at the
office till Thursday.  The cost is $5 a person or $15 a family with a
dish to pass.

 

Also, this Saturday at 11am we'll have another baptism celebration.  I
hope you'll attend to support the people being baptized and to be
reminded again about the amazing grace of God.

 

Finally, next Thursday and Friday, August 6-7, is the Leadership Summit.
Tickets are still available for just $105 but please register this week.
Otherwise you can still register the morning of August 6 if you come
early.

 

I'm excited to be back at church with you this weekend.  Pray that God
uses it all to "rock our worlds" so we can in turn "rock the world!" 

 

Warmly-

Vince

     

 

 

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