Lakeshore Community Church

11/06/2023

AZORES UPDATE - Here’s what we are up to today! I forgot to say in the video but half of the team was going out after lunch door today engaging in conversations with people and offering them Bibles with an insert inviting them to connect with the church. They handed out 23 Bibles and had many great conversations. Please pray for us as we continue serving here in Jesus’ Name!

Please also pray for Paul and Stephanie Brouwers who are flying home early right now…Paul’s mom passed away last night and they are on their way to be with family.

Pastor Kevin…

11/03/2023

AZORES MISSIONS TEAM UPDATE - Today as part of our day we put special inserts into all the Bibles we will be distributing Monday and went on a prayer walk through the neighborhood near the church. Join us in praying for all those who receive these Bibles - that this would be the beginning of a real connection with Jesus and to the church!

10/25/2023

IMPACTUS MEN’S MINISTRY CONFERENCE - Sat Nov. 18th from 830am - 4pm

We are excited to be a simulcast location for the 2023 Impactus Conference (formerly Promise Keepers). It’s going to be an amazing day filled with worship, food, great speakers and more!

The theme of the conference is "Steadfast" and will take a look at 4 specific areas of our lives: Communication, Commitments, Consistency, and Calling. You will leave the day refreshed and encouraged - don't miss this opportunity to grow with God in the presence of friends. Lunch is included!

How can you participate?
Sign up in seconds by simply clicking here on this link. https://lakeshore-community-church-418497.churchcenter.com/people/forms/637210

NOTE: Registration closes this Sunday November 5th, so don't delay....sign up today!

The cost is $25.00 per person (pay by e-transfer to [email protected] or in person on site at the event)

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! Share this post and pass on to others - this is a community wide event and we are hoping for a full house.

You can also sign up at Lakeshore Community Church in the lobby this Sunday

Any questions? Reply to this post….

10/25/2023

LOST AND FOUND CLEAN UP - Take a quick look through these pictures - recognize anything? We will be donating all of our lost and found collection to a local agency that will pass them on to people in need if not picked up by Sunday Nov 5th.

10/23/2023

Save the Date! This interactive night takes you on a journey to the manger, and this year includes live animals, wagon rides and fun for the whole family.

10/19/2023

God's timing is always perfect - enjoy today's devotion. It was definitely what I needed!!

The Powerful Practice That Protects Your Heart From Bitterness
ELIZABETH LAING THOMPSON

“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:44-45a (NLT)

I could feel bitterness trying to sink its jagged claws into my heart. It called to me, its voice silky smooth and oh so enticing: You have every right to feel resentful. Her behavior is sinful, inexcusable — and she claimed to be your friend! Come on. Give in. Feed your hurt with hatred.

My conscience prickled with a warning from the Holy Spirit: If I let bitterness take hold, it would spread inside me like an invisible sickness. Corroding my heart. Making me cynical. Even tainting my healthy friendships with suspicion and mistrust.

Desperate for help resisting this temptation, I opened my Bible. God guided me to Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount:

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?” (Matthew 5:43-46a, NLT).

I’d always thought of Jesus’ command to pray for our enemies as a godly to-do — an act of obedience, surrender and trust in God — but what if there is more to Jesus’ command than just saying the right words? What if prayer is also intended to help our hearts? Would praying for the friend who hurt me actually help me overcome bitterness?

I decided to try it. At first, my prayers were stiff and a bit reluctant; I had to choke out the words. But day after day, I persisted in prayer: Lord, be with her. Heal whatever hurt is driving her to act this way. Show her a different way. Please bring healing to both of our hearts.

I don’t know what happened in my former friend’s heart because of those prayers, but I do know what happened in mine: My heart stayed soft and open. Even though my friend had sinned against me, God enabled me to reject bitterness and choose forgiveness. I never got to have a reconciliation conversation with that friend, but even so, God healed my hurt and protected my heart. Jesus’ way worked.

Obeying Jesus’ command taught me several powerful truths we experience when we pray for people who have hurt us:

Prayer shields our hearts from bitterness. It gives us a verbal outlet for our pain, a way to begin releasing our resentment to God. It prevents righteous anger and real hurt from twisting into damaging bitterness.

Prayer humbles us. It reminds us that even when we have been hurt, we are imperfect and need grace too. It may even help us to consider the conflict from the other person’s perspective.

Prayer helps us resist the temptation to seek revenge. It reminds us that God loves justice and that we can trust Him to defend and protect us.

Prayer gives us peace while we wait for resolution. Praying strengthens our relationship with God during our relational conflict. We trust that God is working even when we can’t see or understand all He is doing.

If you’re embroiled in a conflict, wrestling with bitterness, or feeling hurt or confused by a strained relationship, Jesus’ encouragement to pray for your enemy may provide the protection your heart needs. You can pray about your situation, and pray for the person with whom you are in conflict, every day — even multiple times a day.

Feeling wounded by a friend’s refusal to accept your apology? You can pray about that.
Feeling afraid she may hurt more people if she doesn’t change? You can pray about that.
Longing to attempt reconciliation but not sure the other person will even speak to you? You can pray about that.

We can pray about all of it. God welcomes our requests, and He longs to help His children find forgiveness and unity (John 17:20-23).

It takes time, but when we commit to persistently praying for those who offend us, we give God the chance to work on their hearts — and ours.

10/18/2023

Dinner auctions are back, with all proceeds going to our Capital Campaign Building Project! All of our menus can be seen below so that you can figure out which meal and date is right for you. Then, you can bid on your chosen menu at church this Sunday. Once the bidding is closed, you will find out whose house you're going over to for dinner! This is a wonderful way to support Lakeshore's building project, as well as meet new people from our church family!

NOTE: There is one more meal taking place this coming Sunday night that needs to be filled by the end of our morning services. If you are interested, check out menu 6!

10/17/2023

Here is a little recap video of the youth rally that took place on Friday night! Our students had such a great time gathering together, worshipping and learning that Jesus knows their name!

10/13/2023

Our dear friend Mary Ellen Barclay went to be with Jesus on Thursday, Oct. 12th. I remember when Mary Ellen and her husband Brad connected in at Lakeshore back in 2007... her passion for God and love for her family fueled her life! Much love and prayers to her family in this time of loss.

10/11/2023

Excited for this Friday night as we welcome 7 other youth groups to join us here at Lakeshore!

We are so excited to be hosting our next Sarnia section youth rally for our Sr High students!! Join us next Friday, October 13th for worship, a guest speaker, games, and pizza! We can't wait to see you there!