Youth Camp Last week, twelve of our teens went to the Nebraska District Youth Camp to experience a great time of fun, Bible study, fellowship, prayer, and worship. The theme was, “The Real Life”, and they had an opportunity to learn more about how Christ really is the answer for life’s needs and that Jesus is our hope for a meaningful life. They also had opportunities to discover that, in the middle of the realities of life, God is faithful and is always there for us. When I asked one teen how camp was, they just said, “The Real Life is awesome!” Needless to say, I was thrilled to know that this teen has continued to experience the joy of knowing Jesus. Last Sunday night, children, teens, and adults gathered at the homes of Eric and Cindy Christenson and Lewis and Pat Campbell for the All-Church BBQ, where everyone experienced delicious food, great homemade ice cream, other desserts, wonderful Christian fellowship, and for those who dared, lots of fun playing volleyball. My heart is blessed when I see so many people having a great time together as the family of God. Today, July 26, we had twenty-six children and several adult counselors leave for Children’s Camp where the truth of God’s love and forgiveness will be shared and children will pray to receive Jesus into their heart and life and make decisions to follow Jesus every day. It is incredibly exciting to know kids are letting Jesus change their lives. In just a week and a half, the church building will be filled with kids for this year’s Vacation Bible School, “Kingdom of the Son”, August 8th – 12th from 6:00 – 8:45 p.m. Through this year’s VBS, children will have an awesome time learning God’s Word through music, drama, crafts, and games. Through amazing stories from the Bible, they will learn how God loves and cares for them and how they can pray and talk to God every day. To have great opportunities for children, teens, and adults to learn about God’s love for them takes a lot of people to give leadership and to give of themselves to help accomplish the mission of the church, which is to, “demonstrate God’s love to all people, leading them to embrace Jesus Christ, and helping them grow to maturity in Him.” I want to thank everyone for all you do to serve the Lord through the ministry of Lakeside Community Church. We really are “partners in the Gospel” as the Apostle Paul says in Philippians chapter one, and every person is a strategic part of the team. As a ministerial staff, we want to honor you at the Volunteer Appreciation banquet on Sunday, August 21st, at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. You will be able to sign up for the banquet in the church foyer over the next couple of weeks. Please allow us the honor of serving you and expressing our appreciation to you. You really do make a difference and we can keep working together confidently as we obey 1 Corinthians 15:58, which says, “Be steadfast, stand firm, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your work is not in vain in the Lord!” As always, I look forward to worshipping with you each Sunday. See you then! Pastor Dave |