September, 2006
by Pastor Dave Speicher

All of us are saying “Where did the summer go?” or “Did we have summer?” Even though summer is not officially over until somewhere around September 20, the activities of summer have concluded and the busy schedule of school responsibilities and sports activities are in full swing.

You may have heard it before but you may feel like a statement someone recently gave me which says “As soon as the rush is over I’m going to have a nervous breakdown. I worked for it; I owe it to myself, and nobody is going to deprive me of it.” Well, I hope that even if you feel that way you won’t go ahead and do it but that somehow God will refresh and renew you right in the middle of your busy schedule and many responsibilities as you daily seek Him. As you will see in this newsletter, the fall ministries have begun and yes, even church ministry is a part of our busy life, but what better way to be busy than in learning more about God and being involved in serving Him and others!! Throughout all of our responsibilities and involvements we must ask God to help us make sure we are focused on what is important to Him and how we can really serve Him. In The Message translation of the Scripture, I Corinthians 16:13-14 says: “Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and LOVE WITHOUT STOPPING.”

One thing God challenges all of us to do continually as we follow Jesus is to always “…love God with all of our heart and our neighbor as ourselves.” (Matthew 22:37-39) Missionary E. Stanley Jones once said “Let the church be organized LOVE TO ALL.” I believe that is what pleases God and that is what God wants us to keep doing each day.

To see that goal accomplished we would do well to often pray a prayer from Thomas a Kempis which says: “Grant me, O Lord, to know what is worth knowing, to love what is worth loving, to praise what delights you most, to value what is precious in your sight, and to hate what is offensive to you.” That kind of devotion to God will keep us moving forward in ministry and enable us to fulfill OUR MISSION which is “…to demonstrate God’s love to ALL people, leading them to embrace Jesus Christ, and helping them grow to maturity in Him.”

Thank you for all the ways you are involved in the ministry of Lakeside Community Church to help us serve others and reach them with the message of God’s love and forgiveness. May God bless you as you become involved in our fall ministries…I look forward to wonderful times of worship with you each Sunday.