September 4, 2014

I have witnessed God’s Spirit flowing through Lakeshore in many exciting ways over the summer. Before entering a new season, filled with it’s own Spirit-filled activities, let’s take a moment to offer praise and thanks for the ways God has walked with us throughout the summer.

• We began the summer with an All Church A’s Game, and I had to reserve 65 tickets for our church family! All ages gathered to cheer on the A’s and watch the fireworks together (reserve tickets for our Sept. 19th game by Sept. 7).
• Vacation Bible Camp was our biggest year yet. We hosted 27 campers and had 57 people involved in the effort to claim and proclaim Jesus’ One-of-a-Kind Love. We had kids learning about God, teens growing in confidence and leadership skills, young adults stepping into leadership roles, and adults giving of their time and gifts to share God’s love with others.
• God Has Set Us Free was the theme of this year’s church retreat — and it was a grand time of renewal, reflection, intergenerational fellowship, and opportunities to listen to one another and to God. We got a little more dirty than usual, without access to potable water, but that allowed us to remember what truly matters in life. Finally, we were able to claim anew our freedom in God.
• Following the retreat, the youth group went to Santa Cruz to enjoy all the blessings of our lives! It is always good to be reminded, in the midst of our own journeys, of the joy of slowing down and enjoying one another.
• Death, sickness and struggle marked the lives of several in our congregation over the past few months, which has led to one of the most visible manifestations of God in our midst, the community’s embrace of one another and banding together to find ways to care for our community.
• We began hosting Kid Friendly Worship Services on 5th Sundays. This has allowed kids to fully engage in worship and has allowed all of us to bring our child-like spirits before God.
• Lakeshore’s Local Organizing Committee continues plans to help 9th graders move through High School with graduation as their goal. They will kick off a new program, Aspire and Achieve, in October, and welcome partnership in their efforts to provide mentors, tutors, skills workshops and community-building events to encourage 9th graders in their education.
• The Adult Bible Class covenanted to not just study the Bible each Sunday, but to check in regularly to support one another in their lives. They welcome new members to their class and community (11:30 in the Library Sunday mornings).

These are just some of the ways God’s Spirit has been present in our midst. I look forward to how the Spirit will blow through us and our life together in the fall.
Peace,
Allison