March 9, 2016

Worship at Lake Shore The Fifth Sunday in Lent

The Worship of God March 13, 2016

Sermon Zach Helton

The Scripture Isaiah 43:16-21

Lent is a call to week for what we could have been and are not. Lent is the grace to grieve for what we should have done and did not. Lent is the opportunity to change what we ought to change but have not. Lent is not about penance. Lent is about becoming. Lent is a summons to live anew. — Joan Chittister

Palm Sunday Soup Bowl Supper March 20, 6:30 p.m.

benefiting the International Rescue Committee’s

efforts to bring refugees “from harm to home” $15 per bowl (children eat free) sign up in the hall by March 16

The Soup Supper is a chance for Lake Shore members and our guests to gather for a simple meal and time of

prayer as we remember our neighbors in parts of the world where hunger is a daily need. We will each choose a one-of-a-kind bowl to purchase and fill with soup indigenous to the eastern Mediterranean, a region so many refugees are trying pass through to reach a place of safety. Lake Shore potters and friends make the bowls.

Compassionate Conversations about LGBTQ Lives

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female;

for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Seeking to be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, during the month of April our congregation will join together to educate ourselves about what sexual orientation and gender identity means and what inclusion means. We will begin the conversation about what will be required, if this is the direction we choose to go as a congregation, to have an inclusive statement of welcome for our community of faith. The deacons began this conversation prior to the 2015 Supreme Court’s landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision. The deacons wanted to thoughtfully begin a conversation about the issues of justice, social change, and the response of the church prior to the arrival of our new pastor. We wanted to be able to give the pastor informed guidance for the performance of same sex marriages. We ran out of time, but we are not neglecting this duty to explore the wishes of the congregation.

Historically, the Christian Church has been slow to embrace those whom society labels outsiders. This has included those who because of race, ethnicity, ability, gender, age or sexual orientation are outside what has been considered the norm. However, in keeping with historic Lake Shore principles, the deacons think that each member of our congregation has the right and privilege to be part of a conversation on this issue and to decide as a body whether to, at some point in the future, develop a Welcoming and Affirming Statement. Most congregations assert that all people would be welcome in their church. Many have statements to that effect on signs and bulletin covers, yet most would not intend that welcome to apply to openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender persons. Too often LGBTQ relationships and significant life events are not recognized and celebrated by the church. Many LGBTQ church goers feel that they are second-class citizens in the church today. I hope we can join with other Baptist communities of faith in envisioning a day when no one will feel excluded from God’s love in Jesus Christ because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.

Beginning Wednesday, April 6, 2016 a series of seminars entitled Compassionate Conversations about LBGTQ Lives will be held on Wednesday nights after the supper hour in the large Sunday School class (formerly known as the “Blue Room”):

April 6th: Compassionate Conversations: Framing the Dialogue, led by Carolyn Cole April 13th: Compassionate Conversations: The Biblical Text, led by Bill Bellinger

April 20th: Compassionate Conversations:: The Church’s Tradition of Inclusivity led by Mike Whitenton, Steve Reid, and Genie Dyer April 27th: Compassionate Conversations:: One Family’s Story, led by the SoRelle Family

I invite you to participate in this educational opportunity as these seminars will perhaps launch us into the establishment of a task group that will develop a statement that will come before the congregation at a later date.

Because of the sensitive nature of this conversation, I ask that you begin praying for the seminar leaders and your church leadership. I pray that you will be willing to engage in conversation, reflection, and participation as responsible church members. If you have questions, concerns, or feelings that you would like to share, Kyndall is willing to meet with you, or you may share your thoughts with me.

May we live in the light and love of Christ, Libby Bellinger, Chair of Deacons, 2016

Prayers for . . . Ladye Ruth Casner, as she prepares moves to an assisted living

home near her daughter, Kathy, in Arlington, and for Kathy’s husband, Mike, who is hospitalized.

Bruce and Dorothy Neatherlin moved into Stilwell this week.

Dorisanne Cooper as she continues her chemo treatment.

Sherry Castello’s daughter, Laurie Tsuchiya, as she begins her cancer treatment.

Bread for the World Seminar Wednesday

March 16, 6:15 p.m.

Did you know that nearly half of all childhood deaths before age 5 are related to

malnutrition? Many children who do survive

suffer from stunting, causing irreversible

damage to physical and cognitive development. So

this year Bread for the World invites congress to

increase funding for maternal and child nutrition in the global health account. Come to our March 16, seminar to learn more

and be a part of this effort.

Judy Bowman Hunger Awareness Covenant Group

I wish to give a hydrangea on Easter morning: In memory of ___________________________________ In honor of _____________________________________ Given by _______________________________________

I have included $_______ by check or by cash.

Staff News Kyndall is out on Thursday when she will be preaching at the Logsdon Seminary Chapel at the Corpus Christi campus on Thursday morning. Then she is taking a personal spiritual retreat on Friday and Saturday.

Children’s Corner

The Stewardship Committee would like to thank you for pledging to the 2016 budget in

November. As of now you have pledged almost 90% of the budget for 2016! In addition, your giving in 2015 exceeded

expenditures by over $100,000! This is the second year in a row that you have donated over $100,000 more than was spent for our

budget! You are to be congratulated! Your love of Lake Shore is

overflowing!

Every year at Easter, you have the opportunity to give flowers in honor or

memory of someone you love. We will adorn

the front of the sanctuary with hydrangeas in

celebration of the joy of the resurrection of

Christ and the renewal of the earth. After worship on Easter morning, you may take the hydrangea home to

plant. Please submit your order form and payment of $15 for each hydrangea by Wednesday, March 23.

Easter Hydrangeas

Weekly Youth Update No Small Groups this Week Small groups will not meet this

Wednesday night, enjoy spring break!

Pov. Sim Deadline The deadline for signing up for the Pov. Sim and submitting payment is March 20, Palm Sunday. FAQs are

printed on the pack of the information sheets on the youth bulletin board.

There is no one bringing breakfast this week!

If you are able, please let me know.

We should find a time to meet Every Wed. night I have time set aside for Parent Pastor Conferences. Let me know if you want to find a Wed. that

works for you to discuss how we might partner more effectively.

5801 Bishop Drive

Waco, TX 76710-2713

254/772-2910

254/772-2914 (fax)

www.lakeshorebcwaco.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

CALENDAR

Sunday, March 13

9:30—Sunday School

10:45—Worship 4:00—Soulfriends 5:00 — deacons meeting Tuesday, March 15

4:00 staff meeting 5:30 Meditation Group Wednesday, March 16

5:15—Supper 6:10—Children’s Activities 6:10—Seminar 7:15—Choir Rehearsal Thursday, March 17 8:30— Food Pantry

Wednesday night supper March 16

lasagna salad, dessert

children, $3.00 youth & adults, $6.00

Write krysta@lakeshorebcwaco.org by Sunday noon to add or cancel reservations.

Volunteers for Sunday, March 13

Extended Care: Louise Powell Ushers: Isabelle Murphy and

Noah Fau

Weekly Budget Report

Your contributions help fund our mission work, church programs, human resources, and physical facilities. Weekly budget needs for our 2016 budget of $471,309.00 are $9,063.63. This week’s budget receipts were $17,843.50.

Year to date needs Year to date received Difference 90,636.30 108, 396.59 17,760.29

To give online, please click here.

Our Church Staff Kathy Coleman,

Director, LSBC Children’s Center

Daniel Farris, Minister of Music

Rachel Farris, Interim Minister to Children

Louis Garcia, Custodian

Zachary Helton, Minister to Youth

Gordon Lawrence, Maintenance Manager

Janya Martin, Organist

Krysta Pittman, Office Manager

Kyndall Rothaus, Pastor

Sharlande Sledge, Associate Pastor

March 14-18 Paul Foster Campus

for Business and Innovation Baylor’s McBride Center for International Business

Dinner on Wednesday and lunch on Thursday are free

but require registration. See the full schedule at:

http://www.baylor.edu/business/globalbusinessforum/

Register by Monday, March 14.