Janice Entz and I co-led a community group during the Power of a Whisper series and our group has continued to meet while studying Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven. We were impressed by the potential for growth, the acceptance of diverse opinions and encouragement of those in different stages along their walk with Christ. The group enjoyed learning together and shared powerful and enlightening personal experiences. We also bonded while sharing snacks and silliness!

It’s a blessing to us when group members want to continue as a group and form bonds with new friends. As Pastor Vince says, “The bigger Lakeshore gets, the smaller we need to get.” That means we must ensure that people feel like they belong to a community. I am so pleased to see members of my group talking over coffee in the atrium on Sunday, and I can tell how connected and involved they feel.

Several members of our group had been reading Randy Alcorn’s terrific book Heaven, and we agreed that this would be a challenging and rewarding subject to explore. One member’s family had been reading the book with her brother, who was in hospice. We were sad to hear of his passing but knew the book had been a comfort to the family. As I was wrapping up this article I got an email from one of our group members that said, “I just wanted to let you know that I really love our community group… we are having a great time. It’s definitely helping us both grow.” That’s the reward Janice and I receive from our group.

Testimonies from participants of Whisper groups indicate that this was one of the most powerful series ever taught at Lakeshore and was so inspiring that a number of groups continued to meet after completion of the series. Kathy and Jerry Falzone are experienced Community Group leaders and they continued meeting after completion of the Whisper series (coincidentally also studying Heaven). Kathy says, “We didn’t want to lose momentum. Some people were seekers or new believers and we didn’t want to abandon them as they start their walk.” Ray Hardaway has led groups at Lakeshore and shares this no-nonsense philosophy: “A Community Group is more than just reading a book with other people for six weeks and then moving on.”

Dan Kilker shared a powerful testimony from his group: “A person from the group sent me a card and spoke of how the series changed them and that their relationship with God was better. That made it all worthwhile. I know it changed me also …I came away with new perspective on how to hear from God but most of all to act upon what is discerned from listening. I look at my life now as needing to know God more, take time to hear Him speak to me and recognize it. And then act upon these things that are whispered. There is just something about being in community.” Wouldn’t you love to experience a life-changing Community Group? I encourage you to keep your group going, to maintain continuity and build on momentum. If you are currently in recess, consider getting your group back together to start a new subject “next semester” after the holidays.

Are you trying to get connected and more involved at Lakeshore? Did you ever wish you could ask a question right in the middle of Pastor Vince’s Sunday message? Do you sometimes feel like you don’t know anyone? Then you need to get plugged into a Community Group. Community Groups are Lakeshore’s home-based small group Bible-studies and are an excellent opportunity for spiritual growth.

Learn more about Community Groups at Lakeshorechurch.org (Under the “Getting Deeper” tab).

So when Pastor Vince asked everyone at this morning’s Synergy Prayer Event to do the Tebow, I expressed my immediate concern.

As you can see from the following picture, I gave in to the peer pressure and participated in the shot:

That’s what makes Tebow’s witness so powerful. He doesn’t give in to the pressure of conforming to everyone else’s standards.

He lives a life consistent with his Christian principles and values.

So let’s keep Tebow in prayer.

Not for another win.

But for spiritual protection.

Not many people will become Christians as a direct result of Tebow’s witness, but many people will be disillusioned if he doesn’t live up to his self-proclaimed standards of behavior. And his public display of prayer and ethical living does open up opportunities for conversation between people of faith and those who don’t agree with this perspective.

Let’s follow his example, reaching out to our neighbors and our world. Where we see a need, let’s help solve it to the best of our abilities.

And spend less time worrying about whether or not our team wins or loses.

Because if that were the case, the Bills would be in the AFC Championship Game next week. Buffalo beat the Pats in week 3, and blew out the Broncos on Christmas Eve.

Sports success is fleeting, but living according to our principles is a gift to everyone around us.

Participating in this month’s Synergy Prayer event was another reminder of this truth.

Contact Angela DeCroce by phone 730-0095 or email Amjolie04@gmail.com .

And thank you for learning more about our ministry teams these past two weeks as we actively recruit more elves regular volunteers to help us serve our community and the world with excellence.

Contact Gary DiCiccio gdicicco@rochester.rr.com or 585.227.7065 to find out more and how to get involved.

“It started with a story on YNN News about a son who wanted to honor his father,” says LCC attender Glenn Goodridge about a whisper he received from God.   According to the news story, Jim Gennarino lost his father to cancer 10 years ago.  He was bothered by the fact that his father, Chief Petty Officer Bernie Gennarino, was buried in a pauper’s grave in Dallas, TX, and never received a proper naval burial after serving his country for 23 years.

For two weeks, God kept whispering to Glenn, “Call YNN to get in touch with Jim,” until he finally did.  Within two days of obeying the whisper Glenn and Jim met for coffee and discussed Jim’s dream to move his dad from Dallas to Rochester for a proper burial with naval honors.  What makes this story so interesting is how God orchestrated things behind the scenes.  You see, Glenn is on the board for the Fairfield Cemetery in Spencerport, and felt God’s leading to help Jim’s dream come true.  Glenn presented this opportunity to the board and they agreed to give a burial plot to Jim in the Veterans Section of the cemetery, at no charge.

Jim began plans with the Patriot Guard in both Dallas and Rochester to have his father’s remains exhumed, cremated, and transported to Rochester.  Glenn and Jim remained in touch throughout the process and their friendship grew during this time.  Glenn said one day he received a call from Jim when the plans to move his father were not going so well.  Glenn sensed that Jim was stressed, so he asked Jim if they could pray together.  Glenn said, “After praying, Jim’s countenance changed and the conversation turned to the Bible.”  Glenn understood that Jim was open to discussing spiritual matters, but that he had a hard time understanding the Bible.

All throughout this time, Glenn shared this story with his Community Group so they could be praying for Jim and the plans to move his father.  “I was so pleased how our Community Group was interested in this situation and prayed.  That meant a lot”, said Glenn.

Finally, everything was set and on October 29, 2011 there was a full naval burial service with a 21 gun salute, taps, a flag folding and presentation of the flag to Jim.  The Patriot Guard was there in full force protecting the funeral service.

After the service, Glenn presented Jim with a new NIV Bible and directed him to begin with the Gospel of John to better understand the love of Christ.  Glenn and Jim remain in touch weekly.  While Jim has not taken Glenn up on his invitation to come to church yet, Glenn feels he is close and continues to pray for Jim.

When asked for advice on listening for the whispers of God, Glenn responds, “If you’re not sure whether or not it is a whisper from God, step out in faith to see if it is God directing you.”  You may never know the full power of a whisper and how many people will be touched by it until you do.

Call Kathy at 233-8071 or kathshep@juno.com for more information or touch base with anyone from the New Life Team.

For more information, please contact: Jean Henderson (723-8995) danajeanh@rochester.rr.com  or Diane Brinthaupt (865-5636) djbrinth@frontiernet.net

Contact Andy Mitchell, andrew.david.mitchell@gmail.com / 585.210.8943 voice or text for various  first serve opportunities.

For more info, please contact Paul Clark at pclark1954@gmail.com or 729-8796.