The Link

*Some email carriers clip long messages. If you are not able to see the Constant Contact logo at the bottom of this email, look for the button that will allow you to view the entire message.*

THE LINK

Vol. 67 No. 33 ✥ August 19, 2026

August 23, 2026 ❖ The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Lessons: Psalm 86:11-17; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Sermon: "In the Weeds"

Weeding is no one’s favorite gardening activity, but somehow, we get caught up in weeding in our spiritual lives. Let us hear a surprise teaching from Jesus in the Parable of the Weeds from the Gospel of Matthew this week – perhaps we are meant to focus on being good grain rather than weeding out others from the Kingdom.

Our Final Summer Sermon Series is “Surprise! Parables from Jesus.” We encounter deep truths when we explore the teachings of Jesus in parables, and we also are often surprised by Jesus’ interpretations. We will explore these surprising stories in a 6-week series as we end our summer season together.

Solo:

"Then Shall the Righteous Shine Forth," from Elijah - Mendelssohn

Worship is live on our homepage and YouTube channel at 11:00 a.m.,

but we love having you with us in the sanctuary!

AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ROCKY MOUNT COMMUNITY:

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION WITH DAVE CLAWSON

FOR COACHES AND YOUTH LEADERS

One of the exciting opportunities of this year's Turnage Speaker Series is a small group discussion for coaches, athletic directors, and others who work with area youth organizations. On Sunday, August 23, at 2:30 p.m., Dave Clawson will lead a time of dialogue about the challenges of our current environment of high school and college athletics, including reflections on his own journey as college sports evolved into an industry.

The session will include a chance for participants to ask questions and engage in conversation. We hope you will encourage your friends who are involved in school, community, or nonprofit youth and athletic organizations to join us. Participation for this session is by registration only through the Event Registration page of our website by clicking the button below.

In addition to this session, Coach Clawson will share part of his faith journey with us in morning worship on August 23 and offer a public lecture at 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary, where he will share further thoughts about leadership and character and provide a time of conversation. Make plans now to join us!

Starting this week, our staff will begin our transition to our new staff email addresses at our church's URL (web address). You will find each staff member's new email address listed below. Please update your email contact information. If you have any questions about how to update contacts, please don't hesitate to reach out.

**And Don't worry - if you send an email to an old email address, these emails will be checked or forwarded and will not be missed!**

Church Staff Email Addresses:

Lakeside Office (General Correspondence): office@lakesidechurchrmt.org

Liz Broomell (Financial Information / Liz): liz@lakesidechurchrmt.org

Cindy Davis (Secretarial Assistant): cindy@lakesidechurchrmt.org

Libby Grammer (Senior Minister): libby@lakesidechurchrmt.org

Elizabeth Edwards (Associate Minister): elizabeth@lakesidechurchrmt.org

Zack Ross (Minister of Music): zack@lakesidechurchrmt.org

Jacob McCain (Minister to Children): jacob@lakesidechurchrmt.org

Sue Bulluck (Senior Adult Director): sue@lakesidechurchrmt.org

Preschool Email Addresses:

Preschool (General Correspondence): preschool@lakesidechurchrmt.org

Rachel Holloman (Lakeside Preschool Director): rachel@lakesidechurchrmt.org

Wayne Holloman (Lakeside Preschool Asst. Director): wayne@lakesidechurchrmt.org

Carmen Hope (Lakeside Preschool Afterschool Director): carmen@lakesidechurchrmt.org

MEAL TRAIN FOR LELA & SHELTON CHESSON

Lela and Shelton Chesson are both back home and recovering. They could use some meals 2-3 days per week. If you would like to sign up for a slot, please do so using the link below.

Meal Train Link for Chessons

MEAL TRAIN FOR ANDREA & COLLINS CUTHRELL

Andrea is home recovering from surgery while the family enjoys new baby Jay. They could use some meals 2-3 days per week. If you would like to sign up for a slot, please do so using the link below.

Meal Train Link for Cuthrells

Please remember the following persons who need our prayers and support:

At Home:

Keith Abbott, 3413 Brookview Drive (04)

Ann Bishop, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Apt. S210, Durham, NC 27705

Janice Bobbitt (Chuck Taylor's sister), 4204 Whitehurst Drive, Wilmington, NC 28409

Robyn Edwards Chapman (Jeannette Pittman's cousin), 1481 Richardson Road, Apt. C406, Apex, NC 27523

Lela Chesson, 53 Whispering Pines Drive (04)

Shelton Chesson, 53 Whispering Pines Drive (04)

Jennifer Cobb, 1506 West Haven Blvd. (03)

Andrea Cuthrell, 3517 Mansfield Drive (03)

Doug Edwards, 4699 Moreland Drive, Battleboro, NC 27809

Mike Evans, 1151 Falls Road, Apt. 218 (04)

Michele Costa Foster, 105 Gloucester Court (03)

Charlotte Gilliam, 3794 Loblolly Drive (04)

Leland Goslen (Linda and Cameron Graham's great-nephew), 1021 Oakgate Court, Apex, NC 27502

Bill Jones (Dorrie Wright’s brother)

Brian Lassiter, 104 Killian Court (04)

Sheila Martin, 116 Cobblestone Court (04)

C. B. Morris, 1930 Northern Boulevard (04)

Grady Pittman, 313 Englewood Drive (04)

Jeannette Pittman, 313 Englewood Drive (04)

Billie Stallings, 404 Wildwood Avenue (03)

Patricia Taylor (Napoleon Taylor's wife), 514 Hammond Street (04)

Ziggy Zalzneck, 324 Piedmont Avenue (03)

Our Members at Home:

Chuck Daniel (Brenda and Dennis Culpepper's nephew)

Margaret Harper, Cottage #5209-101, Magnolia Glen, 5301 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC 27612

Cody Richardson, 1518 Fountain Branch Road (03)

We offer our sympathy to Liz, Phil, Alex, Jack, Tyler, and Lauren Broomell in the death of Liz's mother, Barbara Piehl, on August 17 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

On behalf of the families of Sharing From the Heart, we wish to thank you for everything that God allows your ministry to do for our community. I especially thank you for our partnership of 25 years of service. God bless each of you.

Sincerely, Deborah James

Give Now

YOUTH NEWS

Who is my neighbor?

This was a question asked of Jesus when someone was trying to test him and which Jesus answered with his entire life and ministry: EVERYONE! As followers of Jesus, everyone is a neighbor we are called to love.

This year's theme for Lakeside's Youth & Children is Won't You Be My Neighbor? Through our Bible studies, discussions, monthly kindness projects, games, and more, we will explore how we can be good neighbors right here on our corner of Sunset Avenue, throughout our entire city, to our friends at FYI in New York, and to neighbors around the world. We'll also have some fun with video clips from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood!

We hope all our youth and children's families will join us on Sunday, September 13, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in Robbins Hall. We'll have dinner, family games, and a time to learn more about this year's activities.

Also be sure to join us next Sunday, August 30, for a Blessing of the Backpacks and lunch to welcome Jacob. As always, come and invite a friend!

Elizabeth

MUSIC NOTES

Rehearsals for both the Lakeside Ringers and the Chancel Choir will resume on Wednesday, September 9. Both ensembles have plenty of room to grow, so please consider joining us for the 2026-2027 season. No audition is required.

Zack

CHILDREN'S CORNER

A Back to School Blessing

May God bless you as you begin a new school year!

May God guide your steps, give you wisdom to learn, courage to try new things, and confidence to believe in yourself. Go out and build lasting friendships, create happy memories, and always remember that you are loved and capable of anything you set your mind towards.

I wish you a wonderful school year filled with growth, laughter, success, and an abundance of blessings. May God watch over you, protect you, and give you strength through every challenge.

Good luck, kiddos! Have an amazing school year! Don’t let anyone dim your light and may God bless you and keep you always.

Jacob

TOPNOTCHERS NEWS

Our next Continue the Communion lunch will be at Lazeez Indian Restaurant on September 6. Dove Notes will resume on Wednesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. in Godwin Library. In October, we are planning a trip to Hardly Alpaca Farms. Not only will we learn about alpacas and their wonderful fur, and we will also be participating in a soap making workshop. The exact date will be announced once we have finalized the plans.

Sue

GATEKEEPERS NEEDS YOUR HELP

Each year, Gatekeepers Workcamp uses dozens of plastic containers for paint storage, and we need your help replenishing our supply. Please save your plastic containers with a built-in handle, from items such as coffee, peanuts, pet treats, etc. Containers with lids are preferred. You may bring clean, dry containers by the church office anytime throughout the year. Thank you!