The Link

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THE LINK

Vol. 67 No. 28 ✥ July 15, 2026

July 19, 2026 ❖ The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Celebration of the 35th Anniversary of

Gatekeepers Workcamp

Lessons: Psalm 107:1-9, 21-22; Exodus 13:21; 40:38-39; Philippians 1:3-11

Sermon: "FAITHFUL"

Scripture is replete with stories and proclamations of God's faithfulness to the people of God and of our responsibility to worship and serve God and our neighbors in faithful response to God's goodness. For 35 years, Lakeside, along with our partner churches in the Rocky Mount community, has served our neighbors faithfully through the ministry of Gatekeepers Workcamp. This Sunday we will celebrate that legacy and pledge ourselves to continued faithfulness to God's work of justice and mercy in our community and beyond.

Anthems:

"Prayer of Consecration" - Dresie

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

but we love having you with us in the sanctuary!

GATEKEEPERS WORKCAMP 2026: FAITHFUL

Our 35th year of Gatekeepers Workcamp is off to a great start with nearly 100 volunteers out across our community providing free home repairs for elderly and disabled homeowners. We are grateful to everyone working on crews and those helping behind the scenes to make our work possible. A complete list of volunteers, church partners, and community sponsors will be included in next week's edition of The Link.

GIVE HOPE AND RELIEF IN VENEZUELA:

CBF DISASTER RELIEF FUND

The images coming out of Venezuela are heartbreaking. Time is critical as search-and-rescue efforts continue, and survivors need our prayers and support.

The Venezuela National Baptist Convention is already providing hot meals, hydration and essential medicines to those affected, and CBF Disaster Response is supporting these relief efforts.

Please give today to help provide hope and healing for those impacted. Learn more HERE.

Give through Lakeside to CBF Disaster Relief by clicking the button below.

Give to CBF Disaster Relief

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!

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

The Lodge at Rocky Mount, 3322 Village Road (04)

Lela Chesson

Autumn Care of Nash, 1210 Eastern Avenue, Nashville, NC 27856

Ziggy Zalzneck, Room 413

At Home:

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

Jennifer Cobb, 1506 West Haven Blvd. (03)

Shane Eakes (Robert Woods' brother), 115 Sunshine Lane (01)

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)

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)

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)

Keith Abbott, 3413 Brookview Drive (04)

We rejoice with Nathan and Mary Frances Raper Miller on the birth of their son, DeWitt "Witt" Joyner Miller, on July 14. Genie and Don Raper are Witt's proud grandparents. Chick and Don Conley are his proud great-grandparents.

Give Now

YOUTH NEWS

I hope all of this year's Gatekeepers youth and adult volunteers can attend our 35th Anniversary celebration on Sunday, July 19, during morning worship and the reception to follow worship in Lehman Courtyard.

Plans for the fall will begin soon. All youth and children's families are encouraged to mark your calendar for our Fall Kick-Off Sunday is September 13. We will have an evening event for families to start the fall season. Be sure to invite friends who might be interested in getting involved in a youth group. There's room for everyone to find a place to belong at Lakeside!

Elizabeth

MUSIC NOTES

Chancel Choir, you should have received an email with updates for the next couple of weeks. Please be sure to read through and let me know if you have any questions. Additionally, if you have not received the email, please let me know as well so that I can be sure I have all up-to-date email addresses.

Jake

CHILDREN'S CORNER

Hello, Lakeside Family! Thank you for the incredibly warm welcome Sunday as I stepped into this new role here as the Minister to Children. While I have always cherished being a choral scholar and using my musical gifts here, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to pursue this new calling—pouring into the children of our church and walking alongside them as they grow in their faith.

This past Sunday was my first time preparing worship bags and a nursery lesson, and stepping into this rhythm has already filled me with joy. Even so, I know that as I embark on this journey, I will need the wisdom, guidance, and support of my Lakeside family as I help shepherd these young hearts toward a deeper relationship with God.

I am currently working on our Fall children’s curriculum for Sunday nights and gathering a roster of volunteers for both Sunday mornings and evenings. If you feel led and able to serve — whether by sitting with the children during the morning worship service, assisting with children's church on Sunday mornings or helping with lessons and music on Sunday nights this fall — your support would mean so much. You can contact me at mccainja17@outlook.com.

I am truly looking forward to building meaningful relationships with every family and child here at Lakeside and cultivating an atmosphere where all feel loved, welcomed, and supported in our ministry.

Jacob

TOPNOTCHERS NEWS

Join us on Sunday, August 2 for our Continue the Communion lunch, our monthly gathering for those who wish to share a meal together following our Communion Sunday service, held on the first Sunday of every month. We will meet at Chico's Mexican Restaurant, 1701 Sunset Ave. Call the church office to sign up in advance if possible, though we also love last-minute diners. Hope to see you there!

Sue