The Link

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THE LINK

Vol. 67 No. 29 ✥ July 22, 2026

July 26, 2026 ❖ The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Lessons: Psalm 119:129-136; Romans 8:26-39

Sermon: "Inseparable"

Paul’s words of hope to a church he never even met still offer us hope today. In the litany of things that might separate us from God’s love, Paul reminds us that there is a depth to that Divine love that cements our present and future to God’s being that is hard to comprehend. Can we really believe in this kind of hope, this kind of love, in the world we live in?

Our Second Summer series is Good News for Tough Times and follows the letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in Rome. Paul’s letter to the Romans is addressed to people he had never met, in hopes of encouraging and building up this community to which he dreamed of traveling. Christian life was perilous in those days. In this letter, we learn how God sustains us in the midst of brokenness, both within and without, helping us find wholeness and unity, no matter what crises we are facing.

Anthems:

"God with Me" - Paulus

"Do Not Be Afraid" - Stopford

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

but we love having you with us in the sanctuary!

FAREWELL RECEPTION

FOR JAKE MAUK &

REBECCA BLACKWELL

SUNDAY, JULY 26 AT 12:15 P.M.

Join us for a reception honoring our Minister of Music, Jake Mauk in Lehman Courtyard following worship this Sunday, July 26.

We will say goodbye to Jake and his fiancée Rebecca Blackwell and wish Jake well in his doctoral studies in Madison, Wisconsin.

GATEKEEPERS WORKCAMP 2026

We had a great week of service at five worksites where our adult and youth volunteers served homeowners through building, repairing, and cleaning. Our group photo taken by Pamela Corbett Bailey is above, and our five worksite crew photos are shown below. To see photos of our adults and kids in action, click the button below. Thanks to Libby Grammer and Sue Bulluck for capturing these moments for us!

Click to View Gatekeepers Photos

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

Shelton Chesson, 53 Whispering Pines Drive (04)

Jennifer Cobb, 1506 West Haven Blvd. (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)

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:

Martha Bulluck, Spring Arbor, 1251 South Winstead Avenue, Room 208 (03)

John Cappiello, Brookridge Retirement Community, 1199 Hayes Forest Drive, Room 534, Winston-Salem, NC 27106

Daisy Howell, The Landings of Rocky Mount Mills, 1365 River Drive, Room 512 (04)

Betsy Waters, 401 E. Rhode Island Avenue, Room 275, Southern Pines, NC 28387

We offer our sympathy to Ethel Hines and her family in the death of her son, Robert Landis, on July 15.

To Lakeside Church, The family of Bob Davis, Greenville, SC, would like to graciously thank you for all the creative and beautiful Dove Notes that were sent to our home. Each sweet, thoughtful message gave joy and encouragement. This is a wonderful mission of your church. Thank you for your many prayers also.

With love and heartfelt appreciation for your kindness, Gay Davis

Give Now

YOUTH NEWS

Thank you to everyone who worked hard to make Gatekeepers Workcamp 2026 a success and Sunday's celebration so meaningful.

All youth and children's families are invited to join us on Sunday, August 30, for our Blessing of the Backpacks during morning worship. Following worship, join us in Robbins Hall for a luncheon to welcome Jacob McCain as our new Minister to Children.

Plans for the fall season will begin soon. Mark your calendar for our Fall Kick-Off Sunday on 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

I am so appreciative for the support that Lakeside has provided over the last four years. You welcomed me with open arms and open minds to my new ideas for the Music Ministry, and you encouraged and supported the growth of music opportunities in Rocky Mount as an extension of our ministry.

I am thankful for these four years with you, and Rebecca and I step into this next chapter with much love and appreciation for you all. Knowing that Lakeside is in good hands, I look forward to watching you continue the good work of the church through The Link and the livestream, and to keeping in touch with you through calls and emails. Thank you, Lakeside!

Jake

CHILDREN'S CORNER

Hello Lakeside Families!

I look forward to meeting our families for our Luncheon on August 30. I am excited to get to know you all, enjoy a meal, and fellowship together. As we approach the fall semester, please feel free to reach out to me with any ideas you may have for possible children’s events, ways you would like to support the children’s ministry or if you just want to introduce yourselves.

I want to be a resource in any way I can for any needs you may have. We are a team as we walk alongside your children through their faith journey, just as I am for my families at Rocky Mount Academy this year.

For this fall, I plan to send home handouts for what the kids learned during Children’s Church and Sunday Nights with a devotion and memory verse you can work on with your kids at home. I want to equip our families with the tools they need to bring the faith practices the children are learning at church to the home!

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