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Vol. 67 No. 36 ✥ September 9, 2026

September 13, 2026 ❖ The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Lessons: Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-46

Sermon: "Rejection"

This week’s parable tells a story of rejection – on the part of wicked tenants and on the part of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. And yet, even in rejection, there is hope for those who choose to rely on the rejected stone that became the cornerstone – Jesus Christ. Where are we still rejecting Christ as those hearing this story two millennia ago? How can we be people who embody the Kingdom of Heaven?

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 six-week series as we end our summer season together.

This is the season after Pentecost in the Christian year. Having celebrated the “birthday of the church” through the giving of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, we enter the Season after Pentecost for 24 weeks, to celebrate the existence of the church and recall her mission in the world. The liturgical color for the season is green, symbolic of the church’s growth and mission.

Anthem:

"Forever Blest Is He" - G. F. Handel

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

but we love having you with us in the sanctuary!

Click Here to Sign Up

THANK YOU, LAKESIDE FAMILY!

Back in June, as we were preparing for our 35th year of Gatekeepers Workcamp, I met a homeowner who had been on our wait list. Hers was not a typical Gatekeepers project, however, because in the time since she first called us three years ago, health challenges and family issues had left her home uninhabitable. I was more than a little hesitant about such an enormous undertaking, far larger than our typical Gatekeepers projects. But something about Mrs. Grant and her story tugged at my heart, an experience I have now come to see was God's leading, so I told her I would see what we could do.

That nudge from God was validated at every turn. Petrina Page, whom I had asked to be the crew leader for this job, was undaunted by the challenge and made a commitment to see the project through past the usual Gatekeepers timeline. Our Diaconate and Administrative Council gave their blessing, acting in trust that God and our Lakeside family would be faithful. Mrs. Grant honored us with her trust and turned over her keys to complete strangers so that we could get to work.

Members of West Haven Presbyterian Church, which was going through the painful process of closing, honored their longstanding partnership with Gatekeepers by making a generous financial contribution which gave us the needed resources for cleaning out and sanitizing the interior of the home. We are also grateful to West Haven for donating a number of furniture items and large kitchen appliances.

After the Gatekeepers team made the needed repairs on the exterior of the home, Lakeside members began volunteering to assist with interior painting and repairs and donating furniture and housewares to furnish Mrs. Grant's home. One of our longtime Gatekeepers sponsors donated many hours of labor to install new carpet and flooring. Members of Word Tabernacle Church donated small appliances and other kitchen wares. Every time a need arose, God's hand was at work through our church family and community to meet that need. Every single time.

On Tuesday, September 8, almost three months to the day after I first entered Mrs. Grant's ruined and unsafe house, many of those who had worked hard and given generously to complete the project gathered in dedication and celebration to welcome Mrs. Grant back to her beautiful, safe, comfortable home. There were tears and laughter, prayers of thanksgiving, and countless handshakes and hugs. Most of all, the love of God surrounded us all, as a community came together to welcome Mrs. Grant home.

Thank you, Petrina Page, for the time and love you poured into this project. Thank you, West Haven Presbyterian Church, for your partnership and generosity. Thank you, Lakeside Family, for every way you love our neighbors in this community well. Together, we have responded to God's call and restored Mrs. Grant's hope and joy and given her a home filled with our love and prayers.

Please take a few minutes to enjoy photos from last night's celebration by clicking the button below, especially the before and after pictures of portions of the home, shared with Mrs. Grant's permission and her thanks.

With gratitude and joy,

Elizabeth

Click Here to View Photos

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

Linda Hoyle, 210 Gravely Drive (04)

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)

Howard Phykitt, 106 Whispering Pines Drive (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:

Stan Ford, 700 Duck Pond Road, Nashville, NC 27856

Robert Kincheloe, 3704 Hawthorne Road (04)

Sheila Whitley, Barclay House, 200 Trade Street, Room 107A, Tarboro, NC 27886

Give Now

MUSIC NOTES

Rehearsals for both the Lakeside Ringers and the Chancel Choir will resume this evening, 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. The Lakeside Ringers rehearse at 6:00 p.m. and the Chancel Choir rehearses at 7:00 p.m., both in the Music Suite.

As we begin the 2026-2027 season, the music ministry is continuing to recruit volunteers to assist with children’s music activities on Sunday evenings. Anyone interested in volunteering is invited to reach out to zack@lakesidechurchrmt.org. This can be a great opportunity for a veteran musician to help encourage and support our young musicians or for someone interested in learning the fundamentals of music along with our kids. Either way, it’s a ton of fun! All are welcome.

Zack

YOUTH NEWS

Won't you be my neighbor?

I can hardly wait to get started exploring this question throughout this school year. Through our Bible studies, discussions, games, mission projects, and other activities, we will learn how to love our neighbors as Jesus called us to do.

We will get underway this Sunday, September 13, with a Family Night for all our youth and children and their families. We'll have dinner and games, learn more about this year's theme, and spend some time in our age groups doing some planning. Be sure to bring your calendar and your ideas for activities you would enjoy. I hope you all can join us as we begin a great year of learning what it means to love our neighbors as Christ taught us.

On Sunday, September 20, we will begin our next Discipleship Class for kids in grades 5-8 who are interested in learning what it means to be a faithful follower of Christ, the meaning of baptism and communion, the responsibilities of church membership, and how to live out our faith in our lives each day. If your child is interested in participating in this four-week series, let me know as soon as possible.

Elizabeth

CHILDREN'S CORNER

We are quickly approaching fall kickoff! I am exciting to begin teaching our young people in the community what it means to be a good neighbor! Being a good neighbor is about loving and supporting all people around you from all walks of life. Helping your neighbor is not just about helping the person beside you, but helping our neighbors in other cities, states, and countries around the world.

Our theme this year is centered around Mr. Roger’s “won’t you be my neighbor” and the messages of love and kindness Mr. Rogers instilled into so many people. Showing kindness and love should be easy, but in the world we are living in now, hatred and judgement sometimes outweigh love and compassion. It our job as leaders and mentors for our young people, to teach the value of being loving and gracious to all, no matter how hard. Just as much as they deserve to be loved and supported, everyone else around them deserves that too!

Jacob

TOPNOTCHERS NEWS

Our next Continue the Communion lunch will be on October 4 at Sal's Pizza. Also 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!