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Vol. 67 No. 35 ✥ September 2, 2026

September 6, 2026 ❖ The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Lessons: Psalm 103:1-13; Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon: "The Measure of Forgiveness"

In this week’s parable, Jesus addresses the issue of forgiveness among believers. He reminds us that forgiveness for followers of Jesus has no limit, and our grace should have the measure of God’s.

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. The triangle and trefoil on the paraments are symbols of the Trinity, reminding us that God is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Spirit. In the center is the cross, the key symbol of the Christian faith, summarizing the life and ministry, death and resurrection, incarnation and coming in glory of Jesus the Christ.

Anthem:

"Lord, For Thy Tender Mercy's Sake" - Richard Farrant

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

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

FIND YOUR PLACE TO BELONG AT LAKESIDE!

Our fall schedule of Growing Together Small Groups got underway this week, and we couldn't be more excited about all the opportunities we have to learn, serve, fellowship, and grow together in faith. We have a variety of small group opportunities for all schedules and interests. You can find a complete list and descriptions of our small groups by clicking the button below. You may also pick up a printed brochure in the Narthex or Sugg Foyer on Sunday.

Come find your place

. . . to learn and grow in faith

. . . to serve

. . . to develop your gifts

. . . to connect

. . . to belong at Lakeside!

Growing Together Small Groups and Ministries

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)

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:

Ethel Hines, 125 Cobblestone Court (04)

Ester McKnight (Terry Martin's mother), Brookdale Assisted Living, 650 Goldrock Road, Room 106 (04)

David Ozment, 1249 Green Tee Lane (04)

Anne Chappell, 4510 Lead Mine Road #3008, Raleigh, NC 27612

We offer our sympathy to Kate Barnes and her family on the death of her husband, Marion Barnes, on September 2. Funeral arrangements are pending.

The family of Jim Martin would like to express our sincere gratitude for all the many expressions of love and support during our time of grief. The letters, calls, cards and delicious food was appreciated more than words could ever express. Jim loved his family, friends and Demon Deacons but Lakeside was so very special and such an important part of his life since we moved to Rocky Mount in 2005. Thank you Lakeside Family!

Give Now

YOUTH NEWS

Thank you to everyone who took part in Sunday's Blessing of the Backpacks and to members of the Youth & Children's Ministry Committee who assisted with lunch. What a meaningful way to begin a new school year and a fun time welcoming Jacob to Lakeside!

We are looking forward to getting the fall schedule underway on 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.

Elizabeth

MUSIC NOTES

As we continue to prepare for the beginning of the 2026-2027 season, the music ministry is recruiting 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.

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

It’s Okay to feel stress.

It’s okay to be stressed, just always do your best!

Sometimes as young people we work so hard to be perfect, or fit in, or be the very best at something. However, when we fall short or lose, it hurts us inside. It weakens our confidence in our abilities. We have to remember that no one is perfect. We are all striving to just do our very best. As long as we can do our best at whatever comes our way, we are thriving.

Do not work towards perfection, work towards being your best self in everything you do. Do your best on your homework and test. It is okay if you do not get every question correct. Be your best when talking to your friends and others around you because that can make someone’s day. Do your best in your sports, theater or any other extra-curricular activity.

Our lives can feel so crazy and it is hard to find a second to breathe, but every day I challenge you to find a minute to take a deep breath and think about things you can be grateful for. In everything you do, do your best and be your best self because others see that and maybe, just maybe it will help them do their best also!

Jacob

TOPNOTCHERS NEWS

Join us on Sunday for our next Continue the Communion lunch at Lazeez Indian Restaurant. 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!

Our staff is transitioning to 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