LHF This Week: June 29 - July 6 Edition

Welcome to LHF This Week! We pray you have a blessed and restful week ahead. As we approach the Fourth of July weekend, a time when we celebrate our nation's independence, let us also reflect on the profound freedom we have in Jesus Christ—the truest freedom from sin and death that we will ever experience.

Weekend in Review

It was truly wonderful to gather this past Sunday with our electricity fully restored after Kentucky Utilities spent the first half of the week replacing our transformer box. It made for a much cooler and more comfortable worship experience with the HVAC system working like a charm!

Pastor Derek concluded his two-part message from Luke 15, beautifully exploring the heart of the Father toward the lost. He highlighted how self-righteousness and legalism can lead to a condemning and judgmental spirit toward those who desperately need Christ. However, through the powerful parables of the Prodigal Son, the lost sheep, and the lost coin, we clearly saw that the Father's heart is bent toward redeeming the lost and those far from Him. This is the true essence of the Gospel message: when we were unable to work or find our way to Him, God came to us through Jesus Christ! The challenge for us, as Pastor Derek emphasized, is to emulate the forgiving, gracious, and merciful heart of the Father—a heart willing to travel any distance or overcome any obstacle for the lost to be found—rather than the judgmental, self-righteous heart of the older brother who could not celebrate his younger brother's return. If you missed the message, you can find the podcast or video on our website and YouTube channel.

Some Exciting Updates

We were absolutely thrilled to announce yesterday that Adam and Samantha Holmes are expecting another child! Please join us in prayer for a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery. Baby Holmes is due in December!

We also celebrated the wonderful news that Katie Leatherman has recently become engaged and will be married to Ben Ray this October! While we're sad that Katie will be joining Ben at his home church, we are incredibly excited about this blessing from God bringing the two of them together. Please keep them in your prayers as they finalize all their wedding plans and begin their lives together!

Camp Is Almost Here!

Yesterday marked the one-week countdown for Youth Camp 2025! Next Sunday, 26 kids and counselors will load up and head south for what promises to be an unforgettable week of camp. Please be in prayer for all of them this week as they wrap up last-minute to-dos and get packed. Also, please pray specifically for each of our teens and for the profound spiritual impact of the upcoming week of camp. If you need the packing list, you can click here.

Youth Camp Packing List

This Week

• Tuesday: Women's Bible Study, 6:30 PM, Front Classroom. They are currently studying Francis Chan's "Crazy Love." If you have questions, please contact Rita Bugg.

• Thursday: UP Unceasing Prayer. Join us for 24 hours of praying for our city, churches, and homes.

• Friday: 4th of July. Offices Closed. No Men's Bible Study.

• Sunday: Elder & Deacon Meeting, 8:00 AM, Front Classroom.

  Also, Youth leave for Camp after the morning service.

Prayer List

Please continue to lift up the following individuals in prayer:

• Michael Whisman: In hospice. Continue to pray for peace and comfort for him and his family.

• Archie Falin: In the hospital this week.

• Africa Missions Team: Due to travel home this weekend.

• Jennifer Coffey: Expecting.

• Samantha Holmes: Expecting.

  
  

We pray you have a wonderful week filled with God's blessings and grace. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!