Though its Christmas gatherings are always a focal point of Lakeside Church’s holiday celebrations, the season also represents an opportunity for Lakeside to continue its legacy of investing in the community and to extend its impact beyond the walls of the church.
Partnering with the Folsom Historic District throughout the year, Lakeside uses the holiday season to be especially generous with its time and resources, providing volunteers to light up the District by hanging Christmas lights, offering its band to provide live music at the Community Tree Lighting on December 1, and even holding its women’s Christmas event in the heart of the District to help support local businesses.
“Lakeside Church and its rock-star volunteers are an enormous help with many of our events. They see a need and jump in to help,” said Judy Collinsworth, executive director of the Folsom Historic District. “Three years ago they moved their ladies Christmas event to the District, and it has been a true gift to our small businesses, helping the District thrive.”
Lisa Wolf opened her shop, WOLFHOME, in February 2020 and says the #shoplocal movement and the intentional efforts of events such as Lakeside’s Ladies Night Out have been instrumental in the survival of small businesses. This year’s event—a fun and festive shopping tour with food, photos, and music—is scheduled for December 7.
“Things are even harder this year with the economy, and I’m seeing businesses having to close left and right,” Wolf said. “Lakeside’s Ladies Night Out is a huge value to us, and it’s one of our most successful events of the year. I’m so grateful that they started this tradition,” Wolf said.
Last year Lakeside originated another community event that is already becoming another favorite tradition—Christmas Blitz. A one-night, high-energy Christmas extravaganza on December 15, the event provides the children of Folsom with a night of pure fun and excitement, giving parents a night off and letting kids experience the magic of the season while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas.
Josh Bollen, Lakeside’s creative arts pastor, said, “Whether we are hosting events for the kids of our community, collecting pies and toys to donate to our local mission partners, finding ways to be of service to the city, or hosting our weekly gatherings, we always strive to make our community a better place. We believe this is one of the best ways to show the love of Jesus to our neighbors.”
To find out more about Lakeside’s Christmas events and gatherings, visit their website at lakesidechurch.com. Christmas gatherings are open to anyone and will be held December 23 at 3:30 and 5:00 p.m. and December 24 at 2:00, 3:30, and 5:00 p.m.
Lakeside Church has been serving Folsom and its surrounding community since its founding thirty-six years ago in 1987. Biblically based and community focused, Lakeside provides ministries, events, and activities for adults, kids, and students and offers gatherings on Sundays at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. at 745 Oak Avenue Parkway, Folsom, CA 95630. Visit lakesidechurch.com, text 916-623-7450, or call 916-985-3245 for more information
