Lakeside welcomes Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost, retired Director of Religious Life at Lakeside Chautauqua, as Preacher of Back to Reality Week, Aug. 30-Sept. 3. This week’s preacher is supported by Richard & Marcia Sinclair.
Yoost will preach at the 10:30 a.m. Hoover Worship Service on Sunday, Aug. 30, in Hoover Auditorium. Rev. Kimberly Orr, Lakeside’s Director of Religious Life, will lead the liturgy. Musical leadership will be provided by Michael Shirtz and the Chautauqua Choir. Yoost’s sermon is titled, "Expect a Miracle," based on Luke 5:1-11 and his theme for the week during Faith for Living Hour Monday-Thursday at 9 a.m. in Orchestra Hall is "When Jesus Comes to the Lake Side. He will also lead Vespers by the Lake at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Steele Memorial Bandstand. Worship music for the season is supported by James E. Beardsley & Doris F. Beardsley.
Following the opening prayer, children ages 5-11 are invited to proceed to Bradley Temple for Children’s Church with Chip Richter. They will enjoy a message from Richter, along with music, crafts, lemonade and cookies. Preschoolers are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
Yoost served as Lakeside’s Director of Religious Life for six years, retiring at the close of the 2024 Chautauqua season. During his tenure, the Religious Life pillar expanded its reach and strengthened its foundation. He helped attract nationally recognized speakers and significantly increased the Religious Life pillar’s endowment and contributions to Lakeside.
Yoost has broadened Lakeside’s ecumenical presence by adding a Roman Catholic Mass on Thursdays during the summer. Under his leadership, attendance at Religious Life programs returned to pre-COVID levels — a milestone few American churches and religious institutions have achieved.
In 2021, Yoost was promoted to Senior Director of Religious Life & Pastoral Care, providing counsel and care to staff and the Lakeside community. In addition, he frequently conducts memorial services and ash placements in Chautauqua Park and presides at occasional Lakeside weddings.
Long before joining Lakeside’s Programming Team, Yoost had deep ties to the community. The son of a United Methodist pastor, he visited for the Annual Conference and served 25 years as a volunteer on the Lakeside Institute staff.
Among his favorite Lakeside traditions are attending Lakeside Symphony Orchestra concerts, jogging along Ohio’s Most Beautiful Mile and swimming off the Dock.
Guests are welcome to attend Hoover Worship Services free of charge by requesting a complimentary Church Pass between 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday; valid until 1 p.m. The pass includes admittance for guests and auto and must be presented to the gate attendant upon departure. If allotted hours are exceeded, guests will be required to purchase a Daily Chautauqua Pass. The pass does not include access to the pool or wellness center. Complimentary passes are available for all worship services and Faith for Living Hour.
