SERMON PREVIEW
Sermon Title: Blessed are the Awake
Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13
This Sunday, Rev. David Kenley will bring us a message based on the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 25. The parable of the bridesmaids, at first blush, seems kind of unfair. And most of us like for things to be fair. But is that really what the parable teaches? What can we do, and encourage others to do, to get ourselves, and them, into the banquet? Let’s talk about this on Sunday, October 18th, in worship at FCC Lawrenceville.
The Reverend David W. Kenley is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a graduate of Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, Kentucky. David currently serves as chaplain with Capstone Hospice, located in Peachtree Corners, and as part-time Pastoral Associate with Brookhaven Christian Church. His immediate previous ministry was with Johns Creek Christian Church, the Georgia region’s first Open and Affirming congregation, where he served as Senior Minister.
Last year, David completed a 5,818 mile road trip on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, during which he traveled to the both the southernmost (Key West, FL) and easternmost (Lubec, Maine) points in the United States.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN OCTOBER
Sunday, Oct. 18
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
7 pm: Communications Team on Zoom
Monday, Oct. 19
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities team on Zoom
Tuesday, Oct. 20
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at the Diner at Webb Gin
Sunday, Oct. 25
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Thursday, Oct. 29
10:15 am: Annual apple trip
REGULAR EVENTS
The following events happen at LFCC on a regular schedule. Offering our building to these groups is one way we share God’s love with our community.
- YMCA Early Learning Readiness program (Monday and Wednesday mornings during the school year)
- Cub Scouts (Wednesday evenings during the school year)
- Compassionate Friends support group (Thursday evenings)
Check the calendar of events on our church website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/calendar/ to stay updated on what’s happening in our church community.
OCTOBER IS MINISTER APPRECIATION MONTH
October is Minister Appreciation Month in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Please take a moment this month to share your gratitude with our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales, and for our minister emeritus, Rev. Hoyt Huff!
One of the most basic ways to show appreciation for your ministers is simply to offer an encouraging word. Another of the greatest gifts you can give to your ministers is your prayers. As ministers, it’s a treasure to know that your congregation is regularly praying for you.
One of the most basic ways to show appreciation for your ministers is simply to offer an encouraging word. Another of the greatest gifts you can give to your ministers is your prayers. As ministers, it’s a treasure to know that your congregation is regularly praying for you.
ANNUAL APPLE TRIP
Join us on Thursday, Oct. 29 for the annual Apple Trip. We will meet at the church at 10:15 and stop at Mickey Piggs for lunch. (Bring cash for lunch if you don’t want to pay a credit card fee.) After lunch we will head to Jaemor Farms to shop for apples, other fruits, vegetables, fried pies, homemade ice cream and other specialty items. Please let Marilyn Parks or Candace Richardson know if you plan to join us for this fun event.
SAVE THE DATE FOR HARVEST MEAL
The Disciples Women will hold their annual Harvest Meal fundraiser after worship on Sunday, November 1. If you would like to volunteer a side or dessert for the meal, please talk to Karen Jensen or sign up in the gathering space. More information to come!
LITTLE FOOD PANTRY NEEDS DONATIONS!
Despite losing doors during last weekend’s storm, our Little Food Pantry is going strong. As soon as we get the doors replaced, we will continue filling it regularly. In the meantime, our supply of food donations is depleted, and we need more to restock the pantry. Please place all donations in the large blue donation bin in the gathering space. We need non-perishable, easy-open items, including:
- Pull tab canned pork and beans
- Pull-tab canned chicken, tuna, or Vienna sausages
- Protein or granola bars
- Fruit cups or applesauce cups
- Shelf stable milk or juice boxes
- Individual packs of peanuts or mixed nuts
- Breakfast bars and snack bars
- Packages of cheese or peanut butter crackers
- Bottled water (especially small bottles)
Please don’t donate perishable items, food that is not in a sealed package, or anything that melts or freezes easily.
If you would like to help restock the pantry on Sunday or Friday, please reach out to Rev. Teresa or Jeanie Morgan. Thanks for your support of this outreach project.
If you would like to help restock the pantry on Sunday or Friday, please reach out to Rev. Teresa or Jeanie Morgan. Thanks for your support of this outreach project.
OUT OF DARKNESS WALK FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. To prevent suicide, we need to understand it first.
The Out of Darkness walk raises funds for suicide prevention. Funds raised at the Out of the Darkness Northeast Georgia Walk directly support research, advocacy efforts, and educational programs in schools, workplaces, and communities across GA. Register today and you’re taking the first step to help save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. It’s free, quick, and easy to make a real impact. You can register at https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/NEGeorgia or by scanning the QR code below.
The Out of Darkness walk raises funds for suicide prevention. Funds raised at the Out of the Darkness Northeast Georgia Walk directly support research, advocacy efforts, and educational programs in schools, workplaces, and communities across GA. Register today and you’re taking the first step to help save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. It’s free, quick, and easy to make a real impact. You can register at https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/NEGeorgia or by scanning the QR code below.
TRICK OR CAN THIS HALLOWEEN
Take Halloween to a new level this October. Work with your neighborhoods, churches, festivals, etc. to not only hand out candy to trick or treaters but collect needed food items. 2024 statistics show 1 in 5 or 20% of Georgia’s kids are food insecure. Help be a part of the solution. Over the past 5 weeks, LFCC donated 131 pounds of food to support the co-op.
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Snacks
- Black beans
- Corn
- Instant potatoes
- Canned fruit/applesauce
- Canned tuna
Most Needed Personal Care Items
- Size 1, 2, and 5 and up diapers
- Feminine pads (urgent need)
Learn more about the work of the co-op at https://lawrencevilleco-op.org/.
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH DISCIPLES AT THE REGIONAL AND GENERAL LEVELS
Keep up with the latest news going on in our region and our general church. Click the links below to find the latest news within the Disciples.
- Georgia Region News: https://www.gadisciples.org/news
- General Church News: https://disciples.org/
That’s all we have for this week. Please pray for the church and everyone in it, that we continue to follow God’s plan as we share the Good News. God bless you all!