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Welcome to our weekly e-gram! Read on to discover what’s happening in our church family this week and beyond.
Church News
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SERMON PREVIEW: THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS
We’ve been talking for the last few weeks about the parables Jesus shared in Matthew’s gospel, just before he entered Jerusalem for the last time. We have learned about the importance of being ready and staying ready as we wait. We’ve learned about the importance of using our talents. And this week, Jesus gives specific instructions about what to do and how to serve others. The story of the sheep and the goats is a familiar one – the sheep feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and the goats do none of these things. We will look at that story in the context of waiting and using our talents, and will talk about how we can serve others, Rev. Diane will help us explore this topic in a sermon titled, “Messy Ministry,” based on Matthew 25: 31-46. See you Sunday, in person or online!
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ADVENT BIBLE STUDY BEGINS NEXT WEDNESDAYDuring Advent, you have the opportunity to attend all or part of a 4-session Advent study, titled “Advent through the Eyes of Those Who Waited.” The four sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm on November 29,
December 6, December 13, and December 20 on the regular church Zoom link. You are invited to attend as many sessions as you are able to. If you are interested in attending (or just want to learn more about the topic), please pick up a packet of readings in the gathering space on Sunday. If you would like to receive the readings by email, please let Rev. Diane and Rev. Teresa know (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org and/or teresa@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org). We look forward to this special study as we wait for the birth of the Christ child!
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CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS FOR CHES FAMILIESHelp make a family’s Christmas a little happier! LFCC will be collecting gift cards for families of children at Cedar Hill Elementary School, in cooperation with the school counselors. You are invited to donate $25 gift cards for either Walmart or Target. The school counselors will distribute gift cards to families, so they can use them to buy gifts for their children. If you would like to help out, you can give cards to Rod Baker any Sunday at worship. If you would prefer to give cash, Rod will use the cash to purchase gift cards. The deadline to bring gift cards is Sunday, Dec. 3. Cards will be distributed to the school on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
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SUPPORT THE CO-OP IN NOVEMBER
The Lawrenceville Co-op is partnering with the Chick-Fil-A on Pike Street to help stop hunger this month. For the rest of November, use the code “hunger” in the Chick-Fil-A mobile app to order food at the Pike Street location, and the co-op will receive 10% of the profits.
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LIVE NATIVITYThe Live Nativity will be presented again this year on Sunday evening, December 17 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Performances will be each 30 minutes beginning at 6:30. If you want to be a character in the Nativity, help behind the scenes or help provide hospitality and welcome to our visitors and have not already signed up, please reach out to Beth Thompson (ebeththompson@charter.net or 404-372-7930).
We will have Live Nativity postcards in the gathering space on Sunday. You are welcome to take a few and give them (or mail them) to people who might want to attend. Thanks for your help in promoting the Live Nativity!
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CWF/DWF DECEMBER MEETING
The CWF/DWF December meeting will be at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, December 5 at Marilyn Parks’s house. Please note this is the first Tuesday of the month, rather than the second Tuesday. It will be a simple meal: finger foods, appetizers ( small sandwiches, fruit, veggies, desserts- your choice). Marilyn will make meatballs and have all the plates, utensils, etc. We will have a devotional, good food, fellowship and some holiday games. Please let Marilyn know if you plan to attend the meeting. There will be a carpool meeting at the church about 12-12:10 that day. Elizabeth McElhanon will coordinate the carpool; please let her know if you plan to join the carpool.
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LIFELINE SCREENING ON DEC. 12
LifeLine Screening will return to the church on Tuesday, December 12 to provide preventive healthcare screenings. Check the flyer below for instructions on how to register for an appointment by phone, online, or by text.
LifeLine has provided us with three $85 certificates to cover one of the four screenings they offer (carotid artery disease, atrial fibrillation, abdominal aortic aneurysm, or peripheral arterial disease). If you are interested in using one of the certificates, please reach out to Rod Baker (rbaker1023@gmail.com).
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CONTINUED WEEKLY PRAYER FOR OUR CHURCHAs we continue our interim co-pastorate, we need all of our prayers to guide our church forward. You are encouraged to pause for a few minutes to pray for God’s guidance as we continue the work of discerning God’s path for our church and following God’s path on our collective journey of faith. For the next few months, we are designating Mondays at 6 pm as a weekly prayer time. You can pray wherever you are, in whatever way feels most comfortable for you. If you are not able to pause and pray Mondays at 6 pm, please set aside a different time to pray for LFCC.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN NOVEMBER
Sunday, November 26
8:45 am: Choir Rehearsal
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship (Diane Bales preaching)
Wednesday, November 29
6:30 pm: Advent Bible Study on Zoom
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. If you have events to add, go to https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/event-form/ and complete the form. The password is LFCC2023Event. If you have problems with the form, please contact JT Clements or Rev. Diane.
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UPCOMING DECEMBER DATESWe have a lot to look forward to in our worship and congregational life this fall. Here are some events coming up in December. More details will be shared in worship and in the e-gram as these events approach.
- Advent: Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24
- Youth Movie Night: Saturday, Dec. 2
- CWF/DWF Meeting at Marilyn’s home: Dec. 5
- Advent Study: Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm via Zoom (Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20)
- Congregational Meeting: Sunday, December 10 after worship
- LifeLine Screening: Tuesday, December 12 at the church
- Christmas Cantata: Sunday, Dec. 17 during worship
- Live Nativity: Sunday evening, Dec. 17
- Christmas Eve – Sunday, Dec. 24: regular worship at 11 am; Christmas Eve service at 5 pm
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THIS SUNDAY’S WORSHIP LEADERS
Greeter: Julie Thompson
Scripture: Rebecca Thompson
Communion Meditation: Gerald Kersey
Elders: Frank Hawkins and Marilyn Parks
Deacons: Lynn Lane and Dorrie Toth
Communion Preparation: Lynn Lane
*If you are interested in serving as a worship leader or greeter, please contact Marilyn Parks
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E-GRAM DEADLINE
Thanks for all your contributions to the e-gram. Please send any information for next week’s e-gram to Rev. Diane (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org) no later than Tuesday at 5 pm.
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LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES FOR NOV. 26 AND DEC. 3
The Revised Common Lectionary is a three-year cycle of weekly readings used by many mainline Protestant churches in Canada and the United States. The lectionary readings will shape much of our preaching, and may be helpful in your own Bible study and devotional life. For those interested in the lectionary, please note that Sunday, December 3 begins a new church year; we will be moving into Year B of the three-year cycle.
Sunday,November 26
- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
- Psalm 100
- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
- Psalm 95:1-7a
- Ephesians 1:15-23
- Matthew 25:31-46
Sunday, December 3 (first Sunday of Advent)
- Isaiah 64:1-9
- Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
- Mark 13:24-37
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ZOOM LINK FOR WORSHIP AND CHURCH MEETINGS
For Sunday worship and other online meetings, use this link:
https://zoom.us/j/6284633067?pwd=YzVMN0EwQUVrb0FRM1phVkZEUjZFQT09
Zoom Meeting ID: 628 463 3067 Password: 1234
For those who DIAL IN, Call (646) 558-8656
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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE CO-OP
The Lawrenceville Co-op provides food for people in need in Lawrenceville and Dacula. LFCC supports the co-op through donations of food and money. You can make a monetary donation with your regular offering; please designate it “Co-op” on your check, envelope, or online donation. You’re also welcome to bring food items to the church. Most needed items include
- Stew, chili, chicken and dumplings
- Applesauce
- Canned chicken or tuna
- Macaroni and cheese
- Instant or canned potatoes
- Dry pasta
- Pasta Sauce
- Rice
- Jelly
- Canned corn, green beans, mixed vegetables
- Oatmeal
- Canned fruit
- Feminine products
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DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
REGIONAL AND GENERAL CHURCH NEWS
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!
Region: https://www.gadisciples.org/news
General Church: https://disciples.org/
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Celebrations
Sanford and Julie Thompson are celebrating their anniversary on Nov. 25
Drew McElhanon’s birthday is Dec. 1
Gen Ashby’s birthday is Dec. 2
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added)
Our world
Our church family and friends
Everyone suffering and grieving because of the fighting and humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Flo Carroll and family, as they grieve the death of her sister
Elizabeth Sloan’s grandmother Carol
Connie Worrel’s sister Pat (moved to rehab)
Leigh Britt and family, as they grieve the death of her mother Barbara Powell
Ongoing Needs
Our members and friends at home, including Odessa Adams, Barbara Bagwell, Bessie Kirby, Patricia Saturday, and Nettie Patterson
Our family and friends with ongoing health challenges
Students/teachers/administration of Gwinnett County Public Schools
Those affected by COVID-19
Those recovering from natural disasters
Ada Mullinax
Linda Kellman and Ann Kellman (Ada Mullinax’s sister and sister-in-law)
The Morgan family (Candace Richardson)
Chris Klimshuk and her sister, Ronnie
Jeanie Morgan’s friend, Sue Ragsdale
Jeanie Morgan’s sister, Judy
The Yoon Family
Peg and Wes Morgan
Rev. John Lambert (former minister of LFCC)
Rev. Peggy Edge (Anna Harrison)
Sadie Severt (Harrison family friend
If you have an update to the prayers and concerns, please let Rev. Diane know (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org).
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That’s all we have for this week! Please be in prayer for the church and all its members, that we continue to do what the Lord has called us all to do. God bless you all!
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