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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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HOLY WEEK EVENTS
- Wednesday, April 1: A Time to Pray with Disciples worldwide at 8 pm (more information in the regional and general church news below)
- Thursday, April 2: Maundy Thursday worship at 7 pm
- Communion
- Service of Tenebrae (shadows/darkness)
- Friday, April 3: Good Friday service at the Salvation Army at 6:30 pm
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EASTER WORSHIP PREVIEW
Scripture: Matthew 28: 1 – 10
Sermon Title: “A Roman Soldier at the Tomb” and “Mary Magdalene at the Tomb”
Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Join us this Easter Sunday as we gather in joyful worship to celebrate the hope and new life of the resurrection. This year, we will hear the Easter story through fresh and moving perspectives, that of a Roman soldier who witnessed the events firsthand and guarded the tomb, and Mary Magdalene, whose encounter with the risen Christ transformed her grief into joy. Through scripture, reflection, and song, we will enter more deeply into the wonder of that morning. Whether you are a longtime member or visiting for the first time, you are warmly welcomed, come as you are and share in the good news that is for everyone. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.
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EASTER PANCAKE BREAKFAST
The Disciples Men invite everyone to join them for an Easter pancake breakfast in the fellowship hall this Sunday. Drop in any time between 9:30 and 10:30 am for delicious food, and then stay for our celebration of the resurrection in 11 am worship! Thanks to the men for providing breakfast.
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IN SYMPATHYLong-time LFCC member (and dear friend to many of us!) Mary Jo Alvord died Sunday, March 29 at the age of 95. Please be in prayer with her son Charlie, daughter Tami, grandchildren and great-grandchildren (and one great-great grandchild), as well as her many friends, as we all grieve her loss. We will miss her singing voice, her love of friends and family, her care for everyone in the church, and her amazing stories about herself and those she knew and loved!
A memorial service for Mary Jo will be held at the church on Sunday, April 12 at 4 pm. Visitation will take place at the church from 3 – 4 pm that day. The Disciples Women are planning a meal for the Alvord family in the fellowship hall after the service. If you would like to contribute to the meal, you can sign up in the gathering space at the Maundy Thursday service and on Easter, or contact Karen Jensen at Kjensen55@comcast.net or call or text at (404) 312-2960.
Cards and notes can be sent to Charlie Alvord at 2070 Two Springs Way, Lawrenceville, GA 30043-6020. He will share them with the rest of the family.
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EASTER SPECIAL OFFERINGThe 2026 Easter Offering theme, “This Day: When Love Answers,” invites us to reflect on the resurrection promise found in John 20:18, and to celebrate the ways God’s love continues to bring hope and new life. The Easter Offering provides vital support for the General Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Your generous gift helps equip college students for leadership, strengthens global mission partnerships, sustains health and social service ministries, supports the formation of new congregations, cares for pastors and chaplains, and so much more. We will receive the Easter offering on April 5.
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TONTO MEETING IN APRILTonto will meet on Tuesday, April 7 in the church conference room at 11:30 am. Members, please bring your own lunch, including something to drink.
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FAMILY PROMISE DINNERS IN APRILLFCC will be joining with New Hope Christian Church the week of April 12 in being dinner hosts for Family Promise at their Promise Haven house. LFCC serving days will be the evenings of Monday, April 13, Wednesday, April 15, and Friday, April 17. We have three entrees decided: shepherd’s pie, pulled pork, and meatloaf. We still need volunteers to prepare sides and desserts for those days. You can sign up in the gathering space, or talk to Anna Harrison, Beth Thompson, or Karen Jensen if you want to provide food. Thanks for your support of Family Promise!
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REGISTER FOR REGIONAL ASSEMBLYRegistration is now open for the 172nd Regional Assembly of the Christian Church in Georgia, at Ray of Hope Christian Church, Decatur, GA on April 23-24, 2026. “Walking in CommUNITY – Arise, Awake, and Activate!!!” is the theme for the Assembly, grounded in our focal scripture from Isaiah 43:18-19a:
“Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
We are looking for volunteers to serve as delegates from Lawrenceville First Christian Church. Please talk to Rev. Teresa, Rev. Diane, or Tadd Huff if you are planning to attend.
You will not want to miss this gathering of Georgia Disciples and special guests. Highlights include:
- Rev. Terri Hord Owens, Disciples General Minister and President, will open the Assembly on Friday, April 24, at 1 pm, as the keynote speaker.
- Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon, Georgia’s Regional Minister, will be installed and preach during Friday evening worship.
- Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, Senior Pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church, will lead Bible study on Saturday morning.
- Other Saturday events include a business session, lunch and fellowship, an all-Assembly service project, and closing ceremony.
Regional Assembly is not just for ministers. Everyone in the congregation is invited! You can learn more and register at https://www.gadisciples.org/regional-assembly-2026.
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CAMP CHRISTIAN REGISTRATION NOW OPENRegistration is now open for 2026 Summer Camp at Camp Christian Conference Center. Students from kindergarten through high school are invited to participate in our Disciples summer camp program. Camp sessions for all ages — Genesis, Chrysalis, Junior, Chi Rho, and CYF — will explore the theme of “In the Wilderness,” guiding campers to discover the sacred in each person and all creation. To learn more and register, go to https://www.gadisciples.org/summer-camp-2026.
If you are interested in working as a Counselor or Counselor in Training at one of our camps this summer, please contact Libby Ballew (campdirectors@gadisciples.org).
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN APRIL
Thursday, Apr. 2
7 pm: Maundy Thursday service
Sunday, Apr. 5
Easter Sunday
Easter Special Offering
9:30 – 10:30 am: Pancake breakfast (no Sunday school)
10:30 am: Choir
11 am: Worship
Monday, Apr. 6
6:30 pm: Congregational Care and Connect Team on Zoom
Tuesday, Apr. 7
11:30 am: TONTO meeting at the church
Sunday, Apr. 12
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
4 pm: Memorial service for Mary Jo Alvord
6 pm: Leadership Council on Zoom
Monday, Apr. 13
LFCC dinner for Family Promise
Tuesday, Apr. 14
1 pm: Disciples Women meeting at the church
Wednesday, Apr. 15
LFCC dinner for Family Promise
Thursday, Apr. 16
6:30 pm: Outreach Team on Zoom
Friday, Apr. 17
LFCC dinner for Family Promise
Sunday, Apr. 19
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Monday, Apr. 20
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities Team on Zoom
Tuesday, April 21
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at Oyster Bay Seafood Cafe
Sunday, Apr. 26
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
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.
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THIS SUNDAY’S WORSHIP LEADERS
Greeter: Libby Ballew
Scripture: Flo Carroll
Communion Meditation: Libby Ballew
Elders: Connie Thompson and Lee Thompson
Deacons: Lynn Lane and Andrew Jensen
Communion Preparation: Lynn Lane
If you are interested in serving as a worship leader or greeter, please contact Rev. Diane or Rev. Teresa.
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E-GRAM AND ANNOUNCEMENT GUIDELINES
We welcome e-gram article submissions up to four weeks in advance. Please send your e-gram content by Tuesday at 5:00 PM via email to both Diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org and Teresa@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org. E-gram submissions can include ministry updates, event announcements, community celebrations or milestones, and prayer requests.
If you have a time-sensitive update or urgent prayer request to share on Sunday morning, please email it by Friday at 5:00 PM to the same email addresses as above. Thank you for helping us build a vibrant, informed, and spiritually grounded community.
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LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES FOR APRIL 5 AND APRIL 12
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.
April 5, 2026 (Easter Sunday)
- Acts 10:34-43
- Jeremiah 31:1-6
- Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
- Colossians 3:1-4
- Acts 10:34-43
- John 20:1-18
- Matthew 28:1-10
April 12, 2026 (Second Sunday of Easter)
- Acts 2:14a, 22-32
- Psalm 16
- 1 Peter 1:3-9
- John 20:19-31
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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
For those who DIAL IN, Call (646) 558-8656
Zoom Meeting ID: 628 463 3067
Password: 1234
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NEWS FROM THE LAWRENCEVILLE CO-OPThank you for your support of the Lawrenceville Co-op as they feed our neighbors in Lawrenceville and Dacula. The time has changed and the days are longer, so the co-op is concentrating on breakfast items this March. This week they are asking for help with Pop Tarts, every kid’s favorite breakfast treat! This will be a staple in our summer breakfast and lunch program. Bring a box or two by this week!
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Snacks, including granola bars, peanut butter crackers, individual chips, etc.
- Ramen noodles
- Shelf stable milk
- Canned tuna/chicken
Most Needed Personal Care Items
- Size 1, 2, and 5 and up diapers
- Feminine pads
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WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH DISCIPLES AT THE REGIONAL AND GENERAL LEVELSKeep 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.
A Time to Pray on Wednesday, April 1
As we face Jerusalem during Holy Week, we invite the whole church to pause and gather in prayer on April 1, 2026 at 8:00 pm EST. Join Disciple pastors, elders, young adults, and the General Minister and President as we lift up our hopes and concerns for God’s people amid turbulent times around the world. The prayer gathering will be hosted on Zoom (registration required) and will also be streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Learn more at https://disciples.org/office-of-the-general-minister-and-president/a-time-to-pray/.
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Each Monday at 6 pm, wherever you are and whatever way is comfortable for you, we pause and pray for our church. If you have conflicts with this time, whatever time is comfortable for you, pause and pray for your church. Below is the church’s prayer list you can use. You are welcome to make up your own prayer list as you pray.
Deuteronomy 31:8: “The Lord goes before you and will be with you; the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Celebrations
- Hoyt Huff’s birthday is April 2
- James Gibson’s birthday is April 4
- JT Clements has a birthday on April 6
- Josué Machado’s birthday is April 7
- Rev. Peter & Hyejin Yoon have an anniversary on April 6
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For all of us during Holy Week, that we may find ways to connect to God as we remember Christ’s journey from the cross to the grave to the resurrection
- For peace in the world, and for those who find themselves in a place of fear because of armed conflict and political upheaval
- For our general and regional church, for our Regional Minister Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon, and for the success of this spring’s Regional Assembly
- For all of us in the U. S., as we seek ways to communicate safely and effectively as we work through the issues that divide us as a country
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Family and friends of Mary Jo Alvord (especially her son Charlie and daughter Tami)
- Family and friends of Rev. Troy Tatum (long-time Georgia Disciple)
- Hugh Cook (Lynn Lane’s brother, diagnosed with cancer)
- Mike Bales (Rev. Diane’s father, home from hospital but still recovering)
- Howard White (Bob Hanson’s neighbor, whose wife Jo died recently)
- Earl Shaw, Amber and Joseph (Earl’s wife died recently)
- Family of Jimmy and Sunita McDaniel Bradley (Sunita was a classmate of Marilyn Parks since first grade)
Ongoing Needs
- Our country and our world
- Our members and friends at home, including Odessa Adams (hospice care), Gen Ashby, David Chamberlain, Bessie Kirby, Eva Krahwinkel, Neva Maffett, Ada Mullinax, Bill Phyfer, Bob Powell, and Jimmy Saturday
- Our family and friends with ongoing health challenges
- Dorrie and Tom Toth and family (health and family issues)
- Neva Maffett (Eva Krahwinkel’s twin sister; ongoing health problems)
- Ada Mullinax (health challenges)
- Nancy Welty (health challenges)
- Brenda Sizemore (health challenges)
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 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!
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