|
Welcome to our weekly e-gram! Read on to discover what’s happening in our church family this week and beyond.
Church News
|
|
Image: “Mary anoints the feet of Jesus,” Alexandre Bida
SERMON PREVIEW: MARY ANOINTS JESUSSermon Title: Anointed with Oil
Scripture: John 12: 1-8
Our scripture this Sunday starts us clearly down the path to Jerusalem and the crucifixion. On their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, Jesus and his traveling companions stopped for dinner at the house of Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary. They were relaxed, reclining, enjoying a lovely meal, when Mary did something surprising. She opened an expensive bottle of perfume, poured on Jesus’s feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. It was an expensive act and a symbolic one, foreshadowing Jesus’s farewell meal with his friends a few days later and his burial after the crucifixion. But what does it mean for today’s Christians? We will explore this story in worship, as we try to see ourselves at that dinner. See you Sunday, in person or online.
|
|
|
SUCCESSFUL 2025 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN!We celebrated a very successful 2025 capital campaign on Sunday with a blessing of pledge cards, an announcement of the total, and cake and punch to celebrate. Thanks to all those who pledged, the capital campaign total is $128,892.01. The funds from this campaign will help us fix drainage issues and repair the parking lot, add to our landscaping and prayer garden, replace the storage shed, replace blinds, and buy new furniture for the gathering space. As we dream new dreams and live into God’s plan for this community on Sugarloaf Parkway, please continue to lift up our church in your prayers.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
~Ephesians 3: 20-21
|
|
|
GIVING TREE FOR CAMP CHRISTIANOn Sunday, April 6 and Sunday, April 13, the Outreach Team will be sponsoring a giving tree to support Camp Christian, to raise money to purchase water bottles for campers and staff and to purchase new grills for camp. Marilyn Parks will have envelopes for camp giving tree donations. You can put your donation in the envelope and return it to her, or place it in the offering plate. Thank you for your loyal support of Camp Christian.
|
|
|
|
HOYT’S STAINED GLASS PRESENTATION
During Sunday school on March 30, Rev. Dr. Hoyt Huff took us through the history of the people who donated the stained glass windows to the church. If you missed it, or just want to listen again, you can find a recording of his presentation at https://youtu.be/_40HqFyRtFM.
|
|
|
DISCIPLES WOMEN UPDATESThe next Disciples Women meeting will be on Tuesday, April 8, at 1:00 p.m. in the church conference room. Elizabeth McElhanon will lead the lesson. All women are welcome!
We are invited to the Women’s Luncheon at New Hope Christian Church on Saturday, May 17 from 11:00-1:00. New Hope Christian Church is at 1982 Old Norcross Road in Lawrenceville. There is no charge for this event. You are invited to fellowship with other women in the region. Please let Karen Jensen or Marilyn Parks know if you plan to attend.
|
|
|
MEALS FOR THE BENSCH FAMILYThe Congregational Care and Connect team is requesting meals 3 times per week for the first 2 weeks after Rev. Teresa’s surgery this Friday. We have volunteers for most meals, but still need a volunteer for April 10. If you would like to volunteer for that date, talk to Karen Jensen. Thank you for supporting the Bensch family during this time of healing.
|
|
|
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: BLESSING OF PETS ON APR. 27On Sunday afternoon, April 27 at 2 pm, we will gather in the church parking lot for our annual Blessing of Pets service. You are invited to bring your pets if they travel and interact with others well, or you can bring photos of your pets to be blessed. (The Bales-Gibson cats will definitely NOT be there in person!)
As we prepare for the pet blessing, we will be collecting (old) towels, pet toys, and pet treats to be donated to the local animal shelter. Collection boxes will be in the gathering space for your donations starting this week. If you have questions about donations, talk to Andrew Jensen. Thanks for your support!
|
|
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS IN APRIL
Tuesday, April 1
11:30 am: TONTO
Thursday, April 3
6:30 pm: Worship Team on Zoom
Sunday, April 6
Fifth Sunday in Lent
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
6 pm: Leadership Council
Monday, April 7
6:30 pm: Congregational Care and Connect Team on Zoom
Sunday, April 13
Palm Sunday
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Monday, April 14
6:30 pm: Outreach Team on Zoom
Tuesday, April 15
1 pm: Disciples Women at the church
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities Team on Zoom
Sunday, April 20
Easter Sunday
9 am: Choir practice
9:30 – 10:30 am: Drop-in Easter breakfast
11 am: Easter Worship
Tuesday, April 22
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at Oyster Bay Seafood Cafe
Sunday, April 27
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Special Sunday school presentation – Josiah Vega
11 am: Worship
2 pm: Blessing of Pets
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.
|
|
|
|
THIS SUNDAY’S WORSHIP LEADERS
Greeter: Lynn Lane
Scripture: Lynn Lane
Communion Meditation: Gerald Kersey
Elders: Lee Thompson and Connie Thompson
Deacons: Dennis Higdon and Jeanie Morgan
Communion Preparation: Hoyt Huff
If you are interested in serving as a worship leader or greeter, please contact Rev. Diane or Rev. Teresa.
|
|
|
|
E-GRAM DEADLINE
Thanks for all your contributions to the e-gram. Please email any information for next week’s e-gram to Rev. Diane (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org) no later than Tuesday at 5 pm. Please send e-gram information by email rather than text; it may get lost in incoming text messages.
|
|
|
|
LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES FOR APR. 6 AND APR. 13
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 6, 2025
- Isaiah 43:16-21
- Psalm 126
- Philippians 3:4b-14
- John 12:1-8
April 13, 2025 (Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday)
- Isaiah 50:4-9a
- Psalm 31:9-16
- Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
- Philippians 2:5-11
- Luke 19:28-40
- Luke 22:14-23:56
- Luke 23:1-49
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
SUPPORT THE LAWRENCEVILLE CO-OP
As always, the Lawrenceville Co-op needs our donations of money, food items, and personal care items to help those in need in Dacula and Lawrenceville. According to the co-op, “Lent lasts 40 days and 40 nights so we challenge as many of you as possible to collect and donate 80 cans/packets of food. This week we are asking you to focus on pasta. Dry pasta and sauce, macaroni and cheese, and canned pasta are needed!” Thank you for your generous donations that help keep this vital ministry running.
Most Needed Food Items
- Macaroni and cheese
- Instant potatoes
- Canned meat
- Canned fruit
- Pasta and pasta sauce
Most Needed Personal Care Items
- Size 3 and up diapers
- Feminine pads
- Adult diapers size S-XL
- Laundry pods
|
|
|
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
REGIONAL AND GENERAL CHURCH NEWSKeep 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Ephesians 5:8: “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
Celebrations
- Our capital campaign raised $128,892.01
- Hoyt Huff’s birthday is TODAY (Wednesday, April 2)
- James Gibson’s birthday is April 4
- JT Clements has a birthday on April 6
- Josué Machado’s birthday is April 7
- Rose Williams has a birthday on April 9
- Rev. Peter & Hyejin Yoon will celebrate their anniversary on April 6
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For our upcoming Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday worship services, that they may add to our experience of this season of Lent
- For the Regional Minister Search Committee and their prayerful work
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Teresa Bensch (recovering from knee replacement surgery)
- Bessie Kirby (moved to rehab)
- Eva Krahwinkel and Neva Maffett (home from the hospital; facing transitions in living situation)
- Kerry Bensch (still recovering from hip replacement surgery; fracture in thigh bone is healing and will not require additional surgery)
- Phillip Maffett (Neva Maffett’s son)
- Connie Worrel (health challenges)
- Grace Aguwa (dental issues)
- Jeanie Morgan (upcoming surgery)
Ongoing Needs
- Our country and our world
- Our members and friends at home, including Mary Jo Alvord, Odessa Adams, Gen Ashby, David Chamberlain, Bessie Kirby, Eva Krahwinkel, Neva Maffett, Ada Mullinax, Bill Phyfer, Bob Powell, and Jimmy and Patricia Saturday
- Our family and friends with ongoing health challenges
- Odessa Adams (Anna Harrison’s mother, at home with hospice care)
- Suzy Santoro (Anna Harrison’s daughter)
- Chris Klimshuk and her sister Veronica
- Carrie Toth (Dorrie Toth’s daughter)
- Connie Worrel’s sister Pat
- Rev. Peggy Edge (Anna Harrison’s sister)
- Sadie Severt (Harrison family friend)
If you have an update to the prayers and concerns, please let Rev. Diane know (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
