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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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Image: St. Peter preaching at Pentecost, Benjamin West
SERMON PREVIEW
Scripture: Acts 2: 14a, 42-47
Sermon Title: Living in Christian Community
Over the past two Sundays, we have been examining Peter’s first sermon, preached to a large crowd on Pentecost Sunday. This week, we will move from Peter’s first sermon to a description of the first Christian community in Jerusalem — a community that studied and worshipped and prayed and ate together, and shared all of their possessions. Is this the ideal way of living for Christians? What can we take from the early Christians’ example as a modern Christian church? How are we called to live with each other as followers of Jesus the Messiah? Join us as we reflect on these important questions n this fourth week of Eastertide. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.
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INSTALLATION OF REV. DR. ADAM HARMON ON FRIDAY
You are invited to join with us at the Regional Assembly Worship & Installation Service on Friday, April 24, beginning at 7:30 pm at Ray of Hope Christian Church, 2778 Snapfinger Road, Decatur, GA 30034. Please note that Regional Assembly registration is NOT required to attend this special worship service celebrating the installation of Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon as the new Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Georgia. Our special guest, Rev. Terri Hord Owens, the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will preside over the installation service.
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GRADUATE RECOGNITION 2026We will honor our graduate, Hugh Yoon, on Sunday May 3rd during morning worship. Hugh is graduating from GA Tech. Please plan to stay for cupcakes afterwards.
During the worship service, we will also pray for any other graduates connected to our congregation. If you have someone receiving a High School, College, or Graduate/Professional Degree, please email the name and school affiliation to Diane and Teresa by Thursday, April 30.
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DISCIPLES WOMEN SPRING LUNCHEON
The women of New Hope Christian Church have invited women from LFCC to their spring luncheon. It will be at New Hope CC on Saturday, May 16, at 11:00. If you would like to attend, please let Karen Jensen know.
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COMING SOON: HONEST CONVERSATIONSNext month at LFCC, we will begin a process we are calling “Honest Conversations”, where we have the opportunity to discuss how to respond to challenging issues in our world, through the lens of followers of Christ. We will begin with a sermon framing the issue, followed by 3 weeks of discussion during the Sunday school hour, followed by another sermon to wrap up the discuss and lead into future action. Our opening sermon will take place during worship on Sunday, May 17. Discussion will begin the following week. You are encouraged to participate, even if you don’t usually attend Sunday school.
We will begin by addressing the question, “How should we ensure that people have the food they need?” One of our resources will be an issue brief from the National Issues Forum Institute called “Land of Plenty.” If you would like to take a look at it in advance, you can find it at https://nifi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NIF-Land-of-Plenty.pdf.
This will be learning process for all of us together. We know we won’t always agree on everything, and that’s ok. Our goal in this process is to learn how to work through challenging issues with respectful dialogue, to really listen to each other, and to find core values we share as Christians. You will be hearing more about this process in the weeks to come; it’s one way we will be practicing resurrection as followers of the risen Christ.
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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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FAMILY PROMISE MEAL THANKS
Thanks to all who supported our first week of providing dinner to the Promise Haven house. Andrea, the Assistant Director, sent the following note of thanks:
Thank you all so much for serving and providing for Promise Haven last week. I have heard nothing but good things. We are so appreciative of both (New Hope) of your congregations. I am serious when I say not all weeks are so exciting in terms of move-ins, etc.!
Thank you to all who contributed. We are definitely looking forward to September!
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN APRIL AND MAY
Friday, Apr. 24 – Saturday, Apr. 25
Regional Assembly at Ray of Hope Christian Church
Sunday, Apr. 26
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Sunday, May 3
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship – Graduate Recognition
6 pm: Leadership Council and Board joint meeting on Zoom
Monday, May 4
6:30 pm: Congregational Care and Connect team
Tuesday, May 5
11:30 am: TONTO meeting at the church
Sunday, May 10
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship – Mother’s Day
Monday, May 11
6:30 pm: Outreach team
Tuesday, May 12
1 pm: Disciples Women meeting at the church
Sunday, May 17
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship – Honest Conversations sermon
6 pm: Board meeting
Monday, May 18
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities team
Tuesday, May 19
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at Los Hermanos (4955 Sugarloaf Parkway)
Sunday, May 24
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school – Honest Conversations
11 am: Worship
Sunday, May 31
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school – Honest Conversations
11 am: Worship – Fifth Sunday
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: Jeanie Morgan
Scripture: Andrew Jensen
Communion Meditation: Jimmy Peeples
Elders: Karen Jensen and Elizabeth McElhanon
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 26 AND MAY 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.
April 26, 2026 (Fourth Sunday of Easter)
- Acts 2:42-47
- Psalm 23
- 1 Peter 2:19-25
- John 10:1-10
May 3, 2026 (Fifth Sunday of Easter)
- Acts 7:55-60
- Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
- 1 Peter 2:2-10
- John 14:1-14
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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. As we move into April, it’s time to start planting those summer gardens! Will you consider growing a row for the Co-Op? Fresh produce is a luxury for many of our clients and is so important for their nutrition.
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Corn
- Snacks (including granola bars, peanut butter crackers, individual chips, etc.)
- Ramen noodles
- Shelf stable milk
- Canned tuna
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.
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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.
Ecclesiastes 3:1: “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Celebrations
- Jeanie Morgan’s twelfth great-grandchild was born recently. Congratulations to the whole family!
- Lee Thompson’s birthday is April 24
- Alyna Lee’s birthday is April 24
- Amanda Baker’s birthday is April 25
- Beth Thompson’s birthday is April 27
- Al & Nancy Groves have an anniversary on April 27
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For all of us during Eastertide, as we seek to practice resurrection by spreading hope
- 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 Regional Assembly this weekend, and for the installation of our Regional Minister Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon
- 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 Evelyn Detten (cousin of Debbie Huff)
- Frances Shumake (long-time Georgia Disciple, successful surgery Monday)
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
- Forrest Castillo (Tadd and Debbie Huff’s great-nephew, recently hospitalized)
- Hugh Cook (Lynn Lane’s brother, diagnosed with cancer)
- Family and friends of Mary Jo Alvord
- Family and friends of Rev. Troy Tatum
- 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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