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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, 22-36
Sermon Topic: God Fulfills Promises
Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! The secular world moves on from Easter very quickly. The candy goes on sale, we put away the decorations, and stores set up displays for the next big holiday. But in the Christian church, Easter is so important that we continue to celebrate it for six additional Sundays – a season we call Eastertide.
During Eastertide, some of our attention focuses on the book of Acts, as we celebrate the resurrection by remembering how it was first proclaimed by the apostles. This Sunday, we will take a look at Peter’s Pentecost Sermon from Acts 2. This was the first public proclamation of the resurrection, coming after the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the apostles. In Peter’s message, we learn that God has the final word, even over death, and that God is actively fulfilling God’s promises from the Old Testament in the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus of Nazareth. This Sunday, we will dig into the first part of Peter’s sermon, and explore what it means for us today. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.
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CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR MARY JO ALVORDA memorial service for Mary Jo Alvord will be held at the church this Sunday, April 12 at 4 pm. Visitation will take place at the church from 3 – 4 pm that day.
Family Meal
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, please contact Karen Jensen at Kjensen55@comcast.net or call or text at (404) 312-2960. Thank you to those who have volunteered to help with setting up, serving and cleaning up after the meal. We would appreciate if several people can help with taking down the tables after the meal.
Condolence Notes
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. Please be in prayer with 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.
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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.
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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
Sunday, Apr. 12
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
4 pm: Memorial service for Mary Jo Alvord
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
6 pm: Leadership Council on Zoom (rescheduled because of memorial service)
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: Jeanie Morgan
Scripture: Sharon Carter
Communion Meditation: Frank Hawkins
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 12 AND APRIL 19
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 12, 2026 (Second Sunday of Easter)
- Acts 2:14a, 22-32
- Psalm 16
- 1 Peter 1:3-9
- John 20:19-31
April 19, 2026 (Third Sunday of Easter)
- Acts 2:14a, 36-41
- Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
- 1 Peter 1:17-23
- Luke 24:13-35
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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.
Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Celebrations
- Rose Williams has a birthday on April 9
- Jim Welty’s birthday is April 11
- Scott Britt’s birthday is April 11
- Bessie Kirby’s birthday is April 15
- Chris Klimshuk’s birthday is April 15
- Stephen & Meredith Westbrook have an anniversary on April 14
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)
- Forrest Castillo (Tadd and Debbie Huff’s great-nephew, hospitalized with RSV)
- Family and friends of Mary Jo Alvord, as we honor her life this Sunday afternoon
- Family and friends of Rev. Troy Tatum, whose memorial service is April 14 in Winder
- Hugh Cook (Lynn Lane’s brother, diagnosed with cancer)
- Mike Bales (Rev. Diane’s father, had procedure on Tuesday)
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)
- 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)
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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