Welcome to our weekly e-gram! Read on to discover what’s happening in our church family this week and beyond.
Church News
Image: Statue of St. Paul outside St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican
SERMON PREVIEW
Sermon Title: Righteousness: By Law and By Faith
Scripture: Romans 10:5–15
This Sunday we turn to a rich passage in Romans where Paul draws a clear distinction between righteousness rooted in the law and righteousness rooted in faith. One is written; the other speaks. Paul invites the church to consider how righteousness is no longer something we achieve, but something God brings near to us through Christ.
As we sit with this text, we are reminded that faith is not meant to remain quiet or hidden. It is meant to shape how we live, how we speak, and how we show Christ to others. Paul’s words encourage us to consider how the nearness of Christ becomes visible and audible in our daily lives.
As we prepare for worship, reflect on one simple thought: What does your faith speak?
Join us, in person or online, this Sunday.
SCHOOL SUPPLY THANKS!
Rod Baker delivered school supplies to Cedar Hill Elementary School and Richards Middle School this week, just in time for school to start. Thanks to everyone who helped get our local students off to a good start this year. Teachers and school counselors were very appreciative!
Cedar Hill Elementary Supplies
Richards Middle Supplies
SAVE THE DATE: SHOWER FOR RILEY BALLEW AND RYAN CHIMERA
We will hold a wedding shower for Riley Ballew and Ryan Chimera at the church on Sunday, Sept. 13 from 12 – 2 pm. More information, including a link to their gift registry, will be shared in the e-gram in upcoming weeks. Join us as we celebrate the bride and groom before their December wedding!
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR DISCIPLES WOMEN’S RETREAT
The Georgia Disciples Women Fall Retreat will take place September 25-27 at Epworth by the Sea at St. Simon’s Island. Sign up now for an enriching weekend. You can find more information, including a registration link and details about accommodations, at https://www.gadisciples.org/gadisciples-women-fall-retreat-2026. The registration deadline is Sept. 11.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN AUGUST
Sunday, Aug. 9
9 am: choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
6 pm: Board meeting
Monday, Aug. 10
6:30 pm: Outreach Team meeting on Zoom
Tuesday, Aug. 11
1 pm: Disciples Women meeting at the church
Sunday, Aug. 16
9 am: choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Disciples Women Ice Cream Social
Monday, Aug. 17
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities Team meeting on Zoom
Tuesday, Aug. 18
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at Lavender Asian Bistro
Sunday, Aug. 23
9 am: choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Monday, Aug. 24
2:30 – 6:30 pm: Red Cross Blood Drive
Tuesday, Aug. 25
Election Run-off at church
Sunday, Aug. 30
9 am: choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Greeter: Jeanie Morgan Scripture: Jeanie Morgan Communion Meditation: Libby Ballew Elders: Jimmy Peeples and Julie Thompson Deacons: Riley Ballew and JT Clements Communion Preparation: Julie Thompson If you are interested in serving as a worship leader or greeter, please contact Rev. Diane or Rev. Teresa.
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 emailto bothDiane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org and Teresa@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org. E-gram submissions can include ministry updates, event announcements, community celebrations or milestones, and prayer requests. Please submit the complete text you want included.
If you have a time-sensitive update or urgent prayer request to share on Sunday morning, please email it by Friday at 5:00 PMto the same email addresses as above. Thank you for helping us build a vibrant, informed, and spiritually grounded community.
LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES FOR AUGUST 9 AND AUGUST 16
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.
August 9, 2026
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
August 16, 2026
Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Psalm 67
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
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
Community News
NEWS FROM THE CO-OP
As summer vacation draws to a close for most families and school starts for the fall, the co-op continues their ministry of feeding our neighbors. If we all come together, we can make a difference!
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.
Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Celebrations
Grace Aguwa’s birthday is August 5
Frank Hawkins’s birthday is August 7
Nancy Groves’s birthday is August 9
Bill Carter’s birthday is August 9
David Chamberlain’s birthday is August 11
Nancy Welty’s birthday is August 12
Weekly Prayers
For our co-ministers, Rev. Diane Bales and Rev. Teresa Bensch
For our Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon and our General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens
For teachers, administrators, children, and families, that the first weeks of school are smooth and productive
For peace in the world, and for all of us to find ways to communicate safely and effectively
Immediate Needs(names in bold are newly added or updated)
Dorrie Toth (improvement in her dizzy spells! Thanks be to God!)
Dennis Higdon (waiting for medical test results)
Jim Welty (outpatient heart procedure soon)
Family and friends of Odessa Adams (Anna Harrison’s mother)
Jimmy Peeples (grieving the death of his brother Keith this week)
Sharon Carter (still suffering from intense skin condition)
Dove Gevedon (Rev. Diane’s long-time family friend; in hospice care for liver failure)
Ongoing Needs
Our country and our world
Our members and friends at home, including 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
Nancy Welty (health challenges)
Ada Mullinax (breathing issues)
Dorrie and Tom Toth (health issues)
Neva Maffett (Eva Krahwinkel’s twin sister; health challenges)
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!
First Christian Church of Lawrenceville (Disciples of Christ)
3495 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Church email: lgafcc@gmail.com
Church phone: (770) 963-9922
Rev. Dr. Diane Bales, Co-Minister (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org)
Rev. Teresa Bensch, Co-Minister (teresa@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org)
Kim Peeples, Music Director
J.T. Clements, Communications Coordinator
