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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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SERMON PREVIEWScripture: Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-16
Sermon Topic: Faith and Faithfulness
In Chapter 11 of Hebrews, the author of the letter (who may or may not be Paul) explains that faith is “the assurance of things hoped for” and “the conviction of things not seen.” The author then describes examples of faith from the Old Testament, beginning with creation and continuing through Abraham, Sarah, and many other heroes of the faith. But what does this description of faith really mean for us, and what can we learn from revisiting the faith stories of Old Testament heroes? We will explore these questions as we look at this passage in Hebrews. See you Sunday, in person or online.
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WELCOME TO NEW REGIONAL MINISTEROn Saturday, July 26, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia called Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon as our next regional minister. Thanks to Tadd Huff, Libby Ballew, and Nancy Groves for attending as voting delegates from LFCC. We look forward to getting to know Rev. Dr. Harmon in the near future!
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CHRISTMAS IN JULY WAS A SUCCESS! Thanks to those of you who volunteered to be a cast member in the Live Nativity for this Christmas season. Thank you for your generosity in volunteering your time!
We have enough volunteers to be able to cast the Live Nativity, but we can still include other cast members or volunteers behind the scenes. If you think you want to participate, we have room for anyone interested. Just talk to Beth Thompson or Kim Peeples.
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NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS BEGINNING AUG. 17
Explore Faith. Embrace Understanding. Deepen Your Journey. Join us Sunday, August 17th at 10:00 AM for the start of our engaging new Sunday School study: Adam Hamilton’s Christianity and World Religions—featuring both book and DVD insights.
In this thoughtful exploration, we’ll look at the world’s major religions through a Christian lens and reflect on how we can live faithfully in a diverse world. Paperback copies available for $15.00 from Rev. Teresa.
Whether you’re seeking clarity, compassion, or connection—this class opens the door. Let’s come together to ask bold questions, share insights, and grow in grace.
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JOIN US NEXT SUNDAY FOR AN ICE CREAM SOCIALThe Disciples Women’s Ice Cream Social and Blanket Sunday will be on August 17 at noon. Donations for Church World Service blankets and emergency services can be placed in a basket. Our Ice Cream Social will be a potluck with light lunch items, finger foods, and of course…ice cream! So far, people have signed up to bring pimento cheese sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, chilled asparagus, 7 layer salad, hot dogs, buns and condiments, fruit, chips, ice cream, and ice cream toppings.
You are not required to bring food but if you do, please let Betty Higdon or Karen Jensen know what you plan to bring. Here are some suggestions:
- Deviled eggs
- Chicken salad sandwiches
- Vegetables
- Brownies
- Cookies
- Pound Cake
We will have a sign up sheet at church this Sunday. Thanks for your support of the ice cream social.
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AUGUST SPECIAL SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER
The Outreach Team will host Rev. Lainie Jenkins, Director of Disciples Women’s Ministries for the Christian Church in Georgia (DOC) during the Sunday School hour on August 24. Rev. Lainie will also participate in the morning worship.
Several opportunities are coming up in August and September to give to the mission projects of our local Disciples Women, and Rev. Lainie will be sharing information about those as well as the larger Disciples Women’s ministry at the Regional and General church. Please come and welcome her!
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DISCIPLES WOMEN MEETING
The Disciples Women will meet Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 1 pm in the conference room.
DISCIPLES WOMEN RETREAT
Georgia Disciples Women are heading to Epworth by the Sea, St. Simons, GA, for a 2025 Fall Retreat, September 26-28. We shared our stories at our February retreat at Ocmulgee State Park; now let’s share our gifts!
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, the Apostle Paul reminds us of the “varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.” With that as our focus scripture, the weekend will include relaxation, fellowship, and spiritual growth as we return to the beautiful coastal setting of Epworth by the Sea to explore “Spiritual Gifts: What is Your Fragrance?” The retreat will feature some new opportunities, including Friday evening vespers, additional workshops, and crafting choices, as well as familiar favorites like Bible study, Sunday worship, our signature silent auction, a service project with Amity House, and ample time to explore Saint Simons, GA. This year, we are excited to also feature Georgia Disciples Women t-shirts for sale!
You can register for retreat and sign up for housing and meals at Epworth by the Sea https://www.gadisciples.org/gadisciples-women-fall-retreat-2025. The deadline is September 12.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN AUGUST
Sunday, August 10
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
6 pm: Board meeting
Monday, August 11
6:30 pm: Outreach Team on Zoom
Tuesday, August 12
1 pm: Disciples Women meeting at the church
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities Team on Zoom
Sunday, August 17
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Disciples Women ice cream social and Blanket Sunday
Sunday, August 24
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Special Sunday school – Rev. Lainie Jenkins, Georgia Disciples Women
11 am: Worship
Sunday, August 30
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
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: Karen Jensen
Communion Meditation: Kim Peeples
Elders: Rod Baker and Beth Thompson
Deacons: Lynn Lane and Joey Baker
Communion Preparation: Hoyt Huff
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 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.
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LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES FOR AUGUST 10 AND AUGUST 17
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 10, 2025
- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
- Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23
- Genesis 15:1-6
- Psalm 33:12-22
- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
- Luke 12:32-40
August 17, 2025
- Isaiah 5:1-7
- Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19
- Jeremiah 23:23-29
- Psalm 82
- Hebrews 11:29-12:2
- Luke 12:49-56
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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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SUPPORT THE LAWRENCEVILLE CO-OPThank you for your support of the Lawrenceville Co-op as they feed our neighbors in Lawrenceville and Dacula. As school starts, the Co-op still continues to need food to meet the everyday needs of their clients. We appreciate anything you can donate!
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Green beans
- Fruit
- Dry pasta
- Corn
- Mixed vegetables
- Canned meat
- Pork and beans
Most Needed Personal Care Items
- Size 4 and up diapers
- Feminine pads
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WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH DISCIPLES AT THE REGIONAL AND GENERAL LEVELS?
Changes Ahead for General Assembly
At the 2025 General Assembly, the church approved some important changes to the structure and operations of our Church in GA-2517 – Amendments to The Design – changes that will encourage more church participation in the general church. The biggest change is a move to a 3-year meeting cycle of the General Assembly, with two years of virtual meetings followed by a triennial in-person/virtual meeting. Our congregation will have the opportunity to elect 3 voting delegates, with one rotating off and a new one joining each year. Read more about the changes!
Keep Up with the Regional and General Church
Keep 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.
Psalm 121:1-2: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains — from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Celebrations
- 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
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Diane Bales and Rev. Teresa Bensch
- For the new Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Georgia, Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon
- For Molly Ballew, who starts college at Georgia College and State University this month
- For all those going back to school in the coming weeks, including students, teachers, administrators, and support staff
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Gerald Kersey (recovering from stroke)
- Grace Aguwa (recovering from sprained ankle)
- Teresa Nolen (Rev. Teresa’s high school friend, grieving the death of her mother)
- Hunter Baxter (Jeanie Morgan’s newborn great-grandson, home from hospital on feeding tube)
- Reginald Sailor (local neighbor; requests prayers for legal issues and a car to start over)
Ongoing Needs
- Our country and our world
- Our members and friends at home, including Mary Jo Alvord, 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
- Family and friends of Patricia Saturday
- Family and friends of Larry Roberts
- Elizabeth McElhanon (recovering from pneumonia)
- Connie Worrel (health issues)
- Chris Klimshuk and her sister Ronnie (Ronnie is having health challenges)
- Brenda Sizemore (health issues)
- Ms. Davis (church neighbor; requested prayers because her house burned down)
- Suzy Santoro (Anna Harrison’s daughter)
- 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).
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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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