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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: Isaiah 7:10-16
Sermon Title: Love That Comes Near
As we arrive at the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we turn our attention to Love – the love that does not remain distant or abstract, but draws close in the most unexpected ways. Our scripture from Isaiah 7 speaks into a moment of fear and uncertainty, offering a sign that God will not abandon the people: “The young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” Even when King Ahaz resists, God’s love breaks through.
This ancient promise becomes the heartbeat of the Christmas story. In Jesus, Love takes on flesh, steps into our world, and chooses to dwell with us. As we light the Candle of Love this Sunday, we will reflect on how God’s nearness, then and now, shapes our hope, our courage, and our calling as a community. Join us as we celebrate the God who comes near and the Love that continues to meet us in every season of life. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.
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ADVENT BIBLE STUDY CONCLUDES TONIGHT!Our Advent Bible study concludes this evening (Wednesday, December 17) from 6:30 – 7:30 pm on Zoom. We are using a curriculum that explores the names for Jesus from The Messiah, written by American theologian Walter Brueggemann. Tonight’s session will focus on “Prince of Peace” as a name for Jesus. Join us for this sessions if your schedule allows, even if you have not been able to attend the previous sessions.
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LIVE NATIVITY THIS SUNDAYThe Live Nativity will take place this Sunday evening, Dec. 21, with performances at 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30 pm. Please invite your friends and neighbors to stop by for this special celebration.
The Live Nativity is our gift to our community, and it takes everyone to make this happen. Here are some volunteer opportunities if you want to help out:
- Donate cookies for the hospitality tent. If you would like to help out, please let Libby Ballew know.
- Provide food for a light dinner for the cast and crew. If you would like to help out, please let Anna Harrison know.
Live Nativity Cast Members and Crew, please be sure to check your email for your information and the evening schedule and plan to arrive by 4 pm Sunday for rehearsal. If you have any additional questions, please contact Beth Thompson or Kim Peeples.
It takes all of you to make this happen! We appreciate all of our awesome volunteers!
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICEOn Wednesday, December 24, we will gather in the sanctuary at 5 pm for our annual Christmas Eve service. We will light the Christ candle, hear the story of our Messiah’s birth, share communion, and light candles. Please make time in your holiday celebration to join us for this special service!
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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL OFFERING: THE WORK OF CHRISTMASDuring this season of Advent, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will continue collecting the Christmas Special Offering this Sunday, December 17. This offering is vital to the Christian Church in Georgia, because 100% of gifts remain in the Region. Please consider a generous gift to the Christmas Offering. Your support will make all the difference in the resources and ministries we are able to provide to Georgia Disciples; God is at work among us! Here is some of what the region has done in the past year.
- Georgia Disciples Youth deepened faith and friendships at the annual Regional Youth Assembly at Epworth
- 80 Georgia Disciples Women were spiritually nourished at the 2025 Fall Retreat
- 127 children and youth grew their faith at summer camp programs at Camp Christian Conference Center
- 9 Disciples Churches are in formation in Georgia including the newest “Disciples of the Way” in metro Augusta, GA
- Disciples on Campus are growing in faith and fellowship as part of the ecumenical group, The Table at UGA
- 130 + Georgia Disciples clergy access workshops, resources, connections, and support through the Christian Church in Georgia
- Hundreds of Georgia Disciples participated in retreats, assemblies, and workshops in 2025 that enlarged their view of the church and God’s work among us.
Thank you for the many ways you and your ministry are part of God’s work among us here in the Christian Church in Georgia!
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FUN AT LET’S EAT!A group of 13 gathered at Papi’s Cuban Grill on Tuesday, Dec. 16 for delicious food and fun conversation. Please plan to join us for the next Let’s Eat! on January 20.
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ADDRESS UPDATESEva Krahwinkel and Neva Maffett have moved recently. Please make note of their new addresses.
Neva Maffet
Sunrise at Webb Gin
1375 Webb Gin House Road
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Eva Krahwinkel
Apt. 308
1155 Lawrenceville Hwy.
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
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ANGEL TREE THANKS FROM CHESThanks to your generosity, Lawrenceville First Christian Church delivered gift cards totaling $1,600 to help families at Cedar Hill Elementary School buy Christmas gifts for their children. We received the following note from DaNai Black, one of the counselors at CHES:
We want to extend our gratitude and appreciation to your church for always being so generous every year and taking our students on as your own. Your donations continually help support us throughout the entire year in various ways.
We hope you all enjoyed our tokens of appreciation from the CHES family to your church family. Wishing you all a Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!!
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN DECEMBER
Wednesday, Dec. 17
6:30 pm: Advent Bible Study on Zoom
Sunday, Dec. 21
Fourth Sunday of Advent
9:30 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
6:30 – 8 pm: Live Nativity
Wednesday, Dec. 24
5 pm: Christmas Eve service
Sunday, Dec. 28
No choir practice; choir be in loft by 10:45 am
No Sunday school
11 am: Worship – Christmas Carol Sing
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: Julie Thompson
Scripture: Julie Thompson
Communion Meditation: Anna Harrison
Elders: Julie Thompson and Sanford Thompson
Deacons: Dorrie Toth and Riley Ballew
Communion Preparation: Julie Thompson
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
Each week, our e-gram newsletter helps us stay connected, informed, and inspired. We welcome e-gram article submissions up to four weeks in advance. Please send your 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.
Announcements shared during worship are drawn primarily from the e-gram. If you have a time-sensitive update or urgent prayer request to share, 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 DECEMBER 21 AND DECEMBER 28
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.
December 21, 2025
- Isaiah 7:10-16
- Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
- Romans 1:1-7
- Matthew 1:18-25
December 28, 2025
- Isaiah 63:7-9
- Psalm 148
- Hebrews 2:10-18
- Matthew 2:13-23
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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. The co-op’s hard work continues in December. Here’s a message they shared recently:
As we enter into the Advent season, we encourage you to help us spread the “Joy” of Christmas by taking part in our Family Christmas Caroling event. Our last distribution night of 2025 will be 12/22. We will have hot cocoa and cookies for the clients to enjoy while waiting to have their food loaded. You can help by being a part of our Christmas choir. Come share a smile and a treat with our clients!
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Cereal
- Applesauce
- Shelf stable milk
- Canned tuna/chicken
- 12 count or 18 count egg cartons
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 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.
Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God!”
Celebrations
- Maggie Bustillo’s birthday is December 18
- Tom Toth’s birthday is December 20
- Sophia Coker’s birthday is December 23
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Diane Bales and Rev. Teresa Bensch
- For our general and regional church, and for our new Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon (who will visit our church in January)
- For the Advent season, that it may prepare us for the coming of the Christ child
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Mary Jo Alvord (hospitalized)
- Ada Mullinax and her sister Linda (health challenges)
- Howard and Joanne White (Bob Hanson’s neighbors)
- Family of Doyle King (Candace Richardson’s uncle)
- The faculty, staff and students of Brown University
- The people of Sydney, Australia
- Nancy Welty (health challenges)
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
- Bill Carter (recent medical procedure)
- Brenda Sizemore (health challenges)
- The Lee family (John, Julie, Kayla and Jana), who are grieving the recent death of John’s mother
- Eva Krahwinkel and Neva Maffett (transitions and health concerns)
- McKenzie Harper (Elizabeth Sloan’s daughter; recovering from surgery)
- Nancy Moss (cancer; requests prayers)
- Suzy Santoro (Anna Harrison’s daughter)
- Peggy Edge (Anna Harrison’s sister, recovering from recent car accident)
- Maggie Harrison Copeland (Anna Harrison’s sister-in-law)
- Toby Severt (Anna Harrison’s daughter’s boyfriend)
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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