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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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Note: You will not receive a regular e-gram on Wednseday, December 24 or Wednesday, January 1. The e-gram will resume on Wednesday, January 8. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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SUNDAY PREVIEW: NAMES OF JESUSThroughout the history of Christianity, Jesus has been referred to by many different names. Last Sunday, the Chancel Choir introduced us to some of the names of Jesus in their annual Christmas cantata. This Sunday, we will continue to explore some of the names of Jesus in scripture, beginning with the prophets and continuing through Revelation, in a sermon entitled “Finding Awe in the Names of Jesus.” See you Sunday, in person or online.
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ADVENT EVENTSWe hope you will join us for some special activities during Advent, when we prepare for the arrival of the Christ Child.
- Advent Devotional: Copies of the 2024 Advent devotional, Daring to Connect, are still available to pick up in the gathering space. Please take a copy to use in your personal devotions during this Advent season.
- Adult Sunday school Advent study: This Advent, the adult Sunday school class continues exploring some extraordinary people of the Christmas story that are often left out. You are welcome to join even if you haven’t attended previous sessions. Please see Rev. Teresa if you need a copy of the book.
- Advent Bible Study concludes TONIGHT: The 4-week Advent Bible study concludes this evening at 6:30 pm. The session will take place on Zoom, using Session 4 of the curriculum “Peace, Justice, Joy, and Salvation.” We hope you will join us as we wrap up this special study.
- Christmas Eve Service: Our annual Christmas Eve service will be Tuesday, December 24 at 5 pm. We will celebrate the birth of the Christ child once again!
- Fifth Sunday: On Sunday, December 29, you will hear a special Christmas story during our Fifth Sunday worship, read by special guest reader Rev. Bonnie Osei-Frimpong.
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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL OFFERINGThe Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia knows the power of connections in our ministries and programs, for these are the connections that make God’s love visible among us. When middle and high school youth gather at Epworth, when children and youth go to summer camp, when women and men gather for retreats, and when Georgia Disciples sit across tables and share stories – God’s love is made visible. When Disciples college students gather with peers at ecumenical tables, when ministers and seminarians are guided and nurtured, when congregations are resourced after conflicts or disaster – God’s love is made visible. When congregations are guided in search and call, when new churches are cultivated, and when existing churches are nourished – God’s love is made visible.
To thrive and to grow, and to continue to make God’s love visible among Georgia Disciples, all of these regional ministries and many more depend on your support. The Christmas Special Offering is a critical part of that support because 100 percent of your gift remains in the Georgia Region, supporting regional camps, conferences, retreats, and programs, and nurturing ministers and congregations.
This year’s Christmas Offering invites you to consider the many ways “God’s Love is Made Visible” in our regional ministries. As you do, we invite you to support the 2024 Christmas Special Offering today or during the month of December. You can place your Christmas Offering in the plate on Sunday, mail a check to the church, or give on the Disciples Mission Fund website.
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MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BARBARA BAGWELL
Long-time church member Barbara Bagwell died on Friday, November 29 at the age of 96. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held this Friday, December 20, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Manor Lake Assisted Living, 3769 Kallie Circle, Dawsonville, GA 30534. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in her honor to Illinois Foundation Future Farmers of America. You can call 217-753-3328 or email Riley Wells, Associate Director at rwells@illinoisffa.org to donate. Barbara’s obituary can be found at https://www.coxandson.com/obituaries/barbara-bagwell.
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DISCIPLES WOMEN RETREAT RESCHEDULEDThe Georgia Disciples Retreat has been rescheduled for February 21-23 at Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge. This was rescheduled due to Hurricane Helene. The theme is: “Crazy Love: Sharing Stories of Jesus.” Rev. Daniel Claire Brower is the keynoter. Rev. Nancy Oliver is the musician. Join us to share stories of Jesus’ love, worship, relax or take a walk in a beautiful outdoor setting, and join in the fun and s’mores! The State Park is spectacular and the Lodge is delightful. Register online at www.gadisciples.org/gadisciples-women-retreat-2025
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NEW ADDRESS
Twin sisters Eva Krahwinkel and Neva Maffett are now living at the same address. Please update your directory!
516 Corley Brook Way
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN DECEMBER
Wednesday, December 18
6:30 pm: Advent Bible study on Zoom
Sunday, December 22 – Fourth Sunday in Advent
9;30 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Wednesday, December 24
5 pm: Christmas Eve service
Sunday, December 29
No Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship (Fifth Sunday; special Christmas reading)
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: Lynn Lane
Advent Wreath: TONTO (Jeanie Morgan and Candace Richardson)
Communion Meditation: Anna Harrison
Elders: Connie Thompson and Lee Thompson
Deacons: Elizabeth Anders and JT Clements
Communion Preparation: Kim Peeples
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. If at all possible, 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 DEC. 22 AND DEC. 29
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 22, 2024
- Micah 5:2-5a
- Luke 1:46b-55
- Psalm 80:1-7
- Hebrews 10:5-10
- Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)
December 29, 2024
- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
- Psalm 148
- Colossians 3:12-17
- Luke 2:41-52
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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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THE LAWRENCEVILLE CO-OP NEEDS GREEN BEANS!As always, the Lawrenceville Co-op needs our donations of money, food items, and personal care items to help those in need in Dacula and Lawrenceville. In an effort to fill their empty shelves, they have asked supporting churches to collect a specific item. Thank you for your generous donations that help keep this vital ministry running. We will continue collecting green beans in December.
Most Needed Food Items
- Snacks – Protein bars, granola bars, cheese and crackers, peanut butter and crackers
- Canned beans
- Rice
- Mac & cheese
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Peanut butter & jelly
- Canned tuna and chicken
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Canned soup
- Cereal
Most Needed Personal Care Items
- Size 3 and up diapers
- Feminine pads
- Adult diapers size S-XL
- Laundry pods
- Toiletry items
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DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
REGIONAL AND GENERAL CHURCH NEWSKeep 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.
Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Celebrations
- LFCC donated a total of $1,625 in gift cards for Cedar Hill Elementary this year
- Tom Toth has a birthday on December 20
- Sophia Coker’s birthday is December 23
- Connie Worrel’s birthday is January 1
- Betty Hidgon’s birthday is January 3
- Micah Baker’s birthday is January 6
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For Hugh Yoon during his mission trip to Honduras
- For the Christmas Eve service, that it may bring joy to those who participate
- For the Regional Minister Search Committee and their prayerful work
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Jeanie Morgan (health challenges)
- Dorrie Toth (health challenges)
- Family and friends of Barbara Bagwell, as they grieve
- Rev. Theresa Bailey (recovering from surgery)
Ongoing Needs
- Our country and our world
- Our members and friends at home, including Odessa Adams, Gen Ashby, David Chamberlain, Bessie Kirby, Bill Phyfer, Bob Powell, and Patricia Saturday
- Our family and friends with ongoing health challenges
- Eva Krahwinkel and Neva Maffett
- Suzy Santoro (Anna Harrison’s daughter, healing at home)
- Chris Klimshuk and her sister Veronica
- Grace Aguwa
- 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 be in prayer for the church and everyone in it, that we continue to do what the Lord has called us to do. God bless you all!
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