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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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ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICEAsh Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 days (plus Sundays) before Easter. We will gather together for an Ash Wednesday service TONIGHT (Wednesday, Feb. 18) at 6 pm. We will reflect and prepare our hearts and spirits for Lent, and will conclude the service with the imposition of ashes. Please join us for this special service of contemplation.
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Image: Temptation of Christ, Gasparo Mola
SERMON PREVIEW
Scripture: Matthew 4: 1-11
Sermon Title: If You Are the Son of God…
This Sunday, as we enter the season of Lent, we take a step back in the early life of Jesus, to the story of Jesus being tested in the wilderness immediately after his baptism. It’s a story of temptations and faithful response. It’s also a story that shows us clearly who Jesus is. As we consider the words of Jesus and the Tempter, we will also reflect on our own identity as followers of Jesus the Messiah. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.
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DIVINE DISCIPLES DININGOur next Divine Disciples Dining gathering of Disciples from northeast district churches will take place on Sunday afternoon, February 22 at 4 pm at El Real Mexican Grill in Bethlehem, GA. We had a great time at our fall gathering – hope you will join us in February! If you have not already signed up, please talk to Rev. Teresa by Friday so she will know how many to expect from our church.
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WEEK OF COMPASSION SPECIAL OFFERINGThis Sunday is the second week of our Week of Compassion special offering, when you have the opportunity to give to the general ministry of our church that is charged with caring for vulnerable and hurting people close to home and across the globe. Week of Compassion weaves together the resources, labor, and stories of God’s people to offer immediate aid, build systems of support, and cultivate communal resilience with people affected by natural disasters, displaced by war, or living under economic injustice. When things go wrong, Week of Compassion is there, on the ground, to help. Your gifts to this ministry are one way to bring Christ’s compassion to a world that needs it. You are invited to join hands with other Disciples in giving to this important work by giving to this special offering.
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RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVEThe Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at the church on Monday, February 23 from 2:30 – 6:30 pm. We need volunteers to help serve at the canteen. If you’re available to help out, please talk to Rod Baker (rbaker1023@gmail.com).
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WEDDING SHOWER FOR KAEDEN CARTER AND KASSIDY LITCHFIELD
You are invited to a drop-in shower honoring Kaeden Carter and Kassidy Litchfield. This is a “come and stay as long as you’d like” party. Please RSVP to Karla Johnson (770-715-6079 or karlajohnson05@comcast.net) if you plan to come, so they can be sure to have enough food.
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Image: A recent TONTO Christmas party
TONTO MEETING IN MARCHTONTO will meet Tuesday, March 3 at 11:30 at the church. TONTO members are asked to please bring your own lunch, including drink. We will meet and eat in the conference room, and will discuss how to move forward with TONTO.
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SOUPER BOWL OF CARING UPDATEThanks to everyone who has donated soup and crackers to the co-op during our Souper Bowl of Caring collection. We will continue to collect canned soups and crackers for the rest of February. The co-op really appreciates your generous donations!
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VALENTINE’S DAY LUNCHA big group from LFCC met at Lavender Asian Bistro for a fun Valentine’s Day lunch. Everyone enjoyed good food and good conversation!
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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?
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.
Regional Assembly is not just for ministers. Everyone in the congregation is invited! You can learn more and register at https://www.gadisciples.org/regional-assembly-2026.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN FEBRUARY
Wednesday, Feb. 18
6 pm: Ash Wednesday service
Sunday, Feb. 22
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
4 pm: Divine Disciples Dining at El Real in Bethlehem
Monday, Feb. 23
2:30 – 6:30 pm: Red Cross Blood Drive at the church
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: Marilyn Parks
Communion Meditation: Elizabeth McElhanon
Elders: Rod Baker and Beth Thompson
Deacons: Dorrie Toth and Elizabeth McElhanon
Communion Preparation: Elizabeth McElhanon
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 FEBRUARY 22 AND MARCH 1
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.
February 22, 2026 (First Sunday in Lent)
- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
- Psalm 32
- Romans 5:12-19
- Matthew 4:1-11
March 1, 2026 (Second Sunday in Lent)
- Genesis 12:1-4a
- Psalm 121
- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
- John 3:1-17
- Matthew 17:1-9
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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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RETIREMENT CELEBRATION AT THE LAWRENCEVILLE CO-OPHelp the co-op celebrate Tom Balog as he officially retires! Tom has been with the Co-Op for almost 10 years now. His faith, leadership, and compassion have been instrumental in taking the co-op through a new building, Covid, and tremendous growth. Join us as we celebrate him on Tuesday 2/24 from 9-10:30 am with Donuts and Dad jokes.
Thank you for your support of the Lawrenceville Co-op as they feed our neighbors in Lawrenceville and Dacula. Food donations are needed more than ever as we move through the winter months!
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Vienna sausages
- Smaller canned microwave pastas
- Canned fruit
- Applesauce
- Shelf stable milk
- Canned tuna/chicken
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.
Proverbs 17:22: “A merry heart does good like a medicine.”
Celebrations
- Annie Ballew Heiderscheit’s birthday is February 19
- Buck Oakes’s birthday is February 19
- Mark Jensen’s birthday is February 22
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- 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 Divine Disciples Dining as a chance to share food and fellowship with people from other Disciples churches
- For the Week of Compassion special offering and all those it will help support
- For all of us, 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)
- Mary Jo Alvord (moved to rehab)
- Neva Maffett (Eva Krahwinkel’s twin sister; ongoing health problems)
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
- Pamela Turner (Rev. Diane’s friend, grieving death of her brother)
- Elizabeth (Rev. Diane’s friend, recovering from surgery)
- Howard and Joanne White (Bob Hanson’s neighbors)
- Ada Mullinax (health challenges)
- Nancy Welty (health challenges)
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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