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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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Image: Heart-shaped tea light holder made of Himalayan salt, Herzförmiger Teelicht Kerzenhalter aus Himalaya-Salz
SERMON PREVIEW
Scripture: Matthew 5: 13-20
Sermon Title: Light of the World and Salt of the Earth
This Sunday, we continue exploring the Sermon on the Mount as written in Matthew’s gospel. After describing those who are blessed in the Beatitudes, Jesus spends the rest of the sermon giving instructions to his disciples about how to be followers. The beginning of this instruction passage are two familiar statements: “You are the salt of the earth” and “you are the light of the world.” We will discuss what it means to be salt and light, and what Jesus meant when he said he came to fulfill the law and prophets. We will also explore how we can be salt and light in today’s world. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.
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BUSY SUNDAY THIS WEEK!After 2 weeks of Zoom worship, we are all eager to be back together in person this Sunday. We also have a lot going on this Sunday!
- Regional Minister. Our Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon, will join us for worship this Sunday.
- Scout Sunday. We will celebrate our scouts, as well as everyone who is (or has been) a scout, during worship this Sunday. If you have a scout uniform, hat, sash, or pin, you are encouraged to wear it to worship.
- Goodies after worship. The Congregational Care and Connect Team will serve cookies, cupcakes, lemonade, and other snacks after worship, in honor of Rev. Harmon and our scouts and families. Stay for a few minutes after worship, talk with our visitors. and enjoy a treat.
- Souper Bowl of Caring. This Sunday is the final week of our Souper Bowl of Caring collection for the co-op. As our country prepares for a big football game this Sunday, we will celebrate by helping feed our neighbors. Please bring canned soups and crackers this Sunday, and leave all soup donations in the gathering space with other co-op donations.
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EVENTS RESCHEDULED BECAUSE OF WEATHER
We are so grateful that everyone stayed safe and warm during the winter storms of the past two weeks. Because of the weather, we have rescheduled several events. Please mark your calendars for these updated events:
- Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon will visit LFCC for worship this Sunday, Feb. 8
- The Leadership Council planning meeting will take place after worship next Sunday, Feb. 15
- Campus Ministry Sunday and the soup lunch have been rescheduled for Sunday, March 22. If you signed up to bring food for lunch, please confirm what you are bringing on the sign-up sheets in the gathering space, or talk to Rev. Diane.
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VALENTINE’S DAY LUNCHJoin your church family and friends for a fun celebration of Valentine’s Day. We will meet at Lavender Asian Bistro at noon on Saturday, Feb. 14 for good food and fellowship. Everyone is invited! Please let Anna Harrison know if you plan to come so she can reserve enough seating for everyone.
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ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 days (plus Sundays) before Easter. We will gather together for an Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 6 pm. We will reflect and prepare our hearts and spirits for Lent. We will conclude the service with the imposition of ashes. Please join us for this special service of contemplation.
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REMINDER: NEW ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDY DURING LENTAs we prepare our hearts for the journey toward Easter, the Adult Sunday School class will begin a new study in February using An Unlikely Lent by Rachel Billups. This engaging and accessible book invites us to explore the unexpected ways God shows up in ordinary lives, surprising places, and unlikely people. Through weekly reflections and practical spiritual practices, Billups encourages us to look for God’s presence in the moments we might otherwise overlook.
This study offers a meaningful way to deepen your faith during the Lenten season and connect with others in our church family. If you would like to join the study, please contact Rev. Teresa. All are welcome as we begin this journey together.
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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! Please sign up in the gathering space or talk to Rev. Teresa so we will know how many to expect from our church.
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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
Sunday, Feb. 8
Scout Sunday; Regional Minister visit
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Monday, Feb. 9
6:30 pm: Outreach Team on Zoom
Tuesday, Feb. 10
6:30 pm: Disciples Women meeting at the church
Saturday, Feb. 14
12 pm: Valentine’s Day lunch at Lavender Asian Bistro
Sunday, Feb. 15
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Leadership Council planning meeting
Monday, Feb. 16
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities Team on Zoom
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
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: Flo Carroll
Communion Meditation: Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon
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 8 AND FEBRUARY 15
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 8, 2026
- Isaiah 58:1-12
- Psalm 112:1-10
- 1 Corinthians 2:1-16
- Matthew 5:13-20
February 15, 2026
- Exodus 24:12-18
- Psalm 2
- Psalm 99
- 2 Peter 1:16-21
- 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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SUPPORT THE LAWRENCEVILLE CO-OPThank 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
- Pasta sauce
- Canned corn
- 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 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”
Celebrations
- Keegan Carter’s birthday is TODAY (February 4)
- Jim and Nan Anders have an anniversary TODAY (February 4)
- Pamela Evatt-Machado’s birthday is February 7
- Jimmy Peeples’s birthday is February 9
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 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)
- Pamela Turner (Rev. Diane’s friend, grieving death of her brother)
- Elizabeth (Rev. Diane’s friend, facing surgery next week)
- Gail Johnston (Jimmy Peeples’ sister, recovering at home)
- Mary Jo Alvord (recovering at home)
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
- Howard and Joanne White (Bob Hanson’s neighbors)
- Ada Mullinax and her sister Linda Kellmann (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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