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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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SUNDAY PREVIEW: CALLING DISCIPLESSermon Title: An Amazing Catch
Scripture: Luke 5: 1 – 11
You may have heard the story of Jesus calling his first disciples, who left their fishing boats behind and followed him. But have you read Luke’s call story? There are some dramatic differences – including an unexpected miracle. This Sunday, we will take a look at Luke’s version of calling disciples Simon (Peter), James, and John, and we will think about what this story tells us about our own lives and calling.
This Sunday is also Scout Sunday; representatives of our Cub Scout pack will join us in worship. Hugh Yoon will provide the special music this Sunday, and will share a little of his experience on his December mission trip. See you Sunday, in person or online.
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SOUPER BOWL SUNDAYThis coming Sunday, February 9, we will celebrate Souper Bowl Sunday, in preparation for the big football game later that afternoon. The Outreach Team encourages everyone to bring cans of soup (or monetary donations) for our neighbors through the Lawrenceville Co-op. After worship, the Congregational Care and Connect Team invites you to stay for a soup lunch, featuring several kinds of soups, crackers, corn bread, veggie trays, and desserts. Hope to see you there!
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SCOUT SUNDAYThis coming Sunday, February 9, we will celebrate Scout Sunday during worship, to honor all those who have been involved in scouting and to celebrate our relationship with the Cub Scout pack that meets at our church every Wednesday evening. If you have been a scout, you are invited to wear your uniform, shirt, badge sash, or any other scout apparel to worship. We will invite all current and former scouts to stand during worship.
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NEW GIVING PLATFORM FOR LFCC
We are launching a new giving platform on our website. Why, you ask? We are paying an average of $40 a month in fees deducted from the donations we receive. Our new giving platform, Zeffy, is for non-profits and does not include a mandatory fee or charge. Please note: When you make your donation using this platform, you will be asked if you want to donate to offset fees. You can just enter any amount, including $0.
The new platform will be linked to the Donate button on the home page of the website by this Sunday. Thank you for your donations online, in-person, and through the mail. We hope this platform will make things easier for donors and eliminate fees so we can do more work in the church with your entire contribution.
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SWITCHING MINISTRY TEAMS
We have completed a little more than a year with our current ministry teams. If you would like to step back from your current team and/or join a new team, we want to hear from you. We will have a basket with cards in the Gathering Space on Sunday. Just let us know your name and what change you want to make or what new team you want to join. You’re also welcome to send a message to Rev. Diane or Rev. Teresa with that information. We appreciate everyone’s hard work to make the ministry teams successful, and we want to be sure you’re on a team that matches your interests and abilities. If you want to switch ministry teams, please notify us by this Sunday, Feb. 9.
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VALENTINE’S DAY BRUNCH BUNCHThe Congregational Care and Connect Team cordially invites YOU (yes, YOU!) to celebrate God’s LOVE with church friends on Valentine’s Day (Friday, Feb. 14) at 11 AM at the Diner at Webb Gin. ALL are welcome – whether working or retired, married or single, divorced or widowed. In addition to the usual great menu, there are special offerings like red velvet waffles! If you plan to attend, please call or text Anna Harrison at 404-441-4844 or tell her in person at church next Sunday.
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WEEK OF COMPASSION SPECIAL OFFERINGWeek of Compassion is the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Week of Compassion works with partners to alleviate suffering across the United States and around the world, often as some of the first responders on the ground when disasters hit.
As we know, massive wildfires have been burning in Southern California, scarring thousands of acres, destroying thousands of homes and structures, and displacing hundreds of thousands of people under evacuation orders. Week of Compassion remains in frequent contact with pastors and regional leaders, responding as needs emerge and joining partners in conversation about the long-term recovery ahead. This disaster is just one of many – including hurricanes, war, and famine – to which Week of Compassion is still responding. Increasingly severe and frequent weather-related and human-caused disasters continue to fragment communities around the world.
The Week of Compassion special offering helps support these important relief efforts. We will collect our 2025 Week of Compassion offering on February 16 and 23. Be sure to designate “Week of Compassion” on your check, envelope, or online gift. The church and the world thank you for your generous gifts to help those in great need.
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DISCIPLES WOMEN UPDATES: MEETING AND RETREATDisciples Women/CWF will meet on Tuesday, February 11, at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. All women are invited for Bible study and fellowship.
The Georgia Disciples Women 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. The deadline to register is TODAY (February 5).
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RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE ON FEB. 17
Our next Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at the church on Monday, February 17. See the flyer below to make an appointment to give blood. We need volunteers to help with the canteen. If you’re available to help out, please reach out to Rod Baker (404-273-1444 or Rbaker1023@gmail.com).
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR: MORTGAGE BURNING AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF ON SUNDAY, MARCH 9
On Sunday, March 9, wehave a big celebration planned. We will celebrate paying off our building mortgage with a special mortgage burning during morning worship. We will look back at all we have accomplished as a congregtaion and forward to our next steps in ministry now that our mortgage is paid in full. All of the former ministers of the church have been invited to attend or send thoughts to the church. We will also kick off our next Capital Campaign, to improve our outdoor space. After worship, we will continue our celebration with a covered-dish dinner. Please sign up in the gathering space to let us know what you will bring. Mark your calendar now for this special celebration!
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN FEBRUARY
Thursday, February 6
6:30 pm: Worship Team meeting on Zoom
Sunday, February 9
Scout Sunday; Souper Bowl Sunday
9 am: Choir practice
No Sunday school this week!
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Soup lunch
Monday, February 10
6:30 pm: Outreach Team meeting on Zoom
Tuesday, February 11
1 pm: CWF/Disciples Women meeting at the church
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities Team meeting on Zoom
Sunday, February 16
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Special Sunday school presention: Josiah Vega
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Arts Team meeting
12 pm; Capital Campaign committee meeting
Monday, February 17
2:30 pm:n Red Cross Blood Drive at the church
Tuesday, February 18
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at Los Hermanos (4955 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Suite 122, Lawrenceville)
Friday, February 21 – Sunday, February 23
Disciples Women retreat at Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge
Sunday, February 23
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
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: Brian Ballew
Scripture: Nancy Groves
Communion Meditation: Frank Hawkins
Elders: Beth Thompson and Rod Baker
Deacons: Lynn Lane and Andrew Jensen
Communion Preparation: Lynn Lane
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 FEB. 9 AND FEB. 16
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 9, 2025
- Isaiah 6:1-8, (9-13)
- Psalm 138
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
- Luke 5:1-11
February 16, 2025
- Jeremiah 17:5-10
- Psalm 1
- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
- Luke 6:17-26
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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 SOUP!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. For the first quarter of 2025, the co-op has requested that we collect soup.
Most Needed Food Items
- Applesauce
- Instant potatoes
- Canned tuna and chicken
- Canned fruit
- Canned soup/stew
- Cereal
Most Needed Personal Care Items
- Size 3 and up diapers
- Feminine pads
- Adult diapers size S-XL
- Laundry pods
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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.
Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Celebrations
- Pamela Evatt-Machado’s birthday is February 7
- Jimmy Peeples has a birthday on February 9
- Al Groves has a birthday on February 10
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For the Souper Bowl Sunday and Scout Sunday celebration and lunch this week
- For the Capital Campaign committee and committee chair Rod Baker, as they prepare for our next campaign to fund improvements to the church grounds
- For the Regional Minister Search Committee and their prayerful work
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Family of Rev. Don Brewer (Rev. Betty Brewer-Calvert’s father)
- Odessa Adams (Anna Harrison’s mother, at home with hospice care)
- Eric McDonald (husband of former interim minister Melinda McDonald; recovering from open heart surgery on Jan. 9)
Ongoing Needs
- Our country and our world
- Our members and friends at home, including Mary Jo Alvord, Odessa Adams, Gen Ashby, David Chamberlain, Bessie Kirby, Ada Mullinax, Bill Phyfer, Bob Powell, and Patricia Saturday
- Our family and friends with ongoing health challenges
- Eva Krahwinkel and Neva Maffett
- Ada Mullinax and her sister Linda (recovering at home)
- Dorrie Toth (recovering from eye surgery)
- Kevin Hopkins (health issues)
- Mary Ann Pusen (Connie Thompson’s mother, fractured wrist)
- Suzy Santoro (Anna Harrison’s daughter)
- 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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