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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: The Sermon of the Beatitudes, Paul Tissot
SERMON PREVIEW
Scripture: Matthew 5: 1-12
Sermon Title: Light for the Journey Ahead
This Sunday, we hear the opening words of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes from Matthew 5:1–12. These blessings reveal the surprising places where God’s grace meets us, in humility, in longing, in mercy, and even in the moments when faithfulness feels costly. Jesus’ final invitation in this passage, “Rejoice and be glad,” reminds us that God’s presence holds steady through every season.
As the season after Epiphany unfolds, these words begin to turn our attention to the journey that lies ahead. Lent is still approaching, but the Beatitudes gently prepare our hearts by naming the posture, hope, and trust that shape a life following Christ. We hope you’ll join us for worship this Sunday as we reflect on these blessings and open ourselves to the path God is preparing before us. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.
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GIVE TO THE SOUPER BOWL OF CARINGThis Sunday is the kickoff our Souper Bowl of Caring collection for the co-op. Over the next two Sundays, as our country prepares for a big football game, we will celebrate by helping feed our neighbors. You are invited to bring canned soups and crackers to help feed our neighbors who are hungry. You can leave all soup donations in the gathering space with other co-op donations.
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NEW LENTEN STUDY FOR ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOLAs 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!
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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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FUN AT LET’S EAT!A big group of LFCC members and friends met at the Diner at Webb Gin for Let’s Eat! on Tuesday, Jan. 20. The food was delicious and the conversation enjoyable. Please mark your calendars now for the next Let’s Eat! on March 17. (We will not meet in February because of the Divine Disciples Dining event on Feb. 22.)
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN FEBRUARY
Sunday, Feb. 1
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Leadership Council planning meeting
Monday, Feb. 2
6:30 pm: Congregational Care and Connect Team on Zoom
Tuesday, Feb. 3
11:30 am: TONTO
Sunday, Feb. 8
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
Sunday, Feb. 15
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
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: Julie Thompson
Scripture: Lynn Lane
Communion Meditation: Anna Harrison
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 1 AND FEBRUARY 8
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 1, 2026
- Micah 6:1-8
- Psalm 15
- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
- Matthew 5:1-12
February 8, 2026
- Isaiah 58:1-12
- Psalm 112:1-10
- 1 Corinthians 2:1-16
- Matthew 5:13-20
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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.
Romans 8:26: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words.”
Celebrations
- Jim Anders has a birthday TODAY (Wednesday, January 28)
- Noah Ramirez’s birthday is January 30
- Rev. Richard Williams’s birthday is January 31
- Keegan Carter’s birthday is February 4
- Jim and Nan Anders have an anniversary on February 4
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)
- 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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