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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: Statue of St. Paul at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican
SERMON PREVIEW
Sermon Title: Held in Hope, Week One: Children Who Wait with Patience
Scripture: Romans 8:12-25
Beloved Church Family,
This Sunday, we begin a two‑week exploration of Romans 8 — a chapter that reminds us who we are and what holds us when life becomes difficult. In Week One, we’ll focus on Romans 8:12–25 and the gift of our identity as God’s children. Paul tells us that before we act, serve, or endure, we must remember that we belong to God. Even as the world groans and life feels heavy, the Spirit assures us that we are adopted, beloved, and never alone.
Paul is honest: the Christian life includes struggle. Yet he invites us to “wait with patience,” not because waiting is easy, but because our identity gives us strength and hope. This message prepares us for Week Two, when Paul reveals the firm foundation that makes such patient hope possible.
We hope you’ll join us as we begin this journey together and listen for the Spirit’s reminder: You are God’s beloved child, held in hope. Hope you will join us, in person or online, this Sunday.
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COMING SOON: SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVEThis July, LFCC will collect school supplies for students in need at Cedar Hill Elementary School, Richards Middle School, and Central Gwinnett High School. Please bring school supplies to the gathering space between July 19 and August 2. The supplies will be blessed in worship on August 2 and then delivered to the schools to be distributed.
Some of the supplies most requested by Cedar Hill Elementary School include:
- Sharpened #2 pencils (teachers especially love Ticonderoga pencils!)
- Crayola crayons (12 count or 24 count)
- Washable Crayola markers
- Crayola colored pencils
- Copy paper
- Baby wipes and Clorox/Lysol wipes
- Elmer’s glue sticks
- Wide-ruled notebook paper
- Composition notebooks
- Expo (dry-erase) markers
- Post-it notes
- Pink erasers
Most-requested supplies for Richards Middle School include:
- Wired headphones (Note: earbuds break easily; over-the-ear headphones are preferred)
- Blue and/or black pens
- 1 1/2 inch binders
- Copy paper
You can find detailed school supply lists for each grade in elementary and middle schools at the following links:
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DISCIPLES WOMEN ICE CREAM SOCIALThe annual Ice Cream Social and Church World Service Blanket Sunday will be on August 16, beginning at 12 p.m., sponsored by the Disciples Women. Please sign up this Sunday to bring finger foods and ice cream. The sign up sheet will be on the table in the gathering space.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN JULY
Sunday, July 19
No choir practice
No Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Monday, July 20
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities Team on Zoom
Tuesday, July 21
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at Sonny’s BBQ
Sunday, July 26
No choir practice
No 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: Jeanie Morgan
Scripture: Sharon Carter
Communion Meditation: Anna Harrison
Elders: Rod Baker and Beth Thompson
Deacons: Molly Ballew and Jimmy Peeples
Communion Preparation: Rev. Hoyt Huff
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
We welcome e-gram article submissions up to four weeks in advance. Please send your e-gram 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. Please submit the complete text you want included.
If you have a time-sensitive update or urgent prayer request to share on Sunday morning, 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 JULY 19 AND JULY 26
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.
July 19, 2026
- Genesis 28:10-19a
- Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
- Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19
- Isaiah 44:6-8
- Psalm 86:11-17
- Romans 8:12-25
- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
July 26, 2026
- Genesis 29:15-28
- Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
- Psalm 128
- 1 Kings 3:5-12
- Psalm 119:129-136
- Romans 8:26-39
- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
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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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NEWS FROM THE CO-OPThe World Cup is coming to an end, but you can still take part by helping the co-op “Kick Hunger”. Drop off some canned food to help your neighbors. As water and electrical bills increase in the summer, so do their clients’ food needs. If we all come together, we can make a difference!
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Pasta
- Instant potatoes
- Canned fruit/applesauce
- Cereal
- Canned chicken
Most Needed Personal Care Items
- Size 1, 2, and 5 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.
II Corinthians 4:7: “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
Celebrations
- Karen Jensen ‘s birthday is TODAY (Wednesday, July 15)
- Ralph & Liz McElhanon’s anniversary is July 16
- Brian & Libby Ballew’s anniversary is July 17
- Dorrie & Tom Toth’s anniversary is July 18
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For our Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon and our General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens
- For those who are traveling this summer
- For peace in the world, and for all of us to find ways to communicate safely and effectively
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Ada Mullinax (breathing issues)
- Dennis Higdon (continued pain after kidney stone removal)
- Beverly and Patrick Johnston (Beth Thompson’s friends; Pat is recovering from a fall)
- Dove Gevedon (Rev. Diane’s long-time family friend; in hospice care for liver failure)
- Dorrie and Tom Toth (health issues)
- Sharon Carter (still suffering from intense skin condition)
- Nancy and Jim Welty (health and family challenges)
Ongoing Needs
- Our country and our world
- Our members and friends at home, including 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
- Family and friends of Debbie Huff’s cousin John
- Family and friends of Betty Dawson (Rev. Diane’s adopted family)
- Bob Hanson (grieving death of railroad friend from Jacksonville)
- Jim Cook (long-time Camp Christian counselor; recovering from stent placement)
- Mark Dawson (Rev. Diane’s adopted family; recovering from quadruple bypass)
- Hazel Magner (Rev. Diane’s friend; recovering from triple bypass)
- Neva Maffett (Eva Krahwinkel’s twin sister; health challenges)
- Patty Plaster (friend of Connie and Teresa, recovering after amputation)
- Brenda Sizemore (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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