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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 Two: A Foundation That Cannot Be Shaken
Scripture: Romans 8: 26 – 39
Beloved Church Family,
Last week we remembered our identity as God’s beloved children, people who “wait with patience” because the Spirit is at work within us. This Sunday, we turn to Romans 8:26–39, where Paul reveals the foundation that makes such patient hope possible.
Here Paul speaks directly to the realities of hardship, weakness, and fear. Yet he insists that none of these can undo what God has already done. The Spirit intercedes for us, Christ stands with us, and God’s love holds us fast. Even death itself cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
If Week One reminded us who we are, Week Two reminds us what holds us. This is the confidence we carry into every challenge ahead. We hope you’ll join us as we stand together on this unshakeable promise: Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Join us, in person or online, this Sunday.
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DONATE TO 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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NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDIES BEGINNING AUG. 2The adult Sunday School class will resume on Sunday, August 2. We will be alternating through two different curricula: a study on 12 Daring Women of the Bible and ta study of lectionary readings for this fall. Printed Sunday school resources will be available in the gathering space this Sunday.
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FUN AT LET’S EAT!A group from LFCC gathered at Sonny’s BBQ on July 21 for food, fun, and fellowship. Please mark your calendars now for the next Let’s Eat! on August 18 at Lavender Asian Bistro.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN JULY AND AUGUST
Sunday, July 26
No choir practice
No Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Sunday, Aug. 2
9 am: choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
6 pm: Leadership Council
Monday, Aug. 3
6:30 pm: Congregational Care and Connect Team meeting on Zoom
Tuesday Aug. 4
11:30 am: TONTO at the church
Sunday, Aug. 9
9 am: choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
6 pm: Board meeting
Monday, Aug. 10
6:30 pm: Outreach Team meeting on Zoom
Tuesday, Aug. 11
1 pm: Disciples Women meeting at the church
Sunday, Aug. 16
9 am: choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Disciples Women Ice Cream Social
Monday, Aug. 17
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities Team meeting on Zoom
Tuesday, Aug. 18
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at Lavender Asian Bistro
Sunday, Aug. 23
9 am: choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Sunday, Aug. 30
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: Candace Richardson
Scripture: Mabel Simmons
Communion Meditation: Rev. Hoyt Huff
Elders: Rod Baker and Beth Thompson
Deacons: Molly Ballew and Rev. Hoyt Huff
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 26 AND AUGUST 2
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 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
August 2, 2026
- Genesis 32:22-31
- Psalm 17:1-7, 15
- Isaiah 55:1-5
- Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
- Romans 9:1-5
- Matthew 14:13-21
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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-OPAs summer vacation draws to a close for most families and school starts for the fall, the co-op continues their ministry of feeding our neighbors. If we all come together, we can make a difference!
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Snacks
- Instant potatoes
- Canned fruit/applesauce
- Cereal
- Canned tuna
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.
Acts 9:8: “Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.”
Celebrations
- Joey Baker ‘s birthday is July 25
- Bruce & Karla Johnson’s anniversary is TODAY (Wednesday, July 22)
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Diane Bales and Rev. Teresa Bensch
- 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 teachers and administrators as they prepare for the start of the new school year
- 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)
- Jim Welty (continued discomfort after recent hospitalization)
- Odessa Adams (Anna Harrison’s mother, breathing issues; currently on oxygen)
- 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
- Ada Mullinax (breathing issues)
- Dennis Higdon (continued pain after kidney stone removal)
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- 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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