Image: Parable of the Leaven etching from the Bowyer Bible, crated by Jan Luyken
SERMON PREVIEW
Sermon Title: Weeds, Wealth, and the Kingdom of God
Scripture: Matthew 13: 31 – 33, 44 – 52
This Sunday, we will return to the parables Jesus shared with his disciples, as he taught them about the surprising kingdom of God. Jesus compares God’s kingdom to a mustard seed, to yeast mixed into flour, and to people who sell everything they have to gain something precious. Like all parables, these simple stories begin with things that would have been familiar to Jesus and the disciples. But Jesus adds a surprising twist to each one.
Through all of these parables, a common thread is God’s surprising, extravagant, unexpected grace. We will explore how these parables still speak to us today, and encourage us to live out our faith in unexpected ways. Join us, in person or online, this Sunday.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR ODESSA ADAMS
Odessa Adams, Anna Harrison’s mother, passed away on Saturday at the age of 100. Her memorial service will take place will be held this Thursday, July 30, at 11 am in the sanctuary. A family meal will be held afterward. Please pray for Anna, her sister Peggy and brother Jim, and all those who loved Odessa as they grieve.
LAST SUNDAY TO DONATE TO SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
This July, LFCC is collecting 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 this Sunday, August 2. The supplies will be blessed in worship on Sunday, and then delivered to the schools to be distributed.
Some of the supplies most requested by Cedar Hill Elementary School include:
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:
NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDIES BEGINNING THIS WEEK
The adult Sunday School class will resume this Sunday, August 2 at 10 am in the Fellowship Hall. 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 on Sunday.
SAVE THE DATE: SHOWER FOR RILEY BALLEW AND RYAN CHIMERA
We will hold a wedding shower for Riley Ballew and Ryan Chimera at the church on Sunday, Sept. 13 from 12 – 2 pm. More information, including a link to their gift registry, will be shared in the e-gram in upcoming weeks. Join us as we celebrate the bride and groom before their December wedding!
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR DISCIPLES WOMEN’S RETREAT
The Georgia Disciples Women Fall Retreat will take place September 25-27 at Epworth by the Sea at St. Simon’s Island. Sign up now for an enriching weekend. You can find more information, including a registration link and details about accommodations, at https://www.gadisciples.org/gadisciples-women-fall-retreat-2026. The registration deadline is Sept. 11.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN JULY AND AUGUST
Thursday, July 30
11 am: Memorial service for Odessa Adams
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.
NEWS FROM THE CO-OP
As 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
Learn more about the work of the co-op at https://lawrencevilleco-op.org/.
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH DISCIPLES AT THE REGIONAL AND GENERAL LEVELS
Keep 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.
General Church News: https://disciples.org/
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!