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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: Parable of the Sower and the Seed, Philip Galle, 1574
SERMON PREVIEW
Sermon Title: Sowing Seeds of Abundance
Scripture: Matthew 13: 1 – 9, 18 – 23
This week, we will take a look at one of Jesus’s best-known parables, one that appears in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is sometimes called the parable of the seed or the parable of the soil, but the author of Matthew’s gospel names it the Parable of the Sower. As Jesus explains, sower throws out seed and it lands in different places. The seed that lands on rocky, dry, or weed-infested soil dies; the seed that lands on good soil takes root and produces a harvest that is thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or even one hundredfold more than the original seed.
It’s easy to see this as a story of different kinds of soil, and a reminder that we need to be the good soil that allows God’s word to flourish. But that’s not actually the main point of Matthew’s version of this parable. His focus is less on the soil, and more on the abundance at the harvest. It’s a parable that reminds us that God’s love is active in our world, and God’s harvest will come in time, even if we can’t see it right now. It’s also a powerful reminder that we should keep sowing God’s word, even if not all of our efforts come to fruition. We will explore this story and its context in worship this week. Hope you will join us, in person or online, this Sunday.
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HONEST CONVERSATIONS: THOUGHTS AND LESSONS LEARNED
As we conclude our Honest Conversations series, we’ve reflected on Isaiah’s call to “share your bread with the hungry” and “repair the breach.” The Land of Plenty framework helped us see that faithful responses to hunger happen on three levels. Lawrenceville Christian Church is already living these options through the ministries we support.
“Share your bread with the hungry.”
Our partnership with the Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry directly meets urgent food needs for families in Lawrenceville and Dacula.
Co‑Op Weekly Volunteer Opportunities
- Monday: Sort donations; fill orders for 5–7 p.m. distribution
- Tuesday: Receive donations; sort/stock; pack Wednesday orders
- Wednesday: Food distribution 9 a.m.–noon; pantry stocking
- Thursday: Receive donations; pack Friday orders
- Friday: Food distribution 9 a.m.–noon; pantry stocking
LFCC supports the Co‑Op with food donations and a monthly $100 contribution.
“Offer your food to the hungry.”
This option reminds us that food is about community, dignity, and shared life.
Family Promise of Gwinnett
- Helps families experiencing homelessness one household at a time
- Families stay 60–90 days
- Our property hosts the Family Promise Day Center
- At Promise Haven, families share meals around a common table
- LFCC serves twice this year in partnership with New Hope Christian Church
Other Community‑Building Ministries
- YMCA Early Childhood Program meets in our building twice weekly during the school year
- Scouts use our building on Wednesday evenings
These ministries nourish minds, families, and futures.
“Loose the bonds of injustice.”
Our Honest Conversations series itself was an act of Option 3—naming barriers, exploring solutions, and imagining new possibilities.
Ideas our group identified for future consideration:
- A Little Free Food Pantry on our property
- Offering our building for education or community services
- Continuing strong support for the co‑op, Family Promise, YMCA, Scouts, and Compassionate Friends
- Collecting snacks for local schools
- Beginning with special promotions for the co‑op as a realistic first step
These are not commitments—just faithful possibilities.
Thank you, church, for the thoughtful, prayerful, and faithful way you engaged in our Honest Conversations—through your Sunday school reflections, your worship participation, and the care you brought to every discussion.
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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 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
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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THANK YOU!Many thanks to Pamela Evatt-Machado, who has played the piano for the last two Sundays in Kim’s absence. We appreciate you, Pamela!
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN JULY
Sunday, July 12
No choir practice
No Sunday school
11 am: Worship
6 pm: Leadership Council on Zoom
Tuesday, July 14
1 pm: Disciples Women meeting at the church
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: Marilyn Parks
Communion Meditation: Connie Thompson
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 12 AND JULY 19
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 12, 2026
- Genesis 25:19-34
- Psalm 119:105-112
- Isaiah 55:10-13
- Psalm 65:(1-8), 9-13
- Romans 8:1-11
- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
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
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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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LAWRENCEVILLE CO-OP NEEDS NEW ROOFThank you for your support of the Lawrenceville Co-op as they feed our neighbors in Lawrenceville and Dacula. The co-op has raised $100,000 toward a new roof. This is great news; thanks be to God for so many generous donors. Now they need to raise an additional $130,000 over the next 6 months. You are invited to give to the “Raise the Roof” Campaign by donating on the co-op website. Please help make sure local families continue to receive the food they need, especially in times of crisis.
SUMMER FOOD NEEDSHelp feed children and families this summer! Client numbers at the co-op tend to go up in summer because families have to feed children who don’t have access to free breakfast and lunch at school. Please continue to help feed our hungry neighbors!
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.
John 1:3: “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
Celebrations
- Congratulations to Rafael Evatt-Machado and Anna, who are engaged to be married!
- Jeanie Morgan’s birthday is July 9
- Nancy Moss’s birthday is July 10
- Flo Carroll’s birthday is July 12
- Karen Jensen ‘s birthday is July 15
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 our virtual General Assembly this weekend, that it may be a time of worshipping and learning together with Disciples from around the country
- 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 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)
- 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)
- 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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