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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 Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. Basilica di Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo. Ravenna, Italy. 6th century
SERMON PREVIEW: HONEST CONVERSATIONS
Sermon Title: A New Passover
Scripture: Mark 6: 30 – 40
This week we’ll gather around Mark 6: 30–40, Mark’s brief but powerful introduction to the feeding of the five thousand. Unlike the other gospels, Mark begins with weary disciples returning from mission and a tired Jesus seeking rest. Yet when the crowd arrives, Jesus is “moved with compassion”, not just to feel something, but to do something.
As Barbara Brown Taylor reminds us, “Jesus doesn’t just feel compassion; he does compassion.” Mark shows us a Savior whose compassion organizes people, gathers them, teaches them, and prepares them to share in the work of feeding one another. It’s a story about abundance, yes, but also about partnership, shared responsibility, and the miracle that happens when everyone brings what they have.
This connects beautifully with our Land of Plenty journey, where we imagine ministry that grows through collaboration with our neighbors and community partners. Mark’s telling reminds us that God’s abundance often emerges through many hands working together.
Join us this Sunday as we explore how Mark’s vision of compassion can shape our life together and how God continues to multiply what we offer when we offer it in community. We look forward to worshiping with you. Hope you will join us, in person on online!
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CONTINUING THIS SUNDAY: “HONEST CONVERSATIONS” DISCUSSIONOver the next several weeks, we will continue addressing the question, “How should we ensure that people have the food they need?” in a process called “Honest Conversations.” We have shared our own stories and have talked about the pros and cons of improving access to nutritious food. This week, we will look at a second option, paying more attention to the multiple benefits of food. We will continue our discussion during Sunday school for the next several Sundays (through June 28). The issue brief we are using, called “Land of Plenty,” is available in the gathering space on Sunday morning, or you can download it at https://nifi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NIF-Land-of-Plenty.pdf.
We need everyone’s voices as part of this discussion! You are invited to participate, even if you don’t usually attend Sunday school (and even if you have not been present for the first two weeks of discussion). We look forward to sharing this important discussion with you.
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HEADS UP: NO LIVE STREAM ON JUNE 28Just a heads-up: the worship service on Sunday, June 28 will not be live-streamed. Please plan to join us for in-person worship that day.
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CAMP PRAYER LISTWe have a large group of campers, CITs, counselors, and directors going to camp this summer. You have opportunities to send cards and notes to campers, counselors, and directors at each week of camp. Information and blank cards on the gathering space table beginning this Sunday. Please leave your notes in the envelope for the specific camp session.
This Week’s Camp: Chi Rho
Please pray for those from our church who are at Chi Rho camp this week:
- Cam Gibson
- Harley McElhanon
- Maggie Westbrook
- Elizabeth Anders (Co-director)
- Bryant Gibson (Co-director)
- Riley Ballew (Counselor)
- Ryan Chimera (Counselor)
Next Week: Junior, Chrysalis, and Genesis Camps
Next week, our younger kids will go to camp. Please pray for Junior camp attendees Drew McElhanon, Martha Westbrook, and Molly Ballew (counselor)’ Chrysalis camp attendees Micah Baker, Fitz Puckett, Frank Hawkins (counselor), Theresa Puckett (counselor), Sophia Baker (counselor in training), and Keeley Puckett (counselor in training); and Genesis camp co-director Marilyn Parks.
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MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR HUGH COOK
We will hold a memorial service for Hugh Cook, Lynn Lane’s brother, on Sunday, June 14 at 3 pm at the church. The Congregational Care and Connect Team will sponsor a cookie reception afterward.
You can read Hugh’s obituary by searching for his name at https://www.southcare.us/obituaries. Please continue to wrap Lynn and her family in prayer during this time of grief.
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“THE GARDENER” VIRTUAL SHOWINGOn June 24 at 7 p.m., our church will participate in a nationwide “Full Bloom” virtual viewing of a new movie called The Gardener. The movie premiered in April in Atlanta and is written and directed by Dabney Day from Atlanta. Tickets for the virtual event are $12 per household. You will receive a link to the viewing when you purchase your ticket, and you can watch the movie from home. The LFCC Outreach Team will host a follow-up discussion on Thursday, June 25 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Discussion questions will be sent out in advance for those buying tickets to view the movie. Please sign up in the Gathering Area on Sunday if you plan to participate.
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POSSIBLE TRIP TO CANE RIDGEIf you are interested in making a trip to Cane Ridge (in Kentucky), please let Marilyn Parks know. The plan is to spend a night in a motel/hotel, visit Cane Ridge, and then return home. We will need drivers for transportation. If you have a preference, please let Marilyn know if you would rather go during the summer or after school starts back.
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UPDATED CHURCH DIRECTORYThe church directory has been updated. If you would like an electronic copy of the updated directory, please email Rev. Diane (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org) or Rev. Teresa (teresa@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org).
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN JUNE
Sunday, June 14
No choir practice
10 am: Sunday school – Honest Conversations
11 am: Worship
3 pm: Memorial service for Hugh Cook (Lynn Lane’s brother)
Monday, June 15
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities Team meeting on Zoom
Tuesday, June 16
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at BiBa’s Italian Restaurant (4850 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Suite 202)
Sunday, June 21
No choir practice
10 am: Sunday school – Honest Conversations
11 am: Worship
Sunday, June 28
No choir practice
10 am: Sunday school – Honest Conversations
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: Beth Thompson
Scripture: Nancy Groves
Communion Meditation: Betty Higdon
Elders: Anna Harrison and Karen Jensen
Deacons: Elizabeth Anders and JT Clements
Communion Preparation: 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.
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 JUNE 14 AND JUNE 21
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.
June 14, 2026
- Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7)
- Exodus 19:2-8a
- Psalm 100
- Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
- Romans 5:1-8
- Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)
June 21
- Genesis 21:8-21
- Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
- Jeremiah 20:7-13
- Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18
- Romans 6:1b-11
- Matthew 10:24-39
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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. Every day, their doors open to neighbors who need support, stability, and hope. But today, they’re facing a challenge that puts all of that at risk. The co-op building, the place where families receive food, care, and encouragement, needs a new roof. When it rains, the co-op staff worry. Not just about leaks, but about what could be lost: safe space, essential services, and the consistency our community depends on.
Want to be part of the solution? Join the “Raise the Roof” Campaign! The total cost of the roof is around $230,000. The co-up has been blessed with a $50,000 matching grant; their goal is to raise the $50,000 match in the next days for a total of $100,000. This isn’t just about a building. It’s about making sure families continue to receive the food they need, children and seniors have a safe place to turn, and our community always has somewhere to go in times of crisis. Go to www.lawrencevilleco-op.org and click the “Add Match” link to help the co-op continue caring for our neighbors.
SUMMER FOOD NEEDS School is out and they need your help! Food donations have been down about 25% over the last few months, and in summer client numbers typically go up as they feed more children who no longer have access to free breakfast and lunch at school. Just last week the number of people requesting food at the co-op went up around 20%. Over the past month, we donated 133 pounds of food to the co-op. Please continue to help feed our hungry neighbors!
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Instant potatoes
- Canned fruit/applesauce
- Cereal
- Snacks for summer lunch
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Corn
- Rice
- 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 1: 3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ….who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Celebrations
- David Britt’s birthday is TODAY (Wednesday, June 10)
- Rev. Peter Yoon’s birthday is June 13
- Patricia Taylor’s birthday is June 16
- Mark & Katherine Jensen’s anniversary is June 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 Honest Conversations sermon and discussion series, that it may help us better understand food security as a faith issue
- 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)
- Nancy and Jim Welty (health and family challenges)
- Sharon Carter (still suffering from intense skin condition)
- Family and friends of Hugh Cook (Lynn Lane’s brother, memorial service this Sunday)
- Rev. Molly Goodrich (Rev. Diane’s friend and former church camper, finally home from hospital after complications from surgery)
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
- Dorrie and Tom Toth and family (health and family issues)
- Neva Maffett (Eva Krahwinkel’s twin sister; health challenges)
- Patty Plaster (friend of Connie and Teresa, recovering after leg amputation due to cancer)
- 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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