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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: Scenes from the Life of Samuel, St. Martin’s Church, Dorking, Surrey
SERMON PREVIEW
Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Sermon Title: Rejoicing in What We Cannot Yet See
This Sunday, we pause in the middle of our Lenten journey for Laetare Sunday, a day whose very name means “rejoice.” In a season often marked by reflection and repentance, Laetare offers a gentle lift, an invitation to notice the quiet ways God is already at work, planting hope before we can see its full bloom.
Our scripture from 1 Samuel 16:1–13 brings us into one of those hidden moments of grace. Samuel, the son Hannah prayed for and promised back to God, is sent once again to listen for God’s surprising direction. Standing in Jesse’s home, Samuel learns that God’s choices rarely match our expectations. One by one, the older sons pass before him, each impressive in their own way, yet God says no. Instead, God chooses David, the youngest, the overlooked, the one still out tending the sheep.
In this story, we hear a deeply Lenten message. God sees what we cannot yet see. God works through the humble, the unexpected, the small beginnings. And like Samuel, we are invited to release our assumptions and open our hearts to the new thing God is quietly anointing in our midst.
Join us this Sunday as we explore this story of surprising grace and discover what it means to rejoice, even in the middle of the wilderness. All are welcome as we continue walking this Lenten path together. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.
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WEDDING SHOWER FOR KAEDEN CARTER AND KASSIDY LITCHFIELD
You are invited to a drop-in shower honoring Kaeden Carter and Kassidy Litchfield. This is a “come and stay as long as you’d like” party. Please RSVP to Karla Johnson (770-715-6079 or karlajohnson05@comcast.net) if you plan to come, so they can be sure to have enough food.
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LET’S EAT! AT RED ROBINLet’s Eat! will take place at Red Robin (1250 Scenic Hwy.) on Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30pm. It happens to be St. Patrick’s Day, and also Maddie Carter’s 21st birthday. Please let Anna Harrison (404-441-4844) know if you plan to attend by no later than 4pm that day. Come join us for good food and fellowship.
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CAMP CHRISTIAN GIVING TREEThis year, LFCC continues our tradition of supporting summer camp with donations to make sure all campers and counselors receive water bottles.
You can include your giving tree donations with your regular offering; just note the amount for the giving tree on your envelope or check memo line. We will continue collecting giving tree funds through the end of March. Thank you for supporting Camp Christian!
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FAMILY PROMISE DINNERS IN APRILLFCC will be joining with New Hope Christian Church the week of April 12 in being dinner hosts for Family Promise at their Promise Haven house. LFCC serving days will be the evenings of Monday, April 13, Wednesday, April 15, and Friday, April 17.
We need to start with identifying our main entrees. Who in the congregation has that special dish of pasta, meatloaf, casserole, etc.? If you want to make a main dish, please
reach out to Beth Thompson, Anna Harrison, or Karen Jensen to let them know what you plan to make and what date is best for you.
We want to give everyone the chance to participate. Once the main entrees are decided ,we will need volunteers to prepare sides and desserts for those days. (Note: Not everything has to be homemade.) If possible, please use disposable containers so we don’t have to worry about returning dishes.
Preferred drop off time to Promise Haven is 6:00 to 6:15 PM. Families plan to eat at 6:30.The dinner hosts are more than welcome to stay for dinner, which typically last until about 7:15.
About four days before hosting we receive an email with up-to-date info on the families that Family Promise is currently serving, including number of clients and any dietary/allergy restrictions. We will also receive details at that time about how to enter Promise Haven, including any codes you may need.
The house manager coordinates the serving of the evening meal. She is also responsible for breakfasts and lunches and may create a shopping list of items they need for the house that week.
In addition to preparing food, there are other ways to volunteer:
- Be at the church to coordinate receiving and assist/help load food for delivery.
- Help with the delivery to Promise Haven
- Go shopping for items on their shopping need list.
If you would like to help with these additional items, please reach out to Rod Baker or Beth Thompson. We will have more information in the weeks to come.
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DISCIPLES WOMEN IDEAThere has been some interest expressed in having a Disciples Women circle meet on Saturdays. If you would be interested in participating in a Saturday circle meeting, please reach out to Karen Jensen or Betty Higdon.
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REGISTER FOR REGIONAL ASSEMBLYRegistration is now open for the 172nd Regional Assembly of the Christian Church in Georgia, at Ray of Hope Christian Church, Decatur, GA on April 23-24, 2026. “Walking in CommUNITY – Arise, Awake, and Activate!!!” is the theme for the Assembly, grounded in our focal scripture from Isaiah 43:18-19a:
“Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
You will not want to miss this gathering of Georgia Disciples and special guests. Highlights include:
- Rev. Terri Hord Owens, Disciples General Minister and President, will open the Assembly on Friday, April 24, at 1 pm, as the keynote speaker.
- Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon, Georgia’s Regional Minister, will be installed and preach during Friday evening worship.
- Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, Senior Pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church, will lead Bible study on Saturday morning.
- Other Saturday events include a business session, lunch and fellowship, an all-Assembly service project, and closing ceremony.
Regional Assembly is not just for ministers. Everyone in the congregation is invited! You can learn more and register at https://www.gadisciples.org/regional-assembly-2026.
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CAMP CHRISTIAN REGISTRATION NOW OPENRegistration is now open for 2026 Summer Camp at Camp Christian Conference Center. Students from kindergarten through high school are invited to participate in our Disciples summer camp program. Camp sessions for all ages — Genesis, Chrysalis, Junior, Chi Rho, and CYF — will explore the theme of “In the Wilderness,” guiding campers to discover the sacred in each person and all creation. To learn more and register, go to https://www.gadisciples.org/summer-camp-2026.
If you are interested in working as a Counselor or Counselor in Training at one of our camps this summer, please contact Libby Ballew (campdirectors@gadisciples.org).
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN MARCH
Sunday, Mar. 15
Fourth Sunday in Lent
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Monday, Mar. 16
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities Team on Zoom
Tuesday, Mar. 17
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at Red Robin
Sunday, Mar. 22
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Campus Ministry Sunday
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Soup lunch
Thursday, Mar. 26
6:30 pm: Worship Team on Zoom
Sunday, Mar. 29
Sixth Sunday in Lent
Palm Sunday
9 am: Choir
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: Beth Thompson
Elders: Frank Hawkins and Marilyn Parks
Deacons: Riley Ballew and Tadd Huff
Communion Preparation: Marilyn Parks
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 MARCH 15 AND MARCH 22
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.
March 15, 2026 (Fourth Sunday in Lent)
- 1 Samuel 16:1-13
- Psalm 23
- Ephesians 5:8-14
- John 9:1-41
March 22, 2026 (Fifth Sunday in Lent)
- Ezekiel 37:1-14
- Psalm 130
- Romans 8:6-11
- John 11:1-45
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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 LAWRENCEVILLE CO-OPThank you for your support of the Lawrenceville Co-op as they feed our neighbors in Lawrenceville and Dacula. The time has changed and the days are longer, so the co-op is concentrating on breakfast items this March, This week they are asking for help with milk. This is one of our clients’ greatest and most expensive needs. The co-op purchases around 300 gallons of milk each week. You can help by donating money or shelf-stable milk for our homeless clients and those without refrigeration.
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Snacks, including granola bars, peanut butter crackers, individuals chips, etc. (desperate need)
- Ramen noodles
- Jelly
- Vienna sausages
- Smaller canned microwave pastas
- Canned fruit
- Applesauce
- Shelf stable milk
- Canned tuna/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.
Isaiah 41:13: “I the Lord your God will hold your right hand, saying to you, Fear not; I will help you.”
Celebrations
- McKenzie Harper’s birthday is March 15
- Maddie Carter’s birthday is March 17
- Jim and Nancy Welty’s anniversary was March 15
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For the students, faculty, and families of North Hall High School, as they struggle to cope with a prank that ended in tragedy, and as they mourn the death of a teacher.
- For peace in the world, and for those who find themselves in a place of fear because of armed conflict and political upheaval
- For our general and regional church, for our Regional Minister Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon, and for the success of this spring’s Regional Assembly
- For all of us during this season of Lent, that we may find ways to strengthen our relationship with God
- For all of us in the U. S., as we seek ways to communicate safely and effectively as we work through the issues that divide us as a country
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Mary Jo Alvord (in rehab)
- Rev. Teresa Bensch (recovering from knee replacement surgery)
- Dorrie and Tom Toth and family (health and family issues)
- Neva Maffett (Eva Krahwinkel’s twin sister; ongoing health problems)
Ongoing Needs
- Our country and our world
- Our members and friends at home, including Mary Jo Alvord, 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 (health challenges)
- Nancy Welty (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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