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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: Dove of the Holy Spirit by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, St. Peter’s Basilica
SERMON PREVIEW
Scripture: John 14:15-21
Message: A Community of Hope
This Sunday, we continue our Easter journey with a passage spoken in one of the most tender and uncertain moments of Jesus’ ministry. In John 14, Jesus prepares his disciples for life in a world shaped by fear and domination, and he promises them the gift they will need most: the Spirit who will dwell within them and lead them into the truth of God’s love.
In a time when it is difficult to see clearly and even harder to love courageously, Jesus invites us to imagine a different kind of power, one rooted in compassion, mutual care, and the well‑being of all people. Through The Spirit, this way of love, becomes contagious, and a community of hope gradually takes shape.
As we gather on Mother’s Day, we will also honor the many ways love has been nurtured, challenged, stretched, and embodied in the lives of those who mother and those who have been mothered. All are welcome to join us as we explore how the Spirit continues to form us into a people of hope. We look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday, in person or online.
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STARTING MAY 17: HONEST CONVERSATIONSThis month at LFCC, we will begin a process we are calling “Honest Conversations”, where we have the opportunity to discuss how to respond to challenging issues in our world, through the lens of followers of Christ. We will begin with a sermon framing the issue on Sunday, May 17, followed by 4 weeks of discussion during the Sunday school hour, followed by another sermon on Sunday, June 14 to wrap up the discussion and reflect on future action steps.
This will be learning process for all of us together. We know we won’t always agree on everything, and that’s ok. Our goal in this process is to learn how to work through challenging issues with respectful dialogue, to really listen to each other, and to find core values we share as Christians. It’s an important way we will be practicing resurrection as followers of the risen Christ.
You are invited to participate in these conversations, even if you don’t usually attend Sunday school. We will begin by addressing the question, “How should we ensure that people have the food they need?” To help us plan, we would love to know who is planning to attend the Sunday school sessions. Please sign up on the sheet in the gathering space to indicate what dates you will attend.
We will use an issue brief from the National Issues Forum Institute called “Land of Plenty” to help us discuss the issue. If you would like to take a look at it in advance, you can find it at https://nifi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NIF-Land-of-Plenty.pdf. Copies of the issue brief will be available in the gathering space starting Sunday, May 10.
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Image: Hugh Yoon and his family
CELEBRATING 2026 GRADUATES
Congratulations to our 2026 graduates!
- Hugh Yoon is graduating from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science
- Taylor Harper, Elizabeth Sloan’s daughter, is graduating from Fayette County High School and will attend Georgia Southern University in the fall
- Taylor Harrison, Anna Harrison’s granddaughter, is graduating from Grayson High School and will attend Augusta University School of Nursing in the fall
- Jillian Morgan, Jeanie Morgan’s granddaughter, is graduating from North Carolina State University with a Master’s in Accounting
- Keeley Puckett is graduating from Parkview High School and will attend the University of North Georgia in the fall
We celebrate with each them and their families, and we send them out with love. May they know that they are deeply loved by God, and that they always have a church family cheering them on here.
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BOOK DRIVE FOR YMCA PROGRAMOver the next two Sundays (May 10 and 17), we will collect money for our annual book drive for the YMCA Early Learning Readiness Program. The program provides a high-quality dual-language learning and play experience for young children and caregivers in predominantly Spanish-speaking families. Our church is a site for this metro area program, which is free to all participants.
Our book drive will provide 45 dual-language books that the YMCA teachers have selected. Each child graduating from the program at our church will receive a book. The remaining books will be used in the program next year. Books will be displayed in the gathering space on Sunday, May 10.
The average cost is around $7.00 per book. Our target fundraising goal for the books is $315. You can donate by placing a check in the offering plate, donating on the church website, or putting cash in an envelope in the basket on the display table. Be sure to designate gifts to the YMCA book drive, and include your name so your gift can be added to your giving statement. Thanks for supporting our YMCA families!
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RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE ON MAY 11 The countdown is on for the First Christian Church Blood Drive on Monday, May 11 from 2:30 – 6:30pm. Donations are down, and blood is needed for emergencies and lifesaving care. Make your appointment today, and receive a $20 Amazon gift card! To schedule your appointment to donate, go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code fccl. Please eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to your donation.
We also need volunteers to host the canteen at the blood drive. Let Rod Baker know if you can help.
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DISCIPLES WOMEN SPRING LUNCHEONThe women of New Hope Christian Church have invited women from LFCC to their spring luncheon. It will be at New Hope CC on Saturday, May 16, at 11:00. If you would like to attend, please let Karen Jensen know.
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CAMP CHRISTIAN REGISTRATION: MAY 15 DEADLINERegistration 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. The deadline for registration is May 15.
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TONTO CELEBRATES CINCO DE MAYOThe TONTO group met on May 5 at the church for food, fellowship, Bible study, and a celebration of cinco de mayo.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN MAY
Sunday, May 10
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship – Mother’s Day
Monday, May 11
6:30 pm: Outreach team
Tuesday, May 12
1 pm: Disciples Women meeting at the church
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at Los Hermanos (4955 Sugarloaf Parkway)
Sunday, May 17
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship – Honest Conversations sermon
6 pm: Board meeting
Monday, May 18
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities team
Sunday, May 24
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school – Honest Conversations
11 am: Worship
Sunday, May 31
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school – Honest Conversations
11 am: Worship – Fifth Sunday
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: Karen Jensen
Scripture: Anna Harrison
Communion Meditation: Anna Harrison
Elders: Hoyt Huff and Jimmy Peeples
Deacons: Sanford Thompson and Jeanie Morgan
Communion Preparation: Libby Ballew
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 MAY 10 AND MAY 17
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.
May 10, 2026 (Sixth Sunday of Easter)
- Acts 17:22-31
- Psalm 66:8-20
- 1 Peter 3:13-22
- John 14:15-21
May 17, 2026 (Ascension Sunday)
- Acts 1:1-11
- Psalm 47
- Psalm 93
- Ephesians 1:15-23
- Luke 24:44-53
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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 co-op reports that food donations have been down about 25% over the last few months. When summer starts, more people rely on the co-op for food because children no longer have access to free breakfast and lunch at school. Please help the co-op feed our hungry neighbors! Over the past month, LFCC donated 222 pounds of food to the co-op.
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Cereal
- Snacks for summer lunch
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Corn
- Peanut butter
- Rice
- Macaroni and cheese
- 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.
Ephesians 5:20: “Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Celebrations
- Congratulations to all of our 2026 graduates!
- Lynn Lane’s birthday was May 5
- Kayla Lee’s birthday is May 13
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For our Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon
- For our upcoming Honest Conversations sermon and discussion series, that it may help us talk and listen to each other more fully
- 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)
- Frances Shumake (long-time Georgia Disciple, moved to assisted living)
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
- Hugh Cook (Lynn Lane’s brother, cancer treatment)
- Family and friends of Evelyn Detten (cousin of Debbie Huff)
- Dorrie and Tom Toth and family (health and family issues)
- Neva Maffett (Eva Krahwinkel’s twin sister; health challenges)
- Ada Mullinax (health challenges)
- Nancy Welty (health challenges)
- 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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