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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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SUNDAY PREVIEW: WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH
Sermon Title: Life Happens
Scripture: Mark 13: 1-8
In our scripture this week, Jesus once again reminds his disciples of his imminent death and suffering. The disciples comment on the temple, the great building, and Jesus again reminds them that “not one stone will be left here upon another, all will be thrown down.” Life happens to us all and fear of what is to come may overwhelm us and stop us in our tracks. Join us Sunday as we hear about God’s grace and love in times of worry, fear and sorrow. See you Sunday, in person or online.
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ADVENT COMING SOON!Sunday, December 1 begins the season of Advent, when we prepare for the arrival of the Christ child. Plan to join us for some special activities during this season:
- Decorating for Advent: We will decorate the church for Advent after worship on Sunday, November 24. We need lots of hands to help out!
- Advent Devotional: Copies of the 2024 Advent devotional, Daring to Connect, will also be available to pick up in the gathering space starting this Sunday. Please take a copy to use in your personal devotions during this Advent season.
- Advent Bible Study on Wednesdays: We will hold a 4-week Advent Bible study on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm, beginning November 27 and ending December 18. All sessions will take place on Zoom. You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you choose. The curriculum is “Peace, Justice, Joy, and Salvation.” We will have packets of Advent Bible study readings available to pick up in the gathering space starting this Sunday.
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ADVENT SERIES FOR ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOLThe adult Sunday school class will begin a new series during the advent season. We will explore some extraordinary people of the Christmas story that are often left out. The series includes a copy of the book by Rachel Billsups, and we will utilize weekly DVD sessions with the author. Books are available for $12. Please see Rev. Teresa if you’d like to join the class. The class begins on December 1st.
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ANGEL TREE GIFT CARD DONATIONS
Once again LFCC will be supporting Cedar Hill Elementary School’s Angel Tree this holiday season. We will be collecting $25 Target or Walmart gift cards. CHES likes these two stores because it gives the families the option of buying groceries, clothes or toys. In 2022, LFCC was recognized as providing the largest one-time donation from a community organization to CHES. We had similar numbers in 2023. Let’s do it again in 2024!
Please bring your cards any Sunday between Nov. 17 and Dec. 8. Cards will be delivered to CHES the week of Dec 9th. Cards can be given to Rod B, Beth T, Diane B, or Teresa B.
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VOLUNTEER TO BE IN OR HELP WITH THE LIVE NATIVITY THIS YEAR!
We are recruiting volunteers for our Live Nativity, which will be held on Sunday evening, December 15. If you would like to be in the Nativity or be a volunteer behind the scenes, please see Beth Thompson at church on Sunday or email or phone her. It takes all of us to make this happen, so join us! Family members, neighbors, and friends are welcome to help also.
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BUILDING ALARM ACTIVE AGAIN
Now that the construction process is complete, we are once again setting the building alarm. Please be sure to come in through the door by the church office if you are entering the building during the week!
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CWF/DISCIPLES WOMEN CHRISTMAS LUNCHEONAll women from the church are invited to the CWF/DWF Christmas Luncheon on Tuesday, December 3 at 11:30. Connie Worrel and Rev. Teresa Bensch are hosting at their home. Please let Connie, Teresa or Karen know if you plan on attending. Teresa and Connie will provide the meat and drinks. Let Karen know which side dish you can bring. At this point, women have offered to bring these dishes: sweet potatoes , green beans, macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs and dessert. If you would like to carpool, meet at the church at 10:45 and Marilyn can drive you to the luncheon. Please let her know if you plan to join the carpool.
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TRANSPORTATION NEEDED
We are looking for transportation for a member of Sandy Springs Christian Church who has relocated to A retirement facility off Club Drive and would like to attend LFCC. Please talk to Rev. Teresa if you could help with transportation.
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HELP MAINTAIN THE PRAYER GARDENThanks to those who have continued their hard work in the prayer garden, and espeically to Jeanie Morgan and Dennis Higdon for showing up and removing ivy so regularly. If you have even an hour to spare, on any day of the week, the prayer garden can use you. Reach out to Jeanie for more information on what needs to be done, or just show up and pull ivy when you have time. We appreciate the hard work of all those helping to keep the prayer garden beautiful.
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NEW ADDRESS FOR EVA KRAHWINKELEva Krahwinkel has moved. Her new address is
948 Wayne Drive
Snellville, GA 30078
I’m sure Eva would love to receive a note or card from you when you get a chance.
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DONATE TO HURRICANE RELIEF
Hurricanes Helene and Milton have devastated parts of Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and western North Carolina over the past few weeks. If you want to help with hurricane recovery, donations to Week of Compassion will help with both immediate and long-term recovery. You can donate online at https://www.weekofcompassion.org/give.html. Designate your gift for Hurricane 2024 to ensure that it helps with hurricane recovery. Learn more about Week of Compassion’s relief work in the areas affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton on the Week of Compassion website.
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OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN OUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
From time to time, people on our church community embark on new adventures. We share some of their excitement in these new projects, and include them in our ongoing prayers. If you would like to participate in Flo’s grand opening or support Hugh’s mission trip, I’m sure they would love your support. (As always, donating and supporting the projects of individuals in our church is completely optional.)
Hugh Yoon Going on Mission Trip
Hugh Yoon, son of Rev. Peter Yoon (who leads Story Forest Christian Church on Sunday afternoons in our sanctuary) is going on a mission trip to Honduras with Global Medical Missions Alliance (GMMA), where he and about 30 other Georgia Tech students will work to meet the needs of local communities, offer physical support, and share the living testimony of Jesus Christ. If you would like to support Hugh, please surround him with prayers, especially between December 14 and 21 when he is in Honduras. If you would like to support his trip financially, you can make a gift online at https://gofund.me/2ba9c2b8 or bring a check to the church and we will make sure it gets to Hugh. Thanks for your prayers and support!
Flo Carroll’s New Business Grand Opening
Flo Carroll is opening a new fitness studio and merchandise store, dedicated to the memory of her mother, as a tribute to her and a testament to love and perseverance. Flo has shared the following information: “We are thrilled to invite you to the Grand Opening of our Customized Fitness Merch Store on November 15, 2024, at 7:00 PM EST via the FMI Zoom Platform. Thank you to everyone who has confirmed their attendance. If you haven’t yet, there’s still time! Join us for a chance to win one of 5 exciting prizes valued up to $450. Remember, you must be present to qualify. For details and to confirm your spot, please reach out to me at flavonsd2013@gmail.com or text 331.575.3053. The meeting ID and passcode will be shared once you say, Yes, I will attend.”
Ashlei Ly’s Performing Arts Trip
Ashlei Ly, daughter of scoutmaster Thinh Ly, whose cub scout pack meets in our church every week, is fundraising for her performing arts trip to Disney World in March 2025. If you would like to support her trip, you can donate at https://aplustours.groupcollect.com/v2/fundraiser/Bpqim5jB3XPNy89GjMjNzL.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN NOVEMBER
Thursday, November 14
6:30 pm: Worship Team meeting on Zoom
Sunday, November 17
8:45 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Tuesday, November 19
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at Red Robin
Sunday, November 24
8:45 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Decorating the church for Advent and Christmas
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: Beth Thompson
Communion Meditation: Frank Hawkins
Elders: Beth Thompson and Patricia Taylor
Deacons: Elizabeth Anders and JT Clements
Communion Preparation: Lynn Lane
*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 DEADLINE
Thanks for all your contributions to the e-gram. Please email any information for next week’s e-gram to Rev. Diane (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org) no later than Tuesday at 5 pm. If at all possible, please send e-gram information by email rather than text; it may get lost in incoming text messages.
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LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES FOR NOV. 17 AND NOV. 24
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.
Sunday, November 17
- 1 Samuel 1:4-20
- 1 Samuel 2:1-10
- Daniel 12:1-3
- Psalm 16
- Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25
- Mark 13:1-8
Sunday, November 24
- 2 Samuel 23:1-7
- Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18)
- Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
- Psalm 93
- Revelation 1:4b-8
- John 18:33-37
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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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SUPPORT THE CO-OP AND GET FREE CHICK-FIL-AChick-Fil-A on Pike Street is once again making us a Community Care Partner. From November 1 – 15, bring 3 cans of food and get a free chicken sandwich. Order your meal from the Chick Fil A app and select that you want to help, and CFA will donate a portion of your order to help the Co-Op. Spread the word!
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THE LAWRENCEVILLE CO-OP NEEDS GREEN BEANS!As always, the Lawrenceville Co-op needs our donations of money, food items, and personal care items to help those in need in Dacula and Lawrenceville. In an effort to fill their empty shelves, they have asked supporting churches to collect a specific item. LFCC’s job is to bring canned green beans to restock the food pantry. Thank you for your generous donations that help keep this vital ministry running.
Most Needed Food Items
- Snacks – Protein bars, granola bars, Cheese and crackers, Peanut butter and crackers
- Canned beans
- Rice
- Mac & cheese
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Peanut butter & jelly
- Canned tuna and chicken
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Canned soup
- Cereal
Most Needed Personal Care Items
- Size 3 and up diapers
- Feminine pads
- Adult diapers size S-XL
- Laundry pods
- Toiletry items
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DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
REGIONAL AND GENERAL CHURCH NEWSKeep 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.
Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and falI short of God’s glory.”
Celebrations
- Congratulations to Kameron Carter on the recent birth of her daughter, Kamille Ivy. Congratulations also to big brother Keegan and to grandparents Bruce and Karla Johnson are proud grandparent. We welcome this precious new child of God!
- Congratulations to Maggie Westbrook, who has been selected for the honor chorus at B. B. Harris Elementary School
- Congratulations to Matt Britt, who graduated from Gwinnett Technical College with honors this past summer
- Dorrie Toth’s birthday is November 18
- Bill Phyfer’s birthday is November 18
- Don and Meredith (McElhanon) Bell’s anniversary is November 14
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For those who have agreed to be church officers next year
- For the Regional Minister Search Committee and their prayerful work
- For the upcoming Advent season in the life of our congregation
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Dennis Higdon (skin treatment)
- Kerry Bensch (test this week)
- Suzy Santoro (Anna Harrison’s daughter, health concerns)
- All those dealing with the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton
- Week of Compassion staff, who are supporting hurricane recovery on behalf of the Disciples denomination
Ongoing Needs
- Our country and our world
- Our members and friends at home, including Odessa Adams, Gen Ashby, Barbara Bagwell, David Chamberlain, Bessie Kirby, Bill Phyfer, Bob Powell, and Patricia Saturday
- Our family and friends with ongoing health challenges
- Students/teachers/administration of Gwinnett County Public Schools and Winder-Barrow Public School
- Faculty, staff, and students at Apalachee High School
- Karen Jensen (recovery from broken ankle) and Andrew Jensen (caring for Karen during her recovery)
- Dorrie Toth and Tom Toth (recovering from surgery)
- Connie Thompson (Rod Baker’s sister in Nebraska, recovering from knee surgery)
- Ada Mullinax (dealing with health challenges and upcoming medical tests)
- Eva Krahwinkel and Neva Maffett
- Larry Roberts (brother-in-law of Kim Peeples, Sanford Thompson, and Marilyn Parks)
- Rev. Theresa Bailey (LFCC supply preacher in 2023; multiple health concerns)
- Brenda Sizemore (widow of Disciples minister Rev. Roger Sizemore; health concerns)
- Linda Kellman and Ann Kellman (Ada Mullinax’s sister and sister-in-law)
- Chris Klimshuk and her sister Veronica (Veronica is recovering from heart surgery)
- David Chamberlain (long-term hospital stay)
- Grace Aguwa
- Peg Morgan
- Carrie Toth (Dorrie Toth’s daughter)
- Sue Ragsdale (Jeanie Morgan’s friend)
- Connie Worrel’s sister Pat
- Jeanie Morgan’s sister, Judy
- Rev. Peggy Edge (Anna Harrison’s sister)
- Sadie Severt (Harrison family friend)
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 be in prayer for the church and everyone in it, that we continue to do what the Lord has called us to do. God bless you all!
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