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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: CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
Sermon Title: Now and Not Yet
Scripture: John 18: 33-37
Did you know that this Sunday is the last Sunday of the liturgical year? We wrap up this year with Christ the King Sunday (also known as the Reign of Christ Sunday) – a time when we claim the victory of God in Jesus Christ over the powers of evil and death. The kingdom of God is truly here – and yet it’s hard some days to have “kingdom hope.” We will talk about the tension between God’s kingdom now and God’s kingdom to come, in a story that’s surprising for the end of November. (Read the scripture text if you want a preview.) See you Sunday, in person or online.
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ADVENT COMING SOON!Sunday, December 1 begins the new liturgical year and 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 this coming 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.
- Christmas Cantata: The choir will present their annual Christmas cantata during worship on Sunday, December 15.
- Live Nativity: The Live Nativity will take place Sunday evening, December 15. Please invite your friends and neighbors!
- Christmas Eve Service: Our annual Christmas Eve service will be Tuesday, December 24 at 5 pm. We will celebrate the birth of the Christ child once again!
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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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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. We especially need people to be shepherds and angels. 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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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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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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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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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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LET’S EAT! AT RED ROBIN
A large group from LFCC met at Red Robin for dinner and conversation on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The next Let’s Eat! will be Tuesday, December 17.
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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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UPCOMING EVENTS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
Sunday, November 24
8:45 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Decorating the church for Advent and Christmas
Wednesday, November 27
6:30 pm: Advent Bible study on Zoom
Sunday, December 1 – First Sunday in Advent
8:45 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Monday, December 2
6:30 pm: Congregational Care and Connect team meeting
Tuesday, December 3
11:30 am: CWF/Disciples Women Christmas lunch
Wednesday, December 4
6:30 pm: Advent Bible study on Zoom
Sunday, December 8 – Second Sunday in Advent
8:45 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Congregational meeting
Monday, December 9
6:30 pm: Outreach team meeting
Tuesday, December 10
11:30 am: TONTO Christmas lunch
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities team meeting
Wednesday, December 11
6:30 pm: Advent Bible study on Zoom
Sunday, December 15 – Third Sunday in Advent
8:45 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship (Christmas Cantata)
Evening: Live Nativity
Tuesday, December 17
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat!
Wednesday, December 18
6:30 pm: Advent Bible study on Zoom
Sunday, December 22 – Fourth Sunday in Advent
8:45 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Wednesday, December 24
5 pm: Christmas Eve service
Sunday, December 29
No Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
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: Beth Thompson
Scripture: Libby Ballew
Communion Meditation: Dorrie Toth
Elders: Beth Thompson and Patricia Taylor
Deacons: Elizabeth Anders and JT Clements
Communion Preparation: Lynn Lane
We are currently signing up worship volunteers for January – June 2024. If you are interested in serving as a worship leader or greeter, please contact Rev. Diane, Rev. Teresa, or Rev. Hoyt Huff to volunteer.
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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. 24 AND DEC. 1
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 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
Sunday, December 1
- Jeremiah 33:14-16
- Psalm 25:1-10
- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
- Luke 21:25-36
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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.
I Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on God,because he cares for you.”
Celebrations
- Odessa Adams (Anna Harrison’s mom) turned 99 on November 19
- Brian Ballew’s birthday is November 21
- Kameron Carter’s birthday is November 22
- Sanford & Julie Thompson’s anniversary is November 25
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For the upcoming Advent season in the life of our congregation
- For the Regional Minister Search Committee and their prayerful work
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Karen Ketcham and family (close friend of Jeanie Morgan, grieving the death of her daughter Amber Moody)
- Steve and Marti Franklin (cousins of Nancy Groves; Steve is receiving cancer treatment)
- Suzy Santoro (Anna Harrison’s daughter, hospitalized)
- 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
- Faculty, staff, and students at Apalachee High School
- Dorrie Toth and Tom Toth (recovering from 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)
- 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)
- 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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