|
Welcome to our weekly e-gram! Read on to discover what’s happening in our church family this week and beyond.
Church News
|
|
Image: Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Tree, Paul Tissot, late 1800s
SERMON PREVIEWScripture: Luke 19: 1 – 10
Sermon Title: Zacchaeus, A Son of Abraham
You may remember the story of Zacchaeus from Vacation Bible Story – the short tax collector who climbed a tree to see Jesus passing, and as a result hosted Jesus at his home. There’s even a song we used to sing: “Zacchaeus was a wee little man…”
But as we see so often in scripture, there’s more to the story of Zacchaeus. A despised tax collector, rejected by his community, received God’s salvation and responded with joy and repentance. This story is a counterpoint to Jesus’s earlier declaration that it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. As we dig into this story on Sunday, we will take a look at some challenging questions about how we see and judge other people, and how God’s grace works in surprising ways. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.
|
|
|
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVEDid you know November is National Diabetes Awareness Month? To help empower and educate our blood donors, in November, successful blood donations will get free A1C testing (one test result per donor in a 12-month period). If you give blood Nov.10, you will automatically receive $30 in e-gift cards to a merchant of your choice, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards!
The Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at the church on Monday, Nov. 10 from 2:30 – 6:30 pm. You can sign up to donate at the Red Cross website. We also need help serving snacks at the canteen. Talk to Rod Baker if you can help out.
|
|
|
ADVENT BIBLE STUDYThis Advent, we will hold a Bible Study on Zoom each Wednesday from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. We will use a curriculum that explores the names for Jesus from The Messiah, written by American theologian Walter Brueggemann. The Bible study sessions will be held on November 26, December 3, December 10, and December 17. Join us for any or all sessions as your schedule allows.
We will have packets of Bible study materials in the gathering space to pick up starting this Sunday, Nov. 9. If you would rather have an electronic copy, please email Rev. Diane or Rev. Teresa and we will send it to you.
|
|
|
HANGING OF THE GREENS ON NOV. 30On Sunday, November 30, we will celebrate the first Sunday of Advent with a Hanging of the Greens Service. During this special service, we will hear more about the meaning of different decorations in our sanctuary as we place the final decorations during worship. We need volunteers to help carry in and set up specific decorations that morning. If you are willing to help out, please talk to Rev. Diane.
We will prepare the sanctuary for Hanging of the Greens after worship on Sunday, November 23. Many hands are needed to help decorate the Chrismon tree, set up the Advent wreath and nativity scene, place the poinsettias, and more. Please plan to stay after worship that Sunday to help us prepare.
|
|
|
HARVEST MEAL THANKSThanks to all who provided food, helped with set-up and clean-up, and made donations to support the Harvest Meal last week. Your support means a lot to the Disciples Women!
|
|
|
CUB SCOUT POPCORNThanks to everyone who supported the cub scout popcorn sale last Sunday. It’s not too late to buy popcorn to support the cub scout pack that meets at our church. Talk to Frank Hawkins if you’re interested.
|
|
|
SAVE THE DATE: LIVE NATIVITYThe Live Nativity will be held at the church on Sunday, December 21. Save the date and plan to join us for this special event. If you would like to participate or help out behind the scenes, please reach out to Beth Thompson or Kim Peeples.
|
|
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS IN NOVEMBER
Sunday, Nov. 9
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
6 pm: Board Meeting on Zoom
Monday, Nov. 10
6:30 pm: Outreach Team on Zoom
Tuesday, Nov. 11
1 pm: Disciples Women meeting at the church
Sunday, Nov. 16
Thanksgiving Special Offering
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Monday, Nov. 17
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities Team on Zoom
Tuesday, Nov. 18
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at BiBa’s Italian Restaurant
Sunday, Nov. 23
Thanksgiving Special Offering
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Decorating the church for Advent
Wednesday, Nov. 26
6:30 pm: Advent Bible Study on Zoom
Sunday, Nov. 30
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship – Hanging of the Greens
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.
|
|
|
|
THIS SUNDAY’S WORSHIP LEADERS
Greeter: Candace Richardson
Scripture: Beth Thompson
Communion Meditation: Kim Peeples
Elders: Anna Harrison and Karen Jensen
Deacons: Elizabeth Anders and JT Clements
Communion Preparation: Elizabeth McElhanon
If you are interested in serving as a worship leader or greeter, please contact Rev. Diane or Rev. Teresa.
|
|
|
|
E-GRAM AND ANNOUNCEMENT GUIDELINES
Each week, our e-gram newsletter helps us stay connected, informed, and inspired. We welcome e-gram article submissions up to four weeks in advance. Please send your 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.
Announcements shared during worship are drawn primarily from the e-gram. If you have a time-sensitive update or urgent prayer request to share, 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.
|
|
|
|
LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES FOR NOVEMBER 9 AND NOVEMBER 16
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.
November 9, 2025
- Haggai 2:1-2:9
- Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21
- Psalm 98
- Job 19:23-27a
- Psalm 17:1-9
- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
- Luke 20:27-38
November 16, 2025
- Isaiah 65:17-25
- Isaiah 12
- Malachi 4:1-2a
- Psalm 98
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
- Luke 21:5-19
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
SUPPORT THE LAWRENCEVILLE CO-OPThank you for your support of the Lawrenceville Co-op as they feed our neighbors in Lawrenceville and Dacula. This October, help the co-op “leaf hunger behind!” Fall is upon us, but our food needs are climbing! Can you help by picking up an extra item or two at the grocery store? The co-op truly appreciates anything you can donate.
This November, Chick Fil A in Lawrenceville is supporting the co-op with a food drive and a percentage day. Here are the details:
- From November 10 – 15, bring 3 non-perishable items to the Pike Street or Sugarloaf/Hwy 316 location and receive a coupon for a free food item
- On November 14, order from the CFA app at either of the above locations. Put “Hunger” in the Community Cares event app code and the co-op will receive 10% back.
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Shelf stable milk
- Applesauce
- Canned tuna/chicken
- Soup/stews
- Canned fruit
- 12 count or 18 count egg cartons
Most Needed Personal Care Items
- Size 4 and up diapers
- Feminine pads
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden.”
Celebrations
- MeredithWestbrook’s birthday is November 7
- Matt McElhanon’s birthday is November 11
- Malachi Williams’s birthday is November 12
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For our general and regional church, and for our new Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon
- For our upcoming Advent worship services and Bible study
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Bill Carter (hospitalized)
- Eva Krahwinkel and Neva Maffett (transitions and health concerns)
- Maggie Harrison Copeland (Anna Harrison’s sister-in-law)
- Toby Severt (Anna Harrison’s daughter’s boyfriend)
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
- Nancy Welty (health concerns)
- McKenzie Harper (Elizabeth Sloane’s daughter; recovering from surgery)
- Nancy Moss (cancer; requests prayers)
- Suzy Santoro (Anna Harrison’s daughter)
If you have an update to the prayers and concerns, please let Rev. Diane know (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org).
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
