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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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SERMON PREVIEWScripture: Jeremiah 31: 27-34
Sermon Title: Living the Now, Trusting the Next
Last week, we heard Jeremiah’s call to “seek the welfare of the city” — even the city of exile. We were challenged to plant gardens, build homes, and extend shalom to those we once called enemies. It was a radical invitation to live fully, even in unfamiliar soil.
This week, Jeremiah’s voice shifts from one of survival to one of promise. In chapter 31, we hear of a future where sorrow is replanted as hope, and the covenant is no longer carved in stone but written on our hearts. God speaks of restoration, of intimacy, of a relationship where each person knows divine love firsthand.
Between these two texts lies a journey — not of miles, but of trust, from settling in exile to dreaming of return, from enduring the present to embracing a future shaped by grace. Join us as we listen for the heartbeat of hope in Jeremiah’s words, and consider what it means to be a people of promise, even now. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.
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OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALKOut of the Darkness Walks take place in cities nationwide to raise awareness and funds to send the message that suicide can be prevented, and that no one is alone. The Northeast Georgia walk will take place on Sunday, October 19 at First Christian Church of Winder. Check-in begins at noon, and the walk starts at 1:30 pm. You can sign up to walk here.
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FALL APPLE TRIPEveryone is invited to join us on October 23 for the annual apple trip to Jaemor Farms. Plan to meet at the church at 10 am. We will leave at 10:15, stop for lunch at Mickey Pigg’s BBQ, and then head to Jaemor Farms for apples, fried pies, homemade goodies, and whatever else we might find. Please let Hoyt Huff or Marilyn Parks know if you plan to join us.
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SIGN UP FOR TRUNK OR TREATTrunk or Treat is coming! We will host this annual celebration on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 26 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm, with some added fun activities to engage children and families.
We need trunks and candy to make this event successful. If you’re willing to hand out candy from your trunk, please sign up in the gathering space starting this Sunday. If you would like to donate candy for the event, please bring it to the gathering space or give it to Rev. Diane or Rev. Teresa. And please invite children and families to join us for this fun event!
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PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH IN OCTOBER
In the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) October is Pastor Appreciation month. This is a time to express thanks for the service and faithfulness of our pastors. At this time we say “Thank You” to both Rev. Diane Bales and Rev. Teresa Bensch for your presence in our congregation and the ministry you provide. Send them a note of thanks this month or give them an expression of love and appreciation when you see them. Both would appreciate a doughnut or special treat sometime. What an important role they provide in the life of our congregation.
Now is a great time, also, to think of our staff that helps keep our congregation going. Kim Peeples has been our Choir Director for over 35 years. Jimmy Peeples, James Gibson, J.T. Clements keep our sound, zoom, Facebook, website, publicity and much more operating and up to date. Many thanks to all of these that play such an important part of our ministry!
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SIGN UP TO HELP WITH HARVEST MEALThe annual Harvest Meal fundraiser will be on Sunday, November 2, after church. The Disciples Women need contributions for the traditional Thanksgiving meal. Please sign up to bring your favorite Thanksgiving side dish or dessert on the sign-up sheet in the gathering area starting this Sunday, October 12. We also need help setting up, receiving food, and cleaning up after the meal. Thank you for your support of Disciples Women.
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NEW ADDRESSMaggie Bustillo has a new address in Florida. Feel free to drop her a note!
Maggie Bustillo
381 South Hollybrook Dr.
Bldg. 41 Apt. 102
Pembroke Pines, FL 33021
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NOTE OF THANKSDear Church Family,
The Thompson, Wilson, and Pusen families offer their deep appreciation for your herculean effort to bless us with a bereavement meal, right on top of blessing the Kersey family with one. We know that so many of you helped to make sure that we were well taken care of, and special thanks to the Care & Connect Team for heading up the effort. We were indeed well fed with your delicious dishes, and there was plenty to go around! Thank you all for being fabulous ministers of caring, not only through the meal, but in all of your gestures of love throughout this sad ordeal. My mother would have been delighted beyond measure to know the extent of LFCC’s thoughtfulness! She often expressed what a caring bunch you are.
With gratitude,
The families of Connie & Lee Thompson, Sandy & Dave Wilson, Mark & Jean Pusen, and of course Dad – Gene Pusen
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WORKSHOP ON CONTEMPLATION FOR OLDER ADULTSThe National Benevolent Association, the health and social services general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is hosting a series of webinars for older adults in October and November.
Enrich your spiritual life and that of others by following the contemplation resource, “Looking for God Over Your Shoulder.” It will be our guide to a different topic each week. An image, scripture verse, meditation reflection, and prayer will be shared. Then participants will be invited to explore discussion prompts. Rev. Dr. Paul Koch, Regional Minister of the Mid-America Region, has been a participant in contemplative meditation circles in earnest for a decade and will lead our discussions. He practices daily meditation either alone, with his family, or with an online community. He has written, with other Disciples, “Looking Over God’s Shoulder: A Contemplation Guide for Older Adults.”
This is a four-part webinar series taking place each Wednesday between October 29th and November 19th. Each webinar takes place at 12:00pm ET.
- Wednesday, October 29
- Wednesday, November 5
- Wednesday, November 12
- Wednesday, November 19
The webinars are free, but registration is required. If you’re interested, register here.
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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.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN OCTOBER
Thursday, Oct. 16
6:45 pm: Salt and Light Circle (youth programming) meeting
Sunday, Oct. 19
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Monday, Oct. 20
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities Team on Zoom
Tuesday, Oct. 21
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at Red Robin
Sunday, Oct. 26
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
4 pm: Trunk or Treat
Tuesday, Oct. 28
6 – 8 pm: Safe Trick or Treat at Central Gwinnett High School
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: Jeanie Morgan
Communion Meditation: Beth Thompson
Elders: Hoyt Huff and Jimmy Peeples
Deacons: Candace Richardson and Dorrie Toth
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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LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES FOR OCTOBER 19 AND OCTOBER 26
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.
October 19. 2025
- Jeremiah 31:27-34
- Psalm 119:97-104
- Genesis 32:22-31
- Psalm 121
- 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
- Luke 18:1-8
October 26, 2025
- Jeremiah 31:27-34
- Psalm 119:97-104
- Genesis 32:22-31
- Psalm 121
- 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
- Luke 18:1-8
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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 LAWRENCEVILLE CO-OPThank you for your support of the Lawrenceville Co-op as they feed our neighbors in Lawrenceville and Dacula. This October, help us “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? We appreciate anything you can donate!
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Canned tuna
- Soup/stews
- Pork and beans
- Canned fruit
- Canned chicken
- 12 count or 18 count egg cartons
Most Needed Personal Care Items
- Size 4 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.
Galatians 3:3: “Are you so irrational? After you started with the Spirit, are you now finishing up with your own human effort?”
Celebrations
- Dennis and Betty Higdon’s anniversary is Oct. 16
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For the new Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Georgia, Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon, as he begins his ministry with us on October 20
- For our upcoming Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 26; we pray all of the children and families attending are safe and enjoy themselves
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Nancy Moss (cancer; requests prayers)
- Nancy Harrison (Anna Harrison’s mother-in-law; recovering from burns)
- Family and friends of Jim McCullough (former member of LFCC who died recently)
- Jim and Nancy Welty (health concerns)
- McKenzie Harper (Elizabeth Sloane’s daughter; surgery)
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
- Neva Maffett and Eva Krahwinkel (living transitions)
- Family and friends of Mary Ann Pusen (Connie Thompson’s mother)
- Sue Ragsdale (Jeanie Morgan’s friend; recovering from serious fall)
- Greg Fowler (father-in-law of Candace Richardson’s daughter; recovering from heart attack)
- Brenda Sizemore (health issues)
- Chris Klimshuk and her sister Ronnie
- Suzy Santoro (Anna Harrison’s daughter)
- Carrie Toth (Dorrie Toth’s daughter)
- Connie Worrel’s sister Pat
- 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 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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