Welcome to our weekly e-gram! Read on to discover what’s happening in our church family this week and beyond.
Church News
Image: Parable of the Talents by A. N. Mironov
SERMON PREVIEW
Sermon Title: Taking Risks
Scripture: Matthew 25: 14 – 30
This Sunday, we will continue our journey through the parables in Matthew’s gospel by exploring the parable of the three slaves and the talents. In the story, the master leaves for a long trip, and puts three slaves in charge of his considerable fortune. Two of the slaves invest the money they receive and have twice as much money to give back to the master when he returns. The third slave becomes scared, and buries the money in a field to protect it. When the master returns, he praises the two slaves who invested wisely, and criticizes the one who merely protected what he was given.
This parable the last in a series that Jesus used to tell people what the coming Kingdom of God would be like, and how they should spend their time while waiting for the return of the Messiah. At its most basic, this is a story about active faith and the importance of taking risks as followers of Jesus. It’s easy to get comfortable in our faith and want everything to stay the same — but that’s not what Jesus taught. Taking appropriate risks is part of being a faithful Christian. We will explore this story and its connection to our lives in worship on Sunday. Hope you’ll join us, in person or virtually!
IMPORTANT UPDATE: TRUNK OR TREAT CANCELLED
Due to many people traveling, we have cancelled our planned Trunk or Treat for this year because we simply don’t have enough trunks. Thanks to those who were willing to support this event; we hope to hold it next year!
Any candy donated will be used at the Safe Trick or Treat event at Central Gwinnett High School on Thursday, October 29. If you would like to volunteer for Safe Trick or Treat, please reach out to Rod Baker this week; he needs to add you to the list so you can be admitted as part of our church team.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN OCTOBER
*All church team meetings take place on the LFCC Zoom link unless otherwise noted
Sunday, Oct. 25
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Thursday, Oct. 29
10:15 am: Annual apple trip
6 – 8 pm: Safe Trick or Treat at Central Gwinnett High School
REGULAR EVENTS
The following events happen at LFCC on a regular schedule. Offering our building to these groups is one way we share God’s love with our community.
YMCA Early Learning Readiness program (Monday and Wednesday mornings during the school year)
Cub Scouts (Wednesday evenings during the school year)
Compassionate Friends support group (third Thursday evenings)
October is Minister Appreciation Month in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Please take a moment this month to share your gratitude with our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales, and for our minister emeritus, Rev. Hoyt Huff!
A note, an encouraging word, a prayer – all of these are great ways to let your ministers know that you appreciate them. Ministry can be a lonely job, and letting them know they are important to you can help them feel more connected and supported.
ANNUAL APPLE TRIP
Join us on Thursday, Oct. 29 for the annual Apple Trip. We will meet at the church at 10:15 and stop at Mickey Piggs for lunch. (Bring cash for lunch if you don’t want to pay a credit card fee.) After lunch we will head to Jaemor Farms to shop for apples, other fruits, vegetables, fried pies, homemade ice cream and other specialty items. Please let Marilyn Parks or Candace Richardson know if you plan to join us for this fun event.
SIGN UP FOR HARVEST MEAL
The Disciples Women will hold their annual Harvest Meal fundraiser after worship on Sunday, November 1. If you are planning to eat with us, please sign up in the gathering space so we know how many people to prepare for. If you would like to volunteer a side or dessert for the meal, please talk to Karen Jensen or sign up in the gathering space.
FALL FESTIVAL AT OAKLAND COMMUNITY GARDEN
The Oakland Community Garden Fall Festival has been rescheduled to Saturday, November 7 from 10 am to 4 pm at the garden on the grounds of New Hope Christian Church. The festival is a free community event filled with games, food, and great treasures. The top-notch vendors will be selling unique items, most of which are handmade! To-go BBQ pork or chicken plates, with sides and a drink, will be for sale for $13.
LITTLE FOOD PANTRY NEEDS DONATIONS!
Despite losing doors during the recent storm, our Little Food Pantry is going strong. As soon as we get the doors replaced, we will continue filling it regularly. In the meantime, our supply of food donations is depleted, and we need more to restock the pantry. Please place all donations in the large blue donation bin in the gathering space. We need non-perishable, easy-open items, including:
Pull tab canned pork and beans
Pull-tab canned chicken, tuna, or Vienna sausages
Protein or granola bars
Fruit cups or applesauce cups
Shelf stable milk or juice boxes
Individual packs of peanuts or mixed nuts
Breakfast bars and snack bars
Packages of cheese or peanut butter crackers
Bottled water (especially small bottles)
Please don’t donate perishable items, food that is not in a sealed package, or anything that melts or freezes easily.
If you would like to help restock the pantry on Sunday or Friday, please reach out to Rev. Teresa or Jeanie Morgan. Thanks for your support of this outreach project.
FUN AT LET’S EAT!
This month’s Let’s Eat! took place Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Diner at Webb Gin. Everyone enjoyed good food and good conversation. Join us for the next Let’s Eat! on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at Foggy Mountain BBQ.
THIS SUNDAY’S WORSHIP LEADERS
Greeter: Lynn Lane Scripture: Julie Thompson Communion Meditation: Frank Hawkins Elders: Frank Hawkins and Marilyn Parks Deacons: Nancy Groves and Candace Richardson Communion Preparation: Marilyn Parks If you are interested in serving as a worship leader or greeter, please contact Rev. Diane or Rev. Teresa.
LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES FOR OCTOBER 25 AND NOVEMBER 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.
October 25, 2026
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
Psalm 1
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:34-46
November 1, 2026
Joshua 3:7-17
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
Micah 3:5-12
Psalm 43
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12
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
Community News
TRICK OR CAN THIS HALLOWEEN
Take Halloween to a new level this October. Work with your neighborhoods, churches, festivals, etc. to not only hand out candy to trick or treaters but collect needed food items. 2024 statistics show 1 in 5 or 20% of Georgia’s kids are food insecure. Help be a part of the solution.
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.
Colossians 4:2: “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.”
Celebrations
Rod Baker’s birthday is October 23
Clayton Moss’s birthday is October 24
Twins Eva Krahwinkel and Neva Maffett have birthdays on October 25
Weekly Prayers
For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
For our Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon
For our General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens
For the Cub Scout Pack that meets in our building on Wednesday evenings during the school year. This is a family pack that includes both boys and girls, as well as their families. To learn more, talk to Frank Hawkins or Andrew Jensen.
Immediate Needs(names in bold are newly added or updated)
Elizabeth Sloan (shoulder pain; will have MRI on Thursday)
Family and friends of Roger Groves (brother of Al Groves)
Ongoing Needs
Our country and our world
Our members and friends at home, including 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
Sharon Carter (intense skin condition)
Dorrie and Tom Toth (health issues)
Dove Gevedon (Rev. Diane’s long-time family friend; in hospice for liver failure)
If you have an update to the prayers and concerns, please let Rev. Diane know (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org).
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 emailto bothDiane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org and Teresa@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org. Please submit the complete text you want included. 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 PMto the same email addresses as above. Thank you for helping us build a vibrant, informed, and spiritually grounded community.
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!
First Christian Church of Lawrenceville (Disciples of Christ)
3495 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Church email: lgafcc@gmail.com
Church phone: (770) 963-9922
Rev. Dr. Diane Bales, Co-Minister (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org)
Rev. Teresa Bensch, Co-Minister (teresa@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org)
Kim Peeples, Music Director
J.T. Clements, Communications Coordinator
