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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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Image: “Jesus healing blind Bartimaeus,” Johann Heinrich Stöver, 1861. St John’s Church, Erbach, Rheingau, Hesse, Germany
SUNDAY PREVIEW: BARTIMAEUS
Sermon Title: Your Faith Has Made You Well
Scripture: Mark 10: 46-52
As Jesus and his disciples traveled through Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus called out to Jesus. The crowd tried to silence him, but he persisted. When Jesus asked what he wanted, Bartimaeus asked to see again. Jesus told him, “Your faith has made you well,” and Bartimaeus, no longer blind, left everything to follow Jesus to Jerusalem. This blind man understood who Jesus was, even when his own disciples did not. Join us Sunday as we continue our discussion of Mark’s gospel and the rewards of true faith. See you Sunday, in person or online!
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TRUNK OR TREAT IS THIS SUNDAY!This coming Sunday, October 27, we will host our annual Trunk or Treat celebration for the community. We need lots of volunteers to make this event successful. Here’s how you can help:
- Volunteer your trunk. We still need several more trunks (and people) to hand out candy. You’re encouraged to wear a costume and decorate your trunk in a fun theme. A sign-up sheet will be at the church this Sunday.
- Donate candy. Even if you can’t be at Trunk or Treat, we would love donations of individually wrapped candy. Bring all candy donations to the church by Sunday morning, October 27.
- Help publicize. Spread the word to everyone you know. Grab a few cards at church on Sunday and hand them out. Call or text people you know with kids and invite them to come. Share information on your social media.
- Pray. We need people to pray for the success of this event, and for the safety and fun of all those involved. Please include Trunk or Treat in your prayers, especially on Sunday, October 27.
We had more than 100 kids (and their families) at Trunk or Treat last year; let’s make this year’s event even bigger! Thanks for your help and support.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SAFE TRICK OR TREAT
The annual Safe Trick or Treat will take place at Central Gwinnett High School on Tuesday, October 29 from 6 – 8 pm. LFCC will have a table to hand out candy, and we need volunteers to help. Rod Baker and Andrew Jensen are planning to be there; please reach out to Rod (rbaker1023@gmail.com) if you can be there to help. Costumes encouraged but not required!
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JOIN THE ANNUAL APPLE TRIPThe annual apple trip is planned for this Thursday, October 24. We will meet at the church at 10 AM and leave between 10:15 and 10:30. We will travel I-985 to Mickey Pigg’s BBQ in Alto, GA. We will eat lunch there and then travel to Jaemor Farms to check out the apples, vegetables, ice cream, etc. Hoyt and Marilyn will drive and can carry 8 additional people. If you want to drive yourself, that would also be great. It’s a fun time of fellowship open to anyone who wants to come; we would love to have you join us. Contact Mary Jo Alvord or Marilyn Parks to let us know if you plan to meet us at the church.
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SPECIAL WORSHIP AND HARVEST MEAL ON NOVEMBER 3!Sunday, November 3 is a special service for Lawrenceville First Christian Church. We will celebrate the installation of settled co-ministers Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales. We will also mark All Saints Sunday, when we will remember four members of our congregation who have joined the great cloud of witnesses in the past year (Nettie Patterson, Lorena Patterson, Martha Erb, and Wes Morgan). Interim Regional Minister Rev. Joan Bell-Haynes will bring us the morning message and will install Teresa and Diane. We will have several guests in worship that Sunday, and we hope you will plan to be there!
After worship, the CWF/DWF will hold their annual Harvesl Meal fundraiser. We look forward to seeing everyone. We still need some side dishes and pies. Please sign up Sunday or let Marilyn or Karen know what you plan to bring. We will meet at 5pm on Nov. 2 to set up for the meal. If you can help with set up, please let us know. We also need help on Sunday morning with receiving food and with clean up after the meal. Thanks for your willingness to help and support the CWF/DWF.
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TIME TO REGISTER FOR YOUTH ASSEMBLYAll youth are invited to join us for an inspiring 2025 Regional Youth Assembly at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island, Georgia, from January 31 to February 2. This assembly is an incredible opportunity for the youth of the Christian Church (DOC) in Georgia to come together for fellowship, worship, and personal growth. Don’t miss out on this chance to deepen your faith and build lasting connections!
Registration for youth assembly is now open at https://www.gadisciples.org/events/2025-regional-youth-assembly. The early registration deadline is November 1. The church will pay half of the fee for youth who are part of our congregation. Please let Rev. Diane know if you plan to attend.
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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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THANKS FOR REFRIGERATOR DONATIONS
The new refrigerator has been delivered and installed in the kitchen. Thanks to all those who donated to help purchase it.
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PRAYER GARDEN WORK DAYS CONTINUECalling all gardeners! Work to clear the ivy from the prayer garden will continue this Saturday morning. Thanks to all those who have helped out the past two weeks, including Dennis, Frank, and Tadd. Jeanie Morgan is planning to be there again this Saturday morning, but she can’t do it all alone — she definitely needs help to get the work done. All volunteers will be greatly appreciated. If you can help out, for an hour or the whole morning, we need you! Please bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated. Reach out to Jeanie if you have questions or need more information.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN OCTOBER
Thursday, October 24
10 am: Apple trip
Saturday, October 26
8 am: Prayer garden work day
Sunday, October 27
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
4:30 – 6 pm: Trunk or Treat in the church parking lot
Tuesday, October 29
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: Candace Richardson
Scripture: Jeanie Morgan
Communion Meditation: Beth Thompson
Elders: Tadd Huff and Elizabeth McElhanon
Deacons: Dennis Higdon and Jeanie Morgan
Communion Preparation: Elizabeth McElhanon
*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 OCT. 27 AND NOV. 3
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, October 27
- Job 42:1-6, 10-17
- Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22)
- Jeremiah 31:7-9
- Psalm 126
- Hebrews 7:23-28
- Mark 10:46-52
Sunday, November 3
- Ruth 1:1-18
- Psalm 146
- Deuteronomy 6:1-9
- Psalm 119:1-8
- Hebrews 9:11-14
- Mark 12:28-34
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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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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
- Canned pasta
- 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, payse 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.
II Corinthians 4:7: “We have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.”
Celebrations
- Congratulations to Sanford and Julie Thompson’s grandsons, Brooks and KJ, who had outstanding performances in recent college games
- Rod Baker’s birthday is TODAY (Wednesday, October 23)
- Clayton Moss’s birthday is Thursday, October 24
- Eva Krahwinkel and Neva Maffett have birthdays on Friday, October 25
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For a safe and successful Trunk or Treat this Sunday
- For the Regional Minister Search Committee and their prayerful work
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- 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
- Rev. Teresa Bensch (recovering after redo of left knee replacement)
- 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)
- Suzy Santoro (Anna Harrison’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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