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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: ALL SAINTS AND CO-MINISTER INSTALLATIONSunday, 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! See you Sunday, in person or online.
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HARVEST MEAL ON NOVEMBER 3After worship this Sunday, November 3, the CWF/Disciples Women will hold their annual Harvesl Meal. We hope you are planning to attend. If you have not already let us know, please do so ASAP so we can make final preparations for seating and food. This is the main fundraiser for CWF/DW; we will receive donations in cash or a check (made out to LFCC CWF/DW). Please contact Karen Jensen or Marilyn Parks if you have questions. We are thankful for the support from all of you.
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RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
The next Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at LFCC on Monday, November 11 from 2:30 – 6:30 pm. We need volunteers to work in the canteen after donors give blood. Please reach out to Rod Baker if you can help, even for an hour. If you’d like to sign up to donate, follow the instructions on the flyer below. Thanks for your generous support of the Red Cross.
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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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SUCCESSFUL TRUNK OR TREAT!Thanks to all who volunteered your trunks, handed out candy, directed traffic, handed out church brochures, donated candy, and prayed for the success of Trunk or Treat this past Sunday. More than 285 children and families attended this year’s Trunk or Treat!
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FUN AT THE ANNUAL APPLE TRIP
A group of 8 gathered for the annual apple trip to Mickey Pigg’s BBQ and Jaemor Farms. A fun (and delicious) time was had by all!
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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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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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OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN OUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
From time to time, people on our church community embark on new adventures. We share some of their excitement in these new projects, and include them in our ongoing prayers. If you would like to participate in Flo’s grand opening or support Hugh’s mission trip, I’m sure they would love your support. (As always, donating and supporting the projects of individuals in our church is completely optional.)
Hugh Yoon Going on Mission Trip
Hugh Yoon, son of Rev. Peter Yoon (who leads Story Forest Christian Church on Sunday afternoons in our sanctuary) is going on a mission trip to Honduras with Global Medical Missions Alliance (GMMA), where he and about 30 other Georgia Tech students will work to meet the needs of local communities, offer physical support, and share the living testimony of Jesus Christ. If you would like to support Hugh, please surround him with prayers, especially between December 14 and 21 when he is in Honduras. If you would like to support his trip financially, you can make a gift online at https://gofund.me/2ba9c2b8 or bring a check to the church and we will make sure it gets to Hugh. Thanks for your prayers and support!
Flo Carroll’s New Business Grand Opening
Flo Carroll is opening a new fitness studio and merchandise store, dedicated to the memory of her mother, as a tribute to her and a testament to love and perseverance. The grand opening will take place on Zoom on November 15. You can register by emailing Flo at flavonsd2013@gmail.com or by texting 331-575-3053. Please reach out to Flo directly for more information, or ask her for a flyer at church on Sunday.
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PARABLE OF THE PENCILSeveral people asked for a copy of the Parable of the Pencil from Rev. Diane’s sermon on October 27. Here it is (origional author unknown):
A pencil maker was preparing to put a newly-made pencil into the pencil box. But before he did, he told the pencil five important rules about being the best pencil possible:
- Everything you do will always leave a mark.
- You can always correct the mistakes you make.
- What’s most important is what’s inside you.
- In life, you will undergo painful sharpening from time to time, which will only make you better.
- To be the best pencil, you must allow yourself to be held and guided.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN NOVEMBER
Saturday, November 2
8 am: Prayer garden work day
Sunday, November 3
First Sunday Food
9 am: Choir practice
No Sunday school! (Harvest Meal setup)
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Harvest Meal
6 pm: Leadership Council on Zoom
Monday, November 4
6:30 pm: Congregational Care and Connect Team meeting on Zoom
Tuesday, November 5
11:30 am: TONTO
Sunday, November 10
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
6 pm: Board Meeting on Zoom
Monday, November 11
2:30 – 6:30 pm: Red Cross Blood Drive at the church
6:30 pm: Outreach Team meeting on Zoom
Tuesday, November 12
1 pm: CWF/Disciples Women meeting at the church
6:30 pm: Congregational Care and Connect Team meeting on Zoom
Sunday, November 17
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Tuesday, November 19
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat!
Sunday, November 24
9 am: Choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
12 pm: Decorating the church for Advent and Christmas
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: Karen Jensen
Communion Meditation: Anna Harrison
Elders: Beth Thompson and Patricia Taylor
Deacons: Elizabeth Anders and JT Clements
Communion Preparation: Lynn Lane
*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 NOV. 3 AND NOV. 10
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 3
- Ruth 1:1-18
- Psalm 146
- Deuteronomy 6:1-9
- Psalm 119:1-8
- Hebrews 9:11-14
- Mark 12:28-34
Sunday, November 10
- Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17
- Psalm 127
- 1 Kings 17:8-16
- Psalm 146
- Hebrews 9:24-28
- Mark 12:38-44
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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.
Isaiah 40:31: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
Celebrations
- Meredith (McElhanon) Bell’s birthday is TODAY (October 30)
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Teresa Bensch and Rev. Diane Bales
- For a meaningful All Saints’ Service and installation this Sunday
- For all those preparing for the Harvest Meal, that it may be a great time of fellowship
- For the Regional Minister Search Committee and their prayerful work
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Kerry Bensch (health concerns, awaiting tests)
- 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
- 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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