SERMON PREVIEW
Sermon Title: Election by Grace
Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14
This Sunday we turn to one of Jesus’ most vivid parables, the wedding banquet in Matthew 22:1–14, and explore a theme at the very heart of the gospel: Election by Grace. Matthew’s telling of this story is sharper and more urgent than the versions found in the other Gospels. His details remind us that God’s invitation to the banquet is wide, generous, and extended to all, “both good and bad.” Yet Matthew also adds a striking image found nowhere else: a wedding garment that symbolizes the life shaped by love.
This week, we’ll reflect on what it means to “put on” the robe Christ offers — the robe of compassion, mercy, and love that binds everything together in perfect harmony. Jesus suggests that fruitfulness is not something we achieve on our own; it is something we wear, something grace places upon us as it settles into the heart. And ultimately, we remember that God alone judges our standing and that of our neighbor. Our call is simply to respond to the invitation and clothe ourselves in love.
We hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we listen again to Jesus’ invitation, consider the garment he offers, and celebrate the grace that gathers us all to the table.
Thanks to Connie Thompoon for Last Sunday’s worship display for World Communion Sunday
FALL FESTIVAL AT OAKLAND COMMUNITY GARDEN
The Oakland Community Garden Fall Festival will take place Saturday, October 10 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.
OCTOBER IS MINISTER APPRECIATION MONTH
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!
World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10th each year, is a global reminder to address mental health issues with empathy and action. As we think about mental health, it’s crucial to recognize the unique struggles faced by clergy members, who juggle multiple responsibilities: leading services, providing counseling, organizing community outreach, and navigating personal life challenges. During this month, please pray for the physical, mental, and emotional health of your ministers!
World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10th each year, is a global reminder to address mental health issues with empathy and action. As we think about mental health, it’s crucial to recognize the unique struggles faced by clergy members, who juggle multiple responsibilities: leading services, providing counseling, organizing community outreach, and navigating personal life challenges. During this month, please pray for the physical, mental, and emotional health of your ministers!
SIGN UP FOR TRUNK OR TREAT
On Sunday afternoon, October 25, we will welcome neighborhood children for our annual Trunk or Treat event from 4:30 to 6 pm. We need at least 10 – 12 trunks set up to distribute candy to make this event a success. You are encouraged to decorate your trunk (and wear a costume if you choose) and hand out candy or small prizes to the children who attend. Be as creative as you like – your trunk can include a game or other simple activity, or you can simply hand out candy. Please sign up in the gathering space, or contact Rev. Diane (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org) to volunteer your trunk.
If you are not able to be there but would like to support the event, you are encouraged to donate bags of wrapped candy. You can leave candy donations in the church office any time before the event. We also need your help to invite people to Trunk or Treat. If you have neighbors, friends, grandkids, or anyone else who might want to attend, please invite them to join us!
If you are not able to be there but would like to support the event, you are encouraged to donate bags of wrapped candy. You can leave candy donations in the church office any time before the event. We also need your help to invite people to Trunk or Treat. If you have neighbors, friends, grandkids, or anyone else who might want to attend, please invite them to join us!
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.
LITTLE FOOD PANTRY NEEDS DONATIONS!
Our Little Food Pantry is going strong, and is being used regularly. Our supply of food donations is depleted, and we especially 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.
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.
OUT OF DARKNESS WALK FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. To prevent suicide, we need to understand it first.
The Out of Darkness walk raises funds for suicide prevention. Funds raised at the Out of the Darkness Northeast Georgia Walk directly support research, advocacy efforts, and educational programs in schools, workplaces, and communities across GA. Register today and you’re taking the first step to help save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. It’s free, quick, and easy to make a real impact. You can register at https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/NEGeorgia or by scanning the QR code below.
The Out of Darkness walk raises funds for suicide prevention. Funds raised at the Out of the Darkness Northeast Georgia Walk directly support research, advocacy efforts, and educational programs in schools, workplaces, and communities across GA. Register today and you’re taking the first step to help save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. It’s free, quick, and easy to make a real impact. You can register at https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/NEGeorgia or by scanning the QR code below.
SAVE THE DATE FOR HARVEST MEAL
The Disciples Women will hold their annual Harvest Meal fundraiser after worship on Sunday, November 1. 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. More information to come!
UPCOMING EVENTS IN OCTOBER
Sunday, Oct. 11
9 am: choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Monday, Oct. 12
6:30 pm: Outreach team on Zoom
Tuesday, Oct. 13
1 pm: Disciples Women meeting at the church
Sunday, Oct. 18
9 am: choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
7 pm: Communications Team on Zoom
Monday, Oct. 19
6:30 pm: Finance and Facilities team on Zoom
Tuesday, Oct. 20
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at the Diner at Webb Gin
Sunday, Oct. 25
9 am: choir practice
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
4:30 pm: Trunk or Treat
Thursday, Oct. 29
10:15 am: Annual apple trip
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.
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.
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Snacks
- Black beans
- Corn
- Instant potatoes
- Canned fruit/applesauce
- Canned tuna
Most Needed Personal Care Items
- Size 1, 2, and 5 and up diapers
- Feminine pads (urgent need)
Learn more about the work of the co-op at https://lawrencevilleco-op.org/.
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH DISCIPLES AT THE REGIONAL AND GENERAL LEVELS
Keep 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.
- Georgia Region News: https://www.gadisciples.org/news
- General Church News: https://disciples.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!