First Family News. First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) January The Now and the Not Yet

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1 Page 1 of 9 First Family News First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) January 2019 The Now and the Not Yet Where is God in all this? God is with us in the now and the not yet. I hope you deeply believe this in your hearts. What has our now been like most recently? Your leadership council called for transformation work for the 2018 season and invited me to join in your journey of following Jesus a little farther on the way. I would characterize LFCC s 2018 as a time of looking to God reinvigorating our relationship with God through worship and learning about listening to God. We have been getting acquainted with one another. We have been revisiting / recalling moments in which we knew God was clearly present or God was at work in our lives or in a situation of which we were aware. Do check again the blue curtain in our hallway across from the conference room if you need to strengthen your heart. Reading those God filled memory bubbles can energize you! We have continued our Camp Christian support with volunteer counselors, financial support, and letters to campers and added loving our neighbors at the schools next to us. Other missions we support include the Lawrenceville Co-op, Family Promise, and Disciples missions in our region and beyond. We have been focusing on those things for which we are grateful God s work in our lives, Hoyt s minister emeritus service, high school graduations, in-gathering of estimates of giving for the next cycle of the Capital Campaign, and God s gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love all wrapped up into Christ the Lord, God s Word made flesh. We have taken a break from discernment work to engage the Advent season in all its fullness through the Live Nativity and Chancel Choir Cantata. Deep thanks to all who participated and especially those who served as leaders. Our local community experienced effective evangelism via the nativity; a couple of people came all the way from Conyers for our event and some only ten minutes away. Neighbors came to the second Advent Celtic prayer service. On December 16 th, we worshipped well thanks to Kim Peeples and our dedicated choir members. Sanford s solo impacted me thinking about Joseph s obedience to God. Joseph models for us the asking of good questions, something we all can benefit from doing in our faith journey as a church and as individuals. Let s review our Listening Hearts material to enhance our relationship with God and others. Our relationship with Christ must be priority one as we go forward. Let s continue to embrace our identity as a small congregation who chooses to be faithful and do what we can with what we have! Let s trust God for the not yet like Joseph in the Christmas story. The heart work of following Jesus is an ongoing process. Come, let s keep walking in faith together. In Christ s service, Melinda

2 Page 2 of 9 Capital Campaign Lawrenceville First Capital Campaign was a Success!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are so thankful for the prayerful support given the recent Following Jesus Farther Along the Way Capital Campaign. We successfully reached our goal with a final tally of $120,603! The three-year Capital Campaign began December 1, 2018, and will end on November 30, LFCC is so blessed to have such a spiritually strong, caring, considerate and giving congregation. Please know that leadership will continue to be faithful stewards in the handling of our finances in the future. For more information about the purpose of this campaign, go to the link below for the PowerPoint used in the Town Hall meetings at Your Capital Campaign Team, Co-Chairs: Rod Baker & Tadd Huff Spiritual Life Chair: Lynn Lane Communication Chair: Beth Thompson Key Donors Chair: Elizabeth McElhanon Pastor: Melinda McDonald Board Chair: Lee Thompson Disciples Women The women will be meeting to determine calendar events and budget needs. The date of that meeting will be announced soon.

3 Page 3 of 9 GOD IS SMILING The annual TONTO Christmas luncheon was enjoyed by all who attended. A delicious meal was served on an elegant table and then we drew numbers to exchange gifts. Thanks to Mary Jo for hosting this special event. Dinner at the Blue Willow Inn on December 8.

4 Page 4 of 9 Tidings of Joy from Cedar Hill Elementary School! The playground build was held on Saturday, December 8th. It was a chilly, damp day but one would never know it! Over 150 volunteers showed up to get the equipment assembled. The school has met its financial goal for their portion of the equipment! Beth Richard sends her gratitude for our prayers and donations for this major accomplishment for the school. Ms. Richard also says a big thank you to all who sponsored a Christmas angel this year. January s need is #2 pencils with pencil top erasers. A few of us braved the chill of 12/11/18 to walk a paved labyrinth at a church in Buckhead.

5 Page 5 of 9 Important January Dates TUESDAY, JAN 1, 2019 Happy New Year! WEDNESDAY, JAN 2 FRIDAY, JAN 4 Mt. Olive 8-10pm SATURDAY, JAN 5 Mt. Olive 9am-1pm SUNDAY, JAN 6 First Sunday Food Advent Decoration Removal 12-2pm Choir Practice 5pm Leadership Council 6pm MONDAY, JAN 7 TUESDAY, JAN 8 Sweet Baby Jane s 11:30am Mt. Olive Bible Study 7:30-9:30pm WEDNESDAY, JAN 9 Ewing Group 1:15pm FRIDAY, JAN 11 Mt. Olive 8-10pm SATURDAY, JAN 12 Mt. Olive 9am-1pm SUNDAY, JAN 13 Choir Practice 5pm MONDAY, JAN 14 TUESDAY, JAN 15 Featured Restaurant Fellowship TBA Mt. Olive Bible Study 7:30-9:30pm WEDNESDAY, JAN 16 FRIDAY, JAN 18 Mt. Olive 8-10pm SATURDAY, JAN 19 Mt. Olive 9am-1pm

6 Page 6 of 9 SUNDAY, JAN 20 Choir Practice 5pm MONDAY, JAN 21 TUESDAY, JAN 22 Mt. Olive Bible Study 7:30-9:30pm WEDNESDAY, JAN 23 FRIDAY, JAN 25 Mt. Olive 8-10pm SATURDAY, JAN 26 Mt. Olive 9am-1pm SUNDAY, JAN 27 Spaghetti Lunch (immediately following 10:50 am service) Choir Practice 5pm MONDAY, JAN 28 TUESDAY, JAN 29 Mt. Olive Bible Study 7:30-9:30pm WEDNESDAY, JAN 30 January Birthdays 1 Connie Worrel 4 Jim Mowrey 12 Deborah Sutherland 14 Ashlyn Parks 15 Nicholas Anders 15 Martha Sarah Westbrook 18 Melissa McAfee 25 Elizabeth Clackum 30 Noah Ramirez

7 Page 7 of 9 January Worship Helpers Jan 6: Responsive Reader Molly Ballew Scripture Reader Dorrie Toth Communion Meditation Anna Harrison Greeter Elizabeth Anders Jan 13: Responsive Reader Molly Ballew Scripture Reader Mabel Simmons Communion Meditation Kim Peeples Greeter Elizabeth Anders Jan 20: Responsive Reader Molly Ballew Scripture Reader Julie Thompson Communion Meditation Connie Thompson Greeter Elizabeth Anders Jan 27: Responsive Reader Molly Ballew Scripture Reader Julie Thompson Communion Meditation Dorrie Toth Greeter Elizabeth Anders Serving at the Table in January Elders: Ellizabeth McElhanon and Rod Baker Deacons: Dorrie Toth, Anna Harrison, Elizabeth Anders Communion Preparation: Candace Richardson

8 Page 8 of 9 Prayer for Spiritual Growth Please continue to pray this prayer along with Pastor Melinda as we follow Jesus a little farther on the way: Gracious Father, we ask spiritual growth for ourselves, our families and friends, and especially for our community of faith, Lawrenceville First Christian. Grant us growth in understanding and willingness to be your Body in this world. Empower us to live the mission of Christ: to preach, teach, heal and make disciples. In joyful thanksgiving for the blessing of Your presence in our lives, compel us to share You with everyone we meet. May our commitment to You deepen, our lives be joyfully yours. Make us a God-centered people. In Christ s name we pray. Amen. First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 3495 Sugarloaf Parkway Lawrenceville, GA (770) lgafcc@gmail.com Minister: Rev. Melinda McDonald Music Director: Kim Peeples Administrative Assistant: Misty Gibson

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