Lawrenceville Christian Church

Every so often, a question comes along that doesn’t just seek an answer; it seeks you. It asks something deeper than information or opinion. It asks for honesty, courage, and the willingness to look inward. This week’s scripture brings us one of those questions. Jesus turns to His disciples and asks, “Who do you say that I am?” It’s a question that cannot be answered by quoting someone else, repeating what we’ve heard, or leaning on the faith of those around us. It invites us to speak from the center of our own lived experience with God. In our world today, we are surrounded by voices telling us who we should be, what we should value, and where we should place our trust. But Jesus’ question cuts through all of that. It asks us to consider who Christ truly is in our daily lives—when we are hopeful, uncertain, overwhelmed, or seeking direction. We invite you to join us this Sunday as we gather around this powerful question, not to rush toward easy answers, but to listen for Christ’s voice speaking into our lives with clarity and grace. Come ready to reflect, to be challenged, and to be renewed. Join us, in person or online, this Sunday. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we will step back into the Old Testament to take a look at part of the story of Joseph and his brothers. This passage comes near the end of Joseph’s story, when his brothers come to Egypt to beg for food, and discover Joseph is Pharaoh’s second in command, leading Egypt’s efforts to overcome the famine that has been gripping the country for two years. If you remember Joseph’s story, you might expect that he wouldn’t be very happy to see his brothers – after all, they sold him into slavery, and then told their father he had died. But Joseph is not angry or resentful. He doesn’t ask the brothers to explain their actions, or apologize. Instead, he greets them with tears of joy, and shares a surprising revelation: that God has used his life and enslavement to bring life to his family and the people of Egypt. This powerful story of reconciliation may help us consider how we stay in relationship with people who have treated us less than well, and how God uses even difficult circumstances to bring about good in the world. We will dig into this story of brothers reconciling with each other in worship this week. Join us, in person or online, this Sunday.  First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday we turn to a rich passage in Romans where Paul draws a clear distinction between righteousness rooted in the law and righteousness rooted in faith. One is written; the other speaks. Paul invites the church to consider how righteousness is no longer something we achieve, but something God brings near to us through Christ. As we sit with this text, we are reminded that faith is not meant to remain quiet or hidden. It is meant to shape how we live, how we speak, and how we show Christ to others. Paul’s words encourage us to consider how the nearness of Christ becomes visible and audible in our daily lives. As we prepare for worship, reflect on one simple thought: What does your faith speak? First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we will return to the parables Jesus shared with his disciples, as he taught them about the surprising kingdom of God. Jesus compares God’s kingdom to a mustard seed, to yeast mixed into flour, and to people who sell everything they have to gain something precious. Like all parables, these simple stories begin with things that would have been familiar to Jesus and the disciples. But Jesus adds a surprising twist to each one. Through all of these parables, a common thread is God’s surprising, extravagant, unexpected grace. We will explore how these parables still speak to us today, and encourage us to live out our faith in unexpected ways. Join us, in person or online, this Sunday.  First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

Last week we remembered our identity as God’s beloved children, people who “wait with patience” because the Spirit is at work within us. This Sunday, we turn to Romans 8:26–39, where Paul reveals the foundation that makes such patient hope possible.Here Paul speaks directly to the realities of hardship, weakness, and fear. Yet he insists that none of these can undo what God has already done. The Spirit intercedes for us, Christ stands with us, and God’s love holds us fast. Even death itself cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.If Week One reminded us who we are, Week Two reminds us what holds us. This is the confidence we carry into every challenge ahead. We hope you’ll join us as we stand together on this unshakeable promise: Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Join us, in person or online, this Sunday.  First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we begin a two‑week exploration of Romans 8 — a chapter that reminds us who we are and what holds us when life becomes difficult. In Week One, we’ll focus on Romans 8:12–25 and the gift of our identity as God’s children. Paul tells us that before we act, serve, or endure, we must remember that we belong to God. Even as the world groans and life feels heavy, the Spirit assures us that we are adopted, beloved, and never alone.Paul is honest: the Christian life includes struggle. Yet he invites us to “wait with patience,” not because waiting is easy, but because our identity gives us strength and hope. This message prepares us for Week Two, when Paul reveals the firm foundation that makes such patient hope possible.We hope you’ll join us as we begin this journey together and listen for the Spirit’s reminder: You are God’s beloved child, held in hope. Hope you will join us, in person or online, this Sunday.  First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This week, we will take a look at one of Jesus’s best-known parables, one that appears in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is sometimes called the parable of the seed or the parable of the soil, but the author of Matthew’s gospel names it the Parable of the Sower. As Jesus explains, sower throws out seed and it lands in different places. The seed that lands on rocky, dry, or weed-infested soil dies; the seed that lands on good soil takes root and produces a harvest that is thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or even one hundredfold more than the original seed. It’s easy to see this as a story of different kinds of soil, and a reminder that we need to be the good soil that allows God’s word to flourish. But that’s not actually the main point of Matthew’s version of this parable. His focus is less on the soil, and more on the abundance at the harvest. It’s a parable that reminds us that God’s love is active in our world, and God’s harvest will come in time, even if we can’t see it right now. It’s also a powerful reminder that we should keep sowing God’s word, even if not all of our efforts come to fruition. We will explore this story and its context in worship this week. Hope you will join us, in person or online, this Sunday. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

As you know, Teresa and I usually preach from the Revised Common Lectionary, which gives us a sequence of scriptures for the different seasons of the church year. Some of the lectionary scriptures are familiar stories that are enjoyable to retell and connect to our lives of faith. At other times, the lectionary pushes us out of our comfort zone and into passages that are perplexing, or hard to understand. That's definitely the case this week. The gospel reading from Matthew begins with Jesus addressing a crowd who have been criticizing both him and John the Baptist. He uses the image of children to shine a light on the failings of Jewish society. In a prayer to God, he reminds all who are listening that those who understand God are not the leaders or the powerful or the well-educated, but the lowly and innocent who trust in God. And then he closes his preaching with a passage of comfort: "Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest... for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." That last passage has been misunderstood over the ages. It's not a promise of an easy Christian life. As we know, living out our faith an be difficult, especially when others fail to understand or challenge our reasons for following the example of Jesus. Instead, Jesus is promising that those who follow him will be freed from onerous work that they are not well-suited for, and instead will find meaningful work that fulfills them. So how does this connect to our lives today? It's a promise of God's grace, and also a call to find ways to use our own skills and interests and passions to create a world where God's kingdom is realized and God's grace is extended to everyone. We will dig into this confusing and challenging passage, and see how it can guide us as a church. Hope you will join us in person this Sunday. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch....

As we continue our Honest Conversations this week, we will shift our focus to Jesus’s parable of the great banquet. In this simple story of a man who invited the poor and lame to his banquet after the invited guests backed out, we will hear important instructions on how to offer hospitality and welcome to others.As Jesus reminds us, those who are considered unimportant or invisible today are the very ones who will be welcomed into God’s Great Banquet in the kingdom to come. We will learn more about Jesus’s instructions on being a good host, and we’ll explore how this parable connects to our Land of Plenty journey, where we imagine a ministry that includes “the least of these.” We look forward to worshipping with you. Hope you will join us, in person on online! First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This week we’ll gather around Mark 6: 30–40, Mark’s brief but powerful introduction to the feeding of the five thousand. Unlike the other gospels, Mark begins with weary disciples returning from mission and a tired Jesus seeking rest. Yet when the crowd arrives, Jesus is “moved with compassion”, not just to feel something, but to do something.As Barbara Brown Taylor reminds us, “Jesus doesn’t just feel compassion; he does compassion.” Mark shows us a Savior whose compassion organizes people, gathers them, teaches them, and prepares them to share in the work of feeding one another. It’s a story about abundance, yes, but also about partnership, shared responsibility, and the miracle that happens when everyone brings what they have.This connects beautifully with our Land of Plenty journey, where we imagine ministry that grows through collaboration with our neighbors and community partners. Mark’s telling reminds us that God’s abundance often emerges through many hands working together.Join us this Sunday as we explore how Mark’s vision of compassion can shape our life together and how God continues to multiply what we offer when we offer it in community. We look forward to worshiping with you. Hope you will join us, in person on online! First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we return to our sermon series on feeding the hungry, where we are examining the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in the different gospels. Our focus this week is on the story in the gospel of John. This story has a lot in common with the versions found in the other gospels, but also some unique parts. Did you know that this is the only feeding story that gives credit to a young boy for providing the bread and fish that fed thousands of people? Did you remember that John’s version placed the feeding miracle in Galilee close to Passover — at a time when devout Jews would be traveling to Jerusalem for the festival? Why would John include these kinds of details, and why are they not in of other versions of the story? And what does this story tell us about the nature of God and Jesus, and about our responsibility to help ensure that everyone has the food they need?As we continue our Honest Conversation discussions in Sunday school, we will dig into this story and its meaning for our faith and our congregation. Hope you will join us, in person on online! First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we continue our four‑week journey into the question at the heart of our “Land of Plenty” conversations: How do we ensure that everyone has the food they need to live and thrive? Last week, we began by listening to Matthew’s account of Jesus feeding a hungry crowd, a story that reminded us of God’s deep compassion and God’s desire that all people be cared for.This week, we turn to Luke 9:10–17, a version of the feeding story that highlights something different. In Luke’s telling, Jesus places the responsibility for feeding the crowd directly in his disciples’ hands. When they suggest sending the people away to find food elsewhere, Jesus responds with a challenge that still echoes across the centuries: “You give them something to eat.”In this second sermon of our series, we will explore what it means to hear those words today. Luke shows us a Jesus who not only cares about hungry people but also calls his followers to participate in the work of feeding, organizing, and sharing, trusting that God can do more with our offerings than we imagine. As we continue our honest conversations about food insecurity, access, stewardship, and community, Luke invites us to consider how God might be asking us to take part in the miracle.Join us as we listen again to Jesus’ call, reflect on our role as his disciples, and continue discerning how our congregation can help ensure that all our neighbors have enough. Come ready to think, to pray, and to imagine what God can do through us. We look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

Before we begin talking about how to ensure that everyone has the food they need, it’s important to ground ourselves in scripture. We will take a look at Matthew’s account of Jesus feeding a large crowd with a small amount of food (interestingly enough, the second time Jesus fed a crowd in Matthew’s gospel). We will take a look at the dialogues around the feeding miracle, and we will explore the parallels between this scripture and our upcoming Honest Conversation about ensuring that everyone has enough to eat. Over the next several weeks, we will explore the different versions of this story in a sermon series that parallels our conversation. We look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we continue our Easter journey with a passage spoken in one of the most tender and uncertain moments of Jesus’ ministry. In John 14, Jesus prepares his disciples for life in a world shaped by fear and domination, and he promises them the gift they will need most: the Spirit who will dwell within them and lead them into the truth of God’s love.In a time when it is difficult to see clearly and even harder to love courageously, Jesus invites us to imagine a different kind of power, one rooted in compassion, mutual care, and the well‑being of all people. Through The Spirit, this way of love, becomes contagious, and a community of hope gradually takes shape.As we gather on Mother’s Day, we will also honor the many ways love has been nurtured, challenged, stretched, and embodied in the lives of those who mother and those who have been mothered. All are welcome to join us as we explore how the Spirit continues to form us into a people of hope. We look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we have the special opportunity to hear from Hugh Yoon and Paul Yoon, both of whom went on recent mission trips. They will share about their experiences and the places they saw God. We may even get to see some photos! After their presentations, we will honor Hugh, who is graduating from Georgia Tech, and we will pray for others connected to our community who are graduating this spring.  See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

Over the past two Sundays, we have been examining Peter’s first sermon, preached to a large crowd on Pentecost Sunday. This week, we will move from Peter’s first sermon to a description of the first Christian community in Jerusalem — a community that studied and worshipped and prayed and ate together, and shared all of their possessions. Is this the ideal way of living for Christians? What can we take from the early Christians’ example as a modern Christian church? How are we called to live with each other as followers of Jesus the Messiah? Join us as we reflect on these important questions n this fourth week of Eastertide.  See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

In the risen Christ, God invites us into a new Spirit‑shaped identity, one that turns us toward hope, transformation, and participation in God’s mission for the world.This Sunday, we continue listening to Peter’s Pentecost sermon in Acts 2, where the risen Jesus is proclaimed as the Messiah who not only fulfills God’s promises but also gives the Holy Spirit to shape a new kind of people. Last week, we heard how Spirit’s arrival opened hearts through understanding; this week, we explore what happens next. Peter’s message is not a word of condemnation but an invitation, an invitation into repentance, baptism, and a Spirit‑formed identity that sends us into the world with purpose.Join us as we reflect on what it means to belong to Christ and to participate in His mission of forgiveness, renewal, and hope. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! The secular world moves on from Easter very quickly. The candy goes on sale, we put away the decorations, and stores set up displays for the next big holiday. But in the Christian church, Easter is so important that we continue to celebrate it for six additional Sundays – a season we call Eastertide.During Eastertide, some of our attention focuses on the book of Acts, as we celebrate the resurrection by remembering how it was first proclaimed by the apostles. This Sunday, we will take a look at Peter’s Pentecost Sermon from Acts 2. This was the first public proclamation of the resurrection, coming after the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the apostles. In Peter’s message, we learn that God has the final word, even over death, and that God is actively fulfilling God’s promises from the Old Testament in the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus of Nazareth. This Sunday, we will dig into the first part of Peter’s sermon, and explore what it means for us today. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Join us this Easter Sunday as we gather in joyful worship to celebrate the hope and new life of the resurrection. This year, we will hear the Easter story through fresh and moving perspectives, that of a Roman soldier who witnessed the events firsthand and guarded the tomb, and Mary Magdalene, whose encounter with the risen Christ transformed her grief into joy. Through scripture, reflection, and song, we will enter more deeply into the wonder of that morning. Whether you are a longtime member or visiting for the first time, you are warmly welcomed, come as you are and share in the good news that is for everyone. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, as we celebrate Palm Sunday, our worship experience is crafted to draw us into the narrative of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, a moment filled with both celebration and profound spiritual significance. We will hear about the experience from two bystanders watching the events of Holy Week unfold. We’ll explore the layers of meaning behind the waving of palms and the cries of “Hosanna,” connecting these ancient symbols to our contemporary lives and faith journeys. Join us as we anticipate the richness of our Palm Sunday worship and are invited to this meaningful celebration of faith, identity, and hope. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This coming Sunday, we will welcome visitors from The Table, the campus ministry in Athens that Rev. Diane works with. Rev. Haley Lerner, a United Church of Christ minister, will preach that morning about the significance of ecumenical campus ministry, and we hope to have a some campus ministry students join us for worship. Plan to join us for this special Sunday! See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we pause in the middle of our Lenten journey for Laetare Sunday, a day whose very name means “rejoice.” In a season often marked by reflection and repentance, Laetare offers a gentle lift, an invitation to notice the quiet ways God is already at work, planting hope before we can see its full bloom.Our scripture from 1 Samuel 16:1–13 brings us into one of those hidden moments of grace. Samuel, the son Hannah prayed for and promised back to God, is sent once again to listen for God’s surprising direction. Standing in Jesse’s home, Samuel learns that God’s choices rarely match our expectations. One by one, the older sons pass before him, each impressive in their own way, yet God says no. Instead, God chooses David, the youngest, the overlooked, the one still out tending the sheep.In this story, we hear a deeply Lenten message. God sees what we cannot yet see. God works through the humble, the unexpected, the small beginnings. And like Samuel, we are invited to release our assumptions and open our hearts to the new thing God is quietly anointing in our midst.Join us this Sunday as we explore this story of surprising grace and discover what it means to rejoice, even in the middle of the wilderness. All are welcome as we continue walking this Lenten path together. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, as we continue our journey through the season of Lent, we welcome guest preacher Rev. Donna Gunter to the pulpit. She will preach from Matthew 4: 1 – 11. Here’s how she describes her message: During the season of Lent we often speak of journeying with Christ to Calvary.  A significant point in his journey was the beginning of what many scholars note as the beginning of his public ministry.  After his identification as God’s son in whom God is well pleased, we find Jesus being led into the wilderness by Satan. Why the wilderness? What happens in the wilderness? What can Jesus teach us about wilderness experiences that will help us manage and endure our own wilderness experiences. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, as we continue our journey through the season of Lent, we will consider a well-known story from John’s gospel – the passage that includes John 3:16 and the instructions about being “born from above” (or “born again”). Nicodemus, a well-known Jewish leader, came to see Jesus in the dark of night. In the course of that conversation, Jesus shared important information about what being a follower of Christ really entails: being born of water and Spirit, believing in Christ with your whole heart. We will consider questions of where our faith flourishes, and how we all need to grow in faith. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, as we enter the season of Lent, we take a step back in the early life of Jesus, to the story of Jesus being tested in the wilderness immediately after his baptism. It’s a story of temptations and faithful response. It’s also a story that shows us clearly who Jesus is. As we consider the words of Jesus and the Tempter, we will also reflect on our own identity as followers of Jesus the Messiah. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we stand between two mountains in Matthew’s Gospel. Over the past weeks, we’ve listened as Jesus brought the Sermon on the Mount to his disciples, reminding us that true discipleship is more than hearing his words.  It is putting those words into practice. Matthew paints a picture of faith that engages the whole self: head, heart, and will woven together in a life that trusts God and serves others.Before we leave that first mountain, Matthew invites us to follow Jesus into the valleys and villages where his teaching becomes action—action that heals, restores, feeds, and forgives. And then, just as the disciples begin to grasp who he is, Jesus leads them up another mountain. There, in the mystery of the Transfiguration, his identity shines with a clarity that both humbles and strengthens them for the journey ahead. Join us this Sunday as we trace this movement from hearing to doing to seeing, and as we listen again for the voice that calls us to follow. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we continue exploring the Sermon on the Mount as written in Matthew’s gospel. After describing those who are blessed in the Beatitudes, Jesus spends the rest of the sermon giving instructions to his disciples about how to be followers. The beginning of this instruction passage are two familiar statements: “You are the salt of the earth” and “you are the light of the world.” We will discuss what it means to be salt and light, and what Jesus meant when he said he came to fulfill the law and prophets. We will also explore how we can be salt and light in today’s world. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

Last Sunday we explored Matthew’s account of the baptism of Jesus. This Sunday, on the third week after Epiphany, we shift to John’s gospel. The author of this fourth gospel paints a different picture of the baptism and call of the first disciples. John the Baptist prepared the world for Jesus by announcing him as the Son of God to all who would listen. When the first two disciples met Jesus, and asked where he was staying, he invited them to “come and see.” It’s an invitation to an active faith, rooted in the identity of Jesus. Like the first disciples, we are invited to come and see all Jesus is doing in our world, and then to go and tell others the Good News. We will explore the sometimes-surprising revelations of God through Jesus as we dig deeper into this story. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

In this season, just after Epiphany, we stand in the glow of a light that reveals who Christ is and who we are called to be. The story of Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17 invites us to step into that light with fresh eyes. At the Jordan River, the heavens open, the Spirit descends, and a voice speaks words of identity and belonging: “This is my Son, the Beloved.” It is a moment of revelation, not only for Jesus, but for all who long to understand what it means to live as God’s beloved in a world hungry for renewal.This Sunday, we will explore baptism not simply as a ritual of repentance, but as an archetypal act of transformation—an entry into the deep waters where God reshapes us. Scripture is full of stories where people pass through water and emerge changed: creation rising from the primordial deep, Israel stepping through the Red Sea into freedom, Joshua leading a new generation across the Jordan into promise. These ancient crossings echo in our own lives, reminding us that God still meets us in the waters of change. Join us as we reflect on what it means to enter the water as one thing and rise as something new, carrying the light of Epiphany into the year ahead. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we enter the season of Epiphany, a time when the church celebrates God’s light breaking into the world in ways that reveal truth, expose injustice, and guide us toward hope. Instead of beginning with the familiar story of the Magi in Matthew, we’ll turn first to Psalm 72, which paints a powerful picture of what God’s reign looks like when justice and compassion take root.  Psalm 72 describes a ruler who defends the poor, lifts the vulnerable, and brings peace that nourishes the land like gentle rain. It reminds us that nations and communities thrive when compassion and equity shape our everyday lives. And yet this psalm also echoes throughout the Epiphany story: kings bringing gifts, nations drawn to the light, and a new kind of ruler whose authority is grounded not in power but in righteousness. Matthew’s account of the wise men reflects this very vision. They come seeking a king unlike any other, one whose justice and mercy reveal God’s heart for the world. Join us this Sunday as we weave these Scriptures together and explore what Epiphany reveals about God’s light.  Light that still calls us toward justice, compassion, and hope. All are welcome as we begin this season together. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

As we arrive at the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we turn our attention to Love – the love that does not remain distant or abstract, but draws close in the most unexpected ways. Our scripture from Isaiah 7 speaks into a moment of fear and uncertainty, offering a sign that God will not abandon the people: “The young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” Even when King Ahaz resists, God’s love breaks through.This ancient promise becomes the heartbeat of the Christmas story. In Jesus, Love takes on flesh, steps into our world, and chooses to dwell with us. As we light the Candle of Love this Sunday, we will reflect on how God’s nearness, then and now, shapes our hope, our courage, and our calling as a community. Join us as we celebrate the God who comes near and the Love that continues to meet us in every season of life. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

As we move through the season of Advent, we are waiting and anticipating our celebration of the arrival of the Christ child. This Sunday, we will light the candle of peace. We will explore a familiar prophecy from Isaiah, a vision of a coming king from the line of David, who will rule with peace and bring justice for the weak. The prophecy includes a description of an ideal world of peace – where predators and prey sleep together, and where children can play safely among poisonous snakes. It was a deeply held hope for a Messiah, written long before the angels predicted the birth of Jesus. And it’s a vision that still resonates today, in a world that desperately needs peace. Come explore this passage and see how it connects to the hope of Advent.  See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday is the last Sunday of the Christian year, known as Christ the King Sunday or Reign of Christ Sunday. It is a feast day in the Catholic church, established by Pope Pius XI in 1925, in response to an increase in secularism and ultra-nationalism around the world. For Catholics and Protestants alike, it is a time to remember that ultimate power and authority belong to Christ and when we recommit ourselves to service to God.The gospel reading for this Sunday is Luke’s account of Christ on the cross. Although it may seem strange to read about the crucifixion in late November, this account actually has a lot to teach us about Christ’s compassion, even in the final moments of his life. We will look at this story with fresh eyes as we explore what it means to have Christ the King as our ultimate authority and to serve Christ. See you Sunday morning, in person or online. First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we journey with Jesus from the joyful welcome of Zacchaeus to the trembling warnings of Luke 21: 5–19. As the temple’s stones shimmer and the disciples marvel, Jesus speaks of collapse, wars, earthquakes, famine, and persecution. But in the midst of upheaval, he offers a radical promise: you will have the opportunity to testify.This is not a call to fear, but to faithful presence. When the earth trembles beneath us and we are forced to account for ourselves, Jesus reminds us that our witness matters. Even in the face of betrayal and suffering, God’s Spirit will give us words and wisdom. Come ready to explore how sacredness is redefined, not in what stands firm, but in how we stand faithful. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.   First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

You may remember the story of Zacchaeus from Vacation Bible Story – the short tax collector who climbed a tree to see Jesus passing, and as a result hosted Jesus at his home. There’s even a song we used to sing: “Zacchaeus was a wee little man…” But as we see so often in scripture, there’s more to the story of Zacchaeus. A despised tax collector, rejected by his community, received God’s salvation and responded with joy and repentance. This story is a counterpoint to Jesus’s earlier declaration that it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. As we dig into this story on Sunday, we will take a look at some challenging questions about how we see and judge other people, and how God’s grace works in surprising ways. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.   First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we gather to celebrate All Saints’ Day, a sacred moment to honor the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us and those who walk beside us still. The sermon Marked by the Spirit invites us to reflect on Ephesians 1:11-23, where Paul speaks of divine inheritance, spiritual power, and the sealing of believers with the Holy Spirit. These verses remind us that the saints—young and old, living and departed—are not distant figures of perfection but beloved members of God’s unfolding purpose. Each one has responded to the call of grace, and each bears the mark of the Spirit, a sign of belonging and hope.As we remember those who have shaped our faith and those just beginning their journey, we are invited to see ourselves within God’s eternal plan. The Spirit’s seal is not only a promise of future redemption but a present call to live as Christ’s body in the world. We welcome all to join us this Sunday for a service of remembrance, gratitude, and hope as we celebrate the saints among us and within us. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.   First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

This Sunday, we will consider a familiar parable of Jesus, about the Pharisee and the tax collector who went to the Temple to pray. We’ve heard the story so many times that we think we understand everything about it – it’s bad to be like the Pharisee and good to be like the tax collector? But what if the actual parable is more complex than that? What if the Pharisee was not really bragging, but praying in the way he was taught? What if thinking we’re like the tax collector actually makes us more like the Pharisee? We’ll take a deeper look at this parable and its context this week, as we explore what it means to be righteous and to repent.  See you Sunday morning, in person or online.   First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

Last week, we heard Jeremiah’s call to “seek the welfare of the city” — even the city of exile. We were challenged to plant gardens, build homes, and extend shalom to those we once called enemies. It was a radical invitation to live fully, even in unfamiliar soil.This week, Jeremiah’s voice shifts from one of survival to one of promise. In chapter 31, we hear of a future where sorrow is replanted as hope, and the covenant is no longer carved in stone but written on our hearts. God speaks of restoration, of intimacy, of a relationship where each person knows divine love firsthand.Between these two texts lies a journey — not of miles, but of trust, from settling in exile to dreaming of return, from enduring the present to embracing a future shaped by grace. Join us as we listen for the heartbeat of hope in Jeremiah’s words, and consider what it means to be a people of promise, even now. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.   First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/

When the world feels broken, when exile—literal or emotional—disrupts our sense of home and hope, it’s tempting to hold our breath and wait for rescue. However, in Jeremiah 29, God speaks to a people displaced and disoriented, not with promises of immediate deliverance, but with a call to live life: build homes, plant gardens, raise families, and seek the welfare of the city. Even in Babylon, even in the in-between, God invites us to live fully—not in denial of pain, but in defiant hope. This week, we listen for that same invitation: to plant seeds of peace, purpose, and presence, trusting that God’s future is unfolding even as we tend the soil of today. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.   First Christian Church of Lawrenceville is located in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Find out more by going to our website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/