Chalice News
 
Round Rock Christian Church


Embracing  our  neighbors 
with  Christ-like  love 
February 2, 2021
In This Issue
This coming Sunday in worship -- 
February 7, 2021
The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

What does it look like when we are 
being successful in our mission? 
We are:

"Extending Compassion"
Ephesians 4:25-32

A Message from the Pastor
 
This Sunday in worship we will look at the 5th of our six "measures" of faithfulness to our mission of embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love. Are we "extending compassion" to others, in our church and beyond?

There are certainly many ways in which we can extend compassion as followers of Jesus Christ.  A hospital visit, a delivered meal, help with household chores, and a telephone conversation can all be expressions of compassion. To offer compassion is to offer to become one with another person or group in some way. The Latin root for the word compassion is pati, which means to suffer, and the prefix com- means with. Compassion, originating from compati, literally means to suffer with. I am reminded of Romans 12:15 -- Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Take a small walk with them on their life journey. Share their suffering.

Through the blessed timing of the Holy Spirit, we are talking about extending compassion in the same month of the yearly Week of Compassion offering. You'll hear more about that as the end of the month approaches. But below is a brief description of the Week of Compassion ministry, taken from their website.

Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch

Week of Compassion is more than a week. It is a ministry of the whole Church, reaching those in need "around the world, around the year." Any time we respond to a need in the world, we bear witness to the unity of our table, faithfully sharing the gifts that we have as an expression of Christ's love. In working together with partners, we represent the Disciples of Christ commitment to unity, making our resources reach farther and growing our impact on a global scale. 

Mission
As the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Week of Compassion works with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world.

Vision
A world where God's people transform suffering into hope. 

Core Values
CONNECTION Partner with individuals, congregations, and organizations to serve the needs of the world
INTEGRITY Honor the commitment to faithful stewardship, ensuring gifts entrusted to Week of Compassion are making the most impact
ACCOMPANIMENT  Embody God's grace by committing to a long-term presence with communities in needs

RRCC Online Giving

Even though we are unable to meet in person,
RRCC has three ways you can still give your tithe:
  1. Go to the RRCC website rrdisciples.org and click on the "GIVE HERE" button at the top of the main page. Or use the link at the top of each newsletter. It will take you to the same place.
  2. Use your bank's electronic bill pay feature to have a check mailed directly from your bank to RRCC.
  3. Mail your check directly to RRCC.
Address your envelope to:
Financial Secretary
Round Rock Christian Church
22 Chalice Way
Round Rock, TX 78665
2020 Giving Statements  



Keep an eye out!


 

The RRCC 2020 giving statements were put in the mail last week. Please let the office know ASAP if your address needs to be updated in our system. 



 

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Change

In an effort to streamline, simplify, and make COVID-19 vaccinations more efficient, Texas is transitioning away from having people go to their local PCP, clinic, or hospital to get their shot. Instead, vaccination "hubs" are being established across the state. Our closest hub is in Travis County. You must pre-register before scheduling your vaccination time. This pre-registration gets you into their system and helps them to put you into the correct "Phase" for vaccination priority. Here is the link: 

Please note: This website has had some technical challenges due to heavy use. You may have better luck if you visit the website late night/early morning.

Another website you can use to be put on a vaccine wait list is here:

You may be wondering whether you are eligible now to receive your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Most of our congregation members are in fact eligible right now, based on age and/or chronic medical condition. 


If you are a front-line healthcare worker or resident of a long-term care facility, you are eligible now to receive the vaccine, since December 14. This group is considered Phase 1A.
If you are in Phase 1B, you are also eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, depending on availability and the vaccine provider. Vaccine supply remains limited, but more vaccine will be delivered to providers each week. Phase 1B recipients include:
  • People 65 years of age and older
  • People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
    • Cancer
    • Chronic kidney disease
    • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
    • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
    • Solid organ transplantation
    • Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
    • Pregnancy
    • Sickle cell disease
    • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
2021 Worship Leader Sign-Up



The 2021 Worship Leader Sign-Up is available to view!

Click here to reserve your date to serve:


 
DWM  


FEBRUARY DISCIPLES WOMEN'S MINISTRY MEETING 

Your Invitation to Fellowship, Bible Study & Service
 
Ladies mark your calendar for Monday, February 8, 9:30 AM, for the second DWM meeting of the year. We will come together via zoom (link below) for fellowship, Bible study and service plans..

The Bible study this month is the second in the series of the Just Women Embracing Life that examines biblical narratives, correlating them with 21st Century challenges. The theme words....hope, healing, and wholeness have been chosen to help us examine our personal journey, as we seek to embrace our neighbors with Christ-like love.

The February study is titled Blessed To Be Salt And Light: For Theirs Is The Kingdom Of Heaven. Anna Marie Blair will facilitate this study.

The scripture text is a familiar one from the gospel of Matthew. In summary, the Beatitudes reveal the surprising good news of Jesus Christ, which simultaneously reverses our expectations and fulfills our deepest needs - and helps us understand the nature of the kingdom of heaven.

Please read the text: Matthew 5:1-16 prior to the meeting. Link HERE
2020 Annual Permanent Fund Report to the RRCC Guiding Board Members 

     Operating Policy and Procedure 3.8 states: "The Purpose of the Permanent Fund is to 'expand the witness and mission of Jesus Christ and to serve the human needs in our community and around the world.' The Permanent Fund provides a means for special gifts and bequests to enable RRCC to expand its ministry in ways beyond what the general budget of the church would allow. The Permanent Fund is NOT intended to compete with, replace, or in any way diminish regular annual giving and responsible stewardship by present or future members." The Christian Church Foundation (CCF) is the custodian and beneficiary of the Fund and the interest earned is distributed by our Permanent Fund Team to the benefit of our RRCC ministries, as specified in OPP 3.8. If, for any reason, our church ever closes, the Fund goes on to benefit the mission of the larger church.

     A relatively small permanent fund at RRCC was started in June, 2005, when it was determined to be a priority by church members, and little has been done to grow it over the years. However, in January 2020, a Permanent Fund Task Force was established for the purpose of promoting and growing the Permanent Fund. This Annual Report of the Permanent Fund is based on the recommendation of the Permanent Fund Task Force and the approved "Permanent Fund Operating Policy and Procedure 3.8".

     Thanks to the generosity of church members and non-members, according to the records of the Christian Church Foundation, the fund balance grew from $6,633.80 to $9,814.77 in 2020.  Also, an additional $800 was donated to the RRCC Permanent Fund in December of 2020 which was not deposited to the CCF prior to the deadline of the CCF quarterly statement, and will be included in the 2021 first quarterly statement. In all, RRCC received $1,400 in 12 separate Permanent Fund donations in 2020!

     Special thanks to everyone who contributed! Please prayerfully consider your own ability to donate to the fund as you are able. The on-line giving screen is being updated to allow for the selection of the "Permanent Fund" option.   Any gift is appreciated and will be applied to "expand the witness and mission of Jesus Christ"!!

The Permanent Fund Team
  • The immediate past Senior Trustee (Tricia Mouser)
  • The two current RRCC Trustees (Melba Claymon and Kent Toomey)
  • The Financial Secretary (Irene Jenkins)
  • The Treasurer (Gary Collier)
  • The Senior Minister (Mitch Maxted) and Moderator (Dan Knight) as ex-officio members
Round Rock Area Serving Center
    
Reaching Out: SERVING OTHERS
 
SERVING OTHERS is an important measure on the pathway of RRCC's mission: Embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love. Each week, members of Round Rock Christian Church donate food items for the Round Rock Area Serving Center. A number of our members also have volunteered at the Center, which provides many services to our community neighbors.
For the first ten weeks of the pandemic, the Serving Center distributed food by drive-through to 3,500 families of 13,100 individuals. Distribution has continued with curbside pickup. The need is great: caseloads increased by 244% for the 2nd quarter of 2020, and by 179% in the 3rd quarter. Since March 24, the Serving Center has spent $1.9 million for rent and utility assistance for COVID-19 impacted households.
 
This message to volunteers was recently posted:
"Dear Serving Center Volunteers:
Thank you! Thank you for your kindness, all your time you give to help with the food pantry and your generous hearts. Because of your assistance my family can eat well. We love coming every month to see you guys. The twins adore the stuffed animals you gave them for Christmas. We can't express our gratitude for the HEB gift card as well. Thank you for being there for us. We truly appreciate all of you."
 
Thank you, RRCC members, for doing your part to embrace our neighbors with Christ-like love by serving others.
Upcoming Events 


There will be no events/meetings held in the RRCC facility until further notice.  
Some RRCC activities and events have been cancelled until further notice. 
Most are continuing online via zoom.


Tuesday, February 2, 2021
7:00 p.m.
- Shalom Congregation (off site)

Wednesday, February 3, 2021
1:00 p.m.
- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via Zoom) Link HERE
7:00 p.m.
- Chancel Choir (via ZOOM) Link HERE

Thursday, February 4, 2021 
1 Corinthians 7:17
Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. . . . In whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God

Friday, February 5, 2021
4:00 p.m.
- Moponic Cleans RRCC Campus

Saturday, February 6, 2021
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
- Shalom Congregation (drive thru prayer)
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Shalom special service in the sanctuary

Sunday, February 72020  
9:45 a.m.
Explorers Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE
9:45 a.m.
- Open Circle Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE
11:00 a.m.
- Worship (via Zoom) Link HERE
Evening
- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site)

Monday, February 82021 
9:30 a.m.
- DWM Link HERE

Tuesday, February 9, 2021
7:00 p.m.
- Elders Meeting (Unbinding Your HeartLink HERE
7:00 p.m.
- Shalom Congregation (off site)

ZOOM MEETING LINKS, events and details can be viewed on the RRCC Calendar
RRCC Newsletter Deadlines

Please submit your
Tuesday Newsletter articles and pictures 
before 10:00 a.m. on Mondays.
 and your Friday Reminders articles and pictures 
before 12:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Thank you!
Chancel Choir

CHANCEL CHOIR ZOOM FELLOWSHIP

 
Chancel Choir meets via ZOOM on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.:
Did You Miss a Newsletter?

Past newsletters dating back to mid-March 2020 are currently archived under the "ABOUT US" tab on the RRCC Website.

Upcoming Birthdays

 
February 4
- Irene Jenkins
February 5
- Nicholas Prince
February 7
- Gayle Shamblin
Prayer Needs

LEADERSHIP
1. Our Guiding Board, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Teams 
2. Our staff: Jimmy, Mitch, Katie, Randy, and Molly
3. Our music ministries and their leaders: Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Jimmy Horowitz
4. Our tech team: Gary Collier, Tara Pollock, Katie Maybaum, Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Dan Knight
5. Our Reopening Task Force--Perry Mouser (chair), Gary Tucker, Gary Collier, Mildred Adair, Amy Tucker, Pam Knight, Amy Osteen, Tricia Mouser, Pastor Maria Rosario of Manantial de Vida, Omar Roque, Juan Pena, and Carlos Cortez of Shalom, Pastor Mitch Maxted, and Linda Glover
6. Our Caring Hearts Prayer Group
7. Our Stephen Ministries (Care Receivers and Caregivers)
8. Our partnership with Shalom Seventh Day Adventist & Manantial de Vida congregations (and their pastors Edy Rosa Paez and Maria Rosario) 
9. Reverends Christal Fisher (South Texas) and Andy Mangum (CCSW)
10. The current search for a Community Regional Minister for Reconciliation for the Christian Church in the Southwest

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS 
1. For all who are grieving the loss of a loved one in recent weeks: 
  • Rod and Lisa Walker and family. Rod's mother, Billie, died last month in Oklahoma.
  • Steve and Amy Osteen and family. Steve's aunt, Judy, died last month in Mississippi.
  • Emmiline Greene and family. Emmiline's sister-in-law Matilda Dunn died last month in Maryland.
  • The family of Marilyn Davis, who died last month. Her memorial service was Saturday, January 30th at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown.
  • Erica Roberts and family. Erica's mother-in-law Sheila Roberts died last month of complications from COVID-19.
2. For all who have tested positive for COVID-19, and their families, including: Brenda Collier's mother Mary, Bob Jenkins' sister Kathy, Tricia and Perry's daughter Kendal and family, Martha Nichols' niece Glenda and her husband Eric, Susan Putnam's cousin Connie Walker, Molly Salzwedel's daughter Alyssa Todnem, and Bea Whitley's brother Darrel Hansen.
3. Acree, Mary -- recent  infection
4. Cratin, Katherine -- niece Amber W. tested positive for COVID-19
5. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia. Cynthia's  father, Harold Hubbard, is receiving hospice care
6. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
7. Mouser, Tricia -- rheumatoid arthritis infusion treatments and side-effects
8. Plough, Paul 
9. Sherry, Bea
10. Terry Tucker, brother of Gary Tucker -- one surgery completed and another one is upcoming
11. Walker, Lisa -- hospitalized for tests
12. Wilson, Garvid -- chemo/immunotherapy treatments every 21 days; prayers for strength and manageable side effects
13. York, Tasha -- mother Peggy Massey is recovering from a fall and broken ribs

OTHER
1. All who don't know Jesus
2. COVID-19 (the ill, their families, medical professionals, essential workers, treatment and vaccine researchers, the logistics of distributing and administering the vaccine safely and efficiently)
3. Those who have lost jobs during the pandemic; businesses that are struggling
4. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world 
5. Our military personnel and families
6. International cooperation in responding to climate change challenges
7. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible 
8. For all efforts toward affordable health care for all Americans
9. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of mass shootings in schools, places of work, etc.
10. All teachers, administrators, students, and parents. Our neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School.
Sunday School Classes
.
[There will be no Sunday School classes in the church building for the foreseeable future. 
Some classes will be meeting via Zoom 
during this time of social distancing.]
 .
Early Childhood Class (ages 4-7) -Taught by Lisa Walker

Intermediate Class (3rd - 5th grade) - Taught by Jennifer Kienzle 
Chi Rho Class - (6th - 8th grade) (studying the book, "Middle School TalkSheets" for ages 11-14.  "These TalkSheets present every aspect of Jesus' life in a way that young teens can connect with as they learn to apply the lessons to their own lives.")
 .
CYF Class (9th - 12th grade)  
 .
Open Circle (primarily adult women) - 9:45 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Studying Gospel Medicine.  ALL ARE WELCOME!  Link HERE
 .
Explorers (mixed adults) - 9:45 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying the New Testament Book of Acts, using the resource by John MacArthur. Link HERE
RRCC is on Social Media

Follow us on Social Media!

We can be found on:
Twitter as @ChurchRound
Instagram as rrccdisciples
Photo Submissions

Submitting a photo? Awesome! 
We love pictures of congregational life!
Please remember to include
identification (who, what, when, where, why) 
 for each photograph submitted to the office.  
Also, please indicate where you would like the photo to be used (RRCC website, social media, weekly newsletter, etc.)
.
Please email photos to the church office: info@rrdisciples.org
RRCC Office Hours


Mondays:
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Tuesdays:
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Wednesdays:
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Thursdays:
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Fridays:
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Message

From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
 
I am renewing your mind. When your thoughts flow freely, they tend to move toward problems. Your focus gets snagged on a given problem, circling round and round it in attempts to gain mastery. Your energy is drained away from other matters through this negative focus. Worst of all, you lose sight of Me.
    
A renewed mind is Presence-focused. Train your mind to seek Me in every moment, every situation. Sometimes you can find Me in your surroundings: a lifting birdsong, a loved one's smile, golden sunlight. At other times, you must draw inward to find Me. I am always present in your spirit. Seek My Face, speak to Me, and I will light up your mind.
Prayer: Lord, I want my mind to be renewed. Thank you for changing me and changing my focus. Continue to free me from my problems and distract me from them. They are there. And if nothing can be done about them at any moment, then I don't need to turn my focus to them. Lord, let us turn our focus on You and realize that You want us to not be anxious about our problems. Lord, I present them to You and pray that we would be drawn to You and understand that Your peace will pass all understanding.
Lord, remind me of Your presence. Remind me that You are in my surroundings. I can see You in nature, in other people. Keep my focus on You throughout the day. 

Give me strength to be bold in my conversations, always looking for an opportunity to speak of You and share You with others.

Lord, the way of the world is not what I want to be about. Lord, train people to seek You daily. Deepen all of our walks with You and make us Your ambassadors, always eager to speak of Your name. Amen!