From the Pastor
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers
for all believers everywhere.
Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)
God's Word is an indispensable weapon.
In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.
Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters.
Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up
so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Ephesians 6:18 (The Message)
The Apostle Paul can teach us much about the power of prayer. Surely he experienced that power personally, throughout his rich and challenging missionary experiences. His spiritual journey was fueled by prayer! In the verse from his letter to the church at Ephesus, above, we see that one of the ways Paul encouraged the churches he planted was to direct them to the power of prayer.
I want to thank our RRCC elders for your prayers in worship this past Sunday. In that moment of special prayer, when all the elders gathered up front, every worshiper could feel the healing love and power of the Holy Spirit.
May your season of Advent be filled with blessed prayer!
Celebrating the hope, peace, joy, and love of this sacred season,
Pastor Mitch
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Come Home to Round Rock Christian Church
During Advent 2018
Themes for our worship services this Advent are adapted from a wonderful worship resource by Arden W. Mead called "A Child Is Born In Bethlehem." As the season of Advent progresses, we are reminded that God used the special town of Bethlehem to bring other important people into the world--Benjamin, Obed, and David--setting the stage for the birth of Jesus, God With Us.
Would you like to have an Advent devotional message emailed to you every day during the season of Advent? It's not too late! Bible Gateway offers free Advent devotions sent daily to your email. Click on this link to sign up:
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Annual Disciples Women's Fellowship Luncheon
This Saturday, December 8, 2018, 11:30 A.M.
Mimi's Restaurant - I-35, North Round Rock
Ladies, do you have the annual DWM Christmas luncheon on your calendar? Again this year we will gather at Mimi's restaurant in north Round Rock at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, for lunch and fellowship. This Dutch treat meal is in lieu of a regular meeting this month. There is no need to RSVP. Just come!
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BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: THANK YOU!!
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Many thanks to all the volunteers who demonstrated wonderful RRCC hospitality at our second annual Breakfast with Santa last Saturday.
Our estimates were that 60 guests attended the event and 20 volunteers assisted with the event!! This is an increase in guests from last year and it seemed like a perfect number to allow time for introductions and discussion with the guests.
Special thanks to our Santa, Roger Cratin; flapjack flippers Paul Maybaum, Jim Kessler and John Claymon; photographers Lisa Breeding and Tasha York; crafty crafters Anna Marie Blair, Linda Glover, Tasha York, Mildred Adair and Martha Nichols; greeters Mitch Maxted, Susan Kessler, and Gwen Jackson; set-up team Perry Mouser, Dan Knight, Jim Kessler, Ilene Kiser, Susan Kessler and Steve Osteen; storyteller Jackie Switzer; registration table Tara Pollock and Janette Johnston; Bounce House bouncers Perry Mouser and Chris Guzman; Christmas music DJ Rod Walker; Event Co-chairs Tricia Mouser and Darlia Hunt; and Clean Up Team--EVERYONE!
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STAFF LOVE OFFERING
As was announced in worship
on Sunday
, for the next two Sundays (
Dec. 9 and 16
), RRCC members will have an opportunity to express appreciation for our wonderful church staff by donating to a special love offering which will be distributed before Christmas. This annual tradition recognizes the countless ways that our staff supports God's work through RRCC - whether through pastoral leadership, administrative support, music, caring for our youth and children, keeping our facilities clean, or in so many other ways.
Please mark your contribution for "Staff Love Offering" and place in the offering tray on
December 9th
or 16th. Thank you!
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December 9th Fellowship Lunch
The December 9th Fellowship Lunch will feature delicious Lasagna as the entree, seasoned Italian Green Beans, Salad and Bread. We are needing 5-6 desserts to complete the meal. Please email Tricia Mouser at mgtresources@hotmail.com if you can provide a dessert. Come enjoy a good meal and fellowship! Donations will be applied to complete the payoff of the loan for the parking lot paving project!! Thanks to everyone who has made this possible!
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ADOPT-A-CHILD IN FULL SWING
Adopt-A-Child
gift wrappin
g is scheduled for Sunday, December 9, immediately following our monthly fellowship luncheon. Many hands on deck are needed to wrap sixty gifts. A group of wrappers will make the task easy and enjoyable. If you have a favorite pair of scissors, please bring them.
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It's Peanut Brittle Time!
Until Sunday, December 16, donations of $10 will be rewarded with a 1 lb bag of Peanut Brittle. Please consider supporting this activity again.
This year the profits are being designated for the fund to cover emergency expenses. Please consider donating to this very important fund that might be able to collect enough funds to take care of the emergency needs that all buildings and congregations experience on a regular basis.
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Celebrate the joy of the season with us at our
Sounds of the Season Holiday Concert
with performances by
The Round Rock Community Choir
Round Rock Youth Choir
McNeil High School Musicale
and Council Oak Bells
Date: Friday, December 14, 2018
Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: First United Methodist Church, 1004 North Mays St., Rd Rock
Free Admission: no tickets required
Food Drive: Donations of non-perishable items will be collected
to benefit the Round Rock Area Serving Center.
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Stacy Harmel Hart (Venessa and Jim's daughter) is graduating December 14 from Texas State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Education, with highest honors
(
Summa Cum Laude).
Stacy grew up in Round Rock Christian Church. We're all proud of her!
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NEWS! BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
 Fifty-seven more Box Tops for Education were turned in to Union Hill Elementary this week! That adds up to $5.70 for free, bringing RRCC's donation total to $12.80!!
Several people have said they forget to bring the box tops in. Put them somewhere you will remember - like on top of the items you have for the Serving Center. Don't forget they expire, so you want to get them in ASAP.
The school can use the money for anything it needs! Computers, books, and playground equipment are just some of the ways schools have chosen to use the funds raised through Box Tops for Education.
for special offers, coupons, and to track the progress of the school. Please look for the labels on all items you buy and don't forget to bring them to church and place in the collection box each week. Thank you!!
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LOST:
Several months ago, this backpack with the drone inside was found on the outdoor stairway of the church courtyard. If you know anything about it, please contact Pastor Mitch.
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PANTRY FOCUS FOR DECEMBER: POWDERED MILK
"...love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39)
December is "POWDERED MILK MONTH"
at RRCC. Your donations of
powdered milk
(or cash or check designated for the Round Rock Area Serving Center) will help stock empty shelves and serve people in our community.
Mark your grocery list every week for our local community food pantry.
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Serving With You This Sunday, December 9
Worship Leader: Susan Kessler
Greeters: Gary Tucker, Volunteer Needed!
Sunday Treats:
Tricia Mouser
Elders: Jackie Switzer
(Offering), Steve Osteen (Communion)
Deacons: Emmiline Greene and Diane Breeding
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Find a Place to Serve here at RRCC
 Here are the ways you can contribute to Sunday Morning Worship:
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Upcoming Birthdays
Dec. 8 - Jackie Switzer
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Caring Hearts Prayer List
OUR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP
1.
Rev. Mitch Maxted
2.
Guiding Board, Admin Team, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Committees
3. Personnel and Admin Team as they work to fill needed positions
4. Volunteers who are helping through this transition time
5. Shut-In Servers & Caring Hearts Prayer Group
6. Jackie Switzer and RRCC's reviving Stephen Ministries program
7. Agape Group leaders
8. Our music ministries: Randy Preston, Rod Walker, Jimmy Horowitz; choir preparing for Christmas Cantata, Senior Access Concert, and caroling at the Court
9. Enable us to develop a passion for praying and increase our tithes and offerings
10. Our partnership with Shalom Seventh Day Adventist & Manantial de Vida congregations (and their pastors Edy Rosa Paez and Maria Rosario)
11. Our Vision Advisory Committee and our efforts as a congregation to embrace our neighbors with Christ-like love. Strengthening our strategies:
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. Carol (sister-in-law of Diane B., had a massive stroke 11/11)
2. Cratin, Katherine (throat difficulties)
3. Davis, Marilyn (adjusting to The Oaks)
4. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold
5. Harmel, Crispin and Christina
6. Maxted, Mana
7. Maybaum, Liz - continued monitoring and doctor consultations
8. Mehlow, Carolyn & Leroy
9. Plough, Paul & Margaret (adjusting to Elan Southpark Meadows)
10. Pollock, Paula
11. Quick, Jonathan (healing from 11/28 hip replacement surg.; son of K. Cratin)
12. Sanford, Collin (Emmiline's son-in-law, ongoing rehab following a stroke)
13. Sherry, Bea (adjusting to Lakeline Oaks)
14. Snider, Rev. Ed
15. Tucker, Amy (stomach difficulties)
16. Yorke, Evan (request from Bea W.)
OTHER
1. Our military personnel and families
2. Pray for persecuted Christians throughout the world
3. Victims and responders for local flooding and California wildfires
4. Developing an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and Christ-like
5. Family of President George H.W. Bush
6. For all efforts toward universal access to health care here in the U.S.
7. All who don't know Jesus
8. Reaching out to our neighborhood families through the schools: 1. Hopewell gift cards 2. Adopt-a-Child ministry at Union Hill and Hopewell 3. Literacy Partners at Union Hill 4. Blessings to all who attended Breakfast with Santa on December 1
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 Please, join us!
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) - Beginning November 18th, studying
The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem.
Explorers (mixed adults) - Facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying the gospel of Matthew.
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Upcoming Events
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
7:00pm - Shalom Congregation
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
1:00pm - Caring Hearts Prayer Group
5:30-9:00pm Texas Elite Volleyball
7:00pm - Choir Rehearsal
7:15pm - Overcomers Bible Study (Rilda Scarborough's home)
Thursday, December 6, 2018
6:00-8:00pm - Texas Elite Volleyball
7:00pm - Praise Band Rehearsal tonight
Friday, December 7, 2018
1:00pm - Oil Painting Class
Saturday, December 8, 2018
8:00am - Shalom Congregation
8:30am - DMM Breakfast
9:30-11:00am - Handcrafters
11:30am - DWM Annual Luncheon at Mimi's
Ministerial Candidate Cong. Care Comm. @ church after luncheon
Sunday, December 9, 2018
9:30am - Sun
day School
10:30am - Fellowship
11:00am - Worship
12:15pm - Monthly Fellowship Lunch
3:30-4:30 - Texas Elite Volleyball
4:00pm - Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida
Monday, December 10, 2018
5:30-9:00pm - Texas Elite Volleyball
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Elders Prayer Corner/Closing Message
The popular Christmas song,
"Mary, Did You Know?", was written by Mark Lowry who was born in Houston, Texas in 1958.
For years, Lowry had been fascinated with the concept that God came to earth and that a very human Mary knew her child was not ordinary. Mark began writing a list of questions he would like to ask Mary if he could sit down with her. He carried his lyrics
with him for seven years, until 1991, when he asked his good friend, Buddy Greene, to write suitable music for his poem. Out of this grew the popular song.
"Mary, Did You Know?"
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby you kiss the face of god
The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heavens perfect lamb?
That sleeping child you're holding is the great I am
The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heavens perfect lamb?
That sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.
Dear, Lord,
We give thanks for songs that awaken our senses and help prepare us for the coming celebration of Jesus' birth. Help us avoid the chaos that surrounds this season and help us focus on the gift of love wrapped in the form of a small child who changed the world.
Amen
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