On Sunday in worship, I had to skip the bread and drink the juice as the communion trays were passed to me. I'm still not allowed to chew, and the little piece of communion bread was not something I wanted to swallow "as is."
So I had 1/2 of communion. In fact, overall I felt as though I had half of worship--that I was a half participant!
It is an odd experience to attend worship but not participate in the responsive readings, sung responses, hymns, and the Lord's Prayer. I couldn't even speak to people before worship, during the passing of the peace, or on the way out. I had to skip the taco bar that the Handcrafters put together for the all-church luncheon. All of those experiences made me feel like I wasn't fully engaged. I felt like a detached spectator.
And yet, at the same time, I experienced a number of blessings. My loving church family surrounded me. People expressed their love and concern in a variety of ways. I got to hear the choir in a new way. Moreover, I got to witness the leadership gifts of those in our congregation who stepped up and assumed responsibilities for worship leadership. In addition to Julian Grant (opening welcome/announcements and sermon) and Judy Jocoy (worship leader parts), Caleb Plank-Grant read scripture and Katherine Cratin lead the children's message and the pastoral prayer, and presided at the communion table. Julian is one of our two commissioned ministers (Anna Marie Blair is the other), and Katherine is an ordained minister. I appreciate all who took on extra responsibilities.
I had multiple gum grafts done on Wednesday, March 4th, and was asked by my periodontist to follow basically a liquid diet and to refrain from speaking as much as possible until my followup six days later (today). I have just come from that followup appointment. The evaluation results were mostly good. Though for now I will have to continue to eat an adjusted diet and to practice a modified oral hygiene regimen, I am allowed to talk. I am cleared to lead worship this Sunday, and can begin singing with the choir again next Wednesday, the 18th.
Again, thank you for the many ways you've been supportive.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
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Lunch Bunch
The Lunch Bunch will be meeting at
Pok-e-Jo's
(
by Gattitown a
t Sam Bass
and Chisholm Trail)
this Sunday after
worship.
All are welcome!
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RRCC Property Project Helpers Needed
RRCC Outdoor Beautification Project
Weather permitting, your help is needed immediately following our next monthly men's breakfast THIS Saturday March 14 to transplant the 3 large bushes currently planted in the planter bed along the main pathway into the church to the 3 new planter boxes located on the east side of the Sanctuary building.
We will need 2 teams of approximately 3-4 men to make this a quick job but more importantly, to save backs by sharing the work load.
- Team 1 will need to place supplied cardboard as a weed stop in the new planter boxes and dig holes for the bushes to be placed in.
Team 2 will need to trim the bushes back to approximately 4' high, place the trimmings in the trash dumpster and dig up the bush root balls.
Please bring shovels, trimming tools and gloves for the project. If you have any questions, please contact Perry Mouser.
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RRCC and the Coronavirus (COVID - 19)
Our prayers continue for people here in the U.S.--and all over the world--who are affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Pray for those who are sick, their families, those who care for them, and health and government decision-makers tasked with the work of identifying, containing, and treating the ill and protecting the healthy. Older adults, especially those 60 and over, appear to be at the most risk with this particular form of the virus.
If this virus becomes widespread in our area, RRCC will communicate updated information about possible cancellations and modified scheduling via email and telephone.
Our denominational website disciples.org features a helpful page with a variety of coronavirus-related articles. Use this link to visit the page:
See the next "block" to read a recent letter from our General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens and Vy Nguyen of WOC.
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Coordinating and Responding to the COVID-19 Outbreak
[A message from our General Minister and President and WOC, posted March 6, 2020 on disciples.org]
I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121: 1-2
Dear Church -
No doubt there are those who have concerns and anxiety about the coronavirus as it continues to spread. We may not yet know the extent to which the disease will affect the United States and Canada but with prevention efforts and timely responses, the impact on our congregations and communities can be reduced...
Information is our greatest resource as we make our plans and preparations. Accurate information about the virus can help calm anxieties and correct misinformation. Prevention information can help protect people and limit the transmission of the virus. Even when an outbreak begins, sharing information enables more timely and effective responses.
Week of Compassion and the General Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are here to assist and support congregations in the event of an outbreak affecting your community. As this situation is highly dynamic, we are assessing what resources are available across the Church, working closely with our governmental and ecumenical partners, and developing emergency plans to help congregations respond.
To be most effective, we need to know where Disciples are affected. The best way to help us assist you is to notify Week of Compassion quickly when someone within your congregation or immediate community is affected. We ask that you do not share names or other personal information to respect pastoral boundaries and patient confidentiality.
If cases are confirmed in your community, especially individuals connected to your church, please contact Week of Compassion by email info@weekofcompassion.org or phone/text 203-772-8597.
We continue in prayer with you, for our neighbors affected by this virus, and for all who are working to provide care. Together, our wider Church can serve as a resource to our local communities and serve our neighbors in need during this time.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the Great Healer,
Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President
Vy Nguyen, Executive Director, Week of Compassion
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Alma's Secret Garden
Ladies' Brunch
With the charge "to provide a lovely event for all women of the church for fellowship and to feed the woman's spirit," a task force of the Disciples Women's Ministry met last week and has news to share! Thanks to Darlia Hunt, Susan Kessler, Pam Knight, Martha Nichols, Linda Preston for a great brainstorming session, and to Jean Bell and Anna Marie Blair for also serving on the task force. Here is the new, streamlined, updated "ladies' tea"!
FOR ALL LADIES OF RRCC:
You are cordially invited to join us for
ALMA'S SECRET GARDEN
Ladies' Brunch
Saturday, June 6, 2020
11:00am
$10 per person
Tickets on sale April 19
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Serving
With You T
his Sunday
, March 15
|
Worship Leader:
|
Dan Knight
|
|
Sunday Treats:
|
Jennifer Kienzle
|
|
Elders:
|
Tasha York
(Offering) and Gary Tucker (Communion)
|
|
|
Diane Breeding, Lisa Breeding,
*Deborah Roberts, *Amy Tucker
(* indicates the Greeters for the month)
|
|
Hop Into Easter
On Saturday, April 4, from 9:30-11:00am, RRCC will host our third annual "HOP INTO EASTER" event, including an egg hunt, bounce house, Easter photos, light breakfast, crafts, games, and more. Mark your calendar!
Do you want to get involved? Come to a
quick organizational/brainstorming task force meeting THIS Sunday, March 15, immediately after worship
. Bring your ideas or ju
st your "bunny ears" to learn more about the
event.
In the meantime, LOTS of candy will be needed for the egg hunt. If you can bring a bag of individually wrapped small candies (or several!), please put them in the donation area in the Welcome Center. (NOTE: no chocolate, please!).
Hop Into Easter is an important part of RRCC's mission to embrace our neighbors with Christ-like love - to be a "front yard church," where families in the neighborhood will come together to share in fellowship and get to know our church family.
Stay tuned for details!
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Disciple Oaks
|
Pantry Focus for March: Sugar
"...for I was hungry and you gave me food. Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:35, 40)
This is "Sugar"
month
at RRCC.
Let's load our food pantry tub in the Welcome Center to overflowing each Sunday!
Your donations of Sugar
(or cash or check designated for the Round Rock Area Serving Center) will help stock empty shelves and feed hungry neighbors in our community.
Mark your grocery list every week for the Round Rock Area Serving Center.
|
Find a Place to Serve Here at RRCC
 Here are the ways you can contribute to Sunday Morning Worship:
|
Upcoming B
irthdays
|
March 10
|
- Caleb Plank-Grant |
|
March 15
|
- Bob Jenkins |
|
March 17
|
- Kent Toomey |
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Prayer Needs
OUR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP
1. Our pastor and staff
2. Guiding Board, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Teams
3. Ad Hoc Youth Programming Team and youth director search
4. Our Elders as they focus on evangelism this year
5. Shut-
In Servers & Caring Hearts Prayer Group
6. Stephen Ministries (Care Receivers and Caregivers)
7. Our music ministries and their leaders: Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Jimmy Horowitz
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. All ministries that take place at Camp Gonzo (Disciple Oaks)
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. Bell, Jean (son Chris cancer infusion treatments)
2. Davis, Marilyn (sister-in-law Dorothy in an auto accident)
3. Fennimore, Nancy, (husband Gene and sister Joan--health issues; daughter-in-law Brittney's grandmother passed away)
4. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold
5. Maxted, Mana (mononucleosis)
6. Maxted, Mitch (gum graft healing)
7. Maybaum, Liz (platelet count)
8. Plough, Paul
9. Pollock, Paula
10.
Sanford, Collin and Sonya
11. Snider, Rev. Ed
12. Stalder, Mac (prayers for pain reduction and healing from recent surgery--Tasha York nephew)
OTHER
1. All affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) around the world (those who are ill, their families, health professionals)
2. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world
3. Our military personnel and families
4. International cooperation in responding to climate change challenges
5. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible
6. For all efforts toward universal, affordable access to health care here in the U.S.
7. All who don't know Jesus
8. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of frequent, deadly mass shootings
9. Reaching out to our neighborhood families through the schools: a. Hopewell gift cards b. Adopt-a-Child ministry at Union Hill and Hopewell c. Literacy Partners at Union Hill d. Staff Appreciation Breakfasts e. school supplies for Hopewell Middle School f. Hopewell "Swarm the Hive" back to school event g. Our neighborhood welcoming events such as Trunk n Treat, Breakfast with Santa, and Hop into Easter (scheduled for Saturday, April 4th)
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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) - Studying
Searching for Sunday, by Rachel Held Evans
.
Explorers (mixed adults) - Facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying a gospel of Luke resource by John MacArthur.
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Pastor Mitch and Office Emails
info@rrdisciples.org
|
pastormitch@rrdisciples.org
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rrcc-office@rrdisciples.org
|
bookkeeper@rrdisciples.org
|
|
Follow us on Social Media!
We can be found on:
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Submitting a photo? Awesome!
We love pictures of congregational life!
Please remember to include
identification
(who, what, when, where, why)
for each photograph s
ubmitted to the office.
Also, please indicate
where
you would like the photo to be used (RRCC website,
social media, weekly newsletter, etc.)
|
RRCC Newsletter Deadlines
Please submit your Tuesday newsletter articles
and pictures
before
10:00 a.m. on Mondays.
Thank you!
|
Upcoming Events
|
11:00 a.m.
|
-
Les Miserables Lenten Study
|
|
6:00 p.m.
|
- Texas Heat Volleyball
|
|
7:00 p.m.
|
-
Les Miserables Lenten Study
|
|
7:00 p.m.
|
- Shalom
|
Wednesday, March
11, 2020
|
1:00 p.m.
|
- Caring Hearts Prayer Group
|
|
5:45 p.m.
|
- Texas Heat Volleyball
|
|
7:00 p.m.
|
- Chancel Choir
|
Thursday, March 12, 2020
|
1:00 p.m. & 7:00p.m.
|
- Book Groups |
|
6:00 p.m.
|
- Texas Heat Volleyball |
Friday, March 13, 2020
Saturday, March 14, 2020
|
8:00 a.m.
|
- Shalom
|
|
8:30 a.m.
|
- Disciple Men's Ministry (breakfast; Transplanting project)
|
|
9:30 a.m.
|
- Handcrafters Ministry
|
|
9:30 a.m.
|
- RRCC Outdoor Beautification Project Transplanting
|
Sunday, March 15
,
2020
| 9:30 a.m. |
- Sunday School |
|
10:30 a.m.
|
- Fellowship and Coffee
|
|
11:00 a.m.
|
- Worship |
|
12:15 p.m.
|
- Hop into Easter Volunteer Meeting |
|
12:15 p.m.
|
- Elders Meeting |
|
12:15 p.m.
|
- Lunch Bunch at Pok-e-Jo's |
|
3:00 p.m.
|
- Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida
|
Monday, March 16
,
2020
| RRISD |
Spring Break - March 16-20 |
| 5:45 p.m. |
- Texas Heat Volleyball |
| 7:00 p.m. |
- Guiding Board Meeting |
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
| 11:00 a.m. |
- Les Miserables Lenten Study |
| 6:00 p.m. |
- Texas Heat Volleyball |
| 7:00 p.m. |
- Les Miserables Lenten Study |
| 7:00 p.m. |
- Shalom |
|
|
Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Messag
e
C.S. Lewis Observed, "A person's spiritual health is exactly proportional to his love for God."
When we are consistent and faithful in our worship and striving to walk in faith, the joy we have flows deeply in our life. We begin by allowing Him to be our guide. We all face adversity, setbacks , and disappointments - it is part of our journey. How we handle such situations is the challenge, The most important issue, is that we cannot lose faith. Relying on God is the most important choice for us to follow. God is always with us. He will answer out prayers, but we need to remember that things happen in His time and withing His plan.
Patience and prayer are the key for restoration and healing. What a joy and blessing to know God can overcome any obstacle or challenge we face.
When we develop an authentic love relationship with God, we will not be able to keep Him compartmentalized in "churchy"religious categories.
Beth Moore.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for the amazing gift of loving me - a love that has o end. Help me, Father, to be your faithful servant. In Christ's name, Amen.
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