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Chalice News
Round Rock Christian Church
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Embracing o
ur neighbors
with Christ-like love
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April 14, 2020
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This Sunday in Worship
April 19, 2020
Scripture for Sunday:
John 20:19-31
Sermon title:
"Afraid. Locked Up At Home."
On the evening of that first Easter,
the Disciples were scared, worried about their safety,
and staying inside. Sound familiar?
Adding to their difficult situation was the fact that they were not all unified in their understanding of what had happened
and who Jesus was.
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A Message from Rev. Maxted
For all the limitations and technical challenges that we are facing by meeting through
zoom
video conferencing,
we are also experiencing some very nice blessings through this format. For example, congregants' extended family members as well as former members have joined us from great distances for zoom worship services.
Our little zoom "sanctuary" has been big enough to include folks from Nevada, Idaho, Ohio, California and beyond.
This is one of the benefits of using zoom to worship.
We should give thanks to God for these blessings. We should celebrate new possibilities. Also, we should recognize that we will never return to life as we knew it prior to the pandemic. Even when meeting restrictions are eased in the coming months, and even when COVID-19 is no longer a widespread health threat to humanity, we will not return to our pre-virus world view and our pre-virus way of relating to one another.
I believe that God is cheering us on as we adapt and march forward in serving him. And I thank God that all of you are stepping out in faith, doing your best in our changed circumstances.
In gratitude,
Pastor Mitch
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Evening Book Club Will Meet THIS Week
The evening Book Club group will meet via Zoom on Thursday, April 16th instead of the regularly-scheduled April 9th.
Thank you for your flexibility!
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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.
This is a quicker way to access past newsletters and Friday "Reminders" than to hunt back through old emails. Thank you, Molly, for setting this up!
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Even though we are unable to meet in person,
RRCC has
three ways you can still give your tithe:
- 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.
- Use your bank's electronic bill pay feature to have a check mailed directly from your bank to RRCC.
- Mail your check directly to RRCC.
Address your envelope to:
Financial Secretary
Round Rock Christian Church
22 Chalice Way
Round Rock, TX 78665
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Do You Need Help With Zoom?
Some of our members have attempted to join a zoom meeting or worship and have been unable to fully participate. We apologize for this inconvenience and we want to help you overcome these difficulties.
For most people, simply clicking on the provided link takes the person where they need to go. But people use different devices with different capabilities, so each person's ability to participate varies. If you need some technical help with Zoom, please don't hesitate to reach out to Gary Collier, Rod Walker, Randy Preston, or Rev. Maxted with your questions.
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Your Guiding Board.....
Will gather via ZOOM for its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 20, 2020, at 7:00 PM. An integral part of our meetings is the opportunity for members to communicate with the Board. This communication is vitally important as we shelter in place in our homes. Should you have any comments or concerns please reach out via email to Linda Glover at
pybus@sbcglobal.net
.
"
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
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Immigrant-led Weekly Online Bible Study (IWOBS)
My Dear CRM Colleagues & Friends,
Greetings. Amidst all that is happening, a wonderful project has begun. Our Disciples Immigration Response Specialist, Valeria Bejar, has begun a weekly online Bible study, led by immigrants with immigrant perspectives on Holy Scripture. The first week it was offered was an "inner" study, that is one that is also just for persons who are immigrants or are significantly a part of affected communities. This week will begin the "outer" study, that invites those of us like myself who care about our immigrant neighbors, but who isn't an immigrant or directly impacted.
Gratefully Yours,
Allen
Immigrant-led Weekly Online Bible Study (IWOBS)
Join us this Thursday for the first IWOBS, Outer Study!
This week's presenter will be Valeria Bejar, Disciples Immigration Response Specialist.
Please share!
Valeria Bejar
Disciples Immigration Response Specialist
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COVID-19 Update From the Serving Center --
A Letter from Lori Scott, Executive Director
The Serving Center facility was closed to the public effective March 18th. The thrift stores and client services are closed until May 11, 2020. The food pantry is operating on a modified basis and is distributing food on Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 11 am to 2 pm only. This is a drive-through operation in the donation receiving area circular driveway. And, we are accepting food donations during those same hours of distribution. We are providing financial assistance by phone only. Clients must call and speak with Cynthia Flores, and fax/email their utility bills and lease agreements. Checks are being mailed. The modified operation is running smoothly and many, many thanks are extended to the staff and volunteers who are working to make this successful.
Since March 18th, we have provided food to 527 families, including FFFF, which is a total of 2,004 individuals. We have provided financial assistance for rent, utilities, prescriptions, bus, and hotel, and have spent a total of $12,295.
After 9/11, the Serving Center caseload skyrocketed by 86%. In 2008, the caseload jumped by 45%, and in 2009, the caseload rose by 19%. The COVID-19 pandemic is much broader and is impacting significantly more families who are normally working with job cuts and layoffs. The Serving Center caseload is going to rise dramatically.
In addition to the increased caseload that the Serving Center will face, the closure of the thrift stores is a serious loss of revenue in the amount of $60,000 for two months. At this time, it is anticipated that the stores will reopen on May 11th, but that could be extended. The Serving Center expects to exceed the program services budget to meet the needs of not only client families but also households who have never asked for help before.
I cannot say thank you enough to everyone for your compassion, hard work, flexibility, and willingness to serve our community.
Lori Scott, Executive Director
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Disciple Oaks Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
March 26, 2020:
Our Mission South Leaders, Board of Directors for Disciple Oaks and Camp Director are continuing to monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation to ensure we are making the best possible decisions for the health of our groups and staff, as well as following local, state, and national guidelines surrounding this unprecedented time. At this time, we want everyone to know that:
1. We are still accepting registrations for Summer Camp 2020. So please continue to sign your kids up for Summer Camp
-The best information sources we have are telling us we are trending towards
having camp this summer.
-Early Bird registration ends April 20th. Please take advantage of the
Early Bird
fee. We will waive Late Registration fees that would normally apply after May 18th.
-Fees must be paid by the deadline to receive that fee.
2. Our Mission South Leaders, Board of Directors for Disciple Oaks and Camp Director continue to access changing conditions and are meeting regularly to enhance the ministry of Disciple Oaks during these times.
3. We will make a final decision in mid-May with our Camp Physician and TX DSHS if camp will be held as schedule. Refunds will be made if we must cancel summer camps.
4. If you register and pay for your child to attend camp, and Disciple Oaks decides to move forward with having summer camps but you are not comfortable with sending your child to camp due to any changes with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) closer to the camp start date, we will honor requests to refund your money. This is a special refund arrangement we are making for this summer only.
We are looking forward to a great summer! Thanks for your support with our camping ministry!
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Alma's Secret Garden
[Though this event may eventually be cancelled, for now we will continue to share the information.]
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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Find a Place to Serve Here at RRCC
 Here are the ways you can contribute to Sunday Morning Worship:
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Upcoming B
irthdays
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April 14
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- David Camarillo |
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April 17
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- Bryan Camarillo |
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April 18
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- Patricia Mouser |
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April 19
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- Jim Putnam |
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Prayer Needs
OUR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP
1. Our staff--Jimmy, Mitch, Katie, Randy, and Molly
2. Guiding Board, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Teams
3. Ad Hoc Youth Programming Team and youth director search
4. Our El
ders 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. Gary Collier, Tara Pollock, Randy Preston, Katie Maybaum, Molly Salzwedel, and other tech support people from our congregation who are helping us to stay connected and active, even during this time of STAY HOME STAY SAFE.
ME
MBERS AND FRIENDS
1. Barnett, Barbara - has several family members who are medical professionals, including grandson Jackson working in COVID-19 ICU
2. Bell, Jean (son Chris has made great progress with infusions to combat cancer)
3. Camarillo, Brian (son of Rudy) nurse in Bridgeport, Connecticut 4.
Davis, Marilyn (now living with Duane and Keri Davis, her son and daughter-in-law)
5. Fennimore, Nancy, (husband Gene and sister Joan--health issues; daughter-in-law Brittney's grandmother passed away)
6. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold
7. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
8. Hunt, Darlia (daughter Debra, nurse, doing much better now after a long fever)
9. Maybaum, Liz (platelet count)
10. Plough, Paul
11. Pollock, Paula
12. Rowland, Lucy (former member now living near Atlanta, GA--recent stroke)
13. Sanford, Collin and Sonya
14. Sherry, Bea (no visitors allowed at this time)
15. Snider, Rev. Ed (no visitors allowed at this time)
16. Whitley, Charles (recovering from shingles)
17. York , Skyler David (future grandson of Tasha and future adopted son of TJ and Heather York. Pregnancy complications.)
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 annual neighborhood welcoming events such as Trunk n Treat, Breakfast with Santa, and Hop into Easter
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[There will be no Sunday School classes at the church for the foreseeable future. Some classes will be meeting via Zoom during the STAY HOME STAY SAFE order.]
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) -
10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Studying
Searching for Sunday, by Rachel Held Evans
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Explorers (mixed adults) - 10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, 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
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pastormitch@rrdisciples.org
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rrcc-office@rrdisciples.org
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bookkeeper@rrdisciples.org
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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.)
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RRCC Newsletter Deadlines
Please submit your Tuesday newsletter articles
and pictures
before
10:00 a.m. on Mondays.
Thank you!
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Upcoming Events
There will be no events/meetings held in the RRCC facility until further notice. Many RRCC activities and events have been cancelled until further notice. Some are continuing online.
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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Wednesday, April
15, 2020
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1:00 p.m.
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via ZOOM)
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7:00 p.m.
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- Chancel Choir (via ZOOM)
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Thursday, April 16, 2020
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7:00 p.m.
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- Book Group (via ZOOM)
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Friday, April 17, 2020
Saturday, April 18, 2020
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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Sunday, April 19
,
2020 EASTER
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9:30 a.m.
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- Sunday School (via ZOOM) |
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11:00 a.m.
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- Worship with us (via ZOOM) |
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1:00 p.m.
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- Elders Meeting (via ZOOM) |
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Evening
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- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site) |
Monday, April 20
,
2020
| 7:00 p.m. |
- Guiding Board Meeting (via ZOOM) |
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
| 7:00 p.m. |
- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Messag
e
In this period of having lots of "free" time, some may be inclined to ruminate on the ills they feel were caused by others. Sometimes the others might even be the currently inescapable housemates with whom we actually chose to live. So let us consider this passage adapted from Courage to Change.
The most loving form of detachment I have found has been forgiveness. Instead of thinking of it as an eraser to wipe another's slate clean or a gavel that I pound to pronounce someone "not guilty," I think of forgiveness as a scissors I use it to cut the strings of resentment that bind me to a problem or a past hurt. By releasing resentment, I set myself free.
When I am consumed with negativity over another person's behavior, I have lost my focus. I needn't tolerate what I consider unacceptable, but wallowing in negativity will not alter the situation. If there is action to take, I am free to take it. Where I am powerless to change the situation, I will turn it over to God. By truly letting go, I detach and forgive.
When my thoughts are full of bitterness, fear, self -pity, and dreams of revenge there is little room for love or for the quiet voice of guidance within me. I am willing to love myself enough to admit that resentments hold me back, and then I can let them go.
Prayer:
God, You have made clear your expectation that we are to forgive others. Those who do so experience your love in the fact that they can feel their burdens of anger and resentment being lifted away. It's so wonderful that you've given us specific instructions to live into your love for us which is already unlimited. Let us rejoice in knowing that you are our Lord.
In the name of our risen Savior,
Amen
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