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Chalice News
Round Rock Christian Church
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Embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love
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September 1, 2020
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This Sunday in Worship -- September 6, 2020
THE 14TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
"The Year of the Lord's Favor"
Like those who faced rebuilding Jerusalem, many of us may feel as though churches in our country are struggling, and we wonder if it's even possible to rebuild them so they will be around for more than another generation.
The words of Isaiah 61 call us to a different path, one of action and faith. The prophet's message was not a call to grasp at security or embrace complacency. These were words of challenge, risk, and service. Is not this message still relevant for us today?
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A Message from the Pastor
While out on my early morning walks, I often see small clusters of swarming ants on the sidewalk. If I stop to examine this phenomenon a bit closer, I typically see only a tightly packed mob of busy ants. What they are feasting upon remains hidden. I think to myself, "Whatever it is, it must be mighty tasty, judging by the frenzy of activity."
A few days ago I noticed three such swarms of ants on my back porch--tiny little areas of ant activity. Small enough that I could have easily missed them. Upon investigating, I noticed that the ants were not so thick as to obstruct my view of their interest. There were two small unidentifiable pieces of something, but the third piece told the tale (pun intended)--it was a tiny tail, likely having belonged to a mouse. So what I was looking at was the remains of some animal's meal. Was it a neighborhood stray cat that captured a mouse and decided our back porch was a fine place to enjoy it? Was it perhaps an owl or hawk that had feasted there? I'll never know for sure. All kinds of little life and death dramas play out while we sleep. For the ants, the leftovers were an absolute bonanza.
When our children were very small, we drove from Ohio to Niagara Falls and spent a couple of days. Our hotel was on the Canadian side, and we could see and hear the falls from our hotel room window. We were up quite a few floors, and the view was worth the cost of the room. The first morning there, I rose early and sat next to the window, quietly enjoying the majesty below. I could just hear the faint roar of the water through the glass. It wasn't long before our oldest rose and came and sat on my lap. He seemed a bit surprised to see the sight below--not that the falls were still there, but that they were already flowing that early in the morning. He asked, in astonishment, "Was the water moving all night?!" The question was comical, but it also wonderfully captured my own amazement and wonder at the scene I was taking in. So much happens while we sleep.
We miss a lot while we sleep, but God doesn't miss it. Psalm 121 reminds us that our God takes care of us 24/7. When a man was asked by his friend how he's able to sleep so easily, he replied, "Sure, I have plenty of problems, but I don't let them keep me up at night. God is awake, and there's no use for us both to stay up."
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. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:1-4 (NRSV)
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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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with your request. Please specify whether you would like to receive your statement through snail mail or email and provide the corresponding address.
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This Sunday, September 6, Pastor Mitch will bless remotely the backpacks (and computers?!) of our school children and the adults who are guiding them through this difficult first few weeks of school. The blessing cards will be included with Promotion Certificates to be mailed to our students. There will be blessing cards available at the church office for others who would like to drop by to pick one up.
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The Rainbow Room
Disciples Women's Ministries Successful Service Project
The Rainbow Room, created in 1998, is a valuable resource that assists abused and neglected children and benefits the whole spectrum of families who are served by Child Protective Services across Texas. It is an in-house emergency resource center that distributes new items of clothing, diapers, baby food and equipment as well as personal products to clients of CPS caseworkers free of any overhead or administrative costs. One hundred percent of every dollar or items donated goes directly to the children.
Our Disciples Women's Ministries selected the Round Rock/Williams County Rainbow Room as its community service project. During first three months of the year more than 300 personal items from the center's most needed list were purchased, blessed at monthly DWM meetings, and delivered. When social distancing kept our women from making purchases monetary donations totaling $371. was given to the agency.
"As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
1 Peter 4:10
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Regional Assembly -- October 9 & 10, 2020
Mark your calendars!
You're invited to the CCSW Regional Assembly on October 9 & 10, 2020.
This will be an Online Event so you can participate fully from right where you are!
We are busy working out all the details, planning amazing worship experiences, creating educational opportunities, and fine tuning the technology.
But don't worry, we will be sharing more information with you soon - keep a look out for that information. Don't forget to save the date!
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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!
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To those of our members who do occasionally come to the RRCC campus, please be aware of biting/stinging bugs and arachnids in the rooms. Although we are having the RRCC buildings regularly treated for pests, please use caution when moving items that have not been disturbed these past few months and look before you sit in any chairs or step into darkened corners, especially if you are wearing open-toed shoes.
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What's New in the Bluebonnet Area/Capital Cluster?
Hope United Church, Georgetown -- Ron Trimmer concluded his ministry as pastor of Hope United and has moved with this family to Missouri. Click here to watch his final message to the congregation on August 9th:
Bethany Christian Church, Austin -- The food pantry at Bethany, called Faith Food Pantry, was started in 2005, when a young man visiting the congregation suggested it. Georgia Booker, the wife of the minister at the time, brought the idea to the Disciples Women Ministry, and soon the ministry began. Norris Carr, Jr. is the transitional pastor.
Bluebonnet Hills Christian Church, Austin -- from their website: "This is a good place to come if you want to learn about a certain carpenter who walked through the Hill Country once upon a time. The carpenter's name was Jesus, and he lived in the Hill Country of the eastern Mediterranean during the days of the Roman Empire. This carpenter said, and did, some of the most remarkable things that anyone had ever seen or heard of. His life is worth studying, his message is worth hearing, and his example is worth following..." Landon Shultz is the minister.
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Call for Worship Leaders!
ATTENTION WORSHIP
LEADERS!
Thanks, those of you who signed up for the Worship Leader spots.
There are TWO spots left
for 2020.
The following dates are available to sign up for 2020 are:
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| September 6-FILLED! | | October 4-FILLED! | October 11-FILLED!
| November 1-FILLED! | | November 8-FILLED! | November 29
| December 27 |
Please consider taking one or two of the empty spots.
Thank you
We need you to please go to sign up genius and pick out a date or two that you would so graciously serve as worship leader.
We appreciate your leadership in this capacity.
Thank you.
Worship Team
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The RRCC Re-Opening Task Force is meeting this evening (Tuesday, August 25, 2020)
Please check our website for Re-Opening news:
Virtual Hugs to Everyone!
The Re-Opening Task Force
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RRCC Welcomes All!
Here at Round Rock Christian Church we welcome
and celebrate diversity! Inclusion is rooted in our understanding of God, the Creator who made all humanity in God's own image.
Just as Jesus loved all humanity, our congregation and
our denomination--The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)--
welcome the breadth of human life into membership and ministry.
Our Lord's all-encompassing love challenges us today
to confront our own prejudices and manifest inclusion
in our congregations and personal lives.
--Inclusiveness statement adopted by the RRCC Guiding Board, December 2018
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Disciple Oaks
Mission South & Disciple Oaks present 2020-2021 RALLY & RETREAT DATES
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Hopewell School Supply Drop Off
Thank you to everyone who contributed time, supplies and funding for the annual Hopewell Middle School Supply Drive this year!! Supplies were delivered to the campus on Wednesday, 8/19/20 and the school counselors were thrilled to receive them!! Thanks to Tara and Justin, Pastor Mitch, Janette, and Tricia for "delivering"! We more than "delivered" on the requested quantities of supplies, and the abundance of donations over these past 4 years has been a true blessing to the students. In fact, the school has an "inventory" on hand of many of the supplies we've donated in the past year or two and as you can see in the list of purchases, we did not need to purchase several items this year!
This year we spent just over $300 on the following supplies:
| 1. | Facial Tissues | 30 boxes (175 count) | | 2. | 3 in. 3-Ring Binders | 24 | | 3. | Sets of 8 Tab Dividers | 30 sets | | 4. | Pencil Pouches for Binders | 24 | | 5. | Graph-Ruled Paper | 40 packages | | 6. | Pocket Folders with Brads | 50 | | 7. | Large White Polyester Erasers | 50 | | 8. | Paper Towels | 30 rolls |
In particular, the Hopewell Principal (Mrs. Lynda Garinger) made the request this year that we provide several binders, which were the greatest expense items. We were able to find a wholesale distributor and received a great price! 3-inch binders are expensive! With the generous additional financial donations of $145 from members for this project, we were able to keep expenses under $200 of the $300 funds from the RRCC 2020 Budget!
The approximate value of the 2020 donations is almost $500!! Bringing the approximate value of donations for these past 4 years to about $2500.
These donations will truly be a blessing to many students and help them to be successful in this very unusual school year! Our thanks to everyone who joined in this wonderful effort!!
The Outreach Team (Janette Johnston, Susan Kessler and Tricia Mouser)
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Chancel Choir will be meeting via ZOOM Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.:
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 With all of the uncertainty and conflicting information surrounding voting options and procedures for the coming general election, some churches are offering to do all they can to help ensure their members have the opportunity to vote, in person or by mail ballot. Please contact Rev. Maxted if you need assistance with registering to vote or with help navigating the county website, wilco.org which has lots of helpful information.
All registered voters 65 years and older are eligible to vote by mail. RRCC has a large percentage of congregants who are in that age bracket, and who may prefer a mail-in ballot to avoid the risk of COVID-19 exposure. Here is the link where you will find the application and instructions:
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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 more efficient way to access past newsletters and Friday "Reminders" than to hunt back through old emails.
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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
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September 2
| - Jill Toomey | |
September 3
| - Dan knight | |
September 4
| - Janette Johnston
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September 4
| - Emmiline Greene |
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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 Elders as they continue their evangelism study Unbinding the Gospel
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. "Reopening" Task Force--Perry Mouser (chair), Gary Tucker, Gary Collier, Mildred Adair, Amy Tucker, Pam Knight, Amy Osteen, Tricia Mouser, Mitch Maxted, and Linda Glover
11. The newly-formed nominating committee: Susan Kessler (chair), Mildred Adair, Diane Breeding, and Kent Toomey
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. Blair, Anna Marie (brother Hank Terrell had open heart surgery--four bypasses--on Friday)
2. Boles, Gayle - hip bursitis
3. Breeding, Diane - sister-in-law Carol (Jim's sister) died last week; grandson Seth (in Georgia) battling COVID-19
4. Davis, Marilyn (recent procedure to correct her swallowing difficulties)
5. Graham, Marty -- recently hospitalized in Oklahoma; back home in Beaumont, where he and Beth report that there was no damage from Hurricane Laura
6. Greene, Emmiline (moving to Georgetown this week; sister-in-law Matilda Dunn remains hospitalized)
7. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold. Cynthia to have hip replacement this Thursday, Sept. 3
8. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
9. Heeney, Mary (mother of Brenda Heeney Collier) hospitalized in serious condition, on ventilator
10. Kelley, Sally -- pinched nerve in back
11. Malone, Betty -- moving soon to Sugarland, TX
12. Maybaum, Liz --recovering from broken shoulder
13. Mouser, Tricia -- treatment and management of rheumatoid arthritis
14. Plough, Paul
15. Pollock, Paula
16. Rodenberg, Tamara -- heart tests (Martha Nichols' daughter)
17. Schuchardt, Myra -- recently moved back to Round Rock after more than a year's absence
18. Sherry, Bea
19. Shrader, James (heart bypass surgery last month; now home)
20. Snider, Rev. Ed
21. Sullivan, Michael -- Tara Pollock's step-father, died Saturday, August 29th)
22. Walker, Lisa (siblings Connie and Dale with significant health issues)
23. Terry Tucker, brother of Gary Tucker, has been diagnosed with cancer and will be starting radiation and chemo treatments in a couple of weeks
OTHER 1. COVID-19 (the ill, their families, medical professionals, essential workers, treatment and vaccine researchers)
2. The many newly unemployed; businesses that are struggling
3. The many who are resolutely trying, through peaceful means, to effect positive change in a society that undervalues people of color, especially African-Americans
4. Innocent people and businesses caught in waves of destruction when demonstrations are sabotaged by criminal activity
5. Law enforcement officers attempting to protect people and property in the midst of large groups of frustrated, angry, grieving people
6. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world 7. Our military personnel and families 8. International cooperation in responding to climate change challenges 9. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible 10. For all efforts toward universal, affordable access to health care here in the U.S. 11. All who don't know Jesus 12. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of frequent, deadly mass shootings 13. All teachers, administrators, students, and parents, as all have to make important decisions. Our neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School. School supplies were delivered to Hopewell on Wednesday, August 19.
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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 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 The Cherry Log Sermons by internationally recognized preacher and accomplished teacher Rev. Fred Craddock . "These sermons on a variety of topics and texts show Craddock's deft use of storytelling, an astounding ability to interpret the biblical text for our day, and a keen pastoral sensitivity to the everyday needs of listeners." ALL ARE WELCOME! . Link HERE
Explorers (mixed adults) - 10:00 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
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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 submitted 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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Mondays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Tuesdays:
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2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Wednesdays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Thursdays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Fridays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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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.
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (via Zoom)
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Wednesday, September 2, 2020
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10:00 a.m.
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- Vision Advisory Meeting (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
1:00 p.m.
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
7:00 p.m.
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Thursday, September 3, 2020
| Psalm 19:1 |
- The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
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Friday, September 4, 2020
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Psalm 121:1-2
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- I lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
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Saturday, September 5, 2020
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (live stream)
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Sunday, September 6, 2020
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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.
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Evening
| - Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site) |
Monday, September 7, 2020
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Labor Day
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- RRCC Office Closed
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Tuesday, September 8, 2020
| 7:00 p.m. | - Re-Opening Task Force Meeting (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Message
It seemed to be just another day as Saul walked the road to Damascus. He was doing the same thing he had been doing every day for a while. Did it ever occur to him what he was doing was wrong? We don't know that for sure, but we do know on that day Saul saw the light and was forever changed. People who were walking with Saul also saw the light. I imagine they too were greatly affected by the events that day but were they as greatly affected as Saul? It seems only Saul was blinded by the light, as the scripture tells us his companions had to lead him on to where God instructed him to go. Also, only Saul heard the voice of God. It was for his ears only. And they that were with me saw indeed the light and were afraid, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. Acts 22:9 God had special plans for Saul who became Paul, who sometimes defined himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ. He captured his heart. In our lives, many days just seem like another day. What if on any given day something totally amazing happened to one of us? What if God picked one of us out of a crowd with a special message He wanted to deliver to our ears only? Wait a minute that does happen to someone every single day. God has special plans for each of us. There are intimate moments God has planned just for you. We must be ready to look and listen and more importantly, obey the things that He speaks in our ears. Even though all didn't hear the word God spoke to Saul, think about all the millions throughout the generations that have now heard the words through Paul's story. By God speaking only to Him the Word spread to more than Paul could have ever imagined. On a day that started out as just another day in the life of a man with little hope of ever doing anything good - change came. Listen today for the word that God has just for you. Change is coming. Hope is here.
http://shortbulletindevos.deliverabledevotionals.com/september.html
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