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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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October 13, 2020
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This Sunday in Worship -- October 18, 2020
THE 20th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Welcome to the pulpit Sunday, October 18, 2020, Reverend Katherine Cratin. Her sermon, title, "Be Still," is based upon the gospel of Mark 4:35.41.
Mark 5: 35-41 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
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A Message from the Pastor
Many of the Psalms are prayers for help. Such Psalms are sometimes called laments. Suffering, worry, and grief dominate such Psalms. Psalm 22 immediately comes to mind as a Psalm of intense pain and anguish, beginning with the words, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" The words echo from the cross as Jesus cries out in agony.
And then of course there is the whole book of Lamentations, which describes the historical event of the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians.
The pandemic has brought a prolonged time of lamentation to people everywhere. People in every country are lamenting the loss of life, shattered families, unemployment, and the inability to move about freely among others. People are grieving the loss of human touch. It affects all of us.
In addition to the long-term lament of the health crisis, families and individuals have their own personal occasions of lament. The anniversary of the death of a spouse. A holiday that will forever be connected with the loss of a loved one. The day a difficult diagnosis was received.
For me, November always arrives with a dark cloud hanging over it because that was the month when my sister died suddenly in an auto accident. Perhaps you also have a month like that--a month that always reminds you of something tragic that happened.
There are a number of ways to combat these difficult times of lamentation. First and foremost, "take it to the Lord in prayer" as Joseph Scriven wrote in his beloved hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." God is eager to hear you express your troubles.
Take care of your emotional health. Be careful about exposing yourself to too much news. Hearing about the pandemic all day every day can leave you feeling drained and defeated.
Take care of your body. Eat healthy meals and get plenty of sleep. Get outside and move! Treat yourself to activities you enjoy. Stay connected with family and friends. Rely on your church relationships.
As this health crisis continues in the months ahead, let's keep leaning on God and on each other.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
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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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Stewardship Campaign
Strategies Surveys and Giving Cards
The return response to the 2021 Personal Strategies survey and Estimate of Giving card has been a great show of commitment by members to Round Rock Christian. THANK YOU to each person who took the time to complete the Strategies Survey and Estimate of Giving card.
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"For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field,
God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9
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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, October 13, 2020
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (via Zoom)
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Wednesday, October 14, 2020
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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, October 15, 2020
| 11:00 a.m. |
- "Shall We Pray" Small Group Study (via ZOOM) Link HERE |
Friday, October 16, 2020
Saturday, October 17, 2020
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Chi Rho
| Fall Rally | |
8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (live stream)
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Sunday, October 18, 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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1:00 p.m.
| - Elders Meeting Link HERE | |
Evening
| - Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site) |
Monday, October 19, 2020
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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50th Wedding Anniversary
Hello,
My name is Jenny (Duncan) Gosse. My parents - Jim & Susan Duncan - were members of your church for a number of years (prior to moving back to Iowa.) They're going to be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on October 31st. As you can imagine in the midst of this global pandemic, there unfortunately won't be opportunity to safely gather among friends and loved ones. Instead, I'm trying to contact as many people as possible to help me "shower" them with cards. I'm hoping you can help me spread the word among your congregation members who may remember them?
Their address is:
Jim & Susan Duncan
2006 Erik Road
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Thank you so much & God bless,
Jenny Gosse
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SENDING A SOCIAL DISTANCE HUG...
This week, the RRCC Outreach team will be delivering small care packages to the teachers and staffs of the two schools in our church neighborhood: Union Hill Elementary and Hopewell Middle Schools. Throughout the year, Round Rock Christian Church supports these schools in many ways, including reading with at-risk second grade students, providing incentive gift cards, participating in the Holiday Adoption program, and more. In past years, many church members have helped bake and serve breakfast to the staffs. Since an in-person event isn't possible these days, we created small individual packages that will be delivered to the schools this week to be placed in each staff member's mailbox.
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"Shall We Pray" Study is Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. via ZOOM
It is not too late to sign up. The course is ten weeks but each lesson can stand on its own. If for some reason you have to miss a class, you can go on to the next lesson. The book contains handouts, prayers and poems. These are to be a source of information and of inspiration. The class begins at 11:00 am and will conclude at 12:00 pm. Please plan to attend if you would like. The class is offered via ZOOM. Tara Pollock has graciously consented to be our Host. I have the books available at my home and are free of charge. You may call for further information. The ZOOM link will be sent via email on the morning of each class.
-Katherine Cratin
Katherine Cratin, who will lead the class sessions. It is ten weeks long. Sessions will be Thursday mornings at 11:00 a.m., from October 8th until December 17th (no class on Thanksgiving Day--November 26).
If you think you would be interested in this series and haven't let Katherine know yet, please send a text to her at (281) 728-6448 or an email to katecratin@yahoo.com. Materials will be sent out to all who plan to participate.
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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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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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CYF Fall Rally Registration
Mission South and Disciple Oaks are happy to announce that registration is NOW OPEN for CYF Fall Rally which will be held December 4-6, 2020. You can register on our website. For a copy of the flyer you can download it here
If you need the CampDoc Registration Instructions you can download them here
Hope to see all of you soon!
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Disciple Oaks
Mission South & Disciple Oaks present 2020-2021 RALLY & RETREAT DATES
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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 navigating the county website, wilco.org which has lots of helpful information.
Also, if you need transportation to your polling place to vote, please be in touch with Rev. Maxted. A number of RRCC members have said they are willing to help with this.
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.
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Upcoming Birthdays
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October 13
| - Diane Breeding | | October 13 | - Gwen Jackson |
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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. "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
4. Our Elders as they continue their evangelism study Unbinding the Gospel (concludes this month)
5. 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. Nominating Committee: Susan Kessler (chair), Mildred Adair, Diane Breeding, and Kent Toomey. Linda Glover and Mitch Maxted, ex officio.
11. Our stewardship campaign
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
2. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia. Cynthia is healing well from hip replacement surgery. Her father, Harold Hubbard, is receiving hospice care from HospiceAustin
3. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
4. Heeney, Mary (mother of Brenda Heeney Collier) health issues
5. Jackson, Gwen
6. Maybaum, Liz --recovering from broken shoulder
7. Mouser, Tricia -- treatment and management of rheumatoid arthritis
8. Nichols, Martha -- niece Sandy Slawson passed away; granddaughter Lanae injured in horse accident
9. Plough, Paul
10. Pollock, Paula -- plantar fasciitis
11. Rodenberg, Tamara -- consulting for treatment of heart valve issue (Martha Nichols' daughter)
12. Sherry, Bea
13. Snider, Rev. Ed -- failing health
14. Switzer, Jackie -- brother Troy Taylor passed away. Memorial service later this month in Michigan
15. Walker, Lisa (siblings Connie and Dale with significant health issues)
16. Terry Tucker, brother of Gary Tucker, cancer treatments
OTHER 1. All Who Don't Know Jesus 2. COVID-19 (the ill, including President and Melania Trump, their families, medical professionals, essential workers, treatment and vaccine researchers)
3. The many newly unemployed; businesses that are struggling
4. The many who are resolutely trying, through peaceful means, to effect positive change in a society that undervalues people of color, especially African Americans5. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world 6. Our military personnel and families 7. International cooperation in responding to climate change challenges 8. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible 9. For all efforts toward affordable health care for all Americans 10. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of frequent, deadly mass shootings 11. All teachers, administrators, students, and parents. Our neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School.
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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.]
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Early Childhood Class (ages 4-7) - Taught by Lisa Walker
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Intermediate Class
(3rd - 5th grade) - Taught by Jennifer Kienzle
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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.")
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CYF Class (9th - 12th grade)
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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
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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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Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Message
I WILL PRAISE HIM!
I remember as a young girl singing, " I will praise Him, I will praise Him praise the Lamb for sinners slain, give Him glory all ye people for His blood can wash away each stain. Glory, glory to the Father, Glory , glory to the Son, Glory ,glory to the Spirit, Glory to the three in One. " Sometimes just singing an old chorus like this can bring praise and comfort to your life. It is so easy to sing such songs. They lift the gloom away and bring on quiet and brightness. We need some quiet and gloom free days as the Texas hill country fall comes to a close. One day we shall look back and remember how we sang choruses to a wonderful Lord and it drove away all those things that we're trying to hold us down. Filling yourself with God's word and your mouth full of worship is a recipe for all the things we need. The elements of hope, love and a return to the freedom we once enjoyed. Those of you who have really never been homebodies feel the pain of confinement more than those of us who at times have been restricted at home for significant moments of time. Let us remember that no matter what our circumstances are, we can rejoice in God's praises and worship Him. His joy will bubble over into the lives of those around us. So let us declare, "I will praise Him."
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your word declares that if we don't praise You, the very rocks will cry out. Thank You for the opportunity we have to praise You. Sweet Lamb You are our joy and our delight. Just feeling Your Presence around us makes us rejoice in You and who You are. You are our comfort, our helper, You are our companion when we are lonely. In so many, many ways You fill us with Your delightful Presence. You are holy, pure, honest and true. Help us Lord to be more like You. Help us to never take for granted the love You have sent our way. We are indeed blessed by knowing You and being part of Your Family. In Jesus precious Name we pray, Amen.
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