Embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love | |
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This coming Sunday in worship --
February 6, 2022
THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
Luke 5:1-11
"Caught By Surprise"
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From the Pastor
I can remember my first few days of junior high school. Can you? Actually, what I remember about those first few days is not what classes or teachers I had. Rather, I remember not being able to eat breakfast before leaving home in the morning. My junior high experience (grades 7-9) got off to a very jittery start! I had just spent 7 years (K-6) in the same elementary school, which was located only a few blocks from my house. As a 7th grader ("Future!" was the derisive nickname the 8th and 9th graders loved to call us), I suddenly found myself outside of my neighborhood, in a much larger school, surrounded by BIG kids who looked much older than I and most of whom I had never met. Though I had some friends in the school, it was still a terrifying first few weeks as I acclimated to the junior high environment.
This morning, one of our neighborhood schools, Union Hill Elementary, sent their fifth graders to visit Hopewell and Hernandez Middle Schools. This evening, their parents are encouraged to visit those same schools. I think it's wonderful that the kids and parents are having this opportunity to become familiar with the building and the "vibe" of their next school.
We've been in prayer for and in partnership with our two neighborhood schools--Union Hill and Hopewell--for several years now. Please continue to pray for the students, teachers, and staff at both schools. And today, please say a special prayer for students, moms, and dads for whom 2022 will be a big transition year. May communication and compassion increase, and fear and intimidation decrease. I pray that come this August, during the first few days of the new academic year, our neighborhood 6th graders will be enjoying their breakfast before they head off to school.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
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Online Giving
RRCC has three ways you can 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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Texas Heat Volleyball meets in the gym throughout the week.
Please check our website calendar for their latest schedule. | Tuesday, February 1, 2022 | 11:00 a.m. No discussion class today. Next week we begin Jerry Craft's New Kid | Wednesday, February 2, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. - Caring Hearts Prayer Group Link HERE | 6:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal | Thursday, February 3, 2022 | 11:00 a.m. - Wired WORD Class | 6:00 p.m. - Praise Band Rehearsal | Friday, February 4, 2022 | For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20 | Saturday, February 5, 2022 | 8:00 a.m. -Shalom Congregation | Sunday, February 6, 2022 | 9:30 a.m. - Open Circle Sunday School Link HERE | 9:30 a.m. - Explorers Sunday School Link HERE | 11:00 p.m. - Worship Link HERE | 12:00 p.m. - Lunch Bunch at China Wall | 3:00 p.m. - Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida | Monday, February 7, 2022 | But now, says the Lord--the one who created you, Jacob, the one who formed you, Israel:
Don't fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; your are mine. Isaiah 43:1 | Tuesday, February 8, 2022 | 11:00 a.m. book Study: Jerry Craft's New Kid | | |
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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Stay tuned for upcoming events....
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Recognition of Rev. Mitchell Maxted |
In the summer of 2015, the Round Rock Christian Church Search and Call Committee invited their choice of senior minister candidates to visit with us in Round Rock. As you know, because the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations are autonomous, each congregation selects its own clergy.
Pastor Mitch flew down from Northwest Ohio, where he served as senior pastor. We hosted an informal “meet and greet” to get to know him. With Board endorsement, the congregation at its annual meeting in November, voted unanimously to call Mitch as our pastor.
Mitch and Kumi arrived in January 2016…. SIX YEARS AGO. The time was right. We know that God sent him to us.
Mitch is a native of Iowa. He was an exchange student in Portugal, which gave him an opportunity to travel in Europe. Following college, he taught English in Japan where he met Kumi. Together they served a student pastorate in Kentucky while he was in seminary.
Six years ago, none of us knew how our world would change drastically in early 2020. Zoom was not in our vocabulary, masks were for doctors in surgery, and social distancing was not the way we do fellowship in Texas.
As the changes happened quickly, our congregation was at the forefront of congregations to adapt to this “new normal” under Mitch’s leadership. He never said, “No, we can’t do that.” In a matter of days, we began our “online life,” never missing a Sunday without a worship service or a month without a Board or Elders meeting. Study groups, men’s and women’s fellowship, adult Sunday school—all made the transition with Mitch methodically charting the way.
During the past six years Mitch has become well known in the Christian Church of the Southwest. He has served on several Bluebonnet area committees, counseled at Camp Gonzo, been involved in our schools’ outreach, and read to second graders at Union Hill Elementary.
Mitch is a “roll up his sleeve” sort of guy who enjoys the fellowship of Disciples serving together. He knows the pulse of each small group within the congregation and each member. Regardless of the meeting at hand, he is always present.
“Pastor Mitch, this is to acknowledge that your presence in our lives has blessed each of us personally, and collectively. We look forward to many more years of serving the Lord with you.” Thank you. “Knowledge and understanding, a pastor to equip His people for works of service, so the body of Christ may be built up.” That is Mitch Maxted.
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DWM HAS A NEW LOOK!
At our last meeting, DWM members agreed it was time to take a fresh look at DWM. The leadership team had a great planning session and we have come up with some innovative ideas about how we gather, what we do, and how our leadership functions. We’ll talk more about this at our next DWM gathering, which will look very different from the past! Ladies, please mark your calendar for Monday, February 14 at NOON (not the old 9:30 am meeting time!) via ZOOM.
For our January service project in the name of DWM, we selected six among us, plus Tasha York’s mom, to receive a “Box of Love” to remind them of how much we love and miss them. We began with a Valentine card expressing our friendship, along with a triple heart door or wall decoration, a bag of candy, and a pen and notebook for personal notes. The boxes were wrapped and mailed or delivered by Mildred, Linda, and Jackie.
Disciples Women’s Ministry includes ALL the women of Round Rock Christian Church. We hope you’ll join us on February 14!
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In Person Worship Update
Message from the Guiding Board to the Members of RRCC:
The Guiding Board met on Monday night, January 17, 2022, for our regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The Board felt it was important to discuss the current status of Covid and the affects it could have on our congregation. We all know the recent increase of those who have contracted Covid. The RRCC Reopening Task force spent many hours over the past two years researching and studying safety measures regarding this disease, as to help guide us forward in the safest way possible. It is the belief of the Task Force and the Guiding Board that if those who choose to worship in person fit the following criteria:
• have been vaccinated and boosted (after the suggested post-vaccination waiting period)
• wear masks
• social distance
• free of any/all symptoms
...that we should be fine worshipping together in person. We recognize those of our members who struggle with compromised immune systems; therefore, worshipping in an enclosed building with others is not in their best interest. For this reason, those members are choosing to worship on-line with us via Zoom. It is the responsibility of each of us to be as careful as possible to keep each other safe.
Read the rest of the letter HERE
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RRCC Landscaping
We have good cause to praise the Lord and to thank Mike Kelley and Gary Tucker who have cleared out the overgrown monstrosity in the corner near the front door of RRCC. They have also done some much needed clearing near the entrance to the parking lot.
Now we must decide what kind of planting to replace in the front corner. I hope that you will submit your suggestions for consideration.
Do you want a fairly formal or a somewhat casual style? Would you prefer that it be more or less colorful? I would like to use all native plants, but haven’t come up with ideas to complete such a setting well, so am thinking that we’ll use well-adapted, although not invasive, plants. I’d hope to be able to provide some year around interest there and if it were to attract birds or pollinators, so much the better. Also I think it should give an appropriately welcoming feeling to those who approach the door.
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You may or may not know exactly which plants you would like there. That’s OK.
If you have an opinion, now is the time to say so. Please contact Anna Marie at gamrich@gmail.com or 417 543 5432.
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Vacant Lot Task Force
NEW TASK FORCE INVITES YOUR INPUT
Over the years, members of the congregation have asked about plans for the vacant lot to the west of our parking lot. The land was purchased when our current sanctuary was built in 1989, in order to have the option to eventually build a larger sanctuary. From time to time it is healthy to revisit plans, and the Guiding Board responded in November by appointing a task force to research and gather input and recommendations for possible future uses for the vacant lot, including retaining the original intent. The task force had an organizational meeting in December and agreed initially that any use for that land should:
· Benefit the community (be a good neighbor),
· Generate revenue to fund and maintain it,
· Be sustainable for the long-term future,
· Be accessible to users.
We will continue to keep the congregation informed and to welcome members’ input throughout this information-gathering process. If you have questions or comments, please send them by email to the church office (info@rrdisciples.org) before February 24 (the date of the next task force meeting), or contact a member of the task force: Steve Osteen, Susan Kessler, Dan Knight, Tricia Mouser, Perry Mouser, Kent Toomey, Pastor Mitch Maxted (ex officio),Tasha York (ex officio).
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New Small Group Study Opportunities |
Two new small group discussion classes will be offered in the coming months. These are one-hour classes that meet via zoom on Tuesday mornings from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Both of these books aim to bring the reader to a greater level of understanding of racial justice issues in the United States. New Kid, a graphic novel, will be discussed for three weeks in February, and How to Be An Anti-Racist will be our study during the six Tuesdays of Lent.
If you're interested in participating, or just want more information, please contact Rev. Maxted by email or phone. If there is interest in starting an evening group as well, please let Rev. Maxted know.
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Feb. 8, 15, 22 New Kid by Jerry Craft
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Mar. 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12 How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
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February 4 - Irene Jenkins
February 5 - Nicholas Prince
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Lunch Bunch
Everyone is invited to this week's Lunch Bunch gathering at
China Wall after worship on Sunday....whether you're worshiping in person or via zoom, all are invited.
Text or call Tasha York (512-567-8770) for more information.
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Elders, there are still a few available slots to fill! | |
The Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
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Free COVID Test Kits Mailed to Your Home!
Just visit covidtests.gov
Here is the LINK
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Prayer Needs
LEADERSHIP
1. Our new and continuing Guiding Board members, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Teams.
2. Our staff: Jimmy, Mitch, Katie, Randy, and Molly
3. Our music ministries and their leaders: Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Jimmy Horowitz
4. Our tech team: Gary Collier, Tara Pollock, Katie Maybaum, Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Dan Knight
5. Our Caring Hearts Prayer Group and Stephen Ministries (Care Receivers and Caregivers)
7. Our partnership with Iglesia Adventista Shalom & Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida congregations (and their pastors Edy Rosa Paez and Maria Rosario)
8. Reverends Andy Mangum (CCSW Regional Minister and President, and Rev. Alfred Walker, our Community Regional Minister (CRM) for Reconciliation and Anti-Racism.
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. For all who are grieving the loss of a loved one
2. For all who are or have been ill with COVID-19, and their families
3. Acree, Mary -- recent infection and hospitalization; now home
4. Blair, Anna Marie -- brother Hank much better after COVID, Gwen got monoclonal antibody 1/31; brother David's wife Pam will have surg. 2/21; friend Judy Poth, is now in a rehab in Temple continuing her recovery
5. Cueva, Rafael and Deb -- Rafael's mother Gladys is hospitalized in ICU with COVID
6. Nancy Fennimore -- niece Thresa is undergoing radiation treatments for cancer
7. Glover, Linda -- recovering at home from knee replacement surgery on January 24
8. Guilbeau, Cynthia -- fell last month and broke ribs; recovering at home
9. Harmel, Venessa -- has been approved by the CCSW for ordination; congratualations, Venessa!
10. Jenkins, Bob -- Bob's sister Janet is receiving treatments for melanoma
11. Jocoy, Jim -- recovering from back surgery; praying for a continued reduction in pain
12. Kessler, Jim -- continued recovery from heart surgery and a back injury
13. Knight, Dan and Pam -- daughter Emily Riordan is ill with COVID; Pam's sister-in-law Bonnie Cook-Cassens is receiving cancer treatments
14. Maybaum, Liz -- has tested negative for COVID; lingering fatigue
15. Miller, Chris -- (son of Jean Bell) doing well with his cancer treatments
16. Nichols, Martha -- son Chris has reduced function in his one kidney
17. Osteen, Amy and Steve -- brother-in-law Mike Murphy being treated for pancreatic cancer
18. Preston, Randy -- sister Rita recovering from badly broken leg and surgeries
19. Scarborough, Carrol -- cataract surgery scheduled for February 15
20. Sherry, Bea -- adjusting to life at Franklin Park in Teravista
21. Jill Toomey - hospitalized last week with blood clot in leg; recovering at home
22. Tucker, Gary and Amy -- grandson James (13) recovering at home following auto accident and hospitalization
23. Walker, Lisa -- trying to get on a kidney transplant list
24. Whitley, Bea -- brother Darrel Hansen passed away Jan. 23; Bea had extensive hand surgery on Jan. 26 and went home that night
25. Wilson, Phyllis -- adopted sister Jane Hudson is battling kidney cancer
26. York, Tasha -- her mother Peggy is acclimating to her new home at Court at Round Rock.
OTHER
1. All events at Disciple Oaks
2. All who don't know Jesus
3. COVID-19 (continuing efforts to reach "herd immunity" in the U.S. and around the world)
4. For all who have struggled physically, emotionally, and spiritually during these nearly two years of the pandemic--a long-term trauma
5. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world
6. Our military personnel and families
7. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible
8. Courage for teachers and administrators to resist efforts to censor the teaching of parts of our American history, no matter how ugly they might be
9. For all efforts toward affordable health care for all Americans
10. All teachers, administrators, students, and parents of our two neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School
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[There will be no Sunday School classes in the church building 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) - 9:15 a.m. Sunday mornings in person and via ZOOM, studying Love Without Limits. ALL ARE WELCOME! Link HERE
Explorers (mixed adults) - 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying Paul's letter to the church at Corinth. Link HERE
The Wired WORD (adult men) - 11:00 a.m. Thursday mornings. Led by Rev. Maxted, this class looks at what the scriptures have to say about important current events and issues.
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Mondays: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tuesdays: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Fridays: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Elders Prayer/Closing Message |
“What else can happen? How much more can I take?” Who does this sound like? Not you! I am actually talking about the shepherd King David. I sort of paraphrased a little. (Psalm 3:1-2) actually reads:
“Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. ”
David felt like his bad situation was overcoming him. Have you ever been there? Let’s not stop here, let’s continue to read (Psalm 3:3-4):
“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me: you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.”
David even goes on to write, “I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.” (Psalm 3:5)
In the eight verses of Psalm 3, we read how David went from feeling like there was no hope to feeling confident God would save him, God would take care of him, and God would take care of his enemies.
David declares, “I was not afraid of ten thousand enemies, who surround me on every side.” (Psalm 3:6)
Why? Because victory comes from you , O Lord. May you bless your people. (Psalm 3:8)
David remembered God! David cried out to God! And God heard him.
Jeremiah declares, “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” (Lamentations 3:21-25)
Thank You Lord, for reminding me from Your Word that you are faithful! Thank You that You hear me when I call on You. Thank You for reminding me that nothing is impossible with You.
What does God look for in a leader? I tried to think of men and women in the Bible. What made each of them rise to the occasion? Was it their winning personalities and smiles? Was it their long history of successes and experiences? Was it their educational or social economics backgrounds? All those are important. But on God’s checklist, I wonder where those qualities score?
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(Disciples of Christ)
22 Chalice Way
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 244 3260
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