A Message from Rev. Maxted
On Sunday, the 40-Day Prayer Journal called for the Elders to do a Prayer Walk. This was an exercise that we were to do with our Elder prayer partner, but with social distancing, that became difficult. My prayer partner and I did ours separately, and then discussed the activity.
Mark chapters 7, 8, and 9 contain quite a number of references to Jesus and his followers being on the move, blessing people as they went from place to place. Remembering these verses, I headed out for my Prayer Walk. As I mentioned, t
he exercise fell on Sunday--this past Sunday with rain forecast for the afternoon--so I went out early.
We were to pray for God's
presence, peace, and
protection to be with people God called our attention to as we walked along. God might cause us to think about certain people by encountering them in person, or by passing their homes, or by noticing some natural or man made object along the way. I soon discovered in the midst of my praying that what I was encountering was a very mixed bag. Some things I saw gave me positive thoughts of people. Other things I saw sparked in me a negative reaction. But the exercise didn't tell me to differentiate between the two. I was not to judge some people worthy of my prayer support and others not. I was just to pray for all. It was a good exercise. Here are some examples from my prayers that morning.
God, may your presence, peace, and protection be with:
The child who lost that crayon I saw on the sidewalk; and the child who left that plastic Easter egg shell on the lawn, now chopped into bits by a mower.
The woman, walking her black French bulldog, who said hello to me.
The man who was out very early on the Sabbath using his deafening leaf blower.
The jogger who waved to me from the other side of the street.
The person who failed to pick up the dog poop along my walking path.
The homeowner with the gorgeous, rounded live oak whose branches nearly touch the lawn; may they continue to resist the unsolicited tree service flyers that are likely left on their porch with annoying frequency.
The construction workers putting a new roof on the neighborhood elementary school.
The many who choose to park their vehicles is such a way that they block the sidewalk.
Those who cultive beautiful, lush, green, weed-free lawns.
Those who are uninterested in lawn care or unable to tend to their lawn.
God, may your presence, peace, and protection be with my neighbors. Amen.
Peace in Christ,
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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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Pentecost Special Offering
You can give to the Pentecost Special Offering online or by mailing a check to RRCC indicating "Pentecost Offering" in the subject line. (see above for details)
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Seeking a Notary Public
 The Maxteds are seeking a notary public to help them complete the signing of some documents. They are looking for a qualified individual willing to work with them in the midst of the current pandemic meeting guidelines.
If you know someone personally that you could recommend, please call or email Rev. Maxted. Thanks!
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RRCC "Reopening" Task Force
Assess, Decide, Communicate, Implement
"Reopening" Task Force Begins Work
The church, known as Round Rock Christian, is alive and well!
Even though we closed the doors at 22 Chalice Way, like other bodies of Christ around the world, we continue to worship, serve, and grow.
There is no date to return to our campus; however, a task force appointed by the Guiding Board has begun the task of considering how this will happen with safety for all who enjoy the facilities.
From our Disciples of Christ regional office (Christian Church of the Southwest), led by Rev. Dr. Any Magnum comes the process "Assess, Decide, Communicate, Implement," to prepare for the return prayerfully and carefully. Our task force is in the Assess stage, looking at those critical components of safety coupled with maintaining the elements of worship we cherish.
The task force includes:
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Members |
Representing |
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Chair: Perry Mouser |
Property Team
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Mildred Adair/Amy Tucker |
Worship Ministry |
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Pam Knight/Amy Osteen |
Christian Education Ministry |
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Gary Tucker |
Board Vice-Moderator & Head Elder |
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Gary Collier
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Board Treasurer |
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Tricia Mouser |
Board 2nd Year Trustee |
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Randy Preston |
Music Ministries |
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Mitch Maxted |
Pastor (ex-officio) |
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Linda Glover |
Moderator (ex-officio) |
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Your Guiding Board:
... Is grateful to our Pastor, Rev. Mitch Maxted for his extraordinary leadership, especially during the last ten weeks of unprecedented upheaval in our lives from the novel virus.
....Commends the dedicated folks who stop by the church and work from home as well to keep our finances in order. Financial Secretary Irene Jenkins and Katie Maybaum continue the weekly counting and accounting of giving. Treasurer Gary Collier, and Assistant Treasurer Darlia Hunt, and Administrative Assistant Molly Salswedel maintain the disbursement side.
....Gives thanks to our brothers and sisters in Christ, the Shalom Seventh-Day Adventist congregation who worship and fellowship on our campus. These good stewards have given their usual rental fee for April and May even though they, like us, have not used our facilities. Please keep them and the Manantial de Vida (Spring of Life) congregation in your prayers.
....Received word from Gary Collier(who heads the project) that the order for equipment to provide webcasting opportunities when we once again worship in the sanctuary should arrive within a month. These Guiding Board approved enhancements to our sight and sound technology will allow broadcasting remotely to members and friends. Thanks to both Gary and Dan Knight for their research and technology expertise.
....Suggests that members check out the Members Resources pull-down menu of the RRCC website to review monthly reports from Pastor Maxted and the Treasurer, as well as the minutes of Board. Each Tuesday the newsletter provides a link to the website. If you are uncertain of the members resources password, contact Molly via email.
....Asks that you contact Linda Glover should you have communication to direct to the Guiding Board.
Should you have any comments or concerns, please reach out via email to Linda Glover at
pybus@sbcglobal.net
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"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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Have you been on a lot of ZOOM Meetings lately?
Hopefully the following link will make you laugh.
How is your "ZOOM life"?
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Chancel Choir will be meeting via ZOOM Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.:
https://zoom.us/j/99642443406?pwd=TWJST2YrRlRvMmJaakMvU3MxQmpYUT09
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Living with Gratitude 2020
It's time to "count your blessings!"
Since 1953, the women of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have had a special way to express their gratitude to God for the blessings they have received - the Blessing Box. The Blessing Box was created by the founders of Christian Women's Fellowship (now Disciples Women's Ministries) as an over - and - above way to help fund the wider mission of the church. For 67 years, Blessing Boxes have been kept in the homes and offices of women across the church to enable them to express their gratitude for everyday blessings.
In addition to cultivating life-long habits of thanks-giving, the Blessing Box has generated millions of dollars in mission support. From 2000 to 2019, Blessing Boxes have contributed a total of $3,604,057 for the mission of the church. Since 2007, 50 percent of the donations go directly to the ministries carried out by the women of our church through the International Disciples Women's Ministries.
In 2017-18, donations from the women of Round Rock Christian Church ranked among the top 50 congregations in the United States and Canada. Last year, RRCC's total Blessing Box giving was $945.85.
Blessing Box donations will be recognized during a worship service in June. Please "count your blessings" - all those coins representing the blessings you've counted this year - and send your donation to the church now, in one of two ways:
1. Mail your check, designated "DWM Blessing Box," to Round Rock Christian Church, 22 Chalice Way, Round Rock, TX 78665.
2. Make an online donation designated for "DWM Blessing Box" through the church website, www.rrdisciples.org.
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Disciple Oaks Summer Camp Update
Please read the linked announcement concerning this year's summer programs at Camp Gonzo.
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Do you find that you are placing more orders through Amazon?
Remember that you can financially benefit RRCC by ordering through smile.amazon.com!
It is important to add SMILE to the beginning of the Amazon web address and choose
Round Rock Christian Church as your preferred charity (as seen below):
Step 1:
Step 2:
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Try Financial Peace for Free!
You WILL make it to the other side of this. For the first time ever, we're giving away our Financial Peace Membership FREE for 14 days. You'll receive all nine lessons of Financial Peace University and the EveryDollar Plus budgeting app-for free for 2 weeks! If you've been waiting for a sign to know if this proven plan works, here's your sign. Get started today!
($129/year if not cancelled before the end of the 14 day free trial)
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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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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 wrap up their 40-Day Prayer Journal this Sunday
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 M
ouser (chair),
Gary Tucker, Gary Collier, Mildred Adair, Amy Tucker, Pam Knight, Amy Osteen, Tricia Mouser, Mitch Maxted, and Linda Glover
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. Adair, Mildred (grandson Austin will have Tommy John surgery this Friday)
2. Bell, Jean (son Chris ongoing cancer treatments)
3.
Davis, Marilyn (now living in Georgetown with her son and daughter-in-law)
4. Eilertson, Karen (Patti Shrader's sister-in-law -- awaiting COVID-19 test results)
6. Fennimore, Nancy, (sister Joan recently diagnosed with ALS)
6. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold
7. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
8. Hunt, Darlia (skin cancer removal on June 2)
9. Krop, Carleigh (heart surgery this Friday -- great granddaughter of Bea and Charles Whitley)
10. Maybaum, Katie -- fell and broke her ankle in two places
11. Maybaum, Liz (platelet count)
12. Mowers, Lucas, JW, and Kendal -- Kendal's grandfather Grillos passed away
13. Plough, Paul
14. Pollock, Paula
15. Putnam, Jim (hip surgery this Thursday, May 28)
16. Sanford, Collin and Sonya
17. Sherry, Bea
18. Shrader, James (recent AFib episode -- husband of Patti Shrader)
19. Singer, Merle (Tara Pollock's family -- advanced cancer)
20. Snider, Rev. Ed
21. Toomey, Kent (continued recovery from shoulder surgery)
22. Walker, Lisa (siblings Connie and Dale with health issues)
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. Our neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School
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10. Our neighborhood families.
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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) -
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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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.
and your
Friday Reminders articles and pictures
before 12
:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Thank you!
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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.
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (via Zoom)
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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, May 28, 2020
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James 1:5-8
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- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
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Friday, May 29, 2020
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James 3:13-18
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Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
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Saturday, May 30, 2020
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (live stream)
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Sunday, May 31
,
2020
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Pentecost
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Sunday
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9:45 a.m.
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- Explorers Sunday School (via ZOOM) |
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10:00 a.m.
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- Open Circle 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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Evening
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- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site) |
Monday, June 1
,
2020
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James 3:17-18
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- 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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Tuesday, June 2, 2020
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Message
Have you ever been hungry? I mean really hungry! I was rereading the scripture in John 6:1-14 about Jesus feeding the 5000 with five loaves and two fish!!! Now it does not say the people were complaining about being hungry nor did they demand a miracle so that they could eat. No, Jesus asked Philip where he could buy bread to feed all of these people. Philip replied, "It would take a fortune to begin to do it." Jesus already knew how he was going to feed the masses. Andrew then told Jesus that there was a youngster there with five loaves and two fish. Andrew did not really see how that would help feed 5000. He soon found out as Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks to God and passed the bread and the fish to the people.
The rest of the story tells how they all ate and twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered! Talk about a miracle! I can only imagine the feeling of the disciples much less the feelings of the people witnessing and enjoying the bread and the fish. God filled them physically and spiritually on that day.
We are all proud to live in the USA and we have abundance in many areas. Food is certainly one of them. If we get hungry, we either cook or go to one of a hundred or so places to eat. At RRCC we share with others by our bringing food for the RR Serving Center. And yet, there are still hungry people. The food lines since the COVID-19 pandemic have been of epic proportions! Let's not forget to share through extra money each month marked for RR Serving Center since we can't bring our cans and such. The need has not stopped; in fact, the need has multiplied by leaps and bounds. By doing this we can be filled spiritually, also.
Prayer:
Almighty God, place a desire in our hearts to want to help feed the hungry. We have a way and we know there is a need. As your disciples, move us to share from our blessings in order to fulfill a need now and forever! Bless the families that have been hit hard during this unprecedented time. In your precious name we pray, Amen.
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