Embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love | |
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Chalice News for
August 23, 2022
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This coming Sunday in worship --
August 28, 2022
The Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost
Luke 14:1, 7-14
"Now What?"
Rev. Christal Fisher
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A Message From Our Visiting Minister
This Sunday we are completing a three-week sermon series on a book that has weathered the test of time over the last fifty years. It was re-released in 2006 and recommended to me as a must read. As we turn in August to thoughts of school days I am reminded of this great book full of insights. Here is one quote from the book: "If Christians cannot communicate as thinking beings, they are reduced to encountering one another only at the shallow level of gossip and small talk. Hence the perhaps peculiarly modern problem - the loneliness of the
thinking Christian." - Harry Blamires, The Christian Mind.
In his book, The Christian Mind, Blamires identifies six marks of the Christian mind as: its supernatural orientation, its awareness of evil, its conception of truth, its acceptance of authority, its concern for the person, and its sacramental cost. I will wrestle with this book in this three-week sermon series.
As we jump start the fall in the midst of our Texas heat, I hope you will journey with me exploring this now classic book by this noted scholar and author. Harry Blamires is a highly respected teacher and author of more than thirty books. I may not agree with all his assertions as you will find in the coming weeks, but he has some great points and some wise counsel for our consideration today. I find that my faith grows when challenged by
such scholars. I look forward to being with you soon!
About Rev. Christal Fisher
Christal Fisher is an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She attended
seminary at Brite Divinity School where she received her MDiv. As a second career minister, she spent 10 years as senior minister of 2 churches in the Dallas, Texas area and most recently, an adjudicatory position serving the Christian Church in the Southwest (CCSW) region. In this capacity, for 3+ years she served the South Texas region and the Lower Rio Grande Valley supporting the churches in our denomination.
She retired in 2021 to help her community and local church, University Christian Church, Austin, and currently serves as president of Disciples Outreach to the Mentally Ill (DOMI), a ministry partner of the CCSW, that owns 2 facilities for the recovering mentally ill in Austin and San Antonio. Most recently, she joined the Ministry Support Team of the Disciples Home Mission (DHM).
Prior to becoming a minister, Christal had a successful 30-year corporate career at Mary Kay Inc.,
Johnson & Johnson Medical, Smith and Nephew, and Vitek Systems, a subsidiary of McDonald
Douglas. She has traveled the world and worked with some of the most prominent government and business leaders as a legislative advocate and business spokesperson.
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Scheduled Sabbatical Visiting Ministers: | |
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August 28 - Rev. Christal Fisher
September 4 - Rev. Dr. Andy Mangum
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Online Giving
RRCC has three ways you can give your tithe:
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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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From Anna Marie...
Look at my trophy! Isn't it great?! And it's all for my outstanding performance! I'm just amazing, don't you think? Do you know who gave me this? I did!
Why are you looking at me so strangely? Is there anything wrong with awarding myself?
Did you know that something similar to this happened in the Bible?
In Luke 14:7 it tells us a story about how guests at a wedding picked the seats of honor at the table instead of being told where to sit. They were awarding themselves. An award has value only because of the people that give it to you find you worthy of it. These people did not have a humble spirit nor did I with my award.
It says in Proverbs 16:5, "The Lord detests the proud of heart." Would you rather be around a proud person or a humble person? Let others praise you and don't praise yourself. Jesus ended his story by telling them this:
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 14:11)
When you are waiting to be picked to be on a team or group do you humbly wait or is it "me, me"? Do you think of yourself as better than others? You may not say it out loud but you are thinking it in your heart. May we live with a humble spirit because it is of great worth in God's eyes.
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Texas Heat Volleyball meets in the gym throughout the week.
Please check our website calendar for their latest schedule.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
11:00 a.m. - Social Justice Study and Action Group Link HERE
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
1:00 p.m. - Caring Hearts Prayer Meeting Link HERE
6:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir
Thursday, August 25, 2022
11:00 a.m. - Wired WORD Class
Friday August 26, 2022
Moponic Cleans RRCC
Saturday, August 27, 2022
8:00 a.m. - Shalom Congregation
6:00 p.m. - Shalom Congregation
Sunday, August 28, 2022
9:30 a.m. - Open Circle Sunday School-See below for Meeting Link Information
9:30 a.m. - Explorers Sunday School
11:00 a.m. - Worship Link HERE
12:00 p.m. - Lunch Bunch
3:00 p.m. - Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida
Monday, August 29, 2022
I said to myself, “God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.” Ecclesiastes 3:7
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
11:00 a.m. - Social Justice Study Group Link HERE
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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 10:00 a.m. on Thursdays.
Thank you!
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DWM
EXCITING PLANS FOR DISCIPLES WOMEN
All RRCC women are warmly welcome to join in this fall’s planned activities for our Disciples Women’s Ministry. After our usual summer break, we are ready to come back together on the second Monday of each month, at noon. Each meeting will include lunch, a short lesson/devotional and prayer, and hands- on, interactive service programs.
Mark your calendars now for the following dates, and plan to be with us as we grow together in fellowship and service! September 12, October 10, and November 14.
Watch future newsletters for more information, or contact any of the DWM leadership team members: Mildred Adair, Jean Bell, Anna Marie Blair, Linda Glover, Darlia Hunt, Susan Kessler, and Jackie Switzer.
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August 26 - Jimmy Horowitz
August 26 - Lucas Mowers
August 26 - Charley Scarborough
August 29 - Mary Collier
August 29 - Nancy Fennimore
August 29 - Justin Pollock
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Disciple Mens Retreat
Please click on this web site to register and join us. www.ccsw.org/men
May God guide you to discover one of those memorable spiritual experiences.
Blessings and peace,
Nathan Higginbotham, Director, Disciples Men
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Sign Up for the Regional Assembly Today!
You are invited to join members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest on October 14 and 15, 2022 at Central Christian Church, San Antonio, TX. This is both an IN PERSON and ONLINE event.
Link HERE
Visit www.ccsw.org/ra2022 for information about the speakers, how to register, a daily schedule, and more!
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Back to School!
Last week, it was back to school time for students, teachers, staff, and…RRCC! We were once again represented by some energetic volunteers for our annual back-to-school initiative for our neighborhood schools…and we were well-received by the teachers and staff, who know that our purple shirts represent steadfast support and encouragement.
Two weeks prior to the first school day of 8/17, we delivered a mountain of school supplies to Hopewell Middle School and the week prior to 8/17 we assisted with the annual Hopewell “Swarm the Hive”, to distribute student schedules (special thanks to Janette Johnston, Tara Pollock and Irene Jenkins.)
Plans and orientation are also underway for the Literacy Program we support at Union Hill Elementary. Special thanks to Liz Maybaum for her continued coordination of this very important project!
Whether you donated time, effort and/or funds, or provided smiles and hospitality, or joined in prayer for those who are beginning a new school year, you helped fulfill the SERVE strategy of RRCC’s mission to embrace our neighbors with Christ-like love. THANK YOU, RRCC!
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Calling All Greeters
In our continuing efforts of “Embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love”, we want to ensure that our visitors and members are greeted each week on Sunday morning. We are putting in to place the following greeters “schedule”.
Each month the following ministry/team will be responsible to have two people present by 10:30 in the welcome center to open doors for people to enter, greet them by name if possible, offer coffee, show them where the rest rooms are etc.
The schedule is as follows:
- August - Sunday School classes
- September - DWM
- October - Disciple Men
- November - Deacons
- December - All Book Clubs Wired word, Social Justice, Thursday book club.
- January - Vision Advisory/Worship Teams
Greeters duties include but are not limited to:
- Wear name badge.
- Ensure coffee supplies are filled.
- Open front door for those who need assistance.
- Have name tags available for those that don't have one.
- Have pink cards in hand for those who request to have a joy or concern shared.
- Welcome all around!
- Clean up coffee station and coffee pots between when service starts and when service ends.
Thank you for all you do!
Gary and Amy, Worship Co-chairs
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Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch will be meeting at Springhill Café this Sunday after worship service. All are welcome!
Text or call Tasha York (512-567-8770) for more information.
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The Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
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Last Week's Worship Attendance
RRCC had a worship attendance of 56 people on Sunday, August 21, 2022.
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Prayer Needs
OUR CHURCH, RRCC
- The RRCC staff: Jimmy Horowitz, Mitch Maxted, Katie Maybaum, Randy Preston, Molly Salzwedel
- Our Guiding Board, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, & Ministries
- “Techies” Gary Collier, Dan Knight, Katie Maybaum, Tara Pollock, Randy Preston, Rod Walker
- Our Vacant Lot Task Force and Christian Church Homes, as they prayerfully consider possibilities
- The Sabbatical Task Force and all who will have additional responsibilities this summer, especially Anna Marie Blair and all of our clergy hosts
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Explorers, Open Circle, The Wired WORD and all of the RRCC study/fellowship opportunities, incl. the book groups and social justice study group
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40 Days of Prayer and Faith Sharing - that the church may feel results of their prayers and want to continue so that others may become so involved
- Caring Hearts Prayer Group; Lunch Bunch, Shut-In Servers, Stephen Ministry
- Enable us to develop a passion for praying and increasing our tithes and offerings
- Our partnership with Shalom Seventh Day Adventist & Manantial de Vida congregations
- The visiting clergy—Rev. Al Walker, Rev. Steve Digby, Rev. Venessa Harmel, Rev. Andy Mangum, Rev. Chuck Kutz-Marks, and Rev. Christal Fisher
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
- 1. Breeding, Diane - anemia; tests to determine source
- 2. Cueva, Rafael - his mother, Gladys, passed
- 3. Greene, Emmiline – ongoing prayers of strength and healing and endurance for Emmiline
- 4. Guilbeau, Cynthia and Rick – prayers that they adjust well to his living at The Auberge and her at home
- 5. Johnston, Janette – is to have a cornea transplant in September
- 6. Pollock, Tara - her brother Brent Boyd has had a stroke
- 7. Sherry, Bea – at Encompass recovering from a broken hip
- 8. Sonnenberg, Georgeanna (Richland Springs) - no energy due to ongoing anemia, currently improving
- 9. Walker, Lisa – awaiting approval for kidney transplant
- 10.Whitley, Charles - broken arm
- 11.Those who have and are recovering from Covid - Jean Bell; John and Melba Claymon; Roger Cratin (maybe); Emmiline Greene; Bob and Irene Jenkins; Perry Mouser; Carrol Scarborough; Rod Walker; Phyllis Wilson
- 12.Those who are being treated for cancer - Nancy Fennimore’s niece Thresa; Barbara Graham’s son, Bob Weaver; Bob Jenkins’ sister, Janet; Steve and Amy Osteen’s brother-in-law, Mike Murphy; Gary and Amy Tucker’s brother, Terry; Phyllis Wilson’s sister, Jane Hudson; Anna Marie Blair’s Elgin friend, Linda Miller
- 13.Those who are healing from joint replacement surgeries - Tasha York
- 14.Those with ongoing health concerns - Barbara Barnett; Katherine Cratin’s son, Timothy Quick; Solomon Habtemarium; Darlia Hunt; Janette Johnston’s granddaughter, Izzy
- 15.Those who are homebound and would so appreciate more visitors
- 16.Those who want and need prayers but prefer to remain anonymous
OTHER
- COVID-19 - prayers for all who are working to increase the number of vaccinated and boosted people; for all health professionals; for those who’ll need the next booster, but have already decided to not bother
- All who don’t know Jesus
- Our military personnel and families
- Ukraine – under attack, refugees, diaspora
- All challenges related to health care access, climate change, confusing immigration policies, increasing gun violence, and racial injustice
- Students, their families, teachers, administrators, and staff. Our ongoing relationship with Union Hill Elementary and Hopewell Middle Schools
- The best for Pastor Mitch as he has the opportunity for rest and renewal.
- Blessings on each of our visiting ministers as they prepare, travel, and share their messages from God’s Word
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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) - 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings in person and via ZOOM, studying Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor. ALL ARE WELCOME! If needed, please call Bea Whitley 512 633 8616 or Janette Johnson 512 876 1010 prior to 8:30 am to insure the link's activation. Link HERE
Explorers (mixed adults) - 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings, facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying Paul's letter to the church at Corinth.
The Wired WORD (adult men) - 11:00 a.m. Thursday mornings. This class looks at what the scriptures have to say about important current events and issues.
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RRCC Office Hours
Tuesdays 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Wednesdays 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Thursdays 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Fridays 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Anna Marie Blair, Commissioned Minister: Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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Elders Prayer/Closing Message | |
Stan Wiersma, writing under his pen name “Sietze Buning,” explored the religious roots of being considerate in his collection of folk poetry titled Style and Class (Middleburg Press, 1982). Much of what we display in life, said Sietze Buning, has to do with “style” — we watch how others dress or act, and then we try to imitate those we admire. But “class” is living out of the nobility of your inner character, said Sietze.
He tells this little story to illustrate what he means:
Queen Wilhelmina was entertaining the
Frisian Cattle Breeders’ Association at dinner.
The Frisian farmers didn’t know what to make of their finger bowls.
They drank them down.
The stylish courtiers from the Hague nudged each other,
and pointed and laughed at such lack of style.
Until the queen herself, without a smile, raised her finger bowl and drained it,
obliging all the courtiers to follow suit, without a smile.
Sietze Buning ends with this note of judgment: The courtiers had style, but Queen Wilhelmina had class.
While that makes for good story telling, Sietze Buning takes it one surprising step further. He links style to the wisdom of the world and class to the wisdom of heaven. The former tries to get us to fit in with the right crowd, looking the right way and eating the right foods, while driving the right vehicles. That’s style.
But class — real class — happens to us when we realize that we are children of God. If God is king, we are nobility—princesses and princes in the realm of the great ruler!
Children of the king do not need to prove themselves, nor do they need to flaunt their status. If they have learned well at home the true worth of their lives, they can treat others with courtesy and respect. They can be considerate. It is a religious thing, just as our lectionary passages for Sunday instruct.
Prayer: Most Holy Lord, let us as your people, show class as we work to share your message with those around us. In Christ's holy name, Amen.
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(Disciples of Christ)
22 Chalice Way
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 244 3260
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