Embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love | |
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Chalice News for
August 9, 2022
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This coming Sunday in worship --
August 14, 2022
The Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
"Running the Race"
Rev. Christal Fisher
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A Message From Our Visiting Minister
This Sunday we are starting 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 cast. 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.
Christal was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. She and her husband, Donald Postell, live in Dripping Springs, Texas and spend time with their 4 daughters and 9 grandchildren.
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Scheduled Sabbatical Visiting Ministers: | |
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August 14 - Rev. Christal Fisher
August 21 - Rev. Christal Fisher
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...
The Desert Fathers told of a father and a son who were traveling together. They came to the edge of a forest. Some of the bushes were loaded with berries. They looked so delicious that the son asked if they could stop for a while and pick berries.
The father was anxious to be on his way, but he saw the desire in his son’s eyes and agreed to stay there for a short while. The son was delighted. Together they searched the bushes for the biggest, plumpest, juiciest berries.
Then the father knew it was time to move on. He simply couldn’t delay any longer. “Son,” he said, “we must continue our journey.”
But the boy begged and pleaded, till there seemed no reasoning with him. What could the father do?
He told his son, “You may stay and pick berries a while longer, but I will begin slowly to move down the road. Be sure that you are able to find me, though. While you work, call out to me, ‘Father! Father!’ and I will answer you. As long as you hear my voice, you will know where I am. But as soon as you can no longer hear me, know that you are lost, and run with all your strength, calling out my name.”
That might be the story behind each of today’s lectionary readings. And it might be the story of your life right now too. Are we calling out for God? And do we have what it takes to run toward God when we need to?
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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 9, 2022
11:00 a.m. - Social Justice Study and Action Group Link HERE
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
1:00 p.m. - Caring Hearts Prayer Meeting Link HERE
6:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir
Thursday, August 11, 2022
8:00 a.m. - Swarm the Hive at Hopewell Middle School
11:00 a.m. - Wired WORD Class
1:00 p.m. - Book Group
7:00 p.m. - Book Group Link HERE
Friday August 12, 2022
Moponic Cleans RRCC
Saturday, August 13, 2022
8:00 a.m. - Shalom Congregation
6:00 p.m. - Shalom Congregation
Sunday, August 14, 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 15, 2022
You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you. Deuteronomy 4:2
Tuesday, August 16, 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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Thank you, RRCC, for signing up to provide meals! | |
Our sweet Scarboroughs are delighted and grateful for the help provided to them by RRCC. | |  |
Our amazing Tasha York is also grateful for help with meals. | | |
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August 10 - Mary Murray
August 12 - Jackie Culbertson
August 14 - Carolyn Mehlow
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Disciple Mens Retreat
Greetings from Heavenly Hot Houston.
This is a reminder of our Christian Church in the Southwest's annual regional Disciples Men's retreat on Friday evening, September 16 through Sunday morning worship on September 18th.
Attached HERE is a summary retreat schedule for the weekend.
Retreat information with pictures and bios of our keynote speakers are displayed on our CCSW web site along with online Eventbrite Registration forms.
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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Last Week's Worship Attendance
RRCC had a worship attendance of 65 people on Sunday, August 7, 2022.
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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.
Link HERE
This is both an IN PERSON and ONLINE event. You are encouraged to participate IN PERSON at Central Christian Church, San Antonio TX or you can participate from the comfort of your own home, or wherever is easiest for you!
Everyone is welcome and invited to participate in all that is happening during assembly. Don’t worry if this is your first time, or your 100th time – you are welcome and are an important part of the Region.
Visit www.ccsw.org/ra2022 for information about the speakers, how to register, a daily schedule, and more!
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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 Gatti Town 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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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
- Barnett, Barbara – has been diagnosed with a melanoma which has not metastasized and is to be removed soon
- Breeding, Diane - anemia; tests to determine source
- Cueva, Rafael - in Peru to spend time with family after his mother’s passing
- Jackie Culbertson - family issues
- Greene, Emmiline – ongoing prayers of strength and healing and endurance for Emmiline and her family after the death of her son Judson
- Guilbeau, Cynthia and Rick – prayers that they adjust well to his living at The Auberge and her at home
- Johnston, Janette – has issues with a shoulder for which there will be multiple consultations
- Sherry, Bea – is at Encompass recovering from a broken hip
- Sonnenberg, Georgeanna (Richland Springs) - no energy due to ongoing anemia, currently improving
- Walker, Lisa – awaiting approval for kidney transplant and being treated so she can receive dialysis
- Those who have and are recovering from Covid -Amy and Gary Tucker; Phyllis Wilson
- 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
- Those who are healing from joint replacement surgeries - Tara Pollock’s dad; Tasha York
- Those with ongoing health concerns - Barbara Barnett; Katherine Cratin’s son, Timothy Quick; Solomon Habtemarium; Darlia Hunt; Janette Johnston’s granddaughter, Izzy
- Those who are homebound and would so appreciate more visitors
- 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
- Eastern Kentucky - recovering now not just from tornadoes from some time back, but from recent flooding
- 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 | |
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us...." It is not uncommon for dedicated Christians to grow weary in the face of the failure of the world to respond to God's offer of a better way of life. It is particularly discouraging when the failure of humanity is especially visible within the church itself. It is important, at such times, to recall the many patient saints that have toiled faithfully in our past.
Like the heroes that were mentioned in Hebrews, many of the saints' names have been lost to the pages of history and yet they are the reason that we are here. It is particularly humbling for individuals to identify people in their own personal history that have been significant in the shaping of their faith. Many may not even be aware of the impact that their lives had, they are the foundation on which we build.
It is surely frustrating to see fewer and fewer in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, and DWM is finding it more difficult to maintain regular programming, and we're way short on the numbers of youth we'd like to be able to work with. But, there are many, who faced struggles just as great but who worked, listening for God's guidance so that we are still a viable church. Spark your memory or just acquire some basic information about those who worked so before now by walking down the hallway toward Pastor Mitch's study. On the wall you'll find an informative listing of those who started this church and kept it going so that we are here now. You can also reminisce over the pictures of those who served as spiritual guides over the years. Do so and give a prayer of thanks for those who prepared the way and ask the Lord for both strength and guidance to continue the work of those who've gone before us.
Prayer:
Let us pray. God of grace and mercy, Let us come humbly believing that you are not ready for this group to fail at your mission. Because we know that, help us feel your strength and be willing to accept something different which is still in consonance with your Word. Help us know that we are not going back; we must move ahead. Help us to allow you to direct our path. In the name of the one whose name we claim, Amen.
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(Disciples of Christ)
22 Chalice Way
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 244 3260
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