A Message from Rev. Maxted
This message comes with lots of prayers and "virtual hugs" from your pastor.
Please hold the RRCC leadership, staff, and our whole church family in your prayers.
The church remains very busy! Meetings, Sunday School classes, Lenten studies and worship services are being held via Zoom video conferencing. Congregants are reaching out to one another via phone calls, texts, and emails. Newsletters, Friday Reminders and other communications continue to be written and sent out.
Our financial team has set up multiple avenues for people to continue to give to the church (see next article). There is a button at the top of our church's home page that says simply
GIVE HERE. And at the top of this newsletter there is a link that says
Click HERE to Give. Either of these options will take you directly to our new online giving tool.
Our Worship Ministry is encouraging everyone to sign up for one of the 24 thirty-minute prayer segments, so that we'll have a continuous, unbroken chain of prayer from 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m. on Good Friday, April 10th. Participants are encouraged to pray from their own homes, as the church building will not be open.
Holy Week begins this Sunday with Palm Sunday. It is going to be a very different Holy Week this year, as all of our services will have to be done online. We will still worship at the regular times, but things will undoubtedly be different. We'll miss having palms in our hands to wave this Sunday. We'll miss experiencing a darkened sanctuary on Thursday and Friday. We'll miss the smell and beauty of the flowing cross early on Easter morning, and the inspiring sounds of the choir's cantata during the main resurrection celebration. It's okay to be sad about that loss. I am. But God will do a new thing in and through our church--and churches everywhere--as we near the end of our Lent journey and prepare our hearts to celebrate new life in Jesus.
Palm Sunday - April 5th 11:00 a.m.
Maundy Thursday - April 9th 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday - April 10 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday - April 12
9:30 a.m. Early Easter Service
11:00 a.m. Easter Worship
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
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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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RRCC Good Friday Prayer Vigil
This year, RRCC will be conducting our annual Good Friday prayer vigil from our homes on Friday, April 10, 2020. It is still important for us to participate in this much needed act of conversing with our creator, especially during these challenging times.
Sign up for a time slot to pray on Sign Up Genius.
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Do You Need Help With Zoom?
Some of our members have attempted to join a zoom meeting or worship and have been unable to fully participate. We apologize for this inconvenience and we want to help you overcome these difficulties.
For most people, simply clicking on the provided link takes the person where they need to go. But people use different devices with different capabilities, so each person's ability to participate varies. If you need some technical help with Zoom, please don't hesitate to reach out to Gary Collier, Rod Walker, Randy Preston, or Rev. Maxted with your questions.
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Stay Home Stay Safe Order Continues
This went into effect at 11:59 p.m. last Tuesday, March 24th, 2020. Click on the link to review all the details of the 21-page Stay Home Stay Safe order document. The order is in effect until midnight on Monday, April 13th. However, Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell has the ability to extend or rescind the order at any time.
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April DWM
Meeting details coming soon...
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FOOD PANTRY FOCUS
Because you won't be bringing food items to the church for the foreseeable future, you might consider making a monetary donation to the Round Rock Area Serving Center in the amount of what you would have spent on your monthly food donations.
"...for I was hungry and you gave me food. Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
(Matthew 25:35, 40)
As a founding partner of the Round Rock Area Serving Center, Round Rock Christian Church has been steadfast in our support of the Center's mission: a helping hand for neighbors and food for the hungry. Our members help through volunteering, bringing food each week for the Food Pantry, and with over-and-above giving through the church.
At this critical time, with escalating need in our neighborhood community, the Center's most critical need is to support the Food Pantry. Here are two ways you can help:
Make a monetary donation (maybe in the amount you would have spent on the weekly food items you bring to the church each week). You can do this through over-and-above giving with your regular church tithes and offerings, in one of two ways:
- By check: In the memo line of your check payable to the church, designate the amount you want to go to the Serving Center.
- Online (NEW!): Go to www.rrdisciples.org and click on "GIVE HERE."
Plastic grocery bags are needed! You can take bags to the Serving Center at 1099 East Main St., Round Rock. No need to get out of your car - there will be purple barrels on the west side of the building where you can drop the bags.
Thank you for embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love, even from afar!
For over 30+ years the Round Rock Area Serving Center provides basic needs to 1,100 households every month with a food pantry, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance for rent, utilities, and prescriptions. Program services include the food pantry, Keep Round Rock Warm coat distribution project, community gardens, Computers for Kids, clothing and furniture vouchers, charity resale store, The Volunteer Center, and financial assistance toward rent, utilities, transportation, temporary lodging, and prescriptions.
Please share this message with co-workers, friends and family!!
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COVID-19 Update From the Serving Center --
A Letter from Lori Scott, Executive Director
The Serving Center facility was closed to the public effective March 18th. The thrift stores and client services are closed until May 11, 2020. The food pantry is operating on a modified basis and is distributing food on Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 11 am to 2 pm only. This is a drive-through operation in the donation receiving area circular driveway. And, we are accepting food donations during those same hours of distribution. We are providing financial assistance by phone only. Clients must call and speak with Cynthia Flores, and fax/email their utility bills and lease agreements. Checks are being mailed. The modified operation is running smoothly and many, many thanks are extended to the staff and volunteers who are working to make this successful.
Since March 18th, we have provided food to 527 families, including FFFF, which is a total of 2,004 individuals. We have provided financial assistance for rent, utilities, prescriptions, bus, and hotel, and have spent a total of $12,295.
After 9/11, the Serving Center caseload skyrocketed by 86%. In 2008, the caseload jumped by 45%, and in 2009, the caseload rose by 19%. The COVID-19 pandemic is much broader and is impacting significantly more families who are normally working with job cuts and layoffs. The Serving Center caseload is going to rise dramatically.
In addition to the increased caseload that the Serving Center will face, the closure of the thrift stores is a serious loss of revenue in the amount of $60,000 for two months. At this time, it is anticipated that the stores will reopen on May 11th, but that could be extended. The Serving Center expects to exceed the program services budget to meet the needs of not only client families but also households who have never asked for help before.
I cannot say thank you enough to everyone for your compassion, hard work, flexibility, and willingness to serve our community.
Lori Scott, Executive Director
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Disciple Oaks Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
March 26, 2020:
Our Mission South Leaders, Board of Directors for Disciple Oaks and Camp Director are continuing to monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation to ensure we are making the best possible decisions for the health of our groups and staff, as well as following local, state, and national guidelines surrounding this unprecedented time. At this time, we want everyone to know that:
1. We are still accepting registrations for Summer Camp 2020. So please continue to sign your kids up for Summer Camp
-The best information sources we have are telling us we are trending towards
having camp this summer.
-Early Bird registration ends April 20th. Please take advantage of the
Early Bird
fee. We will waive Late Registration fees that would normally apply after May 18th.
-Fees must be paid by the deadline to receive that fee.
2. Our Mission South Leaders, Board of Directors for Disciple Oaks and Camp Director continue to access changing conditions and are meeting regularly to enhance the ministry of Disciple Oaks during these times.
3. We will make a final decision in mid-May with our Camp Physician and TX DSHS if camp will be held as schedule. Refunds will be made if we must cancel summer camps.
4. If you register and pay for your child to attend camp, and Disciple Oaks decides to move forward with having summer camps but you are not comfortable with sending your child to camp due to any changes with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) closer to the camp start date, we will honor requests to refund your money. This is a special refund arrangement we are making for this summer only.
We are looking forward to a great summer! Thanks for your support with our camping ministry!
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Alma's Secret Garden
[Though this event may eventually be cancelled, for now we will continue to share the information.]
Ladies' Brunch
With the charge "to provide a lovely event for all women of the church for fellowship and to feed the woman's spirit," a task force of the Disciples Women's Ministry met last week and has news to share! Thanks to Darlia Hunt, Susan Kessler, Pam Knight, Martha Nichols, Linda Preston for a great brainstorming session, and to Jean Bell and Anna Marie Blair for also serving on the task force. Here is the new, streamlined, updated "ladies' tea"!
FOR ALL LADIES OF RRCC:
You are cordially invited to join us for
ALMA'S SECRET GARDEN
Ladies' Brunch
Saturday, June 6, 2020
11:00am
$10 per person
Tickets on sale April 19
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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 pastor and staff
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 focus on evangelism this year
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. All ministries that take place at Camp Gonzo (Disciple Oaks)
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. Bell, Jean (son Chris has made great progress with infusions to combat cancer)
2. Davis, Marilyn (She is currently hospitalized at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Round Rock following a stroke. Communication has been limited and visitors are not allowed, but the preliminary expectation is that Marilyn will go to a rehab facility sometime later this week.) Prayers for Marilyn and her sons Gary and Duane and their families.
3. Fennimore, Nancy, (husband Gene and sister Joan--health issues; daughter-in-law Brittney's grandmother passed away)
4. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold
5. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
6. Maxted, Mana (mononucleosis)
7. Maybaum, Liz (platelet count)
8. Plough, Paul
9. Pollock, Paula
10. Rowland, Lucy (former member now living near Atlanta, GA--in rehab following a recent stroke)
11. Sanford, Collin and Sonya
12. Sherry, Bea (no visitors allowed at this time)
13. Snider, Rev. Ed (no visitors allowed at this time)
14. Stalder, Mac (prayers for pain reduction and healing from recent surgery--Tasha York nephew)
15. York , Skyler David (future grandson of Tasha and future adopted son of TJ and Heather York. Pregnancy complications.)
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. Reaching out to our neighborhood families through the schools: a. Hopewell gift cards b. Adopt-a-Child ministry at Union Hill and Hopewell c. Literacy Partners at Union Hill d. Staff Appreciation Breakfasts e. school supplies for Hopewell Middle School f. Hopewell "Swarm the Hive" back to school event g. Our annual neighborhood welcoming events such as Trunk n Treat, Breakfast with Santa, and Hop into Easter
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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 the STAY HOME STAY SAFE order.]
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) - Studying
Searching for Sunday, by Rachel Held Evans
.
Explorers (mixed adults) - Facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying a gospel of Luke resource by John MacArthur.
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Pastor Mitch and Office Emails
info@rrdisciples.org
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pastormitch@rrdisciples.org
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rrcc-office@rrdisciples.org
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bookkeeper@rrdisciples.org
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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.
Thank you!
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Upcoming Events
Many RRCC activities and events have been cancelled until further notice. Some are continuing online.
Please check the calendar below for a daily Lenten Bible passage
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Ephesians 2:1-5
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As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.
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Jeremiah 32:37-38
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I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
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Thursday, April 2, 2020
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1 Samuel 16:11-13
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Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one." Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
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Friday, April 3, 2020
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Philippians 1:27-29
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Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
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Saturday, April 4, 2020
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Lamentations3:55
-57
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I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea, "Do not close your ear to my cry for help, but give me relief!" You came near when I called on you; you said, "Do not fear!"
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Morning
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- Pray for the Shalom Iglesia Adventista congregation as they worship |
Sunday, April 5
,
2020 PALM SUNDAY
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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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- Pray for the Manantial de Vida congregation as they worship |
Monday, April 6
,
2020
| John 12:1-5 |
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) |
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
| John 12:27-29 |
"Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
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Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Messag
e
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my strength,
in whom I will trust.
2 Samuel 22:2-3
Jesus gives us words of comfort "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NKJV).
We as believers already know that God has our right hand. He gives us comfort, dries our tears, and is always with us, in sorrow and in joy. These past weeks and in weeks to come we must put our faith and trust in God, the solid rock that does not fail.
Heavenly Father, when we walk through the valley of death we will fear no evil because you are with us. Cast out our fears and give us strength and courage to meet the challenges all around us.
In Christ's precious and holy name, Amen
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