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A Message from the Pastor
On Sunday in worship we celebrated the saving, liberating power of God as the story of Moses begins to unfold in the early chapters of Exodus. Moses was born into an extremely dangerous environment. Only through obedience to God and disobedience to Pharaoh was the baby Moses able to escape murder at birth. The midwives ordered to kill male Hebrew children at birth defied the orders. Then Moses' mother hid him for his first three months of life before placing him in a basket on the Nile River. The cleverness of Moses' older sister restored him to his mother as long as he needed to be nursed.
This coming Sunday we will continue the story with Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush. Though reluctant, Moses is persuaded to be used by God to bring the Hebrew people out of slavery. The man who owed his life to the willingness of others to oppose the authorities is now charged with the task of defying the Pharaoh, the supreme leader of Egypt.
In my sermon on Sunday I referred to the movie entitled 13th, a 2016 documentary by Ava DuVernay. It is currently viewable on Netflix. The documentary tells the story of the ongoing quest of African Americans to overcome the ever-evolving systemic racism in our country. I highly recommend seeing this documentary. The viewer is able to see the connection between racism and economics, and to gain numerous insights on the factors that have contributed to the frustration, grief, and anger of people of color in the United States. Understanding history helps us to understand why more and more Americans, of all races, are joining the Black Lives Matter movement. I see BLM as a sign of hope and progress in the midst of the health uncertainties and political chaos of these times.
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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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Mark your calendars!
You're invited to the CCSW Regional Assembly on October 9 & 10, 2020.
This will be an Online Event so you can participate fully from right where you are!
We are busy working out all the details, planning amazing worship experiences, creating educational opportunities, and fine tuning the technology.
But don't worry, we will be sharing more information with you soon - keep a look out for that information. Don't forget to save the date!
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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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What's New in the Bluebonnet Area/Capital Cluster?
Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church, Austin -- Rev. Greg Lanier has served as senior minister of the congregation since February of 2002. Greg has a BBA from the University of Texas at Austin, an MBA from the University of North Texas, and an MDiv from Brite Divinity School. Prior to his call to ministry, he worked as a commercial banker in Dallas and in North Carolina.
Hyde Park Christian Church, Austin --Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Baker Hammett describes herself on the church website as "the proud parent of four charming children and one charming church. Married to member Sam Hammett, she is very active in the Austin community and currently serves as a Past President of the Austin Downtown Lions Club, Past Chair of the Texas Bible Chair Foundation, and adult leader in Boy Scout of Troop 46. She has two musically gifted pets, a black lab named Rachmaninoff (Rocky) and a black and white cat named Shostakovich (Shosti). Jackie has been senior minister of HPCC since 2008 and prior to that served as associate minister of Central Christian Church for 14+ years.
University Christian Church, Austin -- University's new Senior Minister, Rev. Megan Peglar, officially began her ministry there yesterday, August 24th. Welcome to the Capital Cluster of Disciples churches, Rev. Peglar!
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Call for Worship Leaders!
ATTENTION WORSHIP LEADERS!
Thanks, those of you who signed up for the Worship Leader spots.
There are SIX spots left for 2020.
The following dates are available to sign up for 2020 are:
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August 23-FILLED!
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August 30-FILLED!
| September 6
| | October 4-FILLED! | October 11
| November 1 | | November 8 | November 29
| December 27 |
Please consider taking one or two of the empty spots.
Thank you
We need you to please go to sign up genius and pick out a date or two that you would so graciously serve as worship leader.
We appreciate your leadership in this capacity.
Thank you.
Worship Team
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The RRCC Re-Opening Task Force is meeting this evening (Tuesday, August 25, 2020)
Please check our website for Re-Opening news:
Virtual Hugs to Everyone!
The Re-Opening Task Force
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RRCC Welcomes All!
Here at Round Rock Christian Church we welcome
and celebrate diversity! Inclusion is rooted in our understanding of God, the Creator who made all humanity in God's own image.
Just as Jesus loved all humanity, our congregation and
our denomination--The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)--
welcome the breadth of human life into membership and ministry.
Our Lord's all-encompassing love challenges us today
to confront our own prejudices and manifest inclusion
in our congregations and personal lives.
--Inclusiveness statement adopted by the RRCC Guiding Board, December 2018
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Disciple Oaks
Mission South & Disciple Oaks present 2020-2021 RALLY & RETREAT DATES
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Hopewell School Supply Drop Off
Thank you to everyone who contributed time, supplies and funding for the annual Hopewell Middle School Supply Drive this year!! Supplies were delivered to the campus on Wednesday, 8/19/20 and the school counselors were thrilled to receive them!! Thanks to Tara and Justin, Pastor Mitch, Janette, and Tricia for "delivering"! We more than "delivered" on the requested quantities of supplies, and the abundance of donations over these past 4 years has been a true blessing to the students. In fact, the school has an "inventory" on hand of many of the supplies we've donated in the past year or two and as you can see in the list of purchases, we did not need to purchase several items this year!
This year we spent just over $300 on the following supplies:
| 1. | Facial Tissues | 30 boxes (175 count) | | 2. | 3 in. 3-Ring Binders | 24 | | 3. | Sets of 8 Tab Dividers | 30 sets | | 4. | Pencil Pouches for Binders | 24 | | 5. | Graph-Ruled Paper | 40 packages | | 6. | Pocket Folders with Brads | 50 | | 7. | Large White Polyester Erasers | 50 | | 8. | Paper Towels | 30 rolls |
In particular, the Hopewell Principal (Mrs. Lynda Garinger) made the request this year that we provide several binders, which were the greatest expense items. We were able to find a wholesale distributor and received a great price! 3-inch binders are expensive! With the generous additional financial donations of $145 from members for this project, we were able to keep expenses under $200 of the $300 funds from the RRCC 2020 Budget!
The approximate value of the 2020 donations is almost $500!! Bringing the approximate value of donations for these past 4 years to about $2500.
These donations will truly be a blessing to many students and help them to be successful in this very unusual school year! Our thanks to everyone who joined in this wonderful effort!!
The Outreach Team (Janette Johnston, Susan Kessler and Tricia Mouser)
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Chancel Choir will be meeting via ZOOM Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.:
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 With all of the uncertainty and conflicting information surrounding voting options and procedures for the coming general election, some churches are offering to do all they can to help ensure their members have the opportunity to vote, in person or by mail ballot. Please contact Rev. Maxted if you need assistance with registering to vote or with help navigating the county website, wilco.org which has lots of helpful information.
All registered voters 65 years and older are eligible to vote by mail. RRCC has a large percentage of congregants who are in that age bracket, and who may prefer a mail-in ballot to avoid the risk of COVID-19 exposure. Here is the link where you will find the application and instructions:
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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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Upcoming Birthdays
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August 26
| - Jimmie Horowitz | |
August 26
| - Charles Scarborough | |
August 26
| - Lucas Mowers
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August 28
| - Susan Kessler | |
August 29
| - Mary Collier | |
August 29
| - Justin Pollock |
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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 continue their evangelism study Unbinding the Gospel
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 Mouser (chair), Gary Tucker, Gary Collier, Mildred Adair, Amy Tucker, Pam Knight, Amy Osteen, Tricia Mouser, Mitch Maxted, and Linda Glover (next meeting is this evening 8/11/20)
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. Acree, Mary (wound care)
2. Blair, Anna Marie (brother Hank Terrell will have open heart surgery on Friday)
3. Boles, Gayle - hip bursitis
4. Breeding, Diane - sister-in-law Carol (Jim's sister) died last week; grandson Seth (in Georgia) battling COVID-19
5. Davis, Marilyn (recent procedure to correct her swallowing difficulties)
6. Greene, Emmiline (moving to Georgetown soon; sister-in-law Matilda Dunn hospitalized)
7. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold. Cynthia to have hip replacement on Sept. 3
8. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
9. Kelley, Sally -- pinched nerve in back
10. Maybaum, Liz --recovering from broken shoulder
11. Maybaum, Paul -- cousin Steve Buchwalter's sudden and unexpected death
12. Mouser, Tricia -- treatment and management of rheumatoid arthritis
13. Nichols, Martha -- daughter Tamara having heart tests
14. Plough, Paul
15. Pollock, Paula
16. Scarborough, Rilda (giant cell arteritis0 and Charles (eye infection)
17. Sherry, Bea
18. Shrader, James (heart bypass surgery last month; now home)
19. Snider, Rev. Ed
20. Tucker, Amy (eye surgery last week went very well)
21. Walker, Lisa (siblings Connie and Dale with significant health issues)
22. York, Tasha (mother Peggy Massey fell recently)
OTHER 1. COVID-19 (the ill, their families, medical professionals, essential workers, treatment and vaccine researchers)
2. The many newly unemployed; businesses that are struggling
3. The many who are resolutely trying, through peaceful means, to effect positive change in a society that undervalues people of color, especially African-Americans
4. Innocent people and businesses caught in waves of destruction when demonstrations are sabotaged by criminal activity
5. Law enforcement officers attempting to protect people and property in the midst of large groups of frustrated, angry, grieving people
6. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world 7. Our military personnel and families 8. International cooperation in responding to climate change challenges 9. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible 10. For all efforts toward universal, affordable access to health care here in the U.S. 11. All who don't know Jesus 12. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of frequent, deadly mass shootings 13. All teachers, administrators, students, and parents, as all have to make important decisions. Our neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School. School supplies were delivered to Hopewell last Wednesday, August 19.
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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) - 9 :45 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Studying The Cherry Log Sermons by internationally recognized preacher and accomplished teacher Rev. Fred Craddock . "These sermons on a variety of topics and texts show Craddock's deft use of storytelling, an astounding ability to interpret the biblical text for our day, and a keen pastoral sensitivity to the everyday needs of listeners." ALL ARE WELCOME! . Link HERE
Explorers (mixed adults) - 10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying the New Testament Book of Acts, using the resource by John MacArthur. Link HERE
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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 submitted 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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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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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (via Zoom)
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Wednesday, August 26, 2020
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1:00 p.m.
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
7:00 p.m.
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Thursday, August 27, 2020
| 11:00 a.m. |
- "Christianity, Cults, and Religions" small group study (via Zoom) Link HERE |
Friday, August 28, 2020
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John 1:3
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- All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
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Saturday, August 29, 2020
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (live stream)
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Sunday, August 30, 2020
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9:45 a.m.
| - Explorers Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
9:45 a.m.
| - Open Circle Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
11:00 a.m.
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Evening
| - Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site) |
Monday, August 31, 2020
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Ecclesiastes 3:8
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- He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
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Tuesday, September 1, 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
The Spirit of the Lord will not rest on Him---a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2
Throughout His ministry, Jesus relied upon the Holy Spirit to direct Him as He made crucial decisions and faced relentless opposition (Mark 1:12). Centuries earlier, Isaiah had described what the Spirit's presence would mean for the savior. The Spirit would give Jesus the knowledge of the will and ways of the Father. As a young boy, Jesus already possessed unusual knowledge of God's Word (Luke 2:47). The Spirit granted Him wisdom to use this knowledge. The Spirit enabled Jesus to take the Word and apply it effectively to the specific needs to those He encountered.
If you are a Christian, the name Spirit abides in you. At times, you may pray and ask God to send His Spirit "in power." That is the only way the Spirit ever comes! More importantly, the Spirit will come in wisdom, bringing the understanding of God's ways.
You need God's wisdom for the decisions you face (Rom. 11:33). Perhaps God has placed you in a position of great responsibility, and you feel overwhelmed by the decisions you must make. It may be your role as a parent, or friend, or leader that you long for the wisdom of God. The same Spirit who enabled Jesus to see through the deceptions of Satan will also guide you through the temptations that confront you. Pray that God will fill you with His Spirit of wisdom so that the decisions you make you can live your life effectively.
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