Embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love | |
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This coming Sunday in worship --
September 12, 2021
THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY
AFTER PENTECOST
We look forward to having Rev. Al Walker with us in person this Sunday at Round Rock Christian Church! Rev. Al will preach the sermon and will also tell us a little about his work as Community Regional Minister for Reconciliation and Anti-Racism. Let’s give him a warm Round Rock welcome this Sunday!
Read more about Rev. Walker below.
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Message from the Pastor
Thank you, Round Rock Christian Church, for your love and many prayers during my hospitalization over the holiday weekend. It was a Labor Day weekend like none other I had ever experienced.
Last Sunday I wrote in my newsletter article: “What will September bring? Only God knows! Though we can be sure there will be some difficulties we didn't see coming, we can also be assured that God will be with us every step of the way.” That certainly turned out to be true!
On Friday, it was discovered through a chest x-ray that I had a pneumothorax (literally “air in the chest”), which is more typically referred to as a collapsed lung. I hadn’t really felt bad, but over the past couple of months I’d noticed that I didn’t have as much energy as I usually do. I was still walking several miles a day, but didn’t really feel like running much. Eventually, I decided that this situation couldn’t be explained by simply blaming the summer heat. I scheduled an appointment with my PCP. As a result of that meeting, the doctor ordered a chest x-ray, which fortunately could happen right there in the doctor’s clinic location.
Then I went home, participated in a zoom Nominating Committee meeting, and got a call from a doctor telling me what the x-ray had revealed and that I needed to head for the nearest BSW emergency room. Mana dropped me off there, and thus began my holiday weekend at the hospital. I got home on Monday in the early evening, almost exactly 72 hours after I went to the hospital.
The cause of the lung “leak” is not known, and therefore is described as “spontaneous.” There is a good chance it could happen again, but it may not. If it becomes a recurring problem, there is corrective surgery to remove the suspected weak area of the lung. For at least the next four weeks, I’m to take it easy, avoid strenuous exercise, and not try to lift more than 20 pounds. I am so thankful that the nature of my work doesn’t require me to do much physically.
I am looking forward to being back in the church building this Sunday, leading worship with Rev. Al Walker and Liz Maybaum.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
The Lord is my light and my salvation…
Psalm 27
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The Reverend Alfred M. Walker serves as Community Regional Minister for Reconciliation and Anti-Racism, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest. This Office is localized and provides core regional services to South Central Texas and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Most recently, he served as Senior Pastor of the Bonnie View Christian Church and Staff Chaplain II with Baylor Scott & White Health at the Baylor University Medical Center, both in Dallas, Texas. During this time, he was instrumental in establishing the Social Justice Committee of the Texas Christian Missionary Fellowship.
Reverend Walker is a native of Augusta, Georgia. Prior to answering the call to serve as Senior Pastor of the Historic New Hope Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, he pastored the Liberty Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia. During his tenure there, he also served as President of the Augusta NAACP. He is a graduate of Morehouse College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion. He also earned the Master of Divinity Degree, with a concentration in Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care, from Morehouse School of Religion in affiliation with the Interdenominational Theological Center, both in Atlanta, Georgia. He has chaired and served on numerous boards, both in Georgia and Texas.
Reverend Walker has a genuine love for people, pastoring, and preaching. He is married to Angela Bedford Walker, and they are the proud parents of Azaria Ruth Walker and Alfred Mark Walker, II. Their lovely daughter Aisha Renae’, her husband Tre, and their daughter Aria complete his family.
VISION:
ESTABLISHING THE GOSPEL
EXEMPLIFYING SERVANT-LEADERSHIP
ENGAGING THE HUMAN CONDITION
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Online Giving
RRCC has three ways you can 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.
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Address your envelope to:
Financial Secretary
Round Rock Christian Church
22 Chalice Way
Round Rock, TX 78665
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| Tuesday, September 7, 2021 | | 11:00 a.m. - The Color of Compromise Book Study Link HERE | | 7:00 p.m. - Iglesia Adventisa Shalom | | Wednesday, September 8, 2021 | | 1:00 p.m. - Caring Hearts Prayer Group | | Thursday, September 9, 2021 | | 11:00a.m. - The Wired Word | | 1:00 p.m. - Book Group Link HERE | | 7:00 p.m. - Book Group Link HERE | | Friday, September 10, 2021 | | 3:15 p.m. - Nominating Committee Link HERE | | Saturday, September 11, 2021 | | 8:00 a.m. - Iglesia Adventisa Shalom | | 8:30 a.m. - Disciples Men's Ministry Link HERE | | 9:30 a.m. - Handcrafters Ministry Link Here | | 4:00 p.m. - Texas Heat | | Sunday, September 12, 2021 | | 9:15 a.m. - Open Circle Sunday School Link HERE | | 9:30 a.m. - Explorers Sunday School Link HERE | | 11:00 p.m. - Worship Link HERE | | 12:00 p.m. - Lunch Bunch | | 3:00 p.m. - Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida | | Monday, September 13, 2021 | | 9:30 a.m. - Disciple Womens Minisry Link HERE | | 7:00 p.m. - Texas Heat | | Tuesday, September 14, 2021 | | 1100: a.m. - The Color of Compromise Book Study Link HERE | | 7:00 p.m. - Elders Meeting Link HERE | | 7:00 p.m. - Shalom Congregation | | |
Lunch Bunch
Everyone is invited to this week's Lunch Bunch gathering at Applebee's after service....whether you're worshiping in person or via zoom, all are invited!
Text or call Tasha York (512-567-8770) for more information.
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DWM
Your Faith Has Made You Well: Healed By Jesus
Disciples Women Ministry September Study
You know that autumn is just around the corner when the Disciples Women’s Ministry announcement of the return of monthly meetings arrives. Monday, September 13, is the date of our DWM meeting at 9:30 AM. It will be a time of virtual prayer, fellowship, study, and discussion of fall service.
Facilitator Anna Marie Blair will lead the study from the Just Women series Hope, Healing and Wholeness, titled Your Faith Has Made You Well: Healed By Jesus.
As time permits before the meeting please read the text, Luke 8:42B-48. In this passage Jesus touches and blesses the woman who suffered with health issues for many years. The message for us today is an invitation to reach out in the name of our Lord to minister to those in need.
The business agenda includes a discussion of our 2022 program and budget.
Regulars, please reach out to a lady who hasn’t attended DWM recently to encourage her to join us this month.
Look for a message in your inbox soon from DWM president Susan Kessler regarding fall plans and this meeting.
Meeting Link HERE
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Nominating Committee Begins Its Work
The Nominating Committee has begun its work to secure nominees for 2022 RRCC leadership positions. Committee members are: Cynthia Guilbeau (chair), Bea Whitley, Mildred Adair, John Claymon, Paul Maybaum, Dan Knight (ex-officio) and Mitch Maxted (ex-officio).
2022 Elected Positions include:
Moderator (1 year term)
Vice Moderator (1 year term)
Treasurer (1 year term)
Assistant Treasurer (1 year term)
Financial Secretary (1 year term)
Assistant Financial Secretary (1 year term)
Trustee (two year term)
Property Team Chair (1 year term)
Personnel Team Chair (1 year term)
Elder (3 year term)
Elder (3 year term)
Elder (3 year term)
11 Deacons (2 year term)
Anyone member can be nominated with prior consent by the nominee and also, anyone can put themself forward as a nominee for a position in which you feel called to serve.
Please speak with a Nominating Committee member if you have questions, or want to nominate another church member, or desire to nominate yourself for a position. These elected positions represent the Guiding Board and governing structure of RRCC, and will be on the agenda for congregation approval at the November Congregational Meeting.
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Open Circle New Study
NEW STUDY TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 12
The Open Circle Adult Sunday School Class will begin a new study on September 12 and we welcome your participation! We’ll be sharing the book Love Without Limits: Jesus’ Radical Vision for Love with No Exceptions by Dr. Jacqueline Bussie. Here’s a description:
The love of God crosses all boundaries.
Every. Single. One.
How can we overthrow hate and heal hurt in today’s divided world? According to Jacqueline A. Bussie, by learning to love as God does—without limits or exceptions. In Love Without Limits, Bussie imparts practical solutions for people who yearn to love across difference. Through poignant memoir, engaging theological reflection, inspiring stories of friendship, creative readings of scripture, and shout-outs to some of love’s unsung heroes, Bussie challenges readers to answer God’s call to practice a love so vast that it excludes no one.
| Dr. Bussie is an award-winning author, professor, theologian, public speaker, and student of life in all its messy beauty. She is the new Executive Director of the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research in Collegeville, Minnesota. | | | |
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Notary services are now available at RRCC. Contact Molly at rrcc-office@rrdisciples.org at least 24 hours ahead of time to schedule your appointment to have documents notarized. This service is free of charge.
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DWM Retreat in October - Talk to Susan Kessler for more details.
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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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RRCC will be experiencing some changes in the newsletter format over the upcoming weeks. Please be patient with us as we attempt to navigate an updated program. Past newsletters dating back to mid-March 2020 are currently archived under the "ABOUT US" tab on the RRCC Website.
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September 10 - Keith Knight
September 12 - Julian Grant
September 13 - Anna Marie Blair
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Prayer Needs
LEADERSHIP
1. Our Guiding Board, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Teams. Our Elders are discerning how to share "40 Days of Prayer & Faith Sharing" with the whole congregation. The Guiding Board is working with the Re-Opening Task Force to keep people safe during this latest COVID surge.
2. Our staff: Jimmy, Mitch, Katie, Randy, and Molly
3. Our music ministries and their leaders: Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Jimmy Horowitz
4. Our tech team: Gary Collier, Tara Pollock, Katie Maybaum, Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Dan Knight
5. Our Caring Hearts Prayer Group
6. Our Stephen Ministries (Care Receivers and Caregivers)
7. Our partnership with Iglesia Adventista Shalom & Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida congregations (and their pastors Edy Rosa Paez and Maria Rosario)
8. Reverends Andy Mangum (CCSW Regional Minister and President, and Rev. Alfred Walker, the newly called Community Regional Minister (CRM) for Reconciliation and Anti-Racism. We look forward to hosting Rev. Walker this Sunday.
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. For all who are grieving the loss of a loved one
2. For all who are or have been ill with COVID-19, and their families
3. Acree, Mary -- now living at Franklin Park (assisted living) in Teravista
4. Jackson, Gwen -- fellow Emerald Cottage resident and friend Rick Hackett passed away
5. Jenkins, Bob -- Bob's sister Janet is receiving treatments for melanoma
6. Jocoy, Judy -- hospitalized with an infection
7. Kessler, Jim -- home from the hospital and continuing to recuperate
8.Maxted, Mitch -- collapsed lung; now home from the hospital
9. Maybaum, Paul and Liz -- Paul's sister-in-law Nancy in long-term rehab facility
10. Miller, Chris -- (son of Jean Bell) experiencing some neuropathy from cancer treatments; also Jean has had some stomach problems in recent weeks
11. Osteen, Amy and Steve -- brother-in-law Mike Murphy has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer
12. Pollock, Paula -- recent painful fall (no broken bones)
13. Tucker, Amy -- recovery following hip replacement surgery
14. Walker, Lisa -- receiving dialysis treatments 3x per week; still hoping to find a kidney donor
15. Family of Garvid Wilson
OTHER
1. All events at Disciple Oaks
2. All who don't know Jesus
3. COVID-19 (continuing efforts to reach "herd immunity" in the U.S. and around the world)
4. Those who have lost jobs during the pandemic; businesses that continue to struggle
5. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world
6. Our military personnel and families
7. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible; for Haitians who are suffering from the recent earthquake; for Afghanis seeking safety and stability in the midst of regime change
8. Developing policies and education programs to battle systemic racism in all of its forms
9. For all efforts toward affordable health care for all Americans
10. For all efforts to make voting safe, simple, and easily accessible for all in our country; and to oppose recent voter suppression legislation
11. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of mass shootings in schools, places of work, etc.
12. All teachers, administrators, students, and parents of our two neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School
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[There will be no Sunday School classes in the church building 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) - 9:15 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, studying Love Without Limits. ALL ARE WELCOME! Link HERE
Explorers (mixed adults) - 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying Paul's letter to the church at Rome. Link HERE
The Wired WORD (adult men) - 11:00 a.m. Thursday mornings. Led by Rev. Maxted, this class looks at what the scriptures have to say about important current events and issues.
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Report from the Re-Opening Task Force |
Reopening Task Force Communications
for the week of August 8, 2021
A. The RRCC Reopening Task Force held its 15th meeting August 3, 2021 to discuss current Covid levels and to determine whether the current "Gathering Guidelines" for use of the church facility need to be modified. There was consensus that with Covid cases increasing and Austin-Travis County having moved into "Stage 5" guidelines, we need to conduct weekly communications to stay abreast of current changes and determine whether current practices need to be revised. Memo for the week of 8/8/21:
B. Government data/recommendations:
i. Local data 8/9: The 7 day hospitalization average for Austin-Travis County is 83 and for 8/9 is 74. The 7 day confirmed cases average is 383 and as of 8/9 is 445. The percentage testing positive is 14.5%
ii. CDC data: Masking is encouraged for all activities for both vaccinated and un-vaccinated
iii. RRCC "Gathering Guidelines": The task Force voted to modify current "Gathering Guidelines" to be in sync with changes made last week by the local health authorities. This should be in place as of the August Guiding Board meeting. The Task Force also had consensus to continue to provide "in person" worship, with all wearing masks.
C. The following remains in place until the Task Force and/or Guiding Board announces otherwise:
i. Sunday morning Worship Service (wearing masks)
ii. Use of the building by sister congregations (wearing masks)
iv. Use of the building by groups renting facilities (wearing masks)
D. Initial plans to open the building for Sunday School Classes effective August 22 are being postponed for the time being, as are any small group meetings. Decisions regarding church fellowship lunches and other gatherings in the building will be made on a week-to-week basis and communicated in the weekly church newsletter.
Members of the Task Force/Guiding Board and Ministries Council are encouraged to share suggestions and ideas to assist in improving the combined "zoom" and "in-person" worship experience as well as changes needed to meet the needs of the changing environment. Please communicate your individual ideas to any of these members, to help in providing the best possible worship experience:
Reopening Task Force:
Perry Mouser, Chair
Mildred Adair, Linda Glover, Jennifer Kienzle, Pam Knight, Amy Osteen, Tara Pollock, Randy Preston, Amy Tucker, Gary Tucker, Dan Knight (ex-officio), and Mitch Maxted (ex-officio)
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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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Please email photos to the church office: info@rrdisciples.org
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Mondays: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tuesdays: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Fridays: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Elders Prayer/Closing Message | |
We can’t earn salvation; we are saved by God’s grace when we have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. All you have to do is believe you are a sinner, that Christ died for your sins, and ask His forgiveness. Then turn from your sins—that’s called repentance. Jesus Christ knows you and loves you. What matters to Him is the attitude of your heart, your honesty. We suggest praying the following prayer to accept Christ as your Savior:
Prayer:
"Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."
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22 Chalice Way
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 244 3260
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