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A Message from the Pastor
I pray this newsletter finds you keeping warm and staying safe. I know that many of our church members and their family members have experienced power outages over the past several days. As you pray for your own safety and the safety of loved ones, don't forget to lift up those who have to be out in the elements--utility workers, police, health professionals and others.
Tomorrow the season of Lent begins. Our plans are to have an online Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 p.m. See the next article for the zoom link, and don't forget to have a little bit of cooking oil handy in addition to your communion elements. Peace in Christ, Pastor Mitch Almighty God, we pray that through this season of Lent, by prayer and study and self-giving, we may penetrate more deeply into the mystery of Christ's sufferings; that following in the way of his cross and passion we may come to share in the glory and triumph of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Ash Wednesday Service
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Join us for our Ash Wednesday Service via zoom tomorrow evening,
Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
In preparation for this service, please have ready the following two things:
communion elements and a few drops of cooking oil in a small bowl.
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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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DISCIPLES MISSION FUND SPECIAL
DAY OFFERINGS provide an opportunity to highlight specific ministries as part of our faith celebrations. There are six Disciples Mission Fund Special Day Offerings received each year during Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving, and Christmas seasons, plus Reconciliation and Week of Compassion.
Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). When you give to Week of Compassion, you personify one of Round Rock Christian Church's measures - extending compassion - by helping people in need all around the world. Through sustainable development projects, our partners help provide life-giving water and other critical resources. Let love flow, and share more than just water.
The 2021 Week of Compassion Offering will be received on February 21 and 28. You may give by check or online at www.rrdisciples.org, designating your gift as Week of Compassion Offering.
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A Reminder from Your Guiding Board...
At every Board meeting, one of the first items on the agenda is "Congregational Communication." This is anyone's opportunity to bring an item to the Board. You may also ask any Board member to bring something to the Board on your behalf. If you'd like to speak at a meeting, we'd be glad to hear from you. Simply let the moderator know a few days in advance so you can be put on the agenda and make sure you get the Zoom meeting info. The next meeting of the Guiding board will be NEXT Monday, February 22, 2021.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Change
In an effort to streamline, simplify, and make COVID-19 vaccinations more efficient, Texas is transitioning away from having people go to their local PCP, clinic, or hospital to get their shot. Instead, vaccination "hubs" are being established across the state. Our closest hub is in Travis County. You must pre-register before scheduling your vaccination time. This pre-registration gets you into their system and helps them to put you into the correct "Phase" for vaccination priority. Here is the link:
Please note: This website has had some technical challenges due to heavy use. You may have better luck if you visit the website late night/early morning.
Another website you can use to be put on a vaccine wait list is here:
You may be wondering whether you are eligible now to receive your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Most of our congregation members are in fact eligible right now, based on age and/or chronic medical condition.
If you are a front-line healthcare worker or resident of a long-term care facility, you are eligible now to receive the vaccine, since December 14. This group is c onsidered Phase 1A.
If you are in Phase 1B, you are also eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, depending on availability and the vaccine provider. Vaccine supply remains limited, but more vaccine will be delivered to providers each week. Phase 1B recipients include:
- People 65 years of age and older
- People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
- Solid organ transplantation
- Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
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2021 Worship Leader Sign-Up
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 The 2021 Worship Leader Sign-Up is available to view! Click here to reserve your date to serve:
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2020 Annual Permanent Fund Report to the RRCC Guiding Board Members
Operating Policy and Procedure 3.8 states: "The Purpose of the Permanent Fund is to 'expand the witness and mission of Jesus Christ and to serve the human needs in our community and around the world.' The Permanent Fund provides a means for special gifts and bequests to enable RRCC to expand its ministry in ways beyond what the general budget of the church would allow. The Permanent Fund is NOT intended to compete with, replace, or in any way diminish regular annual giving and responsible stewardship by present or future members." The Christian Church Foundation (CCF) is the custodian and beneficiary of the Fund and the interest earned is distributed by our Permanent Fund Team to the benefit of our RRCC ministries, as specified in OPP 3.8. If, for any reason, our church ever closes, the Fund goes on to benefit the mission of the larger church.
A relatively small permanent fund at RRCC was started in June, 2005, when it was determined to be a priority by church members, and little has been done to grow it over the years. However, in January 2020, a Permanent Fund Task Force was established for the purpose of promoting and growing the Permanent Fund. This Annual Report of the Permanent Fund is based on the recommendation of the Permanent Fund Task Force and the approved "Permanent Fund Operating Policy and Procedure 3.8".
Thanks to the generosity of church members and non-members, according to the records of the Christian Church Foundation, the fund balance grew from $6,633.80 to $9,814.77 in 2020. Also, an additional $800 was donated to the RRCC Permanent Fund in December of 2020 which was not deposited to the CCF prior to the deadline of the CCF quarterly statement, and will be included in the 2021 first quarterly statement. In all, RRCC received $1,400 in 12 separate Permanent Fund donations in 2020!
Special thanks to everyone who contributed! Please prayerfully consider your own ability to donate to the fund as you are able. The on-line giving screen is being updated to allow for the selection of the "Permanent Fund" option. Any gift is appreciated and will be applied to "expand the witness and mission of Jesus Christ"!!
The Permanent Fund Team
- The immediate past Senior Trustee (Tricia Mouser)
- The two current RRCC Trustees (Melba Claymon and Kent Toomey)
- The Financial Secretary (Irene Jenkins)
- The Treasurer (Gary Collier)
- The Senior Minister (Mitch Maxted) and Moderator (Dan Knight) as ex-officio members
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Upcoming Events
There will be no events/meetings held in the RRCC facility until further notice.
Some RRCC activities and events have been cancelled until further notice.
Most are continuing online via zoom.
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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Wednesday, February 17, 2021
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FIRST DAY
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OF LENT
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via Zoom) Link HERE
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7:00 p.m.
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7:00 p.m.
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Thursday, February 18, 2021
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Isaiah 41:10
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Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
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Friday, February 19, 2021
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Isaiah 43:18-19
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Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
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Saturday, February 20, 2021
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation
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Sunday, February 21, 2020
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9:45 a.m.
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- Explorers Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
9:45 a.m.
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- Open Circle Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
11:00 a.m.
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Evening
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- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site)
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Monday, February 22, 2021
| 7:00 p.m. |
Guiding Board (via Zoom - rescheduled from 2/15) Link HERE
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Tuesday, February 23, 2021
| 7:00 p.m. | - Elders Meeting (Unbinding Your Heart) Link HERE
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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ZOOM MEETING LINKS, events and details can be viewed on the RRCC Calendar.
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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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CHANCEL CHOIR ZOOM FELLOWSHIP
Chancel Choir meets via ZOOM on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.:
Chancel Choir will not meet Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
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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.
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Upcoming Birthdays
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February 16
| - Miranda Shrader | |
February 17
| - Sherwin Boyd |
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Prayer Needs
LEADERSHIP
1. Our Guiding Board, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Teams
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 Reopening Task Force--Perry Mouser (chair), Gary Tucker, Gary Collier, Mildred Adair, Amy Tucker, Pam Knight, Amy Osteen, Tricia Mouser, Pastor Maria Rosario of Manantial de Vida, Omar Roque, Juan Pena, and Carlos Cortez of Shalom, Pastor Mitch Maxted, and Linda Glover
6. Our Caring Hearts Prayer Group
7. Our Stephen Ministries (Care Receivers and Caregivers)
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. The current search for a Community Regional Minister for Reconciliation for the Christian Church in the Southwest
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. For all who are grieving the loss of a loved one in recent weeks:
- Paul Plough's family -- daughter Martha and sons Mark and Scott and their families. Paul died Feb. 1st. The funeral was last Friday.
- Perry Mouser -- his aunt Elsie Poindexter died January 30th.
- Rod and Lisa Walker and family. Rod's mother, Billie, died last month in Oklahoma.
- Steve and Amy Osteen and family. Steve's aunt, Judy, died last month in Mississippi.
- Emmiline Greene and family. Emmiline's sister-in-law Matilda Dunn died last month in Maryland.
- The family of Marilyn Davis, who died last month. Her memorial service was Saturday, January 30th at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown.
- Erica Roberts and family. Erica's mother-in-law Sheila Roberts died last month of complications from COVID-19.
2. For all who have tested positive for COVID-19, and their families, including: Steve Osteen, Brenda Collier's mother Mary, Bob Jenkins' sister Kathy, Tricia and Perry's daughter Kendal and family, Martha Nichols' daughter Tamara, and Martha's niece Glenda and her husband Eric, Susan Putnam's cousin Connie Walker, Charles and Bea Whitley's granddaughter Allison and Bea's brother Darrel
3. Acree, Mary -- recent infection
4. Blair, Anna Marie -- friend Ada C. fell and broke hip and leg
5. Cratin, Katherine -- niece Amber W. tested positive for COVID-19
6. Fennimore, Nancy -- sister Joan Heckford is battling ALS
7. Glover, Linda -- decisions on pain management treatments
8. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia. Cynthia's father, Harold Hubbard, is receiving hospice care
9. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
10. Mouser, Tricia -- rheumatoid arthritis infusion treatments and side-effects
11.Pollock, Tara -- wife of cousin Keith passed away last week
12. Sherry, Bea -- celebrated birthday #90 on Sunday. Congratulations!
13. Terry Tucker, brother of Gary Tucker -- home from the hospital after second surgery
14. Walker, Lisa -- home from the hospital; will receive dialysis treatments 3x per week
15. Wilson, Garvid -- chemo/immunotherapy treatments every 21 days; prayers for strength and manageable side effects
16. York, Tasha -- mother Peggy Massey is recovering from a fall and a procedure to address internal bleeding
OTHER
1. All who don't know Jesus
2. COVID-19 (the ill, their families, medical professionals, essential workers, treatment and vaccine researchers, the logistics of distributing and administering the vaccine safely and efficiently)
3. Those who have lost jobs during the pandemic; businesses that are struggling
4. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world 5. Our military personnel and families 6. International cooperation in responding to climate change challenges 7. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible 8. For all efforts toward affordable health care for all Americans 9. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of mass shootings in schools, places of work, etc. 10. All teachers, administrators, students, and parents. Our 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.]
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Early Childhood Class (ages 4-7) -Taught by Lisa Walker
Intermediate Class (3rd - 5th grade) - Taught by Jennifer Kienzle
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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.")
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CYF Class (9th - 12th grade)
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Open Circle (primarily adult women) - 9:45 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Studying Gospel Medicine. ALL ARE WELCOME! Link HERE
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Explorers (mixed adults) - 9:45 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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Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Message
INSPIRATION - Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.
Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for being with us in our hour of need. Protect us from evil. Give us strength to overcome our difficulties, no matter what they be.
In Jesus name, Amen
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