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Round Rock Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)

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Embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love

January 25, 2022

This coming Sunday in worship --

January 30, 2022

THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

Luke 4:21-30

"He Passed Through the Midst of Them"

From the Pastor

My grandfather Butler used to say that January is a "mean month." If you've ever lived through an Iowa winter, you'd know exactly what he means. You can go weeks without the temperature rising above freezing. And the upper midwest tends to be pretty windy. The wind chills make it feel a lot colder. On Thursday morning of this week, the forecast for my hometown is a low of -17. Brrr!

Without a doubt, last year, here in Texas, February was the "meanest" month. I'm praying that the polar vortex doesn't migrate all the way down to Texas this winter like it did last February.

Stay warm, friends. February is almost here, and then March will bring the beginning of Lent and springtime. Thanks be to God, who has given us the gift of the seasons!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mitch

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.

Address your envelope to:

Financial Secretary

Round Rock Christian Church

22 Chalice Way

Round Rock, TX 78665

Upcoming Events

Check for event details and ZOOM MEETING LINKS

on the RRCC Website Calendar.

Texas Heat Volleyball meets in the gym throughout the week.

Please check our website calendar for their latest schedule.

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

11:00 a.m. - "Caste" Discussion Class Link HERE

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

1:00 p.m. - Caring Hearts Prayer Group Link HERE

6:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, January 27, 2022

11:00 a.m. - Wired WORD Class

Friday, January 28, 2022

All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female,

for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:27-28

Saturday, January 29, 2022

8:00 a.m. -Shalom Congregation

Sunday, January 30, 2022

9:30 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 at Rosa's Cafe

3:00 p.m. - Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida

Monday, January 31, 2022

But now, says the Lord--the one who created you, Jacob, the one who formed you, Israel:

Don't fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; your are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

11:00 a.m. No discussion class today. Next week we begin Jerry Craft's New Kid

Future Events

Stay tuned for upcoming events....

In Person Worship Update

Message from the Guiding Board to the Members of RRCC:

The Guiding Board met together last Monday night, January 17, 2022, for our regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The Board felt it was important to discuss the current status of Covid and the affects it could have on our congregation. We all know the recent increase of those who have contracted Covid. The RRCC Reopening Task force spent many hours over the past two years researching and studying safety measures regarding this disease, as to help guide us forward in the safest way possible. It is the belief of the Task Force and the Guiding Board that if those who choose to worship in person fit the following criteria:

• have been vaccinated and boosted (after the suggested post-vaccination waiting period)

• wear masks

• social distance

• free of any/all symptoms

...that we should be fine worshipping together in person. We recognize those of our members who struggle with compromised immune systems; therefore, worshipping in an enclosed building with others is not in their best interest. For this reason, those members are choosing to worship on-line with us via Zoom. It is the responsibility of each of us to be as careful as possible to keep each other safe.

The recommendations of the Williamson County Health Department, based on the newest CDC guidelines, are: upon exposure, exhibiting any symptoms or, positive testing, adults should quarantine for a minimum of 5 days. When symptom-free without medication for 24 hours after the fifth day of quarantine, individuals who are fully vaccinated with a booster (if needed) must wear a well-fitted mask for an additional 5 days when in public. Children under 5 years of age, who cannot get vaccinated or cannot wear a well-fitted mask 100% of the time in public, should quarantine for 10 days. If someone in your home tests positive and cannot stay isolated from the other household members, the exposed individuals must start their 5-day quarantine on the 5th day after the date which the illness began in the Covid-positive.

Symptoms of which to be on the lookout include:

Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, feeling feverish, a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees

If you have any reason to believe that you have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms, we ask you to please stay home, joining us on Zoom for worship. By us all working together, we feel confident our decision to continue worshipping together will be the right one.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Guiding Board by emailing Tasha at tashayork@yahoo.com and we will do our best to provide you with answers.

Thank you,

Tasha York

Guiding Board Moderator

RRCC Landscaping

We have good cause to praise the Lord and to thank Mike Kelley and Gary Tucker who have cleared out the overgrown monstrosity in the corner near the front door of RRCC. They have also done some much needed clearing near the entrance to the parking lot.

Now we must decide what kind of planting to replace in the front corner. I hope that you will submit your suggestions for consideration.

Do you want a fairly formal or a somewhat casual style? Would you prefer that it be more or less colorful? I would like to use all native plants, but haven’t come up with ideas to complete such a setting well, so am thinking that we’ll use well-adapted, although not invasive, plants. I’d hope to be able to provide some year around interest there and if it were to attract birds or pollinators, so much the better. Also I think it should give an appropriately welcoming feeling to those who approach the door.

You may or may not know exactly which plants you would like there. That’s OK.

If you have an opinion, now is the time to say so. Please contact Anna Marie at gamrich@gmail.com or 417 543 5432.

Vacant Lot Task Force

NEW TASK FORCE INVITES YOUR INPUT

Over the years, members of the congregation have asked about plans for the vacant lot to the west of our parking lot. The land was purchased when our current sanctuary was built in 1989, in order to have the option to eventually build a larger sanctuary. From time to time it is healthy to revisit plans, and the Guiding Board responded in November by appointing a task force to research and gather input and recommendations for possible future uses for the vacant lot, including retaining the original intent. The task force had an organizational meeting in December and agreed initially that any use for that land should:

· Benefit the community (be a good neighbor),

· Generate revenue to fund and maintain it,

· Be sustainable for the long-term future,

· Be accessible to users.

We will continue to keep the congregation informed and to welcome members’ input throughout this information-gathering process. If you have questions or comments, please send them by email to the church office (info@rrdisciples.org) before February 24 (the date of the next task force meeting), or contact a member of the task force: Steve Osteen, Susan Kessler, Dan Knight, Tricia Mouser, Perry Mouser, Kent Toomey, Pastor Mitch Maxted (ex officio),Tasha York (ex officio).

New Small Group Study Opportunities

Two new small group discussion classes will be offered in the coming months. These are one-hour classes that meet via zoom on Tuesday mornings from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Both of these books aim to bring the reader to a greater level of understanding of racial justice issues in the United States. New Kid, a graphic novel, will be discussed for three weeks in February, and How to Be An Anti-Racist will be our study during the six Tuesdays of Lent.

If you're interested in participating, or just want more information, please contact Rev. Maxted by email or phone. If there is interest in starting an evening group as well, please let Rev. Maxted know.

Feb. 8, 15, 22 New Kid by Jerry Craft
Mar. 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12 How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

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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January 26 - Christopher Guzman

January 28 - Jared Prince

January 28 - Pam Knight

Lunch Bunch

Everyone is invited to this week's Lunch Bunch gathering at

Rosa's Cafe and Tortilla Factory after worship on Sunday....whether you're worshiping in person or via zoom, all are invited.

Text or call Tasha York (512-567-8770) for more information.

Elders, there are still a few available slots to fill!

2022 RRCC Sign Ups:

Elder Responsibilities Sign Up

Weekly Worship Leader Sign Up

Sunday Worship Deacons Sign Up

Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Free COVID Test Kits Mailed to Your Home!

Did you know that every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests? The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Ordering is quick and simple. Just visit covidtests.gov

Here is the LINK

Prayer Needs

LEADERSHIP

1. Our new and continuing Guiding Board members, 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 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, our Community Regional Minister (CRM) for Reconciliation and Anti-Racism.

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 -- recent infection and hospitalization; now home

4. Camarillo, Rudy -- prayers for Rudy's cousin Norma, whose husband Mike Castillo died of complications from COVID; also, prayers for Rudy's friend Eli, whose father Eliseo Rodriguez passed away last week

5. Cueva, Rafael and Deb -- Rafael's mother Gladys is hospitalized in ICU in Peru, but has been moved out of the COVID section of ICU, for which the family is grateful

6. Fennimore, Nancy -- niece Thresa is undergoing radiation treatments for cancer

7. Glover, Linda -- knee replacement surgery January 24 went well; came home today

8. Guilbeau, Cynthia -- fell earlier this month and broke ribs; recovering at home

9. Harmel, Venessa -- has been approved by the CCSW for ordination; congratualations, Venessa!

10. Jackson, Mark -- recovering well from COVID

10. Jenkins, Bob -- Bob's sister Janet is receiving treatments for melanoma

12. Jocoy, Jim -- recovering from back surgery; praying for a continued reduction in pain

13. Kienzle, Jennifer and Kameron -- both have tested positive for COVID in the last couple of weeks

14. Kessler, Jim -- continued recovery from heart surgery and a back injury

15. Knight, Pam -- sister-in-law Bonnie Cook-Cassens recently began immunotherapy treatments

16. Maybaum, Liz -- has tested negative for COVID-19 after feeling ill for several weeks

17. Mowers, JW and Lucas -- recovering well from COVID

18. Miller, Chris -- (son of Jean Bell) doing well with his cancer treatments

19. Nichols, Martha -- son Chris has reduced function in his one kidney

20. Osteen, Amy and Steve -- brother-in-law Mike Murphy being treated for pancreatic cancer

21. Pollock, Justin -- recovering well from COVID

22. Preston, Randy -- sister Rita recovering from badly broken leg and surgeries

23. Scarborough, Carrol -- waiting to be scheduled for cataract surgery

24. Sherry, Bea -- adjusting to life at Franklin Park in Teravista

25. Jill Toomey - recovering from ankle surgery earlier this month

26. Tucker, Gary and Amy -- grandson James (13) seriously injured in an auto accident in Wisconsin; now home from the hospital!

27. Walker, Lisa -- trying to get on a kidney transplant list

28. Whitley, Bea -- hand surgery is scheduled for January 26; brother Darrel Hansen passed away on Sunday

29. Wilson, Phyllis -- adopted sister Jane Hudson is battling kidney cancer

30. York, Tasha -- her son, Rev. T.J. Shoop-York, is recovering from COVID

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. For all who have struggled physically, emotionally, and spiritually during these nearly two years of the pandemic--a long-term trauma

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

8. Courage for teachers and administrators to resist efforts to censor the teaching of parts of our American history, no matter how ugly they might be

9. For all efforts toward affordable health care for all Americans

10. All teachers, administrators, students, and parents of our two neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School

Sunday School

[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 in person and 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 Corinth. 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.

Office Hours

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.

Elders Prayer/Closing Message

“What else can happen? How much more can I take?” Who does this sound like? Not you! I am actually talking about the shepherd King David. I sort of paraphrased a little. (Psalm 3:1-2) actually reads:

“Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. ”

David felt like his bad situation was overcoming him. Have you ever been there? Let’s not stop here, let’s continue to read (Psalm 3:3-4):

“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me: you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.”

David even goes on to write, “I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.” (Psalm 3:5)

In the eight verses of Psalm 3, we read how David went from feeling like there was no hope to feeling confident God would save him, God would take care of him, and God would take care of his enemies.

David declares, “I was not afraid of ten thousand enemies, who surround me on every side.” (Psalm 3:6)

Why? Because victory comes from you , O Lord. May you bless your people. (Psalm 3:8)

David remembered God! David cried out to God! And God heard him.

Jeremiah declares, “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” (Lamentations 3:21-25)

Thank You Lord, for reminding me from Your Word that you are faithful! Thank You that You hear me when I call on You. Thank You for reminding me that nothing is impossible with You.

What does God look for in a leader? I tried to think of men and women in the Bible. What made each of them rise to the occasion? Was it their winning personalities and smiles? Was it their long history of successes and experiences? Was it their educational or social economics backgrounds? All those are important. But on God’s checklist, I wonder where those qualities score?

Contact Us

Round Rock Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)

22 Chalice Way

Round Rock, TX 78665

(512) 244 3260