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A Message from the Pastor
"If you grew up in the church, no matter how cool and young you are, don't assume you know what people outside the church are thinking or what they want! Early in your life, you absorbed Christian theology, behaviors, values, and understandings. these unconscious influencies shape the way you think bout life and what's real. if you want to know what nonchurch people think or what they expect, you have to ask them. Don't presume that you know...
"Like it or not...the opinions of 40-year-olds raised in the church are a lot more like the preferences of 80-year-olds raised in church than they are like 40-year-olds who were not raised in the church. If you grew up with liturgy and hymns, you probably feel comfortable with them. You experienced God early in connection with the smells of Easter lilies and the colors of Christmas pageants, with the doxology, hanging banners and the songs you loved from camp." Martha Grace Reese, Unbinding Your Heart
The Elders of RRCC continue to study and discuss the book Unbinding Your Heart, which is part of a multiple-book series on evangelism. The series was born out of a lengthy study of mainline American churches, including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Evangelism is not something that mainline congregations do very well. We have a wonderful message, but are very reluctant to share it. We're not even sure why to share it or how to share it! Author Martha Grace Reese offers some helpful guidance on how congregations in the mainline tradition can begin to reverse this trend and start becoming effective evangelists.
Our Elders are nearing the end of the six main chapters of the book and will soon enter into 40 Days of Prayer & Faith Sharing. It promises to be a time of growth--towards God and towards each other. After the Elders complete the 40 Days, they will plan how to share the Unbinding Your Heart book with the entire congregation. I am excited about the days ahead!
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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Williamson County COVID-19 Vaccine Waitlist Sign-Up
Williamson County continues to encourage people to get registered for their COVID-19 vaccine waitlist. Use the link at the bottom of this box to take you to the county's registration form. There are now 5 categories under which you may register:
- Category 1a Front-line healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities
- Category 1b People 65+ or people 16+ with a health condition that increases risk of severe COVID-19 illness
- NEW Category TC (people working with children) On March 3, DSHS received a letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directing states to expand eligibility to include people who work in school and child care operations. The federal directive defined the people eligible as "those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers) and those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers." This action does not change the other groups prioritized for vaccination in Texas.
- NEW Category 1c People 50 - 64 years of age
- NEW Category Other (all others)
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RRCC will hold our annual Good Friday Prayer Vigil on Friday, April 2nd, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. We hope that many will participate in this special Holy Week event. Beginning this Friday, March 19th, you will be able to sign up for one or more 30-minute prayer slots during the 12-hour vigil. Look for the sign up link in this Friday's email of "Notices and Reminders."
Our Prayer Vigil this year will not take place in the church sanctuary. Participants will be encouraged to pray from home.
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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, March 16, 2021
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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Wednesday, March 17, 2021 HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
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10:00 a.m.
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- Pastoral Support Committee
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via Zoom) Link HERE
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7:00 p.m.
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Philippians 2:8
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And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross!
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Romans 6:9
| We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation
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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, March 22, 2021
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Romans 6:8-11
| The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
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Tuesday, March 23, 2021
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7:00 p.m.
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- Elders Meeting
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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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Outreach: Appreciating Teachers
One way that RRCC embraces our neighbors is to express appreciation to the teachers and staffs of our two neighborhood schools. Last week, packets of flower seeds were delivered to 210 teachers and staff at Union Hill Elementary and Hopewell Middle Schools, along with a letter from Pastor Mitch and notes thanking them for "Planting the seeds of knowledge for our neighborhood children." Thanks to all of RRCC for supporting this outreach project! (Pictured: Janette Johnston and Susan Kessler. Not pictured: Tricia Mouser.)
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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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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.:
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Your Disciples Women's Ministry met via Zoom on March 8 for fellowship, prayer, an excellent lesson, and a review of ongoing (or on-hold) projects.
Jackie Switzer's lesson, Hagar the Handmaid - Mother to a Nation was enlightening, entertaining, and beautifully presented through slides and thoughtful commentary. Thank you, Jackie! If you would like to see a copy of her lesson, please contact Jackie at jtswitzer64@gmail.com.
Although many projects are suspended this year, we are able to continue to support them in some way. The group unanimously approved a $200 donation to the Rainbow Room to help children who are in protective custody, and approved sending $25 gift cards to each of our four college students.
As always, we shared prayer concerns and joys. All women are encouraged to join in this special sisterhood at our next gathering on Monday, April 12.
Jackie Switzer did a good job on the lesson on Hagar. We are sending $200.00 to the Rainbow Room. Send $25.00 to the college students.
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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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March 17
| - Kent Toomey
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March 18
| - Shirley Marshall |
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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. Rev. Alfred Walker, the newly called Community Regional Minister (CRM) for Reconciliation and Anti-Racism. Rev. Walker plans to move to Pflugerville. He officially begins the second week of April. Welcome, Rev. Walker!
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. For all who are grieving the loss of a loved one in recent weeks:
- Gayle Boles' cousin Warren Dale Boles lost his wife Linda following a major stroke
- Marty Graham's family -- wife Beth and children Lorellye, Lukas, and Andrea
- Paul Plough's family -- daughter Martha and sons Mark and Scott and their families
- Perry Mouser -- his aunt Elsie Poindexter died; also, his sister-in-law lost her brother
- Rod and Lisa Walker and family. Rod's mother, Billie, died
- Steve and Amy Osteen and family. Steve's aunt, Judy, died
- Emmiline Greene and family. Emmiline's sister-in-law, Matilda Dunn, died
- Marilyn Davis' family -- sons Duane and Greg and their families
- Erica Roberts and family. Erica's mother-in-law Sheila Roberts died
- Family of Rev. Eric Elder -- died March 6. Eric had served as Associate Pastor at Hyde Park CC in Austin and counselor at Disciple Oaks. Virtual memorial service on 3/28.
2. For all who have been ill with COVID-19, and their families
3. Acree, Mary -- feeling better; still a fall risk
4. Barnett, Barbara -- her cousin Thomasue's husband, Rick, will have extensive jaw surgery on March 24th in Ft. Worth
5. Blair, Anna Marie -- friend Ada C. fell and broke hip and leg; making a good recovery
6. Carpenter, Rich -- heart issues (his wife is Pat)
7. Cratin, Katherine -- sister Marietta and brother-in-law Frank, both with serious health issues; also niece Amber W.
8. Fennimore, Nancy -- sister Joan Heckford battling ALS; granddaughter Zoey recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
9. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Cynthia's father, Harold Hubbard
10. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
11. Johnston, Janette -- mother Billie is awaiting surgery in Alabama
12. Miller, Chris -- (son of Jean Bell) experiencing some neuropathy from cancer treatments
13. Mouser, Tricia -- rheumatoid arthritis infusion treatments and side-effects
14.Pollock, Tara -- wife of cousin Keith passed away last week
15. Salzwedel, Molly -- recovering from COVID-19
16. Sherry, Bea
17. Terry Tucker, brother of Gary Tucker -- recovering after two recent surgeries
18. Walker, Lisa -- receiving dialysis treatments 3x per week
19. Wilson, Garvid -- chemo/immunotherapy treatments; prayers for strength and manageable side effects
20. York, Tasha -- mother Peggy Massey at Encompass following a fall and multiple hospitalizations
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. Those who have had property damage due to the recent winter storms 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
The following is taken from A GOSPEL TREASURY
Poems Based on Lectionary Gospels:
God's love is like a gentle breeze
that cools my fevered brow.
It teaches me to be at ease
and worries won't allow.
God's love is like a whirlwind
that sweeps me off my feet
and shakes me up when I have sinned,
then brings me rest complete.
God's love is like a burning flame
that lights my darkened room
to show the way and sight reclaim,
to drive away the gloom.
God's love is like a restless sea,
as powerful and strong.
At times it washes over me
to move my faith along.
Prayer:
God of love, We come in thanksgiving for all you are. We work at recognizing and appreciating so many aspects of your love. Teach us to love others as you love us. In Christ's love we pray, Amen.
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