Chalice News

R
ound Rock
Christian Church

Embracing Our Neighbors
with Christ-like Love
May 16, 2017
In This Issue
Vacation Bible School - June 4th through 8th



It's almost time for Vacation Bible School!  This year's theme is "Rome:  Paul and the Underground Church."  VBS will be held from 6pm to 8pm from June 4th to 8th here at Church.

This is FREE for children ages 3 years through 5th grade.  Please spread the word and be sure to share the Facebook event with your friends and family.  The link is HERE.

We have some great volunteers so far, and we need a few more to join our awesome team.  A big thank you to those of you who have already volunteered!  Please let Lisa Grant know if you can help with the following: 
 
Registration:  1 more needed
Serving snack supper:  1 more needed
Provide snack supper to serve 30 (specify day-- Sunday 6/04, Wednesday 6/07, or Thursday 6/08)
Games:   Sunday 6/04 and Monday 6/05

VBS volunteers will have our first meeting this Sunday, May 21st, after Worship.  Please attend even if you are just interested in volunteering at this point.  Thank You!  
~ At RRCC We WORSHIP... ~
This Sunday at RRCC


John 14:15-21
"With You Forever"

John 14 is often read at funerals, and understandably so. Jesus promises that he will never leave us alone ("orphaned"). He promises to be with us always, and through him is life ("because I live, you also will live"). 
Partners in Ministry

As I anticipate being away from worship at RRCC on the 28th to attend the high school graduation of my niece, I am thankful that we have people in our congregation who are willing to step up and take on additional leadership responsibilities. I am thankful for Julian Grant and Venessa Harmel, who are preaching in my absence. I am thankful for those who volunteer as Worship Leaders, especially when they are called upon to take on added duties. I am thankful for our board of elders, who can be called upon in emergency situations. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi: "I'm glad because of the way you have been my partners in the ministry of the gospel..." Philippians 1:5 (CEB)

It is a privilege and an honor to serve you!

Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
The Word on Wednesday



The Word On Wednesday will be on break until Wednesday, June 14th.  Due to this change, Chancel Choir will meet at 7pm on Wednesday evenings until June 14th.
Stewardship and Attendance    
 
 

Attendance for Sunday, May 14th: 
98

Tithes and Offerings Received on May 14th:
$5,484.50

Tithes and Offerings Received for the month of May:
$11,937.00

(Budgeted Need of Tithes and Offerings for April:  $16,693.54)

Thank you for your faithfulness and dedication shown in support of the Church.  Your attendance and stewardship are a witness of your commitment to Christ.
Prayer Card Reminder

Don't forget to take advantage of our new(ish), bright pink Prayer Request cards on Sunday mornings. You will find them at the welcome center right when you come in the door. When completed, simply place in the basket by the cards or hand to a greeter/deacon prior to worship so that Pastor Mitch will have them before the Pastoral Prayer.  

Note from the photo that these cards allow you to indicate how widely this prayer request is to be shared. If you want the request to be shared from the pulpit that day, check that option. If you'd like the request to be shared with the Wednesday afternoon prayer group, check that option. If you would prefer that only the pastor know about it, check that option. And if you'd like to have a follow-up phone call from the pastor, give the contact info. 

Use of these pink Prayer Request cards was begun several months ago as way to improve communication of prayer needs. There was a great deal of confusion and lots of complaints about not being able to hear/understand when people were attempting to share their joys and concerns verbally from the congregation. It is our hope that the prayer cards can provide an improved method for congregation members to communicate with worshipers, with the pastor, and with our Wednesday afternoon Caring Hearts prayer warriors. 
~ At RRCC We SERVE... ~
Thank You, Sally Kelley!

   
 

We all have been blessed by the beautiful and creative floral arrangements by our talented artist, Sally Kelley. She puts so much into her arrangements besides flowers and the small Mother's Day wreath at the back of the sanctuary is one such creation. Sally made this with lots of love for Mother's Day. To honor her own mother, there is a small picture of her, youngest of 15 children, with a hat on that she was very proud of because it had flowers just like her mother's hat.

Sally is a fan of heirloom sewing so lace for color and texture is included. The wreath itself is covered with satin left over from her daughter's wedding dress. Italian lace with pearls and a special pearl cluster earring are amongst the beautiful flowers. What a wonderful way to honor her mother and to share with others. You see, Sally puts way more into her creations than flowers. She puts her heart and soul into these. She gives God the glory for being able to do this. Thank you, Sally! 
Staff Vacations Next Week

Christina will be traveling next week to attend the high school graduation of her twin nieces in Michigan!  She will be out of the office from Monday afternoon, May 22nd through Memorial Day.  She will be back in the office on Tuesday, May 30th at 8am.  She will periodically check emails throughout that time, but if there is an urgent matter please call/text her at 512-516-7391.

Pastor Mitch will be out of the office traveling to Iowa for his niece's graduation as well from Thursday, May 25th through Tuesday, May 30th.  Pastor Mitch will return to the office on Wednesday, May 31st. He will be be available for urgent matters by phone/text at 419-388-8489.

The Church office will be closed completely from Thursday, May 25th through Monday, May 29th.  Please arrange to have all your Church needs taken care of by Wednesday, May 24th.  If you have an urgent need to enter the Church during the closed days, please contact Christina or Pastor Mitch if you do not have a key.  They can put you in touch with a Church member who may be available to assist you with entry to the building.

Thank you for your support and understanding of Christina and Pastor Mitch spending time with family during these joyous times in their nieces' lives!
Church Landscape

Dear Church Family,

Being ever so blessed, honored and thrilled to be allowed to work up a plan for landscape designs for our house of Worship, I solicit your input.

You should know that, as a matter of stewardship, I want to focus on using native plants.  Their use will also minimize water usage and maintenance requirements in the long-term.  (Even natives require attention to get started.)  Expect seasonal interest.

I hope to hear your ideas as to what kinds of things you would find appealing in our Church landscape.  Do you like more or less color, is there an area you would prefer to keep as is?  (Why?)  What do you think of the former front entry area.  Is there anything you wish would just go away?  Should it reflect us, our mission?  (How?)

Are you interested in working with me to consolidate and incorporate ideas?  We'll need a plan to present by the end of July.  Or just to offer your ideas, suggestions, etc.; please tell me directly or email gamrich@gmail.com or call 417-543-5432.

Let's show off God's garden,

Anna Marie Blair 
Updated Contact Information for Rev. Dr. Ed Snider

Here is the updated address for Rev. Ed Snider:

Rev. Ed Snider
Longhorn Village, Room 122
12501 Longhorn Parkway
Austin, TX 78732

Please write and wish him well in his recovery!

Pantry Focus for May:  Toilet Paper

" Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." 

This month is "Toilet Paper" month at RRCC. Let's load our food pantry tub in the Welcome Center to overflowing each Sunday! Your donations of Toilet Paper (or cash or check designated for the Round Rock Area Serving Center) will help stock empty shelves and help neighbors in our community.  
 
According to our volunteers from the Serving Center, toilet paper is one of the most appreciated items! Would you imagine that, for some, it is a luxury item? 
 
Mark your grocery list every week for the Round Rock Area Serving Center.
Do you order from AMAZON?
 
We have an opportunity to receive a portion of the cost of products purchased by you if you sign up with AmazonSmile.  Round Rock Christian is registered and some members and friends are already customers.  The church is receiving the .5% from those who are already signed up.   Every dollar helps the church and it will not cost you anything but just to sign up and use AmazonSmile.  Won't you sign up too?
 
Is there any cost to charitable organizations or to customers? 
No. There is no cost to charitable organizations or to AmazonSmile customers. The shopping experience is identical to Amazon.com with the added benefit that the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate to the charitable organizations selected by customers.

What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support.

How do I shop at AmazonSmile?
I understand that I must always start at smile.amazon.com to support Round Rock Christian Church.

Why is there a separate URL? 
The AmazonSmile program offers customers a new benefit, making a donation to your favorite charity. We're able to provide this benefit to you when you choose to start your shopping at smile.amazon.com in part because we expect AmazonSmile to grow primarily through word of mouth instead of paid advertising-and this enables us to fund donations to our customers' favorite organizations.

To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.

Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible for charitable donations?
Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked "Eligible for AmazonSmile donation" on their product detail pages. Recurring Subscribe-and-Save purchases and subscription renewals are not currently eligible.

Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile? 
Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.

How do I select a charitable organization to support when shopping on AmazonSmile?

On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. We will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.

This is a quick and easy way to support RRCC as you shop! 
Communion Bread Preparation Volunteers Needed!

The Worship Ministry team is seeking volunteers to help bake communion bread for the coming year.  If we could secure a total of 6 volunteers, each agreeing to 2 months of preparation, we could have the entire year covered!  If you feel you can commit to helping with the baking for a 2 month time period, please sign up HERE
Serving With You This Week ...

Worship Leader: Venessa Harmel
 
Greeters:   Susan Kessler, Jim Kessler 
 
Sunday Treats:  Liz Maybaum

Elders:  Mary Murray, Rod Walker 

Deacons:  Bob Jenkins, Bobby Jenkins, Susan Kessler, Jim Kessler 
Upcoming Birthdays
 
Julie Wood - May 21st

Travis Collins - May 23rd 
You Can Serve in MANY Ways!

No matter your talent or desire, there is a place for you to serve your Church, our Church, at RRCC!  Here are signup links for the various Ministries you can serve:

 
 
Round Rock Christian Church Prayer List

OUR CHURCH, RRCC
Let the Holy Spirit be with us & guide us
  • Pray for Pastor Mitch Maxted, as he provides leadership for our church
  • Lay Leaders, Guiding Board, Elders, Vision Team, Shut-In Servers & Prayer Group
  • Randy Preston & all members of choir & music
  • Rod Walker, w/ Praise Team, Cut Bait Band, Jimmy w/ keyboard, Tyler w/drums
  • Christina and all she does with Youth Group, & Office
  • Enable us to develop a passion for praying and increasing our tithes & offerings
  • Our partnership with Shalom Seventh Day Adventist & Manantial de Vida congregations (new pastor at Shalom is Eddy Rosepaez)
  • Leadership for CMF.
  • Our efforts as a congregation to embrace our neighbors with Christ-like love.
  • Pastor's Class (Andrew Hardt/Charles Scarborough; JW Mowers/Rudy Camarillo)
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
  • Acree, Mary
  • Adair. Mildred (recent cardiac ablation)
  • Barnett, Barbara (son Steven foot surgery)
  • Bell, Jean
  • Continued hospitality and encouragement for our newest members: Blair, Anna Marie & Shamblin, Gayle
  • Boles, Gayle travelling to Budapest, Prague.
  • Boles, Beth. Gayle's mother, in Hereford.
  • Christina & Crispin
  • Cueva, Deb, Raphael & boys
  • Davis, Lloyd & Marilyn
  • Glover, Linda
  • Graham, Marty (Parkinson's, stroke)
  • Grant, Julian (job search)
  • Greene, Emmiline (wrist surg. recov)
  • Guilbeau, Cynthia & Rick
  • Harmel, Venessa
  • Hubbard, Harold (Cynthia's Dad)
  • Hunt, Darlia
  • Jackson, Gwen
  • Johnston, Billie (moves to memory care)
  • Krop, Sara (g'daughter of the Whitleys has pregnancy complications)
  • Maybaum, Paul & Liz
  • Mehlow, Carolyn (June 12) & Leroy
  • Mouser, Juanella (Perry's mother--fell, stitches in head)
  • Nichols, Martha
  • Plank, Bill (father of Lisa Grant) cong. heart failure and hospice care.
  • Plough, Paul & Margaret
  • Riordan, Jim (hearing loss)
  • Snider, Ed (skilled nursing)
  • Whigham, Tiffany
OTHER  
  • Israel
  • Our Nation & our Military
  • People suffering/Haiti
  • Midwest flooding/tornado; specifically Gainesville, MO
  • Pray for persecuted Christians throughout the world
  • Control I.C.I.S. and other groups who strive to kill others of different religions
  • Our new President & all appointees
  • Peace
~ At RRCC We GROW ~
Upcoming Events

Tuesday, May 16, 2017
6:30pm - Vision Team Meeting

Wednesday, May 17, 2017
3:00pm - Caring Hearts Prayer Group 
6:30pm - AAU Basketball
7:00pm - Overcomers Bible Study
7:00pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, May 18, 2017
7:00pm - Praise Band Rehearsal

Saturday, May 20, 2017
8:00am - Shalom Congregation

Sunday, May 21, 2017
8:00am - Elders Ministry Meeting
9:30am - Sunday School
9:30am - Pastor's Class
10:30am - Fellowship
11:00am - Worship
12:15pm - Lunch Bunch at Jason's Deli
12:15pm - Pastor's Class Lunch and Meeting
2:30pm - Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida
5:00pm - Worship Committee Meeting

Monday, May 22, 2017
6:30pm - AAU Basketball

Tuesday, May 23, 2017
7:00pm - Shalom Congregation

Wednesday, May 24, 2017
3:00pm - Caring Hearts Prayer Group 
6:30pm - AAU Basketball
7:00pm - Overcomers Bible Study
7:00pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, May 25, 2017
Church Office Closed

Friday, May 26, 2017
Church Office Closed

Saturday, May 27, 2017
8:00am - Shalom Congregation

Sunday, May 28, 2017
9:30am - Sunday School
10:30am - Fellowship
11:00am - Worship
12:15pm - Lunch Bunch at Fuddrucker's
2:30pm - Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida

Monday, May 29, 2017
Church Office Closed - Memorial Day
Elders Prayer Corner/Closing Message



Scripture: James 1:17
     
"Every good action and every perfect gift is from God ."

Did you wake up this morning and feel like you have nothing?  If so, Max Lucado reminds us to think about some of the things God have given us.

He sent His angels to care for you, His Holy Spirit to dwell in you,
His church to encourage you, and His word to guide you. . .

Anytime you speak, He listens, make a request and He responds.

He will never let you be tempted too much or stumble too far.

Let a tear appear on your cheek and He is there to wipe it.

Let a love sonnet appear on your lips, and He is there to hear it.

As much as you want to see Him, He wants to see you more. . .

You have been chosen by Christ . . . He has claimed you as his beloved.


Prayer:

Loving Father,
You give us so much, but sometimes we get so caught up on our own lives that we forget to thank you.  Thank you for your love.  Thank you for caring for us.  Thank you for always being available to us, even when we forget to remember you.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.

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