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Chalice News
Round Rock Christian Church
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Embracing o
ur neighbors
with Christ-like love
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April 21, 2020
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This Sunday in Worship --
April 26, 2020
Scriptures:
Acts 2:14a, 36-41;
Luke 24:13-35
"Ordinance Sunday"
Two of the lectionary passages
for the 2nd Sunday after Easter lif
t up the importance of
Baptism
and
The Lord's Supper
--
our two "ordinances"
in the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ).
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A Message from Rev. Maxted
We enjoyed a great spirit in worship on the first Sunday after Easter. That special Sunday is sometimes called Holy Humor Sunday or Laughter Sunday. To continue in that spirit, I am sharing with you a few church-related funnies. Enjoy! --
Pastor Mitch
How many evangelists does it take to change a light bulb?
Only one, but the bulb must repent of its darkness and be willing to be changed.
How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?
None. God has predestined when the lights will be on and off.
How many Roman Catholics does it take to change a light bulb?
None. They use candles.
How many Charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?
Three: one to cast it out, and two more to catch it as it falls.
How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and two or three committees to approve the change. Oh, and also one to provide a casserole.
How many Anglicans/Episcopalians does it take to change a light bulb?
Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.
How many Methodists does it take to change a light bulb?
Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Bring a bulb of your choices to the Sunday lighting service and a covered dish to pass.
How many Amish does it take to change a light bulb?
What's a light bulb??
How many guitar-playing worship leaders does it take to change a light bulb?
One. But soon all those around can warm up to its glowing.
How many Unitarians does it take to change a light bulb?
We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your light bulb, and present it next month at our annual Light Bulb Sunday Service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
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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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Your Guiding Board.....
....Met on April 20, via Zoom, with all members present. Reports of our Sr. Minister, Mitch Maxted; Treasurer, Gary Collier; Financial Secretary, Irene Jenkins; Trustees Dan Knight and Tricia Mouser; Personnel, Kent Toomey; Property, Perry Mouser; Elders representative, Tasha York were presented.
....Meditated on Psalms 100, a psalm giving grateful praise.
....Approved continuing compensation to our staff: Pastor Maxted, Molly Salzwedel, Randy Preston and Jimmy Horowitz, during the period May 1-June 30.
....Recognized the faithful servants among us-our staff, elders, worship leaders, financial team, ministries, church school facilitators, Caring Hearts prayer warriors and those many people who are caring for others.
....Considered the tasks necessary to prepare for the return to our campus (see next article).
....Is Grateful for the dedication of our church family in their attendance at online worship services, Sunday school, bible studies and timeliness forwarding tithes and offerings.
....Prayed for you and asks for your prayers.
Should you have any comments or concerns, please reach out via email to Linda Glover at
[email protected]
.
"
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
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Guiding Board Requests Recommendations From Congregation
It's tempting to ask the question "When is the pandemic going to be over?" or "When can we get back to normal again?" But the real question we need to grapple with right now is "How do we continue?" We don't know how long it will take until a COVID-19 vaccine is widely available to the general public. That may be one or two years away yet. Therefore, in the meantime, how do we function? When we start to return to our church campus, what will that look like? What will we be comfortable with, and how can we make that happen?
Your Guiding Board is brainstorming what our needs will be as we return safely to 22 Chalice Way to worship, serve and grow. We are now calling on you to help us plan the return to our campus and to embrace our neighbors with Christ-like love.
We want to hear what you are thinking that our special needs will be. Your ideas are important to our success as a congregation. We've offered some categories for you to share your ideas. Please add others that you think of when you respond:
* Preparing and maintaining the buildings
* Morning worship
o Offering
o Communion
o Seating arrangement
o Greeting one another
o Other topics of concern when we are together in the sanctuary
* Group gatherings (church school, DWM, book and bible study groups, fellowship luncheons, special events, etc.)
* In addition to worshiping in our sanctuary, what about continuing some form of online worship (Zoom, Facebook-Live, streaming)
* Your topics
We look forward to hearing from you. Respond to any or all of us.
Linda Glover (moderator) [email protected]
Gary Tucker (vice moderator/chair of elders) [email protected]
Pastor Maxted (senior minister) [email protected]
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Chancel Choir will be meeting via ZOOM Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.:
https://zoom.us/j/99642443406?pwd=TWJST2YrRlRvMmJaakMvU3MxQmpYUT09
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Do You Need Help With Zoom?
Some of our members have attempted to join a zoom meeting or worship and have been unable to fully participate. We apologize for this inconvenience and we want to help you overcome these difficulties.
For most people, simply clicking on the provided link takes the person where they need to go. But people use different devices with different capabilities, so each person's ability to participate varies. If you need some technical help with Zoom, please don't hesitate to reach out to Gary Collier, Rod Walker, Randy Preston, or Rev. Maxted with your questions.
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Try Financial Peace for Free!
You WILL make it to the other side of this. For the first time ever, we're giving away our Financial Peace Membership FREE for 14 days. You'll receive all nine lessons of Financial Peace University and the EveryDollar Plus budgeting app-for free for 2 weeks! If you've been waiting for a sign to know if this proven plan works, here's your sign. Get started today!
($129/year if not cancelled before the end of the 14 day free trial)
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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.
This is a quicker way to access past newsletters and Friday "Reminders" than to hunt back through old emails. Thank you, Molly, for setting this up!
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COVID-19 Update From the Serving Center --
A Letter from Lori Scott, Executive Director
The Serving Center facility was closed to the public effective March 18th. The thrift stores and client services are closed until May 11, 2020. The food pantry is operating on a modified basis and is distributing food on Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 11 am to 2 pm only. This is a drive-through operation in the donation receiving area circular driveway. And, we are accepting food donations during those same hours of distribution. We are providing financial assistance by phone only. Clients must call and speak with Cynthia Flores, and fax/email their utility bills and lease agreements. Checks are being mailed. The modified operation is running smoothly and many, many thanks are extended to the staff and volunteers who are working to make this successful.
Since March 18th, we have provided food to 527 families, including FFFF, which is a total of 2,004 individuals. We have provided financial assistance for rent, utilities, prescriptions, bus, and hotel, and have spent a total of $12,295.
After 9/11, the Serving Center caseload skyrocketed by 86%. In 2008, the caseload jumped by 45%, and in 2009, the caseload rose by 19%. The COVID-19 pandemic is much broader and is impacting significantly more families who are normally working with job cuts and layoffs. The Serving Center caseload is going to rise dramatically.
In addition to the increased caseload that the Serving Center will face, the closure of the thrift stores is a serious loss of revenue in the amount of $60,000 for two months. At this time, it is anticipated that the stores will reopen on May 11th, but that could be extended. The Serving Center expects to exceed the program services budget to meet the needs of not only client families but also households who have never asked for help before.
I cannot say thank you enough to everyone for your compassion, hard work, flexibility, and willingness to serve our community.
Lori Scott, Executive Director
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Find a Place to Serve Here at RRCC
 Here are the ways you can contribute to Sunday Morning Worship:
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Prayer Needs
OUR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP
1. Our staff--Jimmy, Mitch, Katie, Randy, and Molly
2. Guiding Board, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Teams as they discern what congregational life will look like for RRCC until a vaccine for COVID-19 is widely available to the public.
3. Ad Hoc Youth Programming Team and youth director search
4. Our El
ders as they begin a 40-Day Prayer Journal tomorrow
5. Shut-In Servers & Caring Hearts Prayer Group
6. Stephen Ministries (Care Receivers and Caregivers)
7. Our music ministries and their leaders: Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Jimmy Horowitz
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. Gary Collier, Tara Pollock, Randy Preston, Katie Maybaum, Molly Salzwedel, and other tech support people from our congregation who are helping us to stay connected and active, even during this time of STAY HOME STAY SAFE.
ME
MBERS AND FRIENDS
1. Barnett, Barbara - grandson Jackson working in COVID-19 ICU
2. Bell, Jean (son Chris has made great progress with infusions to combat cancer)
3. Blair, Anna Marie (recent health issue--doing much better now) 4. Camarillo, Brian (son of Rudy) nurse in Bridgeport, Connecticut 5.
Davis, Marilyn (now living with Duane and Keri Davis, her son and daughter-in-law)
6. Fennimore, Nancy, (sister Joan recently diagnosed with ALS)
7. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold
8. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
9. Hardt, Andrew (badly sprained ankle)
10. Maybaum, Liz (platelet count)
11. Plough, Paul
12. Pollock, Paula
13. Sanford, Collin and Sonya
14. Sherry, Bea (no visitors allowed at this time)
15. Snider, Rev. Ed (no visitors allowed at this time)
16. Whitley, Charles (recovering from shingles)
17. York , Skyler David (future grandson of Tasha and future adopted son of TJ and Heather York. Will be delivered 4/27 or earlier.)
OTHER
1. All affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) around the world (those who are ill, their families, health professionals)
2. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world
3. Our military personnel and families
4. International cooperation in responding to climate change challenges
5. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible
6. For all efforts toward universal, affordable access to health care here in the U.S.
7. All who don't know Jesus
8. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of frequent, deadly mass shootings
9. Reaching out to our neighborhood families through the schools: a. Hopewell gift cards b. Adopt-a-Child ministry at Union Hill and Hopewell c. Literacy Partners at Union Hill d. Staff Appreciation Breakfasts e. school supplies for Hopewell Middle School f. Hopewell "Swarm the Hive" back to school event g. Our annual neighborhood welcoming events such as Trunk n Treat, Breakfast with Santa, and Hop into Easter.
RRISD will not return to school buildings this academic year.
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[There will be no Sunday School classes at the church for the foreseeable future. Some classes will be meeting via Zoom during the STAY HOME STAY SAFE order.]
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) -
10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Studying
Searching for Sunday, by Rachel Held Evans
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Explorers (mixed adults) - 10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying a gospel of Luke resource by John MacArthur.
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Pastor Mitch and Office Emails
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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 s
ubmitted 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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RRCC Newsletter Deadlines
Please submit your Tuesday newsletter articles
and pictures
before
10:00 a.m. on Mondays.
Thank you!
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Upcoming Events
There will be no events/meetings held in the RRCC facility until further notice. Many RRCC activities and events have been cancelled until further notice. Some are continuing online.
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (via Zoom)
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Wednesday, April
22, 2020
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1:00 p.m.
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via ZOOM)
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7:00 p.m.
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- Chancel Choir (via ZOOM)
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Thursday, April 23, 2020
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I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
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Friday, April 24, 2020
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James 5:7-8 ESV
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Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
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Saturday, April 25, 2020
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (live stream)
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Sunday, April 26
,
2020
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9:30 a.m.
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- Sunday School (via ZOOM) |
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11:00 a.m.
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- Worship with us (via ZOOM) |
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Evening
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- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site) |
Monday, April 27
,
2020
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Colossians 1:11 ESV
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May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
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Tuesday, April 28 2020
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Messag
e
For those who are staying home and losing income due to this virus: We are forced into this, but all are not forced. Sometimes, some have so chosen. The following is adapted from
Freedom of Simplicity by Richard J. Foster.
For the Desert Fathers, the flight to the desert was a way of escaping conformity to the world. The world, including the Church, had become so dominated by secular materialism that, for them, the only way to witness against it was to withdraw from it. Thomas Merton writes in the introduction to his Wisdom of the Desert, "Society ... was regarded by the Desert Fathers as a shipwreck from which each single individual man had to swim for his life."
They were seeking to revive true Christian devotion and simplicity of life by intense renunciation. Their experience has particular relevance, because modern society is uncomfortably like the world that they attacked so vigorously. Their world asked, "How can I get more?" They asked, " What can I do without?" Their world asked, "How can I find myself?" They asked, "How can I lose myself?" Their world asked "How can I win friends and influence people?" The Desert Fathers asked, "How can I love God?"
Anthony, the "father of monks" (A.D. 251-356), was about eighteen years old when he heard the Gospel words, "Go, sell what you possess, and give to the poor ... and come, follow me." (Matt.19-21). Going out from the church, he immediately gave away his inherited land, sold all of his possessions, and distributed the proceeds among the poor, saving only enough to care for his sister. After living at the edge of his village for a time, he retreated into the desert, where for twenty years he lived in complete solitude. In the solitude, he was forced to face his false, empty self. He learned to die to the opinions of others. He came out of a bondage to human beings. Violent and many were the temptations he faced.
When he emerged from the solitude of the desert, he was marked with graciousness, love, kindness, endurance, meekness, freedom from anger, and the practice of prayer. People recognized in him a unique compassion and power. Many sought him out for healing counsel and healing power. Even the Emperor Constantine sought his advice. In the final years of his life he retreated again to the solitude of the desert where he died in his 105th year.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, Let us not feel entirely negatively over our current plight. Instead, help us to use this opportunity, empty of so much of our usual lives, to learn to love you more. Allow us to see your grace all around us and help us to live into it.
In he name of the risen Savior,
Amen
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