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A Message from the Pastor
I am thankful that in the midst of the winter storm challenges we've experienced here in central Texas in recent days, our RRCC members have been able to secure shelter, warmth, and water. I am also thankful for Perry and Tricia Mouser, Steve Osteen, and Molly Salzwedel for the various things they did do secure and protect our church campus during the unprecedented cold temperatures last week.
We have been hit with multiple traumas. Accumulated stress, anxiety and fatigue caused by the pandemic over the past 11 months was compounded by the weather through the resulting power outages and lack of water. Challenges seemed to be piling up.
On December 31st we had happily said good-bye to the year 2020, not knowing that in early 2021 we would experience the coldest weather in decades, and learn that our sources of power in Texas are not adequately weatherized for such an extreme weather event. Trauma on top of trauma.
And yet our God remains faithful through all things. His steadfast love endures forever. With joy and thanksgiving, we proclaim along with the Psalmist:
Lord through all the generations you have been our home!
Before the mountains were born,
before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
from beginning to end, you are God.
Psalm 90:1-2 (New Living Translation)
As a benediction for our Sunday worship services during the season of Lent, I am using this piece from Arthur Carl Lichtenberger, titled simply "Lent."
These are great words for the season.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
Lent
Fast from criticism, and feast on praise.
Fast from self-pity, and feast on joy.
Fast from ill-temper, and feast on peace.
Fast from resentment, and feast on contentment.
Fast from jealousy, and feast on love.
Fast from pride, and feast on humility.
Fast from selfishness, and feast on service.
Fast from fear, and feast on faith.
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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. If you'd like to learn more about Week of Compassion, there is a new 20-minute video that just came out today, February 19th. It is a conversation between our General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens, and Week of Compassion representative Rev. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold. Rev. Hamilton-Arnold is speaking from Houston, which, like Austin/Round Rock, has been greatly impacted by the winter storm of this past week. Here is the link to the video: "Imagine With Me" - Week of Compassion
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Williamson County COVID-19 Vaccine Waitlist Sign-Up
"Williamson County with its partners Family Hospital Systems and Curative are operating COVID-19 vaccination sites in Williamson County. The County's COVID-19 vaccination plan is focused on providing vaccines for the State's priority of Phase 1a: frontline healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities and Phase 1b: those 65 and older and those 16 and older with at least one chronic medical condition. Due to the limited number of vaccines available, we urge everyone to honor the state's phased-in approach to providing vaccines and register only if you are in Phase 1a or 1b." (wilco.org)
To see whether you are eligible to put your name on the waitlist now, and to register, click on this link:
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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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Billie Walker
Rod Walker's mother, Billie Louise Walker, died on January 16 at the age of 93. A celebration of life event will be held in Oklahoma at a later date. Here is the link to her obituary:
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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 23, 2021
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7:00 p.m.-
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- Elders Meeting (Unbinding Your Heart) Link HERE | |
7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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Wednesday, February 24, 2021
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via Zoom) Link HERE
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7:00 p.m.
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Thursday, February 25, 2021
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10:00
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- Vision Advisory Meeting
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Friday, February 26, 2021
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Joel 2:12-14
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Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord, your God?
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Saturday, February 27, 2021
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation
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Sunday, February 28, 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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1:30 p.m.
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Evening
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- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site)
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Monday, March 1, 2021
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Matthew 6:6-8
| But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
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Tuesday, March 2, 2021
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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 29
| - Carter Prince |
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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; his sister-in-law lost her brother to COVID.
- 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 been ill with COVID-19, and their families
3. Acree, Mary -- recent infection
4. Blair, Anna Marie -- friend Ada C. fell and broke hip and leg
5. Cratin, Katherine -- niece Amber W. recovering from COVID-19
6. Fennimore, Nancy -- sister Joan Heckford will have a biopsy tomorrow, 2/24
7. Glover, Linda -- decisions on pain management treatments
8. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Cynthia's father, Harold Hubbard
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; father Sherwin Boyd had water damage from the winter storms
12. Sherry, Bea
13. Terry Tucker, brother of Gary Tucker -- recovering after two recent surgeries
14. Walker, Lisa -- receiving dialysis treatments 3x per week
15. Wilson, Garvid -- chemo/immunotherapy treatments; prayers for strength and manageable side effects
16. York, Tasha -- mother Peggy Massey is recovering from a fall and is being treated for pneumonia
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
From Streams of Joy, MEDITATIONS ON THE WORTHY LIFE
Our Prayer - Union
"I am the Vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me,
and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit
for without me ye can do nothing."
John 15:5
The union between the Vine and the branch is in very deed a prayer-union. The highest conformity to Christ, the most blessed participation in the glory of His heavenly life, is that we take part in His work of intercession. He and we live ever to pray. In the experience of our union with Him, praying without ceasing becomes a possibility, a reality, the Holiest and most blessed part of our holy and blessed fellowship with God. We have our abode within the veil, in the presence of the Father. What the Father says, we do; what the Son says, the Father does. Praying without ceasing is the earthly manifestation of heaven come down to us, the foretaste of the life where they rest not day or night in the song of worship and adoration.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, let me walk with you all days of my life. I know that I can talk with you all hours of the day and night. Help me to put all my troubles in your hands. There is nothing that is too large nor too small for you to show me how to resolve. Hear my prayers as I turn to you in Thanks, and in Adoration. You are truly the Vine of Life.
Amen
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