From the Pastor
During my four years of serving as pastor of a small rural congregation in southern Minnesota, I discovered there were a number of stereotypes of Iowans there.
One stereotype, I was annoyed to learn, was that Iowans travel up to
Minnesota to fish for bullheads. I've been on many a fishing trip with my dad and brother, but not once were we going for bullheads. Not that I have anything against bullheads. After all, they aren't so different from the channel catfish that we had such a great time catching in the Iowa River and eating on a warm summer evening. However, bullheads were never a particularly sought after fish.
Some of my favorite fishing expeditions as a kid were to one of the local lakes to fish for crappies. We would use minnows and troll our lines slowly behind the boat as we moved across promising areas of the lake. Crappies are nice-looking pan fish that put up a good fight, but have rather delicate "paper" mouths. You have to take that into consideration when you bring them in. Below you can see pictured--top to bottom--bullhead, channel catfish, and crappie.
I look forward to this Sunday's gospel passage, which is a fishing story of sorts. It is a story of faith, trust, and commitment. As Jesus calls his disciples to follow him and learn a new kind of fishing, they are initially filled with a sense of fear and unworthiness. We're going to talk about that in worship. What kinds of things keep us from "fishing for people" today?
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
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Here at Round Rock Christian Church we welcome and celebrate diversity!
Inclusion is rooted in our understanding of God, the Creator who made all humanity in God's own image. Just as Jesus loved all humanity, our congregation and our denomination--the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)--welcome the breadth of human life into membership and ministry.
Our Lord's all-encompassing love challenges us today to confront our own prejudices and manifest inclusion in our congregations and personal lives.
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Vision Advisory Committee Meeting Tonight
Tuesday, February 5, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
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RRCC Luncheon
Join us after Worship Service on Sunday, February 10, 2019, for our monthly RRCC Church Fellowship Luncheon!
The Admin Team is hosting this week's lunch of
CHILI DOGS!
All are welcome!
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2019 Monthly Fellowship Lunch Host Groups
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Date:
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Group:
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Entree:
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Theme:
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| Jan. 19, 2019 |
DWM |
Fried Chicken |
Snowmen |
| Feb. 10, 2019 |
Admin Team |
Chili Dogs |
Valentine's Day |
| Mar. 10, 2019 |
Book Club |
King Ranch Casserole |
Texas |
| Apr. 14, 2019 |
Hand Crafters |
TBD |
TBD
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| May 19, 2019 |
Christian Ed/ Sunday School |
Pulled Pork |
Graduation |
| Jun. 9, 2019 |
All Church |
Pot Luck |
Summer/Beach |
| Jul. 14, 2019 |
All Church
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Pot Luck
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Patriotic |
| Aug. 11, 2019 |
All Church
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Pot Luck
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Back to School |
| Sept. 8, 2019 |
GB/ Worship Committee |
Fried Chicken
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Fall |
| Oct. 13, 2019 |
Chancel Choir |
TBD
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Church Birthday |
| Nov. 10, 2019 |
DWM
|
Chili? |
Patriotic? |
| Dec. 8, 2019 |
Tricia |
Lasagna |
Christmas |
Special thanks to all of the church "small groups" that have volunteered to host a Fellowship Lunch in 2019! This is the most current "draft schedule" of the monthly lunches, with a few menus and details to be determined as the dates get closer. DWM "kicked-off" the lunches this year, with donations of over $400 received for the January luncheon. Revenues from the lunches (moving forward) will be put in a reserve fund for use with property needs, as they arise. These lunches have become a regular source of wonderful fellowship with each other...a time to sit back and enjoy visiting with friends over a meal. Our neighborhood firefighters also enjoy any residual foods!
What a blessing to "Grow" in community and fellowship!
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Monday, February 11, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
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Week of Compassion
February 17-24, 2019
Special Offering to be given Sunday, February 24
Through the Programa
Edifiquemos
of the
Iglesia
Cristiana (
Discipulos
de Cristo)
en
Puerto Rico, Week of Compassion is helping rebuild homes for people like Mrs. Trinidad.
"Lord: Help us to see in the groaning of creation
not death throes but birth pangs;
help us to see in suffering a promise for the future,
because it is a cry against the inhumanity of the present.
Help us to glimpse in protest the dawn of justice, in the Cross the pathway to resurrection, and in suffering the seeds of joy."
-Rubem Alves
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New Bible Study/Fellowship Opportunity
Are you interested in an opportunity to study the Bible in an informal, group setting? Katherine Cratin will lead weekly, video- and discussion-driven lessons for any who are interested, using the excellent DISCIPLE curriculum.
The group will meet on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Katherine and Roger Cratin (1421 Quicksilver Circle, Round Rock 78665), which is near the church. The first meeting day will be February 21st. The class will run for 12 weeks, and will focus on 12 major themes from the Old Testament. The cost of the study book is $16.00.
To sign up or inquire about the class, call Katherine at 281 728 6448.
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Sunday, February 10, 2019,
1:15 p.m.
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Disciples Women's Meeting
Monday, February 11, 2019, 9:30 a.m.
All women at Round Rock Christian Church are extended a special invitation to gather on Monday, February 11, at 9:30 AM, for fellowship over refreshments, a bible study and a business meeting of the Disciples Women's Ministries.
The 2018-2019 study theme, Called For God's Purpose, focuses on women in the bible who responded to God's call. The February study is titled, "Martha & Mary: No Toaster, No Spatula, No Frying Pan." Through scripture, contemporary application and discussion we will explore how women today continue to celebrate, embrace, and respond when we hear the call to discipleship in God's world.
To prepare for the bible study pick up a copy of the Study Guide in the Welcome Center. Read Luke 10:38-42. The theme of this month's study is that of New Testament parables of people welcoming Jesus into their hearth and heart which provide numerous examples of the call to discipleship.
Lesson Summary
: This lesson considers a fresh prospective of a familiar New Testament account of two well-known sisters. While we each have our personal perspective of the Mary and Martha story, a closer look at the text in the gospel of Luke reveals that both women may be answering the call to discipleship.
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On
March 3rd, 2019, we will commission
4 new Stephen Ministers:
Ilene Kiser, Gayle Boles, Jean Bell, and Darlia Hunt.
These
four
people have taken 50 hours of specialized training in Christian caregiving through the National Program led by the Stephen Alliance of the surrounding communities.
Stephen Ministers provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to people experiencing a crisis or going through a difficult time. Stephen Ministers meet weekly with their care receiver for about an hour to listen, care, encourage, pray, and provide emotional and spiritual support for the person. These caring relationships last as long as the person's need persists.
Please lift up our new Stephen Ministers in your prayers, asking that God bless their ministry and work through them to bring hope and healing to those they will serve. Pray also for the continued ministry of
all RRCC's
Stephen Ministers.
Our congregation is one of more than 13,000 worldwide, representing 160 Christian denominations, that uses the Stephen Series system of lay caring ministry developed by Stephen Ministries in St. Louis.
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Church Directory
RRCC will be printing a new directory in a few weeks. Please submit your updated contact information and most recent picture to the NEW church email address:
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Box Tops for Education
Bring your Box Tops to benefit our community's children at Union Hill Elementary School. Several people have said they forget to bring the box tops in. Put them somewhere you will remember - like on top of the items you have for the Serving Center. Don't forget they expire, so you want to get them in ASAP.
The school can use the money for anything it needs! Computers, books, and playground equipment are just some of the ways schools have chosen to use the funds raised through Box Tops for Education.
for special offers, coupons, and to track the progress of the school. Please look for the labels on all items you buy and don't forget to bring them to church and place in the collection box each week. Thank you!!
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Pantry Focus for February: Heat and Eat Meals
"...for I was hungry and you gave me food. 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
." (Matthew 25:35, 40)
This is "Heat & Eat Meals Month" at RRCC. Let's load our food pantry tub in the Welcome Center to overflowing each Sunday! Your donations of Heat & Eat Meals* (or cash or check designated for the Round Rock Area Serving Center) will help stock empty shelves and feed hungry neighbors in our community.
Mark your grocery list every week for the Round Rock Area Serving Center.
(*Heat & Eat means open it, heat it, serve it - no need to add anything, including water. Examples: Canned meats, canned pasta meals, off-the-shelf heat/eat meals, canned stews, etc.)
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Serving With You This Sunday, February 10
Worship Leader:
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Gary Tucker
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Greeters:
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Jean Bell & Diane Breeding
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Sunday Treats:
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Tricia Mouser
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| Elders: |
Tasha York (Offering) and Ilene Kiser (Communion) |
Deacons:
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Mike Kelley, Sally Kelley, Amy Tucker, and Debbie Roberts
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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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Boy Scout Troop 19 from Midland, Texas
Visits Over the Weekend
Troop 19 from Midland, Texas spent Friday and Saturday nights in our gymnasium. They were in central Texas to celebrate the
anniversary of the Scouting movement at the 70th annual Boy Scout Parade and Report to the State of Texas on Saturday. Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, Explorers, and STEM Scouts from all over Texas marched up Congress Avenue to the Capitol. Scout Delegates from each council in Texas are seated in the House of Representatives and report to a member of the state government about Scouting accomplishments in their council from the past year.
The above photo was taken a couple of hours before worship on Sunday morning, just before the Troop began their long journey back to Midland.
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Upcoming Birthdays
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February 13
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- Amy Osteen |
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February 14
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- Beatrice Sherry |
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February 14
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- Leroy Mehlow |
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February 16
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- Miranda Shrader |
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February 17
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- Sherwin Boyd |
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February 20
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- Jennifer Knight |
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February 29
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- Carter Prince |
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Prayer Needs
OUR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP
1.
Rev. Mitch Maxted
2.
Guiding Board, Admin Team, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Committees
3. Personnel and Admin Team as they work to fill needed book keeping and youth leadership positions
4. Volunteers who are helping through this transition time
5. Shut-In Servers & Caring Hearts Prayer Group
6. Jackie Switzer and RRCC's reviving Stephen Ministries program; RRCC members training to become Care Givers
7. Agape Group leaders
8. Our music ministries and their leaders: Randy Preston, Rod Walker, Jimmy Horowitz
9. Enable us to develop a passion for praying and increase our tithes and offerings
10. Our partnership with Shalom Seventh Day Adventist & Manantial de Vida congregations (and their pastors Edy Rosa Paez and Maria Rosario)
11. Our Vision Advisory Committee and our efforts as a congregation to embrace our neighbors with Christ-like love. Strengthening our strategies:
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. Blair, Anna Marie (eardrum surgery today)
2. Davis, Marilyn (adjusting to The Oaks)
3. Graham, Marty (cancer treatments)
4. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold
5. Hardt, Andrew (flu)
6. Hunt, Darlia (hand surgery today)
7. Maxted, Kumi (broken foot)
8. Maxted, Mana (72-hour EEG this weekend)
9. Maybaum, Katie (flu)
10. Maybaum, Liz - continued monitoring and doctor consultations
11. Mehlow, Carolyn & Leroy
12.
Plough, Margaret (at Elan Southpark Meadows)
13. Pollock, Justin (flu)
14. Pollock, Paula
15. Sanford, Collin (Emmiline's son-in-law, ongoing rehab following a stroke)
16. Scarborough, Charley (knee)
17. Scarborough, Rilda (recuperating at home)
18. Shinomura, Kazuko (Kumi's mother) recovering from ankle surgery
19. Snider, Rev. Ed
20. Toomey, Kent (cancer treatments)
21. Wilson, Garvid (back procedure 2/12)
OTHER
1. Persecuted Christians throughout the world
2. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible
3. The empowerment of national political leaders who will work to bring people together, not divide and erect barriers
4. For all efforts toward universal, affordable access to health care here in the U.S.
5. All who don't know Jesus
6. Our military personnel and families
7. Reaching out to our neighborhood families through the schools: 1. Hopewell gift cards 2. Adopt-a-Child ministry at Union Hill and Hopewell (blessing to all the children and youth who received gifts, and their families) 3. Literacy Partners at Union Hill 4. Upcoming breakfast at Union Hill (2/19)
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 Please, join us!
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) - Studying
An Altar in the World.
Explorers (mixed adults) - Facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying the gospel of Mark by John MacArthur.
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CYF Spring Rally at Disciple Oaks
CYF Spring Rally
registration is open on CampDoc. The deadline to register for this event is Friday, February 15, 2019. The event will be held March 1-3, 2019. Please use your log-in from last summer or fall if you have one. There are updates to the forms and questions please make sure you read through all of them.
If you have not used CampDoc before go to our website: discipleoaksretreat.net and use the new registration button on the home page or summer camp page and set-up your log-in.
Any questions or problems with CampDoc please call or e-mail Scott at Camp (830) 437-2900 or [email protected].
Spring Workday
our upcoming workday will be on Saturday, February 23, 2019. Please see the flyer below for more information.
Make sure you RSVP with Scott at Camp [email protected] or (830) 437-2900. So lunch can be prepared and work scheduled.
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Upcoming Events
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
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6:30 p.m.
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- Vision Advisory Committee Meeting
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation
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Wednesday, February 6, 2019
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1:00 p.m.
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group
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5:30 p.m.
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- Texas Heat Volleyball |
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7:00 p.m.
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- Chancel Choir Rehearsal
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Thursday, February 7, 2019
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6:00 p.m.
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- Texas Heat Volleyball
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7:00 p.m.
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- Praise Band Rehearsal
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Saturday, February 9, 2019
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalo
m Congregation
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8:30 a.m.
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- Disciple Men's Breakfast
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9:30 a.m.
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- Handcrafter's Ministry
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Sunday, February 10, 2019
| 9:30 a.m. |
- Sunday School |
|
10:30 a.m.
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- Fellowship
|
|
11:00 a.m.
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- Worship |
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12:15 p.m.
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- Church Fellowship Luncheon |
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1:00 p.m.
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- Staff Pictures in Gym |
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1:15 p.m.
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- Worship Ministry Meeting |
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4:00 p.m.
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- Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida
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Monday, February 11, 2019
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9:30 a.m.
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- Disciples Women's Meeting and Bible Study |
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5:30 p.m.
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- Texas Heat Volleyball |
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6:30 p.m.
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- Admin Team Meeting |
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Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Message
Deep silence leads us to realize that, in the first place, prayer is acceptance. When we pray we are standing with our hands open to the world. we know that God will become known to us in nature around us, in people we meet, in situations we
encounter
. We trust that the world holds God's secret within it, and we expect that secret to be shown to us. Prayer creates that openness in which God is given to us. Indeed, God wants to be admitted into the human heart, received with open hands, and loved with the same love with which God has created us.
Henri Nouwen
With Open Hands, 1972.
Loving, perfect God. Your steadfast love endures forever. Your faithfulness blesses us from generation to generation. Thank you for the gift of prayer. Give us the courage to keep our hands and our hearts open to you, day by day. Grant us the power and direction, as individuals and as a congregation, to
WORSHIP
SERVE
and
and thereby fulfill our mission.
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