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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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July 14, 2020
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This Sunday in Worship -- July
19, 2020
T H E S E V E N T H S U N D A Y
A F T E R P E N T E C O S T
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
"The Patient Gardener"
Our perfect, just God is also patient.
Our eagerness to "pull weeds" or to correct
a situation can sometimes
lead us away from the work of the kingdom.
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A Message from the Pastor
Our July worship scriptures all come from the gospel of Matthew, and there is a heavy emphasis on agriculture in these passages. There are references to oxen, soil quality, weeding techniques, and mustard seeds. Jesus was no stranger to farm life, and wisely used teaching parables populated with livestock, crops, and farmers. His audience, the people of the first century eastern Mediterranean world, could relate to these earthy examples.
How about us? A smaller and smaller percentage of Americans feel connected to farms and farming. According to UN statistics from 2018:
55% of the world's population lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 68% by 2050. Projections show that urbanization, the gradual shift in residence of the human population from rural to urban areas, combined with the overall growth of the world's population could add another 2.5 billion people to urban areas by 2050...
The urban population of the world has grown rapidly from 751 million in 1950 to 4.2 billion in 2018. Asia, despite its relatively lower level of urbanization, is home to 54% of the world's urban population...
Today, the most urbanized regions include Northern America, with 82% of its population living in urban areas in 2018...
In other words, a smaller and smaller percentage of people all around the world can relate to farming and farmers.
Farmers everywhere need our prayers. With climate change, rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, farmers are having to adapt to new challenges.
Last Sunday I spoke about detassling seed corn, which was virtually a rite of passage for teenagers (and younger) in my Iowa hometown. This Sunday I'll share a little bit about a similar summertime work opportunity for kids in the world of my youth. It was called "walking beans." Though advances in pesticides have made "walking beans" mostly unnecessary in recent years, the increase in organic farming has now led to a return to the old practice in many areas.
I found this beautiful "Farmer's Prayer Poem" on the website living-prayers.com
As I rise with the dawn, I drink in the morning.
I taste the goodness of your creation and smell the crispness of new beginnings.
I sense you beside me, my good shepherd watching over me as I care for the farm.
I whistle a tune of praise as I go about my work.
I feel blessed to walk in the long lived rhythms of sowing, feeding and reaping.
Fill me anew today Lord with your Spirit.
Give me strength and health when I feel tired or weary.
I release my anxious thoughts to you,
Knowing that you hear my prayer.
Please bless my farm, my home, my family.
Please bless the work of my hands.
Please remind me each morning
To give thanks to you anew, my Lord and Savior.
Peace in Christ,
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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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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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Mark your calendars!
You're invited to the CCSW Regional Assembly on
October 9 & 10, 2020.
This will be an Online Event so you can participate fully from right where you are!
We are busy working out all the details, planning amazing worship experiences, creating educational opportunities, and fine tuning the technology.
But don't worry, we will be sharing more information with you soon - keep a look out for that information.
Don't forget to save the date!
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New Small Group Study Begins Next Week
Have you ever wondered why people get involved in various types of religions? Starting next week, the church is offering a study called
Christianity, Cults and Religions.
The first class is on Thursday, July 23rd, and others will be every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. until the end of August for a total of six weeks. Each session (via zoom video webcasting) will last approximately one hour. Our instructor (video) is Paul Carden and Katherine Cratin will serve as the leader.
Please pray for those who have signed up for this class. The information that is shared is intended to strengthen the participant's commitment to Christ and to prepare him/her to witness in a loving and informed way. The groups we will look at are "Missionary Groups." All of us have at sometime encountered one or more of these at our door.
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Hopewell Middle School Supply Drive
The 2020-2021 school year is just around the corner, and although no one knows exactly what "schooling" will look like this fall, the  Hopewell Principal has indicated that many students will still need help with supplies (which can be used at school and/or home). Hopewell Middle School has requested the continued support of RRCC in providing much needed student school supplies, to begin the school year.
The Principal and Counselors have met to discuss the most needed items and also provided an approximate quantity needed and the Outreach Team has decided to purchase the supplies rather than request donations of supplies from RRCC members, due to the social distancing measures which continue to be in place. Although we do have a budget for Outreach to expense on events and supplies, we are providing an opportunity for additional donations, should anyone be interested in contributing to this worthy cause.
In the three years since we began this project in 2017, we have donated school supplies valued at over $2,000 to the students at Hopewell who need supplies. This year, more than ever, it is important the students have the supplies that they need and are engaged academically and know that they are supported by the community. It will be a school year like never before.
Please consider making a contribution to this project with a check or online contribution
marked (Hopewell School Supplies) during any week in July.
Thank you for your help in supporting the students of Hopewell Middle School, with school supplies, in our on-going effort to "embrace our neighbors with Christ-like love"!
The Outreach Team
Janette Johnston, Susan Kessler and Tricia Mouser
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Call for Worship Leaders!
ATTENTION WORSHIP LEADERS!
Thanks, those of you who signed up for the Worship Leader spots.
There are NINE spots left for 2020.
Please consider taking one or two of the empty spots.
Thank you
We need you to please go to sign up genius and pick out a date or two that you would so graciously serve as worship leader. We appreciate your leadership in this capacity.
Thank you.
Worship Team
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DON'T BE FOOLED!
Some RRCC members have been receiving emails from an unknown source, claiming to be Pastor Mitch. The email address(es) being used by the scammer are similar to the correct one.
Please be sure to check the exact email address of the sender.
Remember, your pastor's correct email address is [email protected]
His address is correctly listed in our most recent church directory (June 2019).
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Re-Opening Task Force Conducts "Practice Walk-Through"
of New Worship Procedures to Re-Open
The RRCC Re-Opening Task Force met Tuesday, 6/23/20 at the church to "walk through" the new steps that will be needed to maintain social distancing, once the church building re-opens for in-person worship. No date has yet been set for a return to our campus.
Special thanks to Task Force members for their on-going work on this effort; Perry Mouser (Chair), Mildred Adair and Amy Tucker (Worship), Pam Knight and Amy Osteen (Christian Ed), Gary Collier (Treasurer), Gary Tucker (Vice-Moderator and Elders), Tricia Mouser (2 nd Year Trustee), Randy Preston (Choir Director and Worship Team), and ex-officio members Mitch Maxted (Minister) and Linda Glover (Moderator).
The meeting at the church was a stark reminder that although the church doors will be open, it will be with a very limited capacity and six foot distances between family units, to be safe... VERY DIFFERENT!
The best way to visualize the process and distances needed, is to be very visual, through pictures. Please click on the link below to see additional pictures of the 10 members of the team who were present.
A short description of the "New Worship Process" follows:
1. Congregants will be asked to "register" for worship via sign-up genius, so that we will know the number to expect and not exceed the capacity of the sanctuary (which is 30-40)
2. Congregants will enter from the back parking lot (with exceptions as needed to use the porte-cochère ) and observe the taped markers for six foot distancing on the sidewalk and in the church.
3. Upon entering the Welcome Center, a gloved Deacon will direct families to the table with the hand sanitizer and face masks (if needed) and families will take the number of communion packets needed, in addition to a zip lock bag to hold their trash following communion.
4. Families will then enter the Sanctuary through the West doors and follow the marked arrows, six feet apart, along the west wall. They will indicate to the first gloved Deacon the number of chairs needed for their family unit (1 finger held up for one, 2 fingers held up for 2, etc)
5. There will be 3 rows of chairs in the sanctuary and the first families inside will be seated on the front row, by a second gloved Deacon who will move chairs together as needed to accommodate the family. The second gloved Deacon will then distance the next group of chairs six feet away.
7. The order of Worship will be similar to recent services, with families taking communion using the disposable packets. The trash should be placed in the zip lock baggie and held to be placed in the trash can at the back of the sanctuary. The offering plate will not be passed, but will be located on the table at the back of the sanctuary for offering placement upon entering or exiting the sanctuary.
8. Following worship, Deacons will direct congregants to exit through the East doors, beginning with the back row, then the second row and finally the front row. Families may visit in the parking lot, following social foot distancing.
9. In the event the restroom is needed for use; the door must be propped open and the "IN USE" sign placed on the door. There is only 1 person allowed in the restroom at a time.
10. There will be several signs placed throughout the church to indicate the flow of traffic and remind people of the need for safe practices and social distancing.
While we are all excited about the prospect of being with our "Church Family" again, it is extremely important to realize that the current pandemic is not subsiding and we must maintain vigilance in being cautious and safe. We will continue to host weekly worship services on Zoom and also plan to "live-stream" services from the sanctuary once they are reinstated.
Virtual Hugs to Everyone!
The Re-Opening Task Force
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RRCC Welcomes All!
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.
--Inclusiveness statement adopted by the RRCC Guiding Board, December 2018
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Disciple Oaks
Mission South & Disciple Oaks present 2020-2021 RALLY & RETREAT DATES
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Chancel Choir will be meeting via ZOOM Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.:
https://zoom.us/j/99642443406?pwd=TWJST2YrRlRvMmJaakMvU3MxQmpYUT09
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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 more efficient way to access past newsletters and Friday "Reminders" than to hunt back through old emails.
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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
3. Ad Hoc Youth Programming Team and youth director search
4. Our Elders as they continue their evangelism study Unbinding the Gospel
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. "Reopening" Task Force--Perry Mouser (chair),
Gary Tucker, Gary Collier, Mildred Adair, Amy Tucker, Pam Knight, Amy Osteen, Tricia Mouser, Mitch Maxted, and Linda Glover
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. Acree, Mary (wound care and other health challenges)
2. Bell, Jean (son Chris ongoing cancer treatments)
3. Blair, Anna Marie -- safe travels as she preaches at FCC in Richland Springs last Sunday and next Sunday
4. Camarillo, Rudy -- son Bryan was married to Haleigh in Connecticut this past weekend
5. Collier, Mary -- tested for COVID-19. No symptoms.
6. Davis, Marilyn
7. Glover, Linda (pain management procedures)
8. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold. Cynthia will have defibrillator repair procedure
9. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
10. Jackson, Gwen (recent treatment for AFib)
11. Maybaum, Katie -- recovering from broken ankle and surgery
12. Maybaum, Liz (platelet count)
13. Plough, Paul
14. Pollock, Paula
15. Sanford, Collin and Sonya
16. Scarborough, Rilda (giant cell arteritis -- a vascular inflammation that can compromise eyesight)
17. Sherry, Bea
18. Shrader, James (had heart bypass surgery yesterday; prayers for a good recovery)
19. Singer, Merle (Tara Pollock's family -- advanced cancer)
20. Snider, Rev. Ed
21. Walker, Lisa (siblings Connie and Dale with significant health issues)
OTHER
1. COVID-19 (the ill, their families, medical professionals, essential workers, treatment and vaccine researchers)
2. The many newly unemployed; businesses that are struggling
3. The many who are resolutely trying, through peaceful means, to effect positive change in a society that undervalues people of color, especially African-Americans
4. Innocent people and businesses caught in waves of destruction when demonstrations are sabotaged by criminal activity
5. Law enforcement officers attempting to protect people and property in the midst of large groups of frustrated, angry, grieving people
6. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world
7. Our military personnel and families
8. International cooperation in responding to climate change challenges
9. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible
10. For all efforts toward universal, affordable access to health care here in the U.S.
11. All who don't know Jesus
12. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of frequent, deadly mass shootings
13. Our neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School.
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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 this time of social distancing.]
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)
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(
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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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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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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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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7:00 p.m.
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- Re-Opening Task Force Meeting (via ZOOM)
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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, July 16, 2020
| Psalm 103:10-14 |
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He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the
Lord
shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
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Friday, July 17, 2020
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10:00 a.m.
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- Vision Advisory Team (via ZOOM)
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Saturday, July 18, 2020
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (live stream)
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Sunday, July 19
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2020
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9:45 a.m.
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- Explorers Sunday School (via ZOOM) Link HERE |
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10:00 a.m.
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- Open Circle Sunday School (via ZOOM) Link HERE |
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11:00 a.m.
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1:00 p.m.
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- Elders Meeting (via ZOOM) Link HERE |
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Evening
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- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site) |
Monday, July 20
,
2020
Tuesday, July 21, 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 Message
The Power of Submission
Christ's Words to us say "come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and learn of me.
Take my yoke upon you and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
There has been great controversy over wearing a mask because of the pandemic that we are living through. It seems odd to some that the government would ask us to wear a mask. Many are offended by it. It is such a simple thing but even in this our old nature tries to rule. It whines and complains about nearly everything that we are asked to do. Christ tells us of the freedom we have in Him. Yet even He bids us to take His yoke upon us. The concept of submission will always be a part of our lives. As Bob Dylan said in one of his songs "You gotta serve somebody." The old nature of rebellion and disobedience must be crucified if we will ever know real freedom. Jesus offers us that in Him. Even a river has banks it lies between.
In Christ, we can be free, really free, if we submit to Him and take His yoke upon us. Putting Him in charge of our lives is the most freeing thing we could ever do. His yoke is indeed easy because we are yoked together with Him. Our Precious Savior is bearing all the weight all we need to do is give Him our burdens. In submission to Christ, we find ourselves truly free.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father we recognize the salvation and blessings that we are given because of your abiding love and forgiveness. None of which could we have earned much less deserved. It is out of your love that our lives are so greatly enriched. Help us to freely lay aside those bonds that prevent us from knowing Your peace. Let us lay aside every sin and weight that holds us down and embrace the liberty that we can know only in You. Our lives are touched and blessed by You day by day, hour by hour and moment by moment. Thank You for Your boundless love and amazing grace. Help us to walk in Your freedom. In the Name of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
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