Chalice News
 
Round Rock Christian Church


Embracing o ur neighbors  with Christ-like love  
July 28, 2020
In This Issue
This Sunday in Worship -- August  2, 2020

T H E    N I N T H    S U N D A Y    A F T E R   P E N T E C O S T
 
Genesis 32:22-31  
"Demanding a Blessing" 

Jacob wrestles with a divine being and prevails. 
He is wounded, but blessed, and keeps moving forward.

 
A Message from the Pastor

Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray
Rev. Bri an F rederick-Gray is a Timothy from Round Rock Christian Church. 
His photo portrait hangs in the hallway outside of my church office, along with the other Timothys, Phoebes, and former senior ministers of our congregation. 

For seven years, Brian served as Senior Pastor at First Christian Church of Scottsdale, Arizona. In November of 2018, he concluded his ministry in Scottsdale and began work for the Disciples Peace Fellowship as  Director for Mission Support & the Peace Intern Program.

Disciples Peace Fellowship is offering a 5-day online event called "Passing the Peace: An Inter-Generational Peacemaker Training Event!" To find out more about DPF and this event, visit the Disciples Peace Fellowship facebook page or go to disciples.org and check out the options under the MISSION tab. 

It's good to know that our denomination is actively working to train and advocate for peacemakers. Churches in the USA should be doing their best to encourage honest and open dialogue about peace and justice issues. 

Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch 

RRCC Online Giving

Even though we are unable to meet in person,
RRCC has three ways you can still give your tithe:
  1. 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.
  2. Use your bank's electronic bill pay feature to have a check mailed directly from your bank to RRCC.
  3. Mail your check directly to RRCC.
Address your envelope to:
Financial Secretary
Round Rock Christian Church
22 Chalice Way
Round Rock, TX 78665


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!
Regional Assembly

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! 
Library Renovation Has Begun



Do you recognize this room?  

Years ago, when we were a one-building church, this was the kitchen. Over the years it morphed into a library and then a catch-all space.  With approval of the Guiding Board, a Library Task Force has formed and includes members from Christian Ed, Daytime Book Club, Property & Worship .  Gary Tucker chairs this Task Force. 

This room is on its way to becoming a quiet and inviting space for reading or meditation, small group meetings or counseling. Stay tuned for the progress on this project.
Minister Evaluation

In accordance with RRCC's bylaws, a committee has been formed to provide our senior minister with an annual performance review prior to September 1.
 
All church members are invited to provide input to be included in the process.
Please give your comments in writing to any member of the committee. Committee members, as defined in the bylaws, are: Tricia Mouser (immediately past moderator), Linda Glover (moderator), Katherine Cratin (Elder), and Steven Glover (chair, Pastoral Support Committee). We welcome your input as we work together to provide constructive encouragement to Pastor Mitch!
Call for Worship Leaders!

ATTENTION WORSHIP LEADERS!


Thanks, those of you who signed up for the Worship Leader spots.


There are EIGHT spots left for 2020.






The following dates are available to sign up for 2020 are:


August 23 August 30
September 6
October 4-FILLED! October 11
November 1
November 8 November 29
December 27


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

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
What's New in the Bluebonnet Area/Capital Cluster?

Rev. Janet Maykus is serving as Senior Interim Minister of Central Christian Church in Austin. She was ordained by her home congregation of First Christian Church of Lancaster, Texas in 1988 after attending TCU for her undergraduate and Duke Divinity School for her master's of divinity. For almost 20 years she served as a hospital and hospice chaplain. She was on the faculty of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and served as executive vice president for Disciples Church Extension Fund and Hope Partnership

Rev. Rick Son has been called to serve as pastor of Hill Country Christian Church in Spring Branch, Texas. He begins August 1. This congregation hosted our Area Assembly in May of 2018, and several of our RRCC members attended that event.  Rick has been a special education and social studies middle schoolteacher,  an  Associate  Pastor,  a  Youth  Pastor,  and a Minister  of  Music. We welcome him to the Bluebonnet Area.
Re-Opening Task Force

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
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
Disciple Oaks
Mission South & Disciple Oaks present 2020-2021 RALLY & RETREAT DATES


Chancel Choir



Chancel Choir will be meeting via ZOOM Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.:
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.
Find a Place to Serve Here at RRCC


Here are the ways you can contribute to Sunday Morning Worship:
 





Upcoming B irthdays

 
July 30
- Ty'lia Collier
August 4
- Mildred Adair
August 4
- Chris Pollock
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)
2. Bell, Jean (son Chris ongoing cancer treatments; sister Margie broke hip in fall--total replacement done last week)
3. Davis, Marilyn 
4. Glover, Linda (pain management procedures) 
5. Graham, Marty (hospitalized)
6. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold. Cynthia had defibrillator repaired; hip replacement next
7. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
8. Maybaum, Katie -- recovering from broken ankle and surgery
9. Maybaum, Liz (platelet count)
10. Plough, Paul
11. Pollock, Paula
12. Sanford, Collin and Sonya
13. Scarborough, Rilda (giant cell arteritis -- a vascular inflammation that can compromise eyesight)
14. Sherry, Bea
15. Shrader, James (heart bypass surgery last week; in rehab now in Austin )
16. Singer, Merle (Tara Pollock's family -- advanced cancer) 
17. Snider, Rev. Ed
18. 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.
Sunday School Classes

[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)  ( 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 . Link HERE
 
Explorers (mixed adults) - 10:00 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
RRCC is on Social Media

Follow us on Social Media!

We can be found on:
Twitter as @ChurchRound
Instagram as rrccdisciples
Photo Submissions

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.)

Please email photos to the church office: info@rrdisciples.org
RRCC Office Hours

Mondays:
9 :30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tuesdays:
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesdays:
9 :30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Thursdays:
9 :30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Fridays:
9 :30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

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.


Tuesday, July 28 , 2020
7:00 p.m.
- Re-Opening Task Force Meeting (via ZOOM) Link HERE
7:00 p.m.
- Shalom Congregation (via ZOOM)

Wednesday, July  29, 2020
10:00 a.m.
- Pastoral Support Committee (via ZOOM)
1:00 p.m.
- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via ZOOM) Link Here
7:00 p.m.
- Chancel Choir (via ZOOM) Link HERE

Thursday, July 30, 2020
 11:00 a.m.
"Christianity, Cults, and Religions" small group study (via ZOOM)  Link HERE

Friday, July 31, 2020
 11:00 a.m.

- Vision Advisory Team Meeting (via ZOOM) Link Here

Saturday, August 1, 2020
8:00 a.m.
- Shalom Congregation (live stream)

Sunday, August 2 , 2020 
9:45 a.m.
Explorers Sunday School (via ZOOM) Link HERE
10:00 a.m.
- Open Circle Sunday School (via ZOOM) Link HERE
11:00 a.m.
- Worship with us (via ZOOM) Link HERE
Evening
- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site)

Monday, August 3 , 2020  
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen

Tuesday, August 4, 2020
7:00 p.m.
- Shalom Congregation (off site)

Events and details can be viewed on the  RRCC Calendar
Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Messag e
 

One of the scriptures in our Bible says "This is the day the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it." Have you ever been around someone who was always complaining. In the summer it's too hot; in the winter too cold and you don't even have to mention the complaints about rain. There are those who as my Dad once said: "would complain if they were hung with a new rope." Attitude can be chosen in some ways like a garment. In fact scripture says, "Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." We are living in difficult times with this terrible pandemic. Our days run into one another until we feel like we are in multiple reruns of "Groundhog Day." It is hard just to press on. Press on we must. 

Decide to cover yourself in the garment of praise. When you are feeling blue, sing a song of worship. When you have an opportunity, tell a funny story. Call someone who is lonely and lift them up. Wave over the fence to your seldom seen neighbor. Be especially kind to those who live in your house. Treat them as you would welcomed guests. Kindness is free but it produces the priceless treasure of love and gratitude. Hard times reveal who we really are. Our faith must be tested. Give each and every day to God. Let Him dictate the attitude of your heart. We choose to be what and who God has called us to be. Let your light so shine that others will see your good works and your Father in Heaven shall be glorified!
 
Prayer: 

Most Precious and loving Heavenly Father, Our heart rejoices in You this day, at this time and in this moment. We are so blessed to belong to You and be known by You. Thank you for the bountiful gifts You have generously bestowed on our lives. Words fail us in expressing our gratitude. There is none like You. Thank You for Your unbelievable love and kindness. May we realize that such a gift that we have received must flow out of our life into the lives of others. Help us to walk as You walked, give as You gave, love as You loved. May we be an example to what it means to be Your child in Jesus name we pray. Amen