Chalice News
 
Round Rock Christian Church


Embracing o ur neighbors
with Christ-like love 
June 9, 2020
In This Issue
This Sunday in Worship -- June  14, 2020

T H E   S E C O N D    S U N D A Y  
A F T E R   P E N T E C O S T
 
Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7 
"He Laughs!"

This is the story of the miraculous birth of Isaac, 
whose name means "he laughs," or "he will laugh." 
God's blessings can be so unexpected 
that our response is pure joy and laughter!

 
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


Faith of  Mockingbird

Thursday, June 11, 2020 ~ 11:00 A.M.


Twenty-three people have registered for our next study series,
The Faith of a Mockingbird. The first session begins this Thursday, June 11, at 11:00 A.M., via  zoom . If you have registered and not received your copy of the book, please contact Susan Kessler.

The first session assignment is to read the Introduction, the "Quick Refresher," and Chapter 1 (pp. 17-38). Rev. Matt Rawle, author of the series, comments in the refresher about the importance of the courtroom scene in the novel: "To Kill a Mockingbird's conclusion focuses on Atticus's defense of Tom Robinson and brings to light the evils of systematic racism."
Reminder to participants :
The zoom invitation was sent to you last week; however, it will be resent on the morning of June 11.

 

RRCC "Reopening" Task Force                                 
 
"Reopening" Task Force Continues Work
Elders to Poll Members on Return to Campus 
 
The "Reopening" Task Force continues dialogue on the necessities required to once again worship in place on our Round Rock Christian campus.
At the second meeting of the group last week safe and effective sanitization methods were determined. Safe distance seating, systematic entry, and departure routines, and how to continue the traditional order of worship were assessed.
While a specific date to return to campus has not been identified the task force requested our nine Elders to poll members of their Agape groups with the question: "If a worship service is held on July 5, would you attend?" Each elder will report the number of "yes" and "no,"  without names. Potential numbers will provide the task force an estimate of those who are ready to return under clear guidelines of social distancing and sanitization.  Safety for all is essential.
The opportunity to worship in your home remotely via zoom,  and soon via webcasting, will continue when worship services resume on campus.
 
Task force members include Mildred Adair, Amy Tucker, Pam Knight, Amy Osteen, Gary Collier, Tricia Mouser, Randy Preston, Gary Tucker, Linda Glover, Pastor Mitch Maxted, and Perry Mouser, chair.
Pastor Maxted On  R&R  June 3-9

The Guiding Board approved the recommendation to grant time away from pastoral duties to Pastor Mitch Maxted this coming week. The Board, along with the Elders and Pastoral Support Team, commend Pastor Mitch for his 24/7 commitment to the welfare of the congregation during the past two and a half months of the uncertainties of the novel coronavirus. The entire congregation is grateful for the love and devotion he showers on us and for his faithfulness to
Father, Son and  Holy Spirit .

Pastor Mitch led the transition from services at our 22 Chalice Way campus to gathering via zoom. From the closing weeks of Lent, through Holy Week and Easter and to Pentecost Sunday on May 31, the congregation has gathered to worship, fellowship, pray and reach out to others beyond the greater Round Rock area. During that period there have been fourteen (14) opportunities to worship and fellowship remotely. Routine weekly activities have continued as the Les Misérables study, the Elders prayer journey, the Caring Hearts Wednesday prayer group, the choir, and adult Sunday school classes regrouped and remain active. Leadership teams (Board, Ministries Council, Elders, Pastoral Support) maintain their schedules and a Reopening Task Force formed.

Thank you Pastor Mitch for your leadership in these unprecedented times. You have kept the church known as Round Rock Christian spiritually alive and well. We continue to worship, serve, and grow as you provide opportunities to strengthen our purpose and identity, both as a congregation and individually. We have experienced love in new ways. We love you and wish you a relaxing time away from us to be with your family.

During the period June 3-9, all activities of the congregation will continue on schedule. Should you have any needs or communication with our church, please contact Moderator Linda Glover (512-924-1440) or Head Elder Gary Tucker (512-585-4394).

Handcrafters


Saturday, June 13, 2020, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
 
Handcrafters will meet via  zoom
this Saturday, June 13, at 9:30 a.m.  
Look for an email from Bea Whitley with details.
 
We hope that you will join us for fellowship
and to share handcrafting!
Book Groups

The Evening Book Group will meet
Thursday, June, 11 @ 7:00 p.m. via ZOOM

 
The Daytime Book Group is hoping to choose a 
book this month and meet via ZOOM in July.
...stay tuned for details.
 
Chancel Choir



Chancel Choir will be meeting via ZOOM Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.:

https://zoom.us/j/99642443406?pwd=TWJST2YrRlRvMmJaakMvU3MxQmpYUT09

Splinters From the Board



Your Guiding Board.....

... Meets next on Monday, June 15, via zoom. Each monthly meeting includes an opportunity for congregation communication. Please contact Moderator, Linda Glover should you wish to direct a comment or question to the Board.

....Suggests that members check out the Members Resources pull-down menu of the RRCC website. It provides opportunities to review monthly reports from Pastor Maxted and the Treasurer, as well as the minutes of the Board. Each newsletter provides a link to the website. If you are uncertain of the Members Resources password, contact Molly via email.
Blessing Boxes
 
Living with Gratitude 2020
It's time to "count your blessings!"
Since 1953, the women of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have had a special way to express their gratitude to God for the blessings they have received - the Blessing Box. The Blessing Box was created by the founders of Christian Women's Fellowship (now Disciples Women's Ministries) as an over - and - above way to help fund the wider mission of the church. For 67 years, Blessing Boxes have been kept in the homes and offices of women across the church to enable them to express their gratitude for everyday blessings.
 
In addition to cultivating life-long habits of thanks-giving, the Blessing Box has generated millions of dollars in mission support. From 2000 to 2019, Blessing Boxes have contributed a total of $3,604,057 for the mission of the church. Since 2007, 50 percent of the donations go directly to the ministries carried out by the women of our church through the International Disciples Women's Ministries. 
In 2017-18, donations from the women of Round Rock Christian Church ranked among the top 50 congregations in the United States and Canada. Last year, RRCC's total Blessing Box giving was $945.85.

Blessing Box donations will be recognized during a worship service in June. Please "count your blessings" - all those coins representing the blessings you've counted this year - and send your donation to the church now, in one of two ways:
 

1. Mail your check, designated "DWM Blessing Box," to Round Rock Christian Church, 22 Chalice Way, Round Rock, TX 78665.

 

2. Make an online donation designated for "DWM Blessing Box" through the church website, www.rrdisciples.org.


 

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

 
June 9
- Lisa Grant
June 11
- Mary Acree
June 12
- Mana Maxted
June 13
- Grayson Osteen
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 M ouser (chair),  Gary Tucker, Gary Collier, Mildred Adair, Amy Tucker, Pam Knight, Amy Osteen, Tricia Mouser, Mitch Maxted, and Linda Glover

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS 
1. Adair, Mildred (grandson Austin Adair's Tommy John surgery last Friday went well) 
2. Bell, Jean (son Chris ongoing cancer treatments)
3.  Davis, Marilyn (living in Georgetown with her son and daughter-in-law, Duane and Keri Davis) 
4. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold
5. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
6. Hunt, Darlia (skin cancer removal today, June 2)
7. Krop, Carleigh (heart surgery last Friday went well -- great granddaughter of Bea and Charles Whitley)
8. Maybaum, Katie -- ankle surgery last Friday (broken in two places) went well
9. Maybaum, Liz (platelet count)
10. Plough, Paul
11. Pollock, Paula
12. Putnam, Jim (hip surgery last Thursday went well)
13. Sanford, Collin and Sonya
14. Sherry, Bea
15. Singer, Merle (Tara Pollock's family -- advanced cancer)
16. Snider, Rev. Ed
17. Terrell, Hank and Gwen -- hip replacement and congestive heart failure, respectively (brother and sister-in-law of Anna Marie Blair)
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 .
 
Explorers (mixed adults) - 10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying a gospel of Luke resource by John MacArthur.
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 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!
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, June 9 , 2020
7:00 p.m.
- Shalom Congregation (via Zoom)

Wednesday, June  10, 2020
1:00 p.m.
- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via ZOOM)
7:00 p.m.
- Chancel Choir (via ZOOM)

Thursday, June 11, 2020
11:00 a.m.
- Faith of  Mockingbird Bible Study(via ZOOM)
7:00 p.m.
- Book Group (via ZOOM)

Friday, June 12, 2020
John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.


Saturday, June 13, 2020
8:00 a.m.
- Shalom Congregation (live stream)
8:30 a.m.
- Disciple Mens Breakfast (via ZOOM)
9:30 a.m.
 - Handcrafters (via ZOOM)

Sunday, June 14 , 2020 
9:45 a.m.
Explorers Sunday School (via ZOOM)
10:00 a.m.
- Open Circle Sunday School (via ZOOM)
11:00 a.m.
- Worship with us (via ZOOM)
Evening
- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site)

Monday, June 15 , 2020  
John 6:48-51
- I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."


Tuesday, June 16, 2020
7:00 p.m.
- Shalom Congregation (off site)

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

Once again, I present meditation from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.
Close your eyes and imagine yourself walking beside our Lord, Jesus. Listen quietly as he turns and speaks to you:
"Rest in Me, My child. Give your mind a break from planning and trying to anticipate what will happen. Pray continually, asking My Spirit to take charge of the details of this day. Remember that you are on a journey with Me. When you try to peer into the future and plan for every possibility, you ignore your constant Companion who sustains you moment to moment. As you gaze anxiously into the distance, you don't even feel the strong grip of My hand holding yours. How foolish you are, My child!
Remembrance of Me is a daily discipline. Never lose sight of My Presence with you. This will keep you resting in Me, all day, every day."
 
Prayer: 
Lord, Jesus. Thank you for accepting me into your protective arms. Guide me as I walk in your footsteps, humbling myself, but always learning in your teachings. Should I begin to stray from your side, prompt me to close my eyes and listen carefully to your words on the gentle breeze. Should I stumble into darkness, be with me Lord, protect me, and be my guiding light to return to your side. I love Thee Lord Jesus. Amen!