Chalice News
 
Round Rock Christian Church

Embracing o ur neighbors
with Christ-like love 
March 17, 2020
In This Issue
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This Sunday at RRCC
Corona Virus Update
Message from Regional Minister
Hop into Easter
No Lunch Bunch
Table Talk Launch Delayed
Bushes Transplanted
Hopewell Gift Card Delivery
Ladies' Brunch
Disciple Oaks
Pantry Focus for This Month
Find a Place to Serve
Upcoming Birthdays
Prayer Needs
Sunday School Classes
Email Addresses
Social Media
Photo Submissions
Newsletter Deadlines
Elder's Prayer Corner
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

For the safety and protection of everyone, all activities at the church have been suspended for the next 8 weeks. This includes RRCC, Shalom, Manantial de Vida, Texas Heat Volleyball, Fit4Mom ( all groups who use our facilities). 

Updates and other communications for RRCC members will continue to be sent via email, appearing in this format. 

Because some of our fellow members do not use email, we will be sure to communicate via phone calls and letters with them. They'd love to hear from you too!

Thank you for your understanding!
                
                 -- The RRCC Guiding Board
SO HOW ARE WE GOING TO "DO CHURCH" UNTIL THE PANDEMIC SUBSIDES?

How will we stay in touch?
You will continue to receive emails from the church. Since we won't be meeting in person for a while, these emails will be more frequent than usual. Again, rest assured that we will reach out by telephone to those who do not have email.

How will we worship?
Just because we can't gather at 22 Chalice Way in Round Rock for a while doesn't mean we can't find other ways to worship! Stay tuned for specifics on how you can be connected through your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. 

How will we give to the church?
Checks can of course still be mailed to the church. We are working on other giving means as well, including online. We are confident that our members will continue to be faithful in their stewardship. 

What if I'm "technologically challenged" and wondering whether I'll be able to participate in some of these online opportunities?
You're in good company! None of this really comes natural to anyone. There is a lot of trial and error for all of us. That's okay! We are a loving, caring church and we're going to work hard at keeping everyone connected. 
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

In worship on Sunday, Perry Mouser shared in some detail about taking precautions against the spread of the coronavirus. He pointed to the following website as an excellent source of information:
austinregionalclinic.com

Click here to go directly to that website:

This Sunday, March 22nd

Even though we won't be gathering in the sanctuary, we'll be "zooming" or streaming worship in some form. And our theme will still come from the
Les Miserables series-- 
  "The Gift of Love:
The Story of Marius and Cosette"
1 Corinthians 13:13

Our worship themes for the six Sundays in Lent this year come from Matt Rawle's  The Grace of Les Misérables study resource. Each week, a scripture forms the basis of a theme that is personified in one of the characters from Victor Hugo's beloved novel  Les Misérables. 


A Message from Rev. Maxted

Blessings to all! These are challenging times we are facing, but we are not facing them alone! Our God is a God of steadfast love, caring for us in all circumstances. Also, RRCC is a faithful community of friends to lean on. 

The right decision is sometimes a hard decision, but we have made that hard decision of suspending all gatherings at the church for the next couple of months. It's not hard because weren't sure it was the right thing. It's just hard because we followers of Jesus like to fellowship and encourage one another face to face. Most of us love to shake hands and give hugs. So we'll need to find other ways to express love and stay connected. 
 
Expect future emails with details regarding how to participate in worship this Sunday. 

God remains good and God remains faithful at all times and in all places.

Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch

Do not worry about anything, but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
 
"Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows,
it empties today of its strength." Corrie Ten Boom
Guiding Board Meets In a New Way

Our Guiding Board met via video conference last night in the interest of safety. This is what it looked like on Rev. Maxted's  computer screen. Zoom Video Communications, a remote conferencing services company, was the tool we used. This kind of "virtual meeting" will likely be used a lot in the coming weeks. 



A Message from Our Regional Minister and President, 
the Rev. Dr. Andy Mangum

Round Rock Christian Church is a part of the CCSW--the Christian Church in the Southwest. Our region includes the states of New Mexico and Texas, plus the panhandle of Oklahoma. We are blessed to have Andy Mangum serving as our Regional Minister and President. Please take a few minutes to watch his encouraging videotaped message regarding the coronavirus. Click this link:


I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.   Joshua 1:9

Hop Into Easter Event Cancelled
 
Unfortunately, we have had to cancel this year's Hop into Easter event, which had been scheduled for April 4th. These have been wonderful neighborhood events in the past, and we look forward to celebrating Easter resurrection with our neighborhood again when it is safe to do so!
Lunch Bunch

The Lunch Bunch is taking a break due to safety concerns with COVID-19. They look forward to resuming this fellowship ministry when it is safe to do so. 
"Table Talk" Launch Delayed

The RRCC Congregational Care Team has announced that the new Table Talk fellowship ministry, originally scheduled to begin soon, will be delayed until further notice. 
We look forward to starting this new ministry at RRCC when it is safe to do so, and we are excited about all who have signed up to participate already.

Bushes Transplanted

The three butterfly bushes  along our courtyard entrance were transplanted to the new planters along our entrance drive just east of the church building this past weekend. 

Thanks to Perry Mouser for heading up this project, and to Anna Marie Blair for her guidance. Also helping with the transplanting were John Claymon, Dan Knight, Mitch Maxted, Rod Walker, and Charles Whitley.

Photo: Charles Scarborough doing some pre-transplant lopping. 
Incentive Cards Delivered to Hopewell Middle School

Hopewell Middle School Principal Lynda Garinger with Tricia Mouser, Tara Pollock, and Rev. Maxted

On Wednesday of last week, RRCC delivered fifty $5 McDonald's gift cards to Hopewell Middle School, one of the two neighborhood schools our congregation is embracing with the love of Jesus Christ in a number of ways.   The school has an incentive program, through which students can earn the cards with good behavior and other areas of improvement.  

RRISD announced last week that schools are closed through April 3.
Alma's Secret Garden
[Though this event may eventually be cancelled, for now we will continue to share the information.]
Ladies' Brunch
With the charge "to provide a lovely event for all women of the church for fellowship and to feed the woman's spirit," a task force of the Disciples Women's Ministry met last week and has news to share! Thanks to Darlia Hunt, Susan Kessler, Pam Knight, Martha Nichols, Linda Preston for a great brainstorming session, and to Jean Bell and Anna Marie Blair for also serving on the task force. Here is the new, streamlined, updated "ladies' tea"!
 
FOR ALL LADIES OF RRCC: 
You are cordially invited to join us for
ALMA'S SECRET GARDEN
Ladies' Brunch
Saturday, June 6, 2020
11:00am
$10 per person
 
Tickets on sale April 19

Disciple Oaks Workday
Cancelled

Camp Director Scott Miller reports that the work day event at Disciple Oaks, scheduled for this Saturday, has been cancelled due to expected bad weather. 

Pantry Focus for March: Sugar
[Our Outreach Ministry is considering the best way for RRCC to continue to support the RRASC during the coming weeks.]

"...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 "Sugar"  month  at RRCC.   Let's load our food pantry tub in the Welcome Center to overflowing each Sunday! 

Your donations of Sugar   (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.
Find a Place to Serve Here at RRCC


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





Upcoming B irthdays

 
March 17
- Kent Toomey
March 18
- Shirley Marshall
March 23
- Steve Osteen
March 23
- Randy Preston
Prayer Needs

OUR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP
1. Our pastor and staff
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 focus on evangelism this year
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. All ministries that take place at Camp Gonzo (Disciple Oaks) 

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. Bell, Jean (son Chris got a great report from his doctor today!)
2. Davis, Marilyn (sister-in-law Dorothy recovering from auto accident)
3. Fennimore, Nancy, (husband Gene and sister Joan--health issues; daughter-in-law Brittney's grandmother passed away)
4. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold
5. Kessler, Jim and Susan -- returning from overseas trip
6. Krop, Carleigh (great granddaughter of the Whitleys--surgery again postponed, this time due to new coronavirus-related scheduling)
7. Markytan, Debra (oral surgery 3/23 -- daughter of Darlia Hunt)
8. Maxted, Mana (mononucleosis)
9. Maybaum, Liz (platelet count)
10. Plough, Paul
11. Pollock, Paula
12. Rowland, Lucy -- (former RRCC member now living near Atlanta, GA) in rehab now following a stroke
13.  Sanford, Collin and Sonya
14. Snider, Rev. Ed
15. Stalder, Mac (prayers for pain reduction and healing from recent surgeries--Tasha York nephew)
16. Toomey, Kent (shoulder surgery March 25)
17.  York, Skyler David (future grandson of Tasha and future adopted son of TJ and Heather York. Pregnancy complications.)


OTHER
1. All affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) around the world (those who are ill, their families, health professionals)
2. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world 
3. Our military personnel and families
4. International cooperation in responding to climate change challenges
5. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible 
6. For all efforts toward universal, affordable access to health care here in the U.S.
7. All who don't know Jesus
8. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of frequent, deadly mass shootings
9. Reaching out to our neighborhood families through the schools: a. Hopewell gift cards b. Adopt-a-Child ministry at Union Hill and Hopewell c. Literacy Partners at Union Hill  d. Staff Appreciation Breakfasts  e. school supplies for Hopewell Middle School  f. Hopewell "Swarm the Hive" back to school event  g. Our neighborhood welcoming events such as Trunk n Treat, Breakfast with Santa, and Hop into Easter.
Sunday School Classes

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 Searching for Sunday, by Rachel Held Evans .
 
Explorers (mixed adults) - 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: [email protected]
RRCC Newsletter Deadlines

Please submit your Tuesday newsletter articles  and pictures 
before  10:00 a.m. on Mondays.
Thank you!
Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Messag e

John 6:35
Then Jesus said, "I am the bread that gives life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

He was the son of God, but He wore a crown of thorns. He was the Savior of mankind, yet He was out to death on a rough-hewn cross made of wood. He offered His healing touch to an unsaved world, and yet the same hands that had healed the sick and raised the dead were pierced with nails.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born into humble circumstances. he walked this earth, not as a ruler of men, but as the savior of mankind. His crucifixion, a torturous punishment that was intended to end His life and His reign, instead became the pivotal event in the history of all humanity.

Jesus is the bread of life. Accept His grace. Share His love, and follow in His footsteps.

Our Lord is the Bread of Life. His proportions are perfect. There never was too much or too little of anything about Him.

Vance Havner
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, 
Thank you for the blessing of the most amazing gift we have received. You sent us Your one and only Son that we may have the hope of eternal life. Amen.