Holy Week Schedule
As Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples, he told them that their love for one another would identify them as his followers. The focal point of this service will be the celebration of Holy Communion.
Good Friday Prayer Vigil [at home] April 2, 2021, @6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thanks to all who have signed up for one or more 30-minute prayer links in our 12-hour chain.
Our Good Friday service will include the Solemn Reproaches and a dramatic reading of the Passion Story recorded in John's gospel. We will not celebrate the Lord's Supper.
There will be a single worship service this Easter Sunday, at our regular time (no early service). The service will feature extra music videos and Holy Communion. Join us as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord!
|
|
A Message from the Pastor
I pray you will be able to join us for all of our Holy Week / Easter activities -- our worship services and our Good Friday Prayer Vigil. The celebration of the resurrection is much more meaningful and powerful after having gone through the grief and loss of The Passion. It is only through crucifixion horror that our Easter joy can be fully realized.
Even then, I wonder whether we grasp what a wonderful gift the risen Christ is. Maybe it's just too good to take in.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
Many years ago, a friend told me that his young son was a great fan of both Captain Kangaroo and Mister Rogers. The boy faithfully watched both of their television shows, and one day it was announced that Mister Rogers would be praying a visit to the Captain Kangaroo show. The boy was ecstatic. Both of his heroes, together on the same show! Every morning the boy would ask, "Is it today that Mister Rogers will be on Captain Kangaroo?" Finally the great day arrived, and the whole family gathered around the television. There they were, Mister Rogers and Captain Kangaroo together. The boy watched for a minute, but then, surprisingly, got up and wandered from the room.
Puzzled, his father followed him and asked, "What is it, son? Is anything wrong?"
"It's too good," the boy replied. "It's just too good."
Maybe that's it. Maybe the news of the empty tomb, the news of the resurrection, the news of Jesus' victory of death is just too good to believe, too good to assimilate all at once.
Thomas G. Long, "Empty Tomb, Empty Talk," in The Christian Century, April 4, 2001, p. 11
|
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
|
The 2021 Easter Offering will be received on March 28 and April 4. You may give by check or online at www.rrdisciples.org, designating your gift as Easter Offering.
Imagine what God can do when we share our gifts!
Your special Easter Offering will support:
- college students in leadership development programs
- global mission partners
- health and social service ministries
- the formation of new congregations
- pastors and chaplains
- ...and so much more!
DISCIPLES MISSION FUND SPECIAL DAY OFFERINGS provide an opportunity to highlight specific ministries as part of our faith celebrations. There are six Disciples Mission Fund Special Day Offerings received each year during Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving, and Christmas seasons, plus Reconciliation and Week of Compassion.
|
Upcoming Events
There will be no events/meetings held in the RRCC facility until further notice.
Some RRCC activities and events have been cancelled until further notice.
Most are continuing online via zoom.
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
|
7:00 p.m.
|
| |
7:00 p.m.
|
- Shalom Congregation (off site)
|
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
|
|
- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via Zoom) Link HERE
| |
7:00 p.m.
|
|
|
M A U N D Y
|
T H U R S D A Y
| |
7:00 p.m.
|
- Maundy Thursday Service (via ZOOM) Link HERE
|
|
G O O D
|
F R I D A Y
| | 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. | - Good Friday Prayer Vigil | |
7:00 p.m.
| - Good Friday Service (via ZOOM) Link HERE
|
|
8:00 a.m.
|
- Shalom Congregation
|
|
E A S T E R
|
S U N D A Y
| |
9:45 a.m.
|
- Explorers Sunday School will NOT meet on Easter
| |
9:45 a.m.
|
- Open Circle Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
11:00 a.m.
|
| |
Evening
|
- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site)
|
Monday, April 5, 2021
|
Romans 7:4
|
In the same way, my friends, you have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God
|
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
|
7:00 p.m.
|
- Shalom Congregation (off site)
|
ZOOM MEETING LINKS, events and details can be viewed on the RRCC Calendar.
|
2021 Worship Leader Sign-Up
|
 The 2021 Worship Leader Sign-Up is available to view! Click here to reserve your date to serve:
|
|
Explorers Sunday School Class Begins New Study Series April 18
Following studying the four gospels, the Explorers are currently winding up their informal study of the ACTS of the Apostles and have elected to next study the book of Romans beginning April 18.
The group will continue to use the John MacArthur Bible Studies series, Romans: Grace Truth, and Redemption.
Following the four gospels and the Acts (of the Apostles), this epistle is named for its first intended audience, the church in Rome. The author, Paul, was a Roman citizen who was converted on his way to Damascus in 33-34 AD where he (had) planned to arrest Christians in the city. Rather, Paul immediately began to proclaim the gospel, traveling for three years preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.
He was a learned man who spoke several languages. Born, Saul (Hebrew name), Paul (Greek name) was born close to the time of the birth of Jesus, in Tarsus in Asia Minor (today, Turkey) of Greek parentage. As his father, Paul was a member of the Pharisees, a strict Jewish sect. He studied in Jerusalem under the rabbi, Gamaliel. More than any other man of his day, Paul was relentless in his mission to spread the gospel through much of the Roman Empire during his three missionary journeys around the Mediterranean Sea.
The Explorers class invites all men and women to join them in this journey to explore with Paul and one another. We usually number from eight to twelve each Sunday at 9:45 AM for forty-five minutes of fellowship and study. Mildred Adair facilitates the class. Should you like a study guide, contact Linda Glover to have the book mailed to your home ($10).
We look forward to YOU joining us each week.
|
Union Hill Appreciation Note to RRCC
The church received the following message, hand-written on a card, from Union Hill Elementary School's interim principal Lori Allison:
Dear Rev. Maxted & Round Rock Christian Church,
The seed packets were a wonderful surprise. They serve as a reminder of God's provision of new beginnings!
Please accept the gratitude of the Union Hill faculty and staff for your continued prayers and support.
I have been honored to serve as the interim principal of UHE. It's an exceptional place for all! Their new principal will be named soon--likely by the time you receive this. I know prayers would be appreciated as they make this transition.
Thank you and Happy Spring!
Lori Allison
|
Mission South and Disciple Oaks Summer Camps 2021
Mission South and Disciple Oaks is happy to announce that registration is NOW OPEN for Summer Camps 2021. You can register online here. You can also register on our website. For a copy of this flyer you can download it here For a copy of the Mission South Summer Camp 2021 Fees download it here For a copy of the CampDoc Registration Instructions download it here More information can be found at our website, link above. Information will also be mailed to all churches soon.
|
Williamson County COVID-19 Vaccine Waitlist Sign-Up
Williamson County continues to encourage people to get registered for their COVID-19 vaccine waitlist. Use the link at the bottom of this box to take you to the county's registration form. There are now 5 categories under which you may register, but ALL ADULTS are now eligible to make a vaccine appointment here in Texas.
- Category 1a Front-line healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities
- Category 1b People 65+ or people 16+ with a health condition that increases risk of severe COVID-19 illness
- NEW Category TC (people working with children) On March 3, DSHS received a letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directing states to expand eligibility to include people who work in school and child care operations. The federal directive defined the people eligible as "those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers) and those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers." This action does not change the other groups prioritized for vaccination in Texas.
- NEW Category 1c People 50 - 64 years of age
- NEW Category Other (all others)
|
A Note from Anna Marie Blair
Dear Fellow Christians,
This is to thank you for funding a year's subscription to SermonSuite for me.
Just so you know, it makes my life so much easier than before
Each week I read the lectionary texts and tentatively choose one or which to base my sermon. then I go to SermonSuite and read all the commentary entries. Usually that will give me all the impetus I need to start writing. Sometimes I need to dig a bit deeper (there are more resources there) to finish.
Also, although we don't often see young ones, I go prepared with a children's sermon, almost straight from SermonSuite.
Thank you all so much. Many blessings, Anna Marie
|
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!
|  |
|
CHANCEL CHOIR ZOOM FELLOWSHIP
Chancel Choir meets via ZOOM on 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.
|
Upcoming Birthdays
|
March 30
| - Kathleen Vercellino
| |
April 5
| - Toni Twomey |
|
Prayer Needs
LEADERSHIP
1. Our Guiding Board, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Teams
2. Our staff: Jimmy, Mitch, Katie, Randy, and Molly
3. Our music ministries and their leaders: Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Jimmy Horowitz
4. Our tech team: Gary Collier, Tara Pollock, Katie Maybaum, Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Dan Knight
5. Our Reopening Task Force--Perry Mouser (chair), Gary Tucker, Gary Collier, Mildred Adair, Amy Tucker, Pam Knight, Amy Osteen, Tricia Mouser, Pastor Maria Rosario of Manantial de Vida, Omar Roque, Juan Pena, and Carlos Cortez of Shalom, Pastor Mitch Maxted, and Linda Glover
6. Our Caring Hearts Prayer Group
7. Our Stephen Ministries (Care Receivers and Caregivers)
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. Rev. Alfred Walker, the newly called Community Regional Minister (CRM) for Reconciliation and Anti-Racism. Rev. Walker plans to move to Pflugerville. He officially begins the second week of April. Welcome, Rev. Walker!
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. For all who are grieving the loss of a loved one in recent months; most recently, the families of Paul Plough, Marty Graham, Linda Boles, and Eric Elder
2. For all who have been ill with COVID-19, and their families
3. Acree, Mary -- recent health challenges and falls
4. Barnett, Barbara -- her cousin Thomasue's husband, Rick did not need to have surgery
5. Cratin, Katherine -- sister Marietta and brother-in-law Frank, both with serious health issues; also niece Amber W.
6. Fennimore, Nancy -- sister Joan Heckford continues treatments and consultations for ALS
7. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Cynthia's father, Harold Hubbard
8. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
9. Johnston, Janette -- mother Billie, in Alabama, is dealing with various health issues
10. Knight, Pam -- recovering at home after recent eye surgery
11. Miller, Chris -- (son of Jean Bell) experiencing some neuropathy from cancer treatments
12. Mouser, Tricia -- rheumatoid arthritis infusion treatments and side-effects
13. Sherry, Bea
14. Terry Tucker, brother of Gary Tucker -- continues to recuperate after two recent surgeries
15. Wilson, Garvid -- chemo/immunotherapy treatments
16. York, Tasha -- mother Peggy Massey with health challenges; now living with family
OTHER
1. All who don't know Jesus
2. COVID-19 (the ill, their families, medical professionals, essential workers, treatment and vaccine researchers, the logistics of distributing and administering the vaccine safely and efficiently)
3. Those who have lost jobs during the pandemic; businesses that are struggling
4. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world 5. Our military personnel and families 6. Those who have had property damage due to the recent winter storms 7. The growing immigration crisis of children at our border, development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible 8. For all efforts toward affordable health care for all Americans 9. For all efforts to make voting safe, simple, and easily accessible for all in our country 10. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of mass shootings in schools, places of work, etc. 11. All teachers, administrators, students, and parents. Our neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School.
|
|
.
[There will be no Sunday School classes in the church building 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) - 9:45 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Studying Gospel Medicine. ALL ARE WELCOME! Link HERE
.
Explorers (mixed adults) - 9:45 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Facilitator is Mildred Adair; finishing up a study of the New Testament Book of Acts, using the resource by John MacArthur. Romans will be next. Link HERE
|
Follow us on Social Media!
We can be found on:
|
Submitting a photo? Awesome!
We love pictures of congregational life!
Please remember to include
identification (who, what, when, where, why)
for each photograph submitted to the office.
Also, please indicate where you would like the photo to be used (RRCC website, social media, weekly newsletter, etc.)
.
|
|
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.
|
|
Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Message
During Holy Week many churches...
During Holy Week many churches act out various scenes of the Passion. Jane participated in the dramatic Passion narrative reading. She was a member of the crowd, her only line was to join the others in shouting, "Let him be crucified!" This part of the reading is frequently a significant moment for those who take part. Some are moved to tears as they say those words.
Some people find their faith rekindled or renewed after taking part in the Passion narrative. Following the worship service people were sharing how meaningful they found the service. People told how they felt when they shouted, "Let him be crucified!" At this point Jane said, "I just couldn't do it! I just couldn't say it! I just couldn't say such an awful thing!"
Her pastor reflects, "In her stubbornness, Jane could not identify herself as a sinner like everyone else. She could not admit that she, too, was capable of evil thoughts and deeds. She was preoccupied with her own virtue and could not see who Jesus is." If we cannot look at the cross, then we cannot look at ourselves either.
The Lord God instructed Moses concerning the Passover. This was a significant moment in their faith journey. It would be a life and death struggle for the people. God said, "This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance."
Prayer: God of Grace, Help me to know that I am indeed a sinner, especially anytime when I want to set myself apart from "those others." It is we, not you who have assigned degrees of badness to our misdeeds. Mine may seem minor to me, but are just as real as "their" "bigger" ones. Forgive me for my failure to recognize that I too may often stray a bit from your path without realizing that being off the path is just that. In Christ's name, Amen
|
|
