A Message from Rev. Maxted
As part of our 40-Day Prayer Journal, last week the RRCC Elders were encouraged to fast for a day. The type of fast was to be determined by the individual Elder himself or herself. One might choose to fast from a certain kind of food or drink, or from a certain kind of activity or mindset, or perhaps from some material thing that may stand between the individual and God.
To fast is to intentionally give something up so that it can be replaced by God. To fast is to surrender control of some aspect of our lives and place it in God's hands. In the book the Elders are studying this year--
Unbinding the Gospel--author Martha Grace Reese describes the spiritual discipline of fasting in this way:
"We destabilize ourselves and allow ourselves to find a new stability with God more at the center of our lives."* In other words, we choose to make ourselves vulnerable so that we must rely more fully on the help of God.
Prayer and fasting restore us and boost our ability to serve him. Though we may associate these spiritual disciplines with the Lenten season, they are always available to us. Some followers of Christ choose to do a fast of some sort every week all year long. Still others seem to pursue a daily walk with Christ that is shaped by fasting in a more radical way. The Roman Catholic Church would call this a "consecrated life." Nuns and monks, for example, take sacred vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They choose a lifelong fast from the pursuit of wealth, establishing their own family, and a career.
Have you ever fasted from something in order to enjoy a deeper relationship with Christ? A fast doesn't have to be complicated, but if done with sincerity, will likely challenge you.
*p. 178
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
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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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Disciple Oaks Summer Camp Update
Please read the linked announcement concerning this year's summer programs at Camp Gonzo.
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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:
- Mail your check, designated "DWM Blessing Box," to Round Rock Christian Church, 22 Chalice Way, Round Rock, TX 78665.
- Make an online donation designated for "DWM Blessing Box" through the church website, www.rrdisciples.org.
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Your Guiding Board:
....
Approved
the appointment of a task force to lay plans necessary for the safe return to our campus..
A date to return to 22 Chalice Way has not been made
; however, the "
Reopening
" task force will review CDC and state and federal guidelines, and lay plans and expectations for all who use our facilities. Perry Mouser chairs the team which includes Amy Tucker and Mildred Adair (Worship), Pam Knight and Amy Osteen (Christian Education), Gary Collier, Patricia Mouser (Board) and Gary Tucker (head Elder & Board), Pastor Maxted and Linda Glover (ex-officios).
....Is Grateful for the dedication of our church family in their attendance at online worship services, Sunday school, bible studies, Caring Hearts prayer warriors, and fellowship groups, and for the timeliness forwarding tithes and offerings.
... Commends the dedicated folks who stop by the church and work from home as well to keep our finances in order. Financial Secretary Irene Jenkins and Katie Maybaum continue the weekly counting and accounting of giving. Treasurer Gary Collier, Assistant
Treasurer Darlia Hunt, and Administrative Assistant Molly Salzwedel maintain the disbursement side.
....Gives thanks to our brothers and sisters in Christ, the Shalom Seventh-Day Adventist congregation who worship and fellowship on our campus. These good stewards have given their usual rental fee for April and May even though they, like us, have not used our facilities. Please keep them and the Manantial de Vida (Spring of Life) congregation in your prayers.
...Lauds the Elders and Pastor Mitch as they read Unbinding The Gospel, meet weekly via Zoom with their prayer partners and meet each Tuesday (Zoom) as a Ministry to share their forty-day prayer journey. What a commitment of these ten folks.
....Approved a proposal to underwrite the purchase of additional equipment that will provide webcasting opportunities when we once again worship in the sanctuary. These enhancements to our sight and sound technology will allow broadcasting remotely to members and friends. Gary Collier is heading this project.
.....Gives a shoutout to Katie Maybaum for her technical ability and time to place our morning worship services on YouTube. Google our Round Rock Christian Church account on YouTube to enjoy the Sunday Zoom services. THANK YOU KATIE!
....Suggests that members check out the Members Resources pull-down menu of the RRCC website to review monthly reports from Pastor Maxted and the Treasurer, as well as the minutes of Board. Each Tuesday the newsletter provides a link to the website. If you are uncertain of the members resources password, contact Molly via email.
....
As always, I welcome your suggestions, concerns and prayers. I look forward to hearing from you.
Linda Glover, Moderator
Should you have any comments or concerns, please reach out via email to Linda Glover at
[email protected]
.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the
Lord, plans for welfare,
to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11
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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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Do you find that you are placing more orders through Amazon?
Remember that you can financially benefit RRCC by ordering through smile.amazon.com!
It is important to add SMILE to the beginning of the Amazon web address and choose
Round Rock Christian Church as your preferred charity (as seen below):
Step 1:
Step 2:
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Try Financial Peace for Free!
You WILL make it to the other side of this. For the first time ever, we're giving away our Financial Peace Membership FREE for 14 days. You'll receive all nine lessons of Financial Peace University and the EveryDollar Plus budgeting app-for free for 2 weeks! If you've been waiting for a sign to know if this proven plan works, here's your sign. Get started today!
($129/year if not cancelled before the end of the 14 day free trial)
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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 begin the 4th week of their 40-Day Prayer Journal
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 will have Tommy John surgery)
2. Bell, Jean (son Chris ongoing cancer treatments)
3.
Davis, Marilyn (now living in Georgetown with her son and daughter-in-law)
4. Fennimore, Nancy, (sister Joan recently diagnosed with ALS)
5. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold
6. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
7. Jenkins, Rhiannon (tonsillitis and strep throat)
8. Maybaum, Liz (platelet count)
9. Plough, Paul
10. Pollock, Paula
11. Putnam, Jim (hip surgery May 28)
12. Rodenberg, Tamara (recent TIA--daughter of Martha Nichols)
13. Sanford, Collin and Sonya
14. Sherry, Bea
15. Singer, Merle (Tara Pollock's family -- advanced cancer)
16. Smith, Rev. Barry (recent heart attack; at home and on the mend)
17. Snider, Rev. Ed
18. Toomey, Kent (continued recovery from shoulder surgery)
19 Walker, Lisa (siblings Connie and Dale with health issues)
20. Whitley, Charles (recovering from shingles)
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 annual neighborhood welcoming events such as Trunk n Treat, Breakfast with Santa, and Hop into Easter.
RRISD will not return to school buildings this academic year.
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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)
-
(
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.
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Pastor Mitch and Office Emails
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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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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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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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- Elders "Group Meeting" for Prayer Journal (via Zoom) |
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (via Zoom)
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10:00 a.m.
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- Pastoral Support Committee (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, May 21, 2020
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Isaiah 26:3
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- You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. |
Friday, May 22, 2020
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Philippians 4:7
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- And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.
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Saturday, May 23, 2020
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (live stream)
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Sunday, May 24
,
2020
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9:45 a.m.
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- Explorers Sunday School (via ZOOM) |
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10:00 a.m.
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- Open Circle Sunday School (via ZOOM) |
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11:00 a.m.
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- Worship with us (via ZOOM) |
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Evening
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- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site) |
Monday, May 25
,
2020 MEMORIAL DAY
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Psalm 4:8
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- In peace I will lie down and sleep. for you alone. Lord, make me dwell in safety.
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Tuesday, May 26, 2020
| 7:00 p.m. |
- Elders "Group Meeting" for Prayer Journal (via Zoom)
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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
In Sunday school we have been studying Luke 21 and Matthew 24 which deals with the signs of the end of the age. We are all familiar with this scripture, but do we really know what it means and how it will all play out? Read Jesus' Words in these chapters. He warns us what to expect. How will we know when it is happening? There will be false prophets, wars, commotions, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, earthquakes, famines and pestilences just to name a few. Jesus tells us not to be terrified for these things must come to pass first. It will be an occasion of testimony. He will give us the wisdom to be able to contradict or resist. "Watch and pray always..." is our challenge. Read and study these two chapters for further insight. It will make you aware but it will also give you comfort and affirm what you know! God is with and for us.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, We thank you for loving us and for always being there for us even up to and through the end of the age. May we study Your Word and seek Your guidance to understand. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
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