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A Message from the Pastor
The current health crisis has spawned a number of additional, related crises. One of them has been a huge spike in unemployment. The following prayer reminds us that poverty comes in a variety of forms.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
They sleep in doorways; they sleep at home.
They wear ragged clothes and carry shopping bags; they look like us.
They use poor grammar and smell; they have good educations and are well groomed.
All-knowing God, show us the poor--not just the ones who have been pushed aside in the wake of competition, but the ones who are losing self-confidence, the ones who are victims of the system they helped to build, the ones whose jobs no longer exist. Show us there is also a poverty of the heart when saving is more important than sharing. Help us to find security in sharing all our resources so that through our total effort we will have answered your call to be a friend in need. Amen. Chalice Worship. Chalice Press, 1997.
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2021 Stewardship Campaign Envelopes in the Mail
Have you checked your mailbox for the RRCC 2021 Stewardship envelope? They were mailed September 1st and you should have received yours by now. It's a pretty thick envelope! The contents include 1. a letter from our Senior Minister, Rev. Mitch Maxted and Guiding Board moderator, Linda Glover; 2. a personal strategies survey; 3. a covenant of giving card; and 4. a stamped, return envelope addressed to the church.
As the body of Christ in Round Rock we have worshiped, fellowshiped, and studied during the pandemic, never missing a Sunday morning worship service. Our outreach commitments and staff salaries remain steady. Building updates continue. Technology equipment that will provide webcasting/web streaming capability for worship services has been purchased. Installation is in progress to provide a higher level of remote worship services each week to those who must remain at home following our return to campus. In other words, we're not just looking to survive during the pandemic, we're looking to thrive during and beyond the pandemic!
As you consider how you will worship, serve, and grow in the new year, please complete the
Personal Strategies survey with a special prayer that we return to our campus for worship, study, and fellowship as soon and health and safety allow. Mark those areas in the three categories where you plan to participate.
The Estimate of Giving card provides the opportunity to covenant with the Lord your financial commitment. As is tradition, the financial secretary maintains privacy of these covenants and submits only the total amount of estimates to the Financial Team. The team will use this figure and the requests of personnel and ministries for salaries and programming to create the 2021 budget. In turn the proposed budget will be presented to the membership for approval at the annual congregational meeting on November 15.
Please return your giving card and strategies survey via USPS mail not later than September 18. The congregation known as Round Rock Christian Church thrives because we are grounded in the faith of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Together we will fulfill our mission of embracing our neighbors with Christ-like love.
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,
as good stewards of God's varied grace." 1 Peter 4:10
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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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If you would like a personal year to date giving statement, please email the financial secretary at [email protected]
with your request. Please specify whether you would like to receive your statement through snail mail or email and provide the corresponding address.
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Disciples Men's Breakfast and Handcrafters Ministry
Saturday, September 12, 2020 (via Zoom)
8:30 a.m.
Disciples Men's Breakfast
via Zoom
9:30 a.m.
Handcrafters Zoom Meeting
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Disciples Women's Ministries Announces
September 14, 2020 Fall Kick-off Meeting
You know that autumn is just around the corner when the Disciples Women's Ministry announcement of the return of monthly meetings arrives. This September the second Tuesday is September 14, the date of our DWM 9:30, coffee klatch virtual meeting. We will visit to catch up with one another from our individual homes, hear plans for fall activities, and share in an outstanding bible study from the Old Testament, the book of Ruth. Facilitator Mildred Adair offers this link that provides a bit of background on the historical, geographic, and family setting. Please download the study guide and follow the suggestions to read about the great-grandmother of David. There are questions to answer prior to the meeting.
A few days prior to the meeting look for the zoom invitation and more news of DWM activities from president, Susan Kessler.
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"Gracious Presence" Study Begins This Thursday
During the months of the pandemic, RRCC has offered several online small group studies.
The next one begins this Thursday, September 10th at 11:00 a.m. via zoom. Rev. Nancy Chester McCranie, Director of Volunteer and Bereavement Services at Hospice Austin, will lead a 3-session study on the beauty and importance of accompanying a friend or loved one on their final days' journey.
The class will also make use of Letty Cottin Pogrebin's book How to be a Friend to a Friend Who's Sick.
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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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Regional Assembly -- October 9 & 10, 2020
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!
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Call for Worship Leaders!
ATTENTION WORSHIP
LEADERS!
Thanks, those of you who signed up for the Worship Leader spots.
There are TWO spots left
for 2020.
The following dates are available to sign up for 2020 are:
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September 6-FILLED!
| | October 4-FILLED! | October 11-FILLED!
| November 1-FILLED! | | November 8-FILLED! | 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
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CCSW Disciples Men FREE Online Event
On September 19, 2020, the Disciples Men of the Southwest Region will CONNECT via ZOOM to come together as we have done for many years in the month of September!! Although the "distancing" concerns have caused us to cancel the Annual Retreat at Lake Brownwood that was scheduled for September 18-20, 2020, we can still CONNECT and FELLOWSHIP by ZOOMing with other Disciples Men from across the Southwest Region. The theme is "What Will Be Your Beatitude?". The ZOOM meeting will last about two and a half hours and include:
· Keynote Address from Rev. Don Wilson, FCC Arlington
· Mission Project Report for 2020 and 2021
· Roundtable Discussion on "Doing Ministry in a Covid-19 World"
· "State of the Region" Report from our Regional Minister Dr. Rev. Andy Mangum
Do NOT let the date slip by without CONNECTING with Disciples Men you might have been able to meet or those men you only see once a year at Brownwood!!!
You will be able to donate to the 2021 Mission Project via credit card during the registration process!
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The RRCC Re-Opening Task Force is meeting this evening (Tuesday, September 8, 2020)
Please check our website for Re-Opening news:
Virtual Hugs to Everyone!
The Re-Opening Task Force
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Book Groups, Thursday, September 10, 2020
Book Groups will be meeting via ZOOM this month.
If you have any questions, please contact your group facilitator.
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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
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CYF Fall Rally Registration
Mission South and Disciple Oaks are happy to announce that registration is NOW OPEN for CYF Fall Rally which will be held December 4-6, 2020. You can register on our website. For a copy of the flyer you can download it here
If you need the CampDoc Registration Instructions you can download them here
Hope to see all of you soon!
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Disciple Oaks
Mission South & Disciple Oaks present 2020-2021 RALLY & RETREAT DATES
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Chancel Choir will be meeting via ZOOM Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.:
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 With all of the uncertainty and conflicting information surrounding voting options and procedures for the coming general election, some churches are offering to do all they can to help ensure their members have the opportunity to vote, in person or by mail ballot. Please contact Rev. Maxted if you need assistance with registering to vote or with help navigating the county website, wilco.org which has lots of helpful information.
All registered voters 65 years and older are eligible to vote by mail. RRCC has a large percentage of congregants who are in that age bracket, and who may prefer a mail-in ballot to avoid the risk of COVID-19 exposure. Here is the link where you will find the application and instructions:
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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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Upcoming Birthdays
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September 10
| - Keith Knight | |
September 12
| - Julian Grant | |
September 13
| - Anna Marie Blair
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September 14
| - Jolynn Jackson |
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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 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
11. The newly-formed nominating committee: Susan Kessler (chair), Mildred Adair, Diane Breeding, and Kent Toomey
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. Blair, Anna Marie (brother Hank Terrell recovering from open heart surgery)
2. Boles, Gayle - hip bursitis
3. Davis, Marilyn (recent procedure to correct her swallowing difficulties)
4. Greene, Emmiline (has moved to Georgetown; sister-in-law Matilda Dunn is hospitalized)
5. Guilbeau, Rick & Cynthia; Hubbard, Harold. Cynthia had hip replacement surgery on Sept. 3
6. Habtemariam, Solomon and Meaza
7. Heeney, Mary (mother of Brenda Heeney Collier) hospitalized in Ohio
8. Kelley, Sally -- pinched nerve in back
9. Malone, Betty -- moved to Sugar Land, TX last weekend
10. Maybaum, Liz --recovering from broken shoulder
11. Mouser, Tricia -- treatment and management of rheumatoid arthritis
12. Murray, Mary -- will have eye surgery tomorrow (9/9)
13. Nichols, Martha -- niece Sandy Slawson battling advanced cancer
14. Plough, Paul
15. Pollock, Paula
16. Rodenberg, Tamara -- heart tests (Martha Nichols' daughter)
17. Scarborough, Charles -- brother Glen died last week; funeral was Saturday in Coleman, TX
18. Schuchardt, Myra -- recently moved back to Round Rock after more than a year's absence
19. Sherry, Bea
20. Snider, Rev. Ed
21. Walker, Lisa (siblings Connie and Dale with significant health issues)
22. Terry Tucker, brother of Gary Tucker, has been diagnosed with cancer and will start treatments next week
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. All teachers, administrators, students, and parents, as all have to make important decisions. Our neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School. School supplies were delivered to Hopewell on Wednesday, August 19.
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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) - 9 :45 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, Studying The Cherry Log Sermons by internationally recognized preacher and accomplished teacher Rev. Fred Craddock . "These sermons on a variety of topics and texts show Craddock's deft use of storytelling, an astounding ability to interpret the biblical text for our day, and a keen pastoral sensitivity to the everyday needs of listeners." ALL ARE WELCOME! . 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
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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 submitted 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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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.
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
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7:00 p.m.
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- Re-Opening Task Force meeting (zia ZOOM) Link HERE | |
7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (via Zoom)
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Wednesday, September 9, 2020
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11:00 a.m.
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- Nominating Committee Meeting (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
1:00 p.m.
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
7:00 p.m.
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Thursday, September 10, 2020
| 11:00 a.m. |
- "Gracious Presence" Class (via Zoom) Link HERE | | 1:00 p.m. | - Book Group (via Zoom) Link HERE | | 7:00 p.m. | - Book Group (via Zoom) Link HERE
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Friday, September 11, 2020
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Psalm 18:28
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- You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
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Saturday, September 12, 2020
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (live stream)
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8:30 a.m.
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- Disciple Men's Breakfast (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
9:30 a.m.
| - Handcrafters Ministry (via Zoom) Link HERE |
Sunday, September 13, 2020
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9:45 a.m.
| - Explorers Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
9:45 a.m.
| - Open Circle Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
11:00 a.m.
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Evening
| - Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site) |
Monday, September 14, 2020
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
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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
Playing It Safe
"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Gen. 18:14 NKJV
We are confronted with all manner of an uncertain future these days. We face very uncertain hopes for the future. Unwilling to move mountains, we fret over mole hills. We tend to focus on what seems to be unfair and uncertain. We fail all too often to be trusting God completely and all too frequently we take timid baby steps when God is leading us to trust Him to take leaping giant strides. The reassuring words of 1st John 5:4 remind us that when we accept God's grace, we overcome the passing hardships of this world and rely on His strength, love, and promise of eternal life.
Today, we need to ask God for the courage to trust Him as He guides us in this uncertain time.
Prayer:
Lord God,
We thank you for your undying love and direction. Give us the courage and humility to trust you at all times.
In Christ's name.
Amen
Portions from Woman of Faith
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