welcome rrisd - lord of life lutheran church, austin texas · 2017-09-01 · welcome rrisd on...
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Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas 78717 Phone 512.671.6100 www.lordoflifeaustin.org Hours Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm
September 2017 Edition Volume No. 0917
God’s Work, Our Hands
Inside this issue: WELCOME RRISD
On Thursday, May 26, the church office received an email from the Round Rock
Independent School District. A portion of the email is shared below.
Dear Lord of Life Lutheran Church, I work with the Round Rock Independent School District as a teacher working with students who are transitioning from high school to the world of work. We meet in the community on a daily basis, reviewing goals, working on job search skills, discussing information needed to be successful at the work place, understanding work related documents, meeting with agency representatives, investigating transportation options, etc. I am looking for a space where we could meet beginning mid-August, 2017, ideally on Mondays thru Fridays from 8:00 - 4:00. I will have approximately ten students and two additional staff members assisting me. Our work calendar is the same as the high schools in Round Rock ISD, but the times we meet with students vary depending on each student's work schedule, and availability. There are times that we will meet as a group and I may have from three to thirteen people in a room at one time for 2-4 hours. I am looking for a place where we would have access to an internet connection as well. If you see that your church can share some space with us, will you respond to me at this email address? I would like to meet with someone from your staff to discuss further arrangements and details.
The following minutes from the June 17, 2017 Council Meeting record the
Council’s response to the request from the RRISD:
RRISD request to use LOLLC space for expanding their 18+ Community Works Program to the west end of the district: This program operates during the academic year and provides transition services to students over the age of 18 who qualify for continued services after graduation but still need further assistance with independent living skills. The Council decided by consensus to approve the request to use the café, since the activity aligns with the LOLLC mission to serve the community. The program will be flexible to work around any scheduling conflicts for LOLLC use of the café. Two other ELCA congregations, Grace and Palm Valley, are also sites for RRISD special education programs, and have had good experiences with the programs.
The partnership between LOLLC and the RRISD was finalized at the August 17
Council Meeting and a contractual agreement was signed by Council President
for the program to begin August 22, 2017.
What a joy it is to host the staff and students here at LOLLC Monday – Friday.
As we have celebrated over the past several years, the purpose of the church is to
change peoples’ lives. Through this program, young peoples’ lives are being
changed and through our partnership, LOLLC is a part of the change, for them
and for us. WELCOME STUDENTS AND STAFF OF RRISD.
In the name of Jesus,
Pr. Skip
Message from Pastor 1
Global Initiatives 2
Prayer List 2
Sunday Readings 2
God’s Generosity 2
Baptisms 2
Men’s Breakfast 2
Birthdays/Anniversaries 2
New Members 3
Summer of Service Drive 3
Davis Springs Garage Sale 3
Note from Jen Niedert 3
Members Expectations 4
Sunday Education 4
Kindred Sisters 5
Coming Soon 6
Prayer & Healing Service 6
Celebration Sunday 7
Friend & Family Day 7
Habitat for Humanity 7
Harvest Festival & Craft Show
8
Hurricane Harvey 9
Pastor Noah Ministry Pics 10-11
Council Minutes 12
Save-the-Dates 12
State of the Church 12
Worship Leaders 13
Calendar 14
Birthdays: Dakota Simpson 09/03 Walter Krizov 09/05 Lyn Caldwell 09/08 Mary Vaughn 09/08 Clayton Wachsmann 09/08 Dave Smith 09/11 Madeline Smith 09/11 Lee Penland 09/12 Monica Kaloustian 09/15 Courtney Warnsman 09/17 Diane Saegert 09/18 Janet Krejci 09/21 Lauren Brown 09/23 Jonathon Wolski 09/25 Beverly Al-Tabatabaie 09/26 Melinda Prather 09/26 John Duarte 09/28 Zackery Klotz 09/28 Stacey Mathews 09/28
PRAYER LIST
Angie Parr, Ilamay Bartholomew,
Herman Haenel, Peggy Suggs, Lanae Ortivez, Sylvia Ramirez,
Faith Bales, Ilene Dunn,
Norma Hultsch, Mindy Penland,
Dorothy Holcomb, Roger Adamson, Barbara Dailey, Mary Vaughn, John Hunter,
James Fraser, Maggie Tesler,
Tom Wilson, Chanel Cobb,
James Brinkmeyer, Michael Odegaard
Kira Niedert Roger Mathre
Timothy Wallingford
Fred & Mycah Klinker Jim Tarsi
SUNDAY READINGS
September 3 Jeremiah 15:15-21 Psalm 26:1-8 Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28
September 10 Ezekiel 33:7-11 Psalm 119:33-40 Romans 13:8-14 Matthew 18:15-20
September 17 Genesis 50:15-21 Psalm 103:1-13 Romans 14:1-12 Matthew 18:21-25
September 24 Jonah 3:10-4:11 Psalm 145:1-8 Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-16
GLOBAL INITIATIVES
www.elca.org/global - l inks Through the benevolence we pay to the ELCA, we are support ing these global initiatives. A link is available on our website under “Giving”, so you can keep up-to-date on what the ELCA is doing to reach the world for Christ. BAPTISM FESTIVALS
Anyone who has not been baptized is invited to come and “wade in the waters” of eternal life. Please contact Pr. Skip for a pre-baptism appointment. The remaining Baptism Festivals for 2017 are:
Holy Cross Day, September 17 All Saints’ Day, November 5
Contact Pr. Skip as soon as possible concerning which day works best for you.
Anniversaries:
Gilbert & Melinda Prather 09/03 Matthew & Keri Gold 09/18 Joseph & Nellita Womack 09/18 Pr. Skip & Felicia Wachsmann 09/21 Hodges & Eun Ju Martin 09/24
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GENEROSITY Giving freely of what has been freely given to us
Unconditional LOVE, FORGIVENESS, ALL that WE HAVE LOVE GOD, LOVE ONE ANOTHER and OURSELVES FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER and OURSELVES GIVE GENEROUSLY from our BLESSINGS Time Talent Treasure OUT OF THANKS for each. GIVE UNTIL YOU FEEL GOOD
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Men’s Fellowship
Breakfast
will be on September 9th
at 8:00 a.m.
All men are welcome
and encouraged to
attend. Contact Mark
Waggoner
or 512-800-5412.
Page 3 Volume No. 0917
New Members to Lord of Life
Pamela Campbell
Barbara Carter
Davis Springs Fall
Garage Sale This year’s fall neighborhood
garage sale will be held on
Saturday, October 14, 2017.
Contact:
with any questions.
In May I heard the words a parent never wants to hear...your child
has cancer. Some days are good. Some days are bad. But in the
end, we face both together...one day at a time...with the help of our
family and friends and our church community. Sometimes we lose
hope, but most of the time we can see beyond the pain and find the
strength to keep going. Jennifer Niedert
"On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased." Psalm 138:3
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Christian Education Opportunities EDUCATION NEWS CELEBRATION SUNDAY HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10TH AT 9:30! Join us for some
outdoor fun, games, food, and fellowship!
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION RESUMES SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD AT 9:30AM. Youth classes will meet in their usual places. Adult Education will have 3 classes to choose from. Join us for Adult Sunday Education!!
ADULT OFFERINGS FOR FALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
BY HEART: AN EXPLORATION OF THE SMALL CATECHISM. This study will generate conversation about the biblical and historical context of the catechism, its link to the church’s faith, its connection to Luther’s life and your life today. Great for longtime Lutherans as well as those newer to the Lutheran faith. This class will meet in the Café.
For Women - BEFORE AMEN. Max Lucado explores the very heart of Biblical prayer by offering hope-filled prayers that will help you turn your heart towards the One who longs to speak with you. Prayer is the most necessary and most basic expression of our faith, yet we struggle to do it daily. We are not alone, make a point to join this group and open the doors of communication with our God. This class meets in the office conference room.
ENGAGING OTHERS, KNOWING OURSELVES: A LUTHERAN CALLING IN A MULTI-RELIGIOUS WORLD.
This book invites us all into conversation by challenging us to reflect on our past, learn from our present, and envision the future to which God is calling us. The heart of the book is the real-life case studies of inter-religious relations unfolding in a variety of ELCA ministry contexts. They encourage us to understand that our questions, doubts, and failures are as important
as our answers, convictions, and successes. They challenge us to embrace that while there are a variety of responses to religious plurality, our common response is rooted in our Lutheran vocation – our response to God’s love in Jesus Christ. This
class meets in the Sanctuary.
TUESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY MEETS EVERY TUESDAY AT 6:30-8:00 PM IN THE CAFE. Feel free to join us as we study the Gospel of Mary Magdala. Lost for more than 1500 years, this gospel is the only early Christian gospel written in the name of a woman. This study is fascinating and challenging. Hope you’ll consider stopping in!
THURSDAY MORNING STUDY GROUP - We will resume on September 14th at Target Store (Lakeline) snack area at 9:45am. Study: " Breaking Free From Fear ". Look forward to seeing you all. Please respond so I will know how to order books. Praise the Lord! Marge Kretschmar [email protected]
Page 5 Volume No. 0917
Kindred Sisters
Kindred Sisters enjoyed their August
meeting on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at
11 a.m. at the La Madeleine's
Restaurant at 14028 US HWY 183, by
the HEB Plus and Alamo Draft House
Theater. We enjoyed a nice luncheon in
the reserved side room, and had a great
visit! We then discussed plans for
future meetings.
We will have our September meeting on
Tuesday, Sept. 5th, at 10:30 a.m. at the
Koinonia Cafe at LOLLC. We are
looking forward to having a Bible Study
presented by Pastor Skip! Please bring
your own sack lunch, and dessert and
refreshments will be provided by our
September hostess. We hope to see you
at our meeting!
If you have any cancelled stamps,
please bring them. We have a large amount of cancelled stamps again for our
Stamporee Project!
We have a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Koinonia Cafe for anyone
who would like to be hostess for a monthly meeting, and also where you can
sign up for a topic to present at our meetings!
Have a great fall, with cooler temperatures, hopefully! God's Blessings!
LOLLC LADIES – KINDRED SISTERS
Monthly Meeting – 1st Tuesday Morning
Upcoming Opportunities
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
10:30 am - Cafe
Program: Bible Study
By: Pastor Skip
Bring a Sack Lunch
Drinks & Dessert Furnished
Next Kindred Sisters Meeting:
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
10:30 am - Café
Program: TBA
Please Sign Up on the 2017 Program -
Dessert Hostess Chart
Bring your saved cancelled postage stamps For LWR Stamporee Box
Questions: Joanne Forseth – 512-986-7387
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Sep 4 Labor Day / Office Closed Sep 5 Kindred Sisters Sep 9 Men’s Breakfast Sept 9 Youth Mini Lock-In Sep 10 Celebration Sunday/ Friend & Family Day/LOLLC 21st Anniversary Sept 17 Baptism Festivals/Holy Cross Day Sept 23 Habitat for Humanity
PRAYER & HEALING SERVICE The Worship Team was recently asked to look into holding Healing Services. We’ve received this request several times over the years and decided to move forward. Since this is a new type of service at Lord of Life, we wanted to give an explanation for why this is a part of our Christian life. The ELW hymnal includes a service for Healing. Quoting from the ELW: “Here all who sense the need for God’s healing in any aspect of their lives may join in prayer for others and themselves. Here each person may come to receive a word of blessing and prayer. Here each one may also receive a physical gesture of healing: the laying on of hands, which may be accompanied by anointing with oil. These signs, first given in baptism, tell us again that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked forever with the cross of Christ, who is health and salvation for the whole world. In its ministry of healing, the church does not replace the gifts of God that come through the scientific community nor does it promise a cure. Rather, the church offers and celebrates gifts such as these: God’s presence with strength and comfort in time of suffering, God’s promise of wholeness and peace, and God’s love embodied in the community of faith.” We will hold Healing Services quarterly – in January, April, July, and October – on the 3rd Sunday of the month either at 12:30 or 6:00. We will add a fellowship opportunity before or after all services. The services will be from Holden Prayers around the Cross. In response to our survey, January and July will be at 12:30; April and October will be at 6:00. Our first service will be held on Sunday, October 15 at 6:00 PM. We hope you will be able to join us and participate in this special service. If you have any questions, please contact Deb Grunska.
Austin Habitat for Humanity 2017!
Saturday, September 23rd is Lord of Life day
for Habitat for Humanity!
This year the Habitat for Humanity
assignment will be a repair project. Your
help is needed to assist with this endeavor.
All repairs are on the outside of the home and
will include a variety of projects. No prior
construction experience is required and you do
not have to be a member of LOL. Please ask
your friends and family members to join.
Please visit the Habitat website www.thrivent.austinhabitat.volunteerhub.com to sign up and take the
safety quiz. A signup sheet will also be available at Lord of Life.
We work rain or shine! If weather conditions are extreme or unsafe, we will notify you the morning of your
volunteer day and you must be 18 years old to participate. Lunch will be provided by Lord of Life.
Page 7 Volume No. 0917
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We are celebrating Our 12th annual Harvest Festival and Craft show at Lord of Life Lutheran Church on Saturday, November 11
th, from 9:00 am-3:00 pm.
We will have lots of kids’ crafts, bake sales, entertainment, silent auctions, raffles, and of course craft vendors! Entrance to the Harvest Festival is FREE and a perfect time to purchase those one of a kind Christmas gifts! We will also be looking for volunteers for baked goods donations, setting up, clean up, running our raffle & bake sale booths, greeting people, helping in the cafe, and MORE! Please check in the Welcome Center for sign up sheets. If you are a vendor and would like to register online or download our application please go to: http://www.lordoflifeaustin.org/event-items/harvest-festival-2017/ We accept vendor booth payments in cash, checks or credit card via Square in the church office. You may also pay via PayPal from the webpage! If you have any questions please contact Katie Reidy at [email protected] Also, please “Like” Our Facebook page!
Page 9 Volume No. 0917
HURRICANE HARVEY - The destruction is enormous. We are called to respond. There are many agencies that are responding to the disaster. An online search of “Hurricane Harvey Relief” will turn up many opportunities. Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) has a focus ministry in this direction (http://www.elca.org/). The overhead costs of LDR are funded by the benevolence offerings of ELCA congregations, so gifts to LDR will go 100% to disaster relief. Blood donations are also needed and encouraged. If you wish to donate funds through Lord of Life, separate collections will be made on Sept 3 and Sept 10 – cash or checks. Please make checks out to Lord of Life and mark “Hurricane Relief” in the memo line. These funds will be sent to LDR.
Page 10 Life-Lines
Dear Pastor Skip, Brother Fink and the
Missions Team at LoLLC,
Greetings in Jesus' name!
I thank and praise God for the wonderful
and God glorifying ministry I had in India
in June / July 2017.
I had the privilege of strengthening and
training 480 rural Pastors and leaders in
ten different locations. We fed all the
participants in all the ten places, and gave
them traveling allowances.
I had the privilege of strengthening two
rural churches by conducting church wide
retreats for them, and we also fed both
churches.
I also ministered at ten different churches
and three home meetings.
I came back rejoicing and thanking God
for His faithfulness, in spite of the many
challenges that I had to face in my travel,
ministry, stay, security and health.
Thank you all for your prayers and for
your financial support. May the Lord
bless you all accordingly.
I am attaching a few pictures.
Blessings and more blessings,
Rev Noah
Page 11 Volume No. 0917
LOLLC supported
Pastor Noah on this
Ministry effort with
$469 in Noisy
O f f e r i n g a n d
matching gift from
Evangelism and
Outreach Ministry.
SAVE-THE-DATES
Oct 3 Kindred Sisters Oct 14 Men’s Breakfast Oct 14 Davis Springs Garage Sale Oct 15 Healing Service Oct 29 Reformation Sunday Oct 29 Trunk or Treat Nov 5 All Saint’s Day/Baptism Festivals Nov 11 Harvest Fest & Craft Show
LORD OF LIFE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
August 17, 2017 6:30pm
In attendance: Mark Waggoner, John Duarte, Carol Gaskamp, Dave Smith, Randi Ladolcetta, Pastor Skip
Guest: Deb Grunska (from 7:30-8pm)
Call to order and opening prayer – President John Duarte 6:27
Devotional – John Duarte - A Prayer for Unity in Our Nation
Review of Previous Meeting’s Minutes
Approved as distributed
Dwelling in the Word: Matthew 15:21-28
Was Jesus prejudice against the Canaanite woman?
She broke all the barriers
Jesus looked down on her and compared her to dogs
Our current climate is a time for our church to step up
Discerning Prayer
Where is LOLLC to be in Five Years?
What will LOLLC look like in Five Years?
How do we get there?
Special Order – Deb Grunska – Archives
Deb will be passing off her duty as Archivist.
She recommends Kelley for the job, with the stipulation that we raise her hours by 30/year to accommodate the new role, and increase
her salary by at least $1
Deb also mentioned that we are adding healing services and should raise David Pencil’s salary by at least $560 to accommodate these
new services. This would be in addition to any raise received for 2018
Old business
Communication Cluster Groups
Dave has a meeting on Sunday and will give an update next month
RRISD Community Workshop
The waiver for liability was sent to them and they will have it signed and returned to the office on the first day (August 22)
New Business
LOLLC Assistance to local families
Needs to be brought to Evangelism and Outreach
In regards to Christmas gifts, we should allow parents the opportunity to give the children the gifts
Dave will bring this idea to Evangelism and Outreach
Ministry of Finance Meeting Report
Mark and John when to the Finance meeting to discuss our reasons for wanting information on a loan. We need the
information to begin preparing for where LOLLC will be in five or more years.
Ministry Team Job Descriptions
Randi is working to put together statements regarding what each ministry does, and what events/activities fall
under each ministry.
Randi will send an email to the ministry leads
Master Plan for Church Property
Dave will follow up with Gene
regarding a possible aerial shot
of the property
Where, What, How from discerning prayer
Pastor has requested all council
members to write out our
thoughts on these questions
What the mission, ministry, and
demographics will look like in
five years, as well as how we
get to that point
Closing Prayer - Pastor Skip
Adjournment – 9:40pm
Sunday Worship Attendance
08/06/2017 44
08/13/2017 75 08/20/2017 72
08/27/2017 63
Weekly Average: 64
YTD Total 3215
YTD Weekly Avg 80
FINANCE STATEMENT:
Financials Pending
Page 12 Life-Lines
Worship Leaders for September 2017
September 3, 2017 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: Lloyd Haskins (1); John Paul Crawford (2)
Lector: Nell Pennington (1); John Duarte (2) Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi (1); Chuck Neeley (2)
Communion Assistant: (1); Mike & Pam Kamensky (2)
Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert, Gary Parsons, Mike Brown, Fred Grampp (1);
Brad, Denise & Bryce Sheehan, Dave Smith (2)
Altar Guild: Lyn Caldwell (1); Deb Grunska (2) Acolyte: (2)
Tellers: Carol Gaskamp & Mindy Penland Cantor: (1)
Flowers: Children’s Time: Wendy Waggoner
September 10, 2017 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: Marilee Parsons (1): John Paul Crawford (2)
Lector: Donna Hagens (1); David Ladolcetta (2) Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi (1); (2)
Communion Assistant: (1); Carol Alessi & Dorothy Crawford (2)
Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert, Gary Parsons, Mike Brown, Fred Grampp (1);
Gene & Riley Kaloustian, Mark Waggoner, Dave Smith (2)
Altar Guild: Deanna Brown(1); Chuck Neeley (2) Acolyte: (2)
Tellers: Carol Gaskamp & Mindy Penland Cantor: (1)
Flowers: Donna & Dianna Hagens, in memory of our father, Wilbert Hagens Children’s Time: John Paul Crawford
September 17, 2017 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: Lloyd Haskins (1); Dick Fink (2)
Lector: Marge Kretschmar (1); Mike Kamensky (2) Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi (1); Dick Fink (2)
Communion Assistant: (1); Denise Sheehan (2)
Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert, Gary Parsons, Mike Brown, Fred Grampp (1);
Dave, Erica, Chapin & Luke Smith (2)
Altar Guild: Diane Smith (1); Kori Weston (2) Acolyte: Mark Weston (2)
Tellers: Carol Gaskamp & Mindy Penland Cantor: (1)
Flowers: Nick & Barb Ferriola, celebrating Alan Sisco’s birthday Children’s Time: Felicia Wachsmann
September 24, 2017 Color: Green
Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: Marilee Parsons (1); Dustin Simpson (2)
Lector: Carol Gaskamp (1); Dick Fink (2) Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi (1); Bryce Sheehan (2)
Communion Assistant: (1): Carol Alessi (2)
Ushers: Doug Caldwell, Bill Saegert, Gary Parsons, Mike Brown, Fred Grampp (1);
Dustin, Dax & Dakota Simpson, Mike Kamensky (2)
Altar Guild: Lyn Caldwell (1); Dick Fink (2) Acolyte: (2)
Tellers: Carol Gaskamp & Mindy Penland Cantor: (1)
Flowers: Pr. Skip & Felicia Wachsmann, celebrating 21st anniversary Children’s Time: Dave Smith
Page 13 Volume No. 0917
September 2017
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
9a RRISD Pgm
2
3
8:15a Early Worship
9:30a Sunday Educ
10:45a Late Worship
6p Troop 150 Cmt
Mtg
4
Labor Day
Office Closed
7p Troop 150
Mtg
7p Education
Mtg
5 LOLKDO 1st Day
9a RRISD Pgm
(field trip)
10a Kindred
Sisters
6:30p Bible Study
6
9a RRISD Pgm
11a Pray for Min
6:30p Praise
7:30p Vocal
7
9a RRISD Pgm
6:30p Pack 150
Mtg
7p Property Mtg
8
9a RRISD Pgm
9
8a Men’s
Breakfast
5p Youth Mini
Lock-In
10 Celebration Sunday
Friend & Family Day
LOLLC 21st Anniv
8:15a Early Worship
9:30a Sunday Educ
10:45a Late Worship
12:15p Worship Mtg
12:30p Confirmation
11
9a RRISD Pgm
7p Finance Mtg
7p Troop 150
Mtg
12
9a RRISD Pgm
6:30p Bible Study
13
9a RRISD Pgm
6:30p Praise
7:30p Vocal
14
9a RRISD Pgm 10a Women’s Bible
Study (off-site)
15
9a RRISD Pgm
16
17
Holy Cross Day
Baptism Festivals
8:15a Early Worship
9:30a Sunday Educ
10:45a Late Worship
12:30p Confirmation
18
9a RRISD Pgm
6:30p Evang &
Outreach Mtg
7p Troop 150
Mtg
19
9a RRISD Pgm
6:30p Bible Study
6:30p TIFA Mtg
20
9a RRISD Pgm
11a Pray for Min
6:30p Praise
7:30p Vocal
21
9a RRISD Pgm 10a Women’s Bible
Study (off-site)
6:30p Council Mtg
6:30p Pack 1502
Mtg
22
9a RRISD Pgm
23
8a Habitat for
Humanity
24
8:15a Early Worship
9:30a Sunday Educ
10:45a Late Worship
12:30p Confirmation
25
9a RRISD Pgm
7p Troop 150
Mtg
26
9a RRISD Pgm
6:30p Bible Study
27
9a RRISD Pgm
6:30p Praise
7:30p Vocal
28
9a RRISD Pgm 10a Women’s Bible
Study (off-site)
7p Stephen
Ministers Mtg
7p Pack 1501 Cmt
Mtg
29
9a RRISD Pgm
30
Page 14 Volume No. 0917