WRCC Common Ground

November 2010

A Word from Our New Pastor,

Douglas Shaffer

I am excited to look forward to the future and see how God leads White Rock Community Church forward. We have been in transition and faced challenge...and God has led us through everything! Our community of faith is a testimony of God's sustaining power and grace.

November is the traditional time of year when we fill our hearts with gratitude, and this year we have much for which we should be grateful. November will also be a very busy time! We will be launching the ministry of our newly formed ministries, celebrating Thanksgiving dinner together, beginning to get ready for the season of Advent and Christmas, and much more. As I have been praying about all the things that we will be working together to honor God as we build community, I have been repeatedly impressed by the Spirit with the thought "Love comes first." Whatever undertake, the Love of God of God has to come first! In our prayerful planning we should invite God's love to saturate our hearts and motivate our actions. There is no point in doing anything unless our goal is love. Our attentions and efforts should always lead us to Love God, Love each other, and in that Love-serve the world. Let us not lose focus and drift off course, or find that our motivation comes any source other than God's Spirit. As we allow the Spirit to lead us, it will be easy for us to remember that above everything else; LOVE COMES FIRST! So let us begin this season of thanksgiving and this busy season within the life of our church with unity and confidence...knowing that love comes first.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

CHURCH WIDE THANKSGIVING POTLUCK

Sunday, November 21st

6:00pm in the Activity Center

turkey

Turkey, dressing, potatoes/gravy, coffee, tea and water will be provided. Please, bring side dishes and desserts to complete the meal.
If you would like to contribute to the turkey fund, or are willing to cook one of the turkeys, please help us in our planning by contacting Mary Marshall, administrative assistant at admin@whiterockchurch.org or call 214-320-0043.

FAST FIVE...presented by Shawn Casaba

Five questions highlighted in individual service to ministry

Humble Presence - Abundant Evangelism

Michael Felan is a program specialist in Community Preparedness Section of Texas Department of State Health Services - Health Service Region 2/3 covering 49 counties. The section is responsible for Epidemiology, Disease Outbreak Investigation and Mitigation, Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response. Michael started attending White Rock in 2008 and became a member in March of this year. He jumped right into ministry; most recently hosting a One Anothering Group at his home. He participates in Wednesday Night Bible Studies, currently serves as Secretary of our Worship Team, helps with Angel Food Ministries, and with Friends on several occasions.

1. How long has Jesus been in your life?

" Jesus has been a life long companion. My parents introduced us to the loving and saving grace of God at an early age. They involved us in the Church, and into bible study throughout our lives. I was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Edinburg,Texas; raised in St. James and Our Lady of Guadaluoe parishes in Bay City Michigan - was part of the Charasmatic Community of the Word of God in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Although our family is Catholic we were always taught to embrace all Christian Churches - as my parents would say we are all part of the same family - the bible studies in our home often included other faith backgrounds."

2. How did you find White Rock?

"Hillary Clinton introduced me to WRCC...now that I have your attention - Maxx Nunez and I were Clinton delegates to the Precinct and Senatorial conventions. It was there that Maxx invited me to WRCC for the Easter Play in 2008 (the week after Easter Sunday). I went and saw that the Spirit was at work at WRCC. I was blessed profoundly by the play...its simplicity, its holiness...I can still see Peter being tortured by his denial of Jesus..."

3. What moves to you serve in ministry?

"The simple act of being asked is what has led to my participation in church activities. I was invited to help out with Angel Food Ministries, I was invited to help with a mission project at Legacy Founders Cottage, I was invited to help at Friends, I was invited to join the Worship Committee...the only gift I bring is the gift of saying yes...I leave it to God to fill in the gaps and to bless those whom my ministry may touch."

4. Who at White Rock has helped you in your spiritual journey?

" My spiritual journey has been blessed by the entire White Rock family...Pastors, Deacons, members and visitors. I have enjoyed the times that I have been challenged to growth, affirmed in faith and blessed by service. The Bible Study on the Holy Spirit continues to spur me on to growth. A small Christmas gift received from one who received an Angel Ministries box still swings on my car mirror reminding me of the call to service and constant prayer. The blessing of the choir calling me to praise and worship God. Church at White Rock is not just a Sunday thing...it is a 24/7/365 way of living...walking with and trusting in God - even during our stressful and dark times...God and WRCC in his Holy Name are always there with arms wide open."

5. What keeps you coming back to White Rock?

"GOD! WRCC is a God thing consistenly calling me to live out the great commandments - love of God, love of neighbor. I am challenged to grow in faith through prayer, study and action. I am called to move from pews to shoes. I firmly believe that as a communituy church God has called us to be a strong witness of his love to the WRCC family, to the larger neighborhood, and to the greater fellowship of believers and non-believers. I find this an EXCITING time at WRCC - we are truly part of God's saving plan for all whom we touch...we are truly sent to bring the Good News to everyone and to remind them that God's kingdom is come! May you be blessed by God the Father who created you, God the Son who redeemed you and God the Spirit who sanctifies you! Alleluia!!!"

Black Tie Dinner

The 29th annual DFW Black Tie Dinner is on November 6th at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Dallas!

AND

WRCC Friends is looking for people to volunteer at the Black Tie. Help is needed November 5, 6, and 7th. Volunteer hours help WRCC Friends. All volunteer hours YOU can provide means more MONEY coming back to benefit White Rock Friends!

There are still some tickets available. As one of the beneficiaries we need to fill 5 tables. Contact Pastor Douglas or Ken Sullivan for details!

Additionally, we need to sell tickets to the raffle of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sports Sedan. If you would like to purchase a $100.00 ticket for the raffles please see Ken Sullivan or Daniel Montelongo.

Planning Ahead...

Mark your calendars and plan on joining us for our ADVENTures series beginning November 28th. The "Morning Movies" will include the documentray series by author Lee Strobel, The Case for Faith, The Case for Christ, and The Case for the Creator will be shown. These fact-filled perspectives of important issues will broaden your understanding of important issues. Plan to have your theological understanding expanded through this opportunity. If someone is interested in assisting with this ministry by helping set-up and popping the popcorn, please e-mail the Pastor at douglas@whiterockchurch.org to become a part of the planning team.

Sermon Notes...

If God has been speaking to you through the message given on Sunday, October 17th, and you would like a small three-ringed binder for your sermon notes, there are plenty of binders available in the parlor. Also, green sheets for sermon notes are now available at the back of the sanctuary and in the parlor to aid in your engagement and retention of Sunday sermons. If you wonder what we are talking about, be watching for the sermon to be posted on the website soon! Join us in our journey as Theologians...

Calling all Schedules!

To increase our communication and effectiveness with all aspects of ministry on Sundays, we need all existing schedules for security, offering counters, ushers, Sunday School teachers, Deacons, Scripture readers, and EVERYONE else. Please submit them to Mary as soon as they become available so they can be consolidated into one tool for ministry.

November Zoo Outing

On Saturday, November 13, 2010, the Children's Classes and Guests will be visiting the Dallas Zoo. We are inviting all children with their parents, children's friends, the Church , and other guests to join in this fun and fellowship. In order to avoid an entrance fee, we will be doing a good deed at the same time by joining in the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Dallas Chapter Memory Walk. The mission of the Alzheimer's Association is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The walk will be 1.5 - 3 miles .We will be walking with Pastor Viv's group, Team VITAS, a part of VITAS Innovative Hospice Care. We will meet Team VITAS at the elephant statues in the parking lot. Each participant (or parent/guardian registering for a child) must register by individually going online to http://memorywalk2010.kintera.org/dallas/vitas. Please be sure to show that each participant is part of Team VITAS. Donations are optional. There will be a signup sheet outside the children's classrooms in the basement. Each participant should bring a sack lunch, and the Education Committee will provide drinks. We encourage parents or guardians to join us; but if any child will be attending without a parent or guardian, please see a Children's Teacher/Education Committee Member to obtain a permission slip. Again, we encourage visitors from outside our Church Family as part of our outreach. If anyone needs assistance registering, please contact James Parker at 469-371-6677.

Hospitality Opportunity!

We will be developing a schedule of members to minister each Sunday morning by serving as Hosts and Hostesses for coffee hour before church. For you early risers, here is your chance to extend hospitality by arriving early, helping to set-up coffee and treats, and remaining in the parlor to welcome visitors and direct them to Bible Studies and Chilren;s classes. We will create a rotation schedule so no one will be burdened by doing it all. Tom Scott has faithfully served in this ministry alone for years---lets work with him to extend our White Rock welcome to the Glory of God.

Our Very Own

"Greater love has no one than this, that they lay down their life for their friends." - John 15:13

Many of you have approached Deni and I with an interest in sending care packages or notes to Trevor as he serves in Afghanistan. His unit, the 3/5 or Dark Horse, took over responsibility for the Sangin area of Helmand Province about two weeks ago. In that time they have suffered record losses. Nine men from their unit died in their first week, many were wounded, including Trevor. His wounds are not severe and he is returning to the field, but he is returning without two of his closest friends. One died right next to him and another was critically wounded and was evacuated to Germany. They are on track for this to be the deadliest month ever in this war.

The faith that was instilled in Trevor as he grew up in this church is with him today. He believes angels have been surrounding him and keeping him safe. Anything we can send will help these young men know we are thinking of them and that they are loved and not forgotten during the holidays. Trevor will be sharing anything he receives with his squad of 12.

Family and friends have just one month to get those holiday care packages mailed out to ensure they reach deployed service members before Christmas. According to the U.S. Postal Service, Nov. 12 is the recommended deadline for packages addressed to APO (Army/Air Force Post Office) FPO (Fleet Post Office) ZIP codes, if those packages are sent by regular mail, or parcel post. The deadline extends to Dec. 4 for packages sent by priority mail to APO addresses in contingency areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and Dec. 11 for all other APO addresses. First-class mail cards and letters must be sent no later than Dec. 18 to be received by Dec. 25. Care packages and letters must be addressed to a specific service member.

Care Package Suggestions:

· If it puts a smile on your face, it will probably put a smile on their face.

· Halloween masks or even Sponge Bob Square Pants playing cards can inject some unexpected whimsy into the tedium of deployed life.

· Small toys, such as hacky sacks or inexpensive hand-held games, are also well received.

· Individually wrapped mints and candies, and wrapped snacks like Rice Krispie treats, beef jerky or granola bars, are popular care package items.

· Chocolate items do not fare well in many deployed locations.

· Essentials that are needed are baby wipes, white tube socks, and protein (tuna in foil packs, power bars, jerky, disposable toothbrushes, small tubes of tooth paste, hand warmers, etc).

· Enclose snacks in resealable plastic bags rather than in the bulk store packaging they were sold in to maximize space in the care package.

· Do not pack personal items such as soaps or lotions in the same care packages as food items.

· Care packages should be packed snug to avoid damaging contents during shipping.

· Bagged snacks can be used to pad more fragile items, or a thin bubble wrap also works.

· The Post Office offers military flat-rate boxes at less cost than regular flat-rate packages, so long as the boxes do not bulge and do not exceed 70 pounds.

· The customs forms can be a challenge but be sure to do them properly so that the package does not end up getting returned.

· Include thank-you notes for service.

For shipping labels and cards and letters please see Deni or I.
Thank you,
Laura B. Doscher

Also note...There are two large Holiday Stockings in the Parlor that you are more than welcome to put items in for Holiday Care Packages that will be sent out.