Do Justice. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly.

One of my favorite scriptures in the whole Bible is one that I heard Nancy Ferrell read in deacons’ meeting years ago. The Prophet Micah succinctly captures what is, for me, the essence of the gospel:

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

I’d read that scripture before, of course, but for some reason on that Sunday morning all those years ago, hearing Nancy lend Micah her voice gave this passage new resonance for me. His admonition is so simple, yet so profound.

What exactly does it mean to “do justice?” If we were to ask 100 different Royal Laners, we’d likely get 100 different perspectives. So guess what? That’s exactly what we are going to do!

Royal Lane recently formed a Justice Team that is led by Karen Simmons, Cathy Walling, and myself. Our other members are Adam Simmons, Anna Lou Brown, Connie Bechtol, Doug Washington, Sandy Washington, Joey Belgard, Mike Gill, and Socorro Gonzalez. The deacon board and program council have authorized us to report to the missions division as a standing sub-committee.

The purpose we have created to guide our early efforts is this:

As faithful people, we are compelled to educate and organize our congregation to defend, stand with, and give hope to our neighbors who are hurt by destructive power and systemic prejudice, poverty, and marginalization.

The work that we undertake in fulfilling this purpose is yet to be defined. That will come after we have completed an intentional period of listening to the congregation to determine where our collective passion lies among the vast and various social justice issues that pervade our society.

Among the many questions we will be asking ourselves throughout this process are:

• How is social justice work different than missions work?

• Do Christ’s teachings call us to confront prejudice, poverty, and marginalization? If we agree that they do, what work is RLBC

uniquely gifted to undertake in doing so?

• Who are “the least of these” in our midst? Do we agree that all people should be treated with dignity and respect? Does

everyone deserve equality? If so, how can we stand together to defend, advocate for and give voice to people across the

cultural and economic divide, so that all stories are heard by those in positions of power?

• What resources are needed to educate our congregation about these issues? What organizations should we partner with to

help us do this?

• What systemic changes are required in our society if we are to treat our fellow citizens as Christ would have us to?

• How do we leverage our privilege as a resource?

The justice team is currently undertaking training to prepare ourselves for upcoming listening sessions that will be similar to those we did a couple of years ago during our intentional interim period that led us to call Mike Gregg as our pastor. It’s all about hearing each other’s stories and reaching consensus on what exactly it means at Royal Lane to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

We look forward to hearing from you. Stay tuned for details! Garland Hamic

The next issues of The Mosaic are scheduled for July 4* & 18, 2018. The deadline for submissions will be 5:00 p.m. Tuesday prior to the date of publication. *early deadline

October 2, 2012 The Mosaic Volume 27 Issue 18

Coming Events

Sunday June 24 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 9:30 am Donuts, Coffee/Juice — Family Hall 9:45 am Christian Education — Christian Education Classrooms & Portable 1 10:55 am Morning Worship — Sanctuary Wednesday June 27 5:30 pm Independence Day Picnic & Celebration — Family Hall & Church Grounds Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and all the trimmings, Cole Slaw, Potato Salad, Dessert Thursday June 28 6:30 pm Education Committee — Room 206 Sunday July 1 – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost 9:30 am Donuts, Coffee/Juice — Family Hall 9:45 am Christian Education — Christian Education Classrooms & Portable 1 10:55 am Morning Worship – Holy Communion offered — Sanctuary Monday July 2 5:00 pm Early deadline for The Mosaic Wednesday July 4 – Independence Day – Mosaic Church Office closed – No Wednesday Activities

The deadline for the order of service, the Midweek, and the Mosaic is Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. prior to publication.

“Like” RLBC on Facebook or “Follow” RLBC on Twitter

Missions Matters

Royal Lane has a long history of answering God’s call to love through service. “Missions Matters” will appear in the Mosaic on a regular basis. It will highlight our continuing commitment to missions and other matters where we reach out to the community. This will be a place where we will tell our stories and perhaps help you find what “matters” most to you.

North Dallas Shared Ministries

The baskets labeled ‘Gathering’ in the Narthex and outside Family Hall collect canned foods and baby items for clients of North Dallas Shared Ministries (NDSM). They have been a ministry partner of Royal Lane for many years.

“North Dallas Shared Ministries grew out of the frustration of five clergy with the inefficient and ineffective ways they were attempting to assist the needy who came to their churches for aid. These five visionaries knew that their individual charitable efforts weren’t sufficient and hoped that a cooperative approach would yield better results. So, in 1983, they formed an independent non-profit agency that would handle this fundamental aspect of their ministry.” Today there are 52 ministry partner churches from the North Dallas area.

With only 2 paid staff and 500 volunteers, NDSM runs a Medical Clinic, Dental Clinic, and Counseling Program. They provide emergency aid in the form of rent and utility help. They also provide assistance in applying for programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, assist with connecting to job training and placement, conduct ESL classes for adults, and run a food pantry and clothes closet. NDSM’S food pantry feeds 1000 people every week.

*In addition to baskets in the Narthex and outside Family Hall, there are now baskets in each Sunday School classroom. Donations can be made at any time during the month. We are currently collecting peanut butter (no glass containers) and canned/packaged tuna or chicken.

To discover more about the many ministries of NDSM, go to www.ndsm.org

Royal Lane Baptist Church

Emily Veninga

Daughter of Debi Veninga.

RLBC Independence Day Celebration! Wednesday June 27, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Join us for our annual Independence Day celebration. There will be a water slide for the kids and indoor games for the grownups.

Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served for dinner.

We will have our second annual homemade potato salad and coleslaw contest. Please bring your best recipe to share with everyone.

There are trophies for both categories!

Voting will be anonymous and the people will decide on the winner!

Also, there will be a very important kickball game between the youth and grownups, which this year will include baby pools because it will be terribly hot. A large beautiful

trophy and bragging rights are at stake, so come out and join us for this fantastic evening of fellowship!

Prayer Requests: Alyssa Aldape, friend of Mike Gregg Jackie Arnold, sister, and Dale & Cindy Boyd, friends of

Cathy Webb Connie Bechtol Jeane McRae Bishop and Marsha McRae on the death of

Jeane’s husband, Billy Gene Bishop Danny Cole, cousin, and Tommie Sue Fleming and Jerry

Kozak, friends of Karen Miller Paul & Stacey Duke, friends of Jack & Judy Mullinax Alice, friend of Sheryl Gambill & Tina Chapman Rusty Hatcher, son of Martha Hatcher William Henry, grandson of Jack Mullinax’ nephew,

Tommy Dot Johnson Cecily Knobler, friend of Melanie Ferguson & Liz Rowan Doug Leinneweber

Ruth May Forrest McKinney David Mesner, friend of Woody Weilage Matt Orwig William “Oz” Osborne Emily Patterson Kathy Peck, mother of Tonyia Dotson Gary Raiza, son, & Joan Wright, sister of Maebelle Raiza Jordan Weilage Jordan Weilage’s friends & family: Ann; Cynthia’s

boyfriend Steven Bouquet; Carol; Darron; Darron’s grandfather, step-father and mother; Jordan’s grandfather, Jim; Leslie, her father, Jerry, and brother-in-law, Larry; Mehran & his brothers, Shahin & Keyvan, sister, Ladah, & uncle, Massoud; Jon Rabbe; Robin; Steve

Byron Willey, cousin of Daryl Willey

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Please continue to pray for: Jerome Collins, friend of Mike Hurder; Robert Putman; Emelda Schultz, mother of Laurence Schultz;

Ron Sumter, father of Steve Sumter; Melissa Yale, friend of Ruth May

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Remember the homebound: Faye Laney; Norman Morris; Betty Renfroe; Libba Studdard; James C.

Walker

Thank You Note

First Baptist Church of San Antonio

acknowledges, with grateful appreciation, your gift in memory of

Bobby Greer

Your generosity benefits the Television Ministry.

Jane and family have been notified of your thoughtfulness.

(Note: Bobby Greer, father of Jonathan Greer)

Congratulations to Betty Garrett!

Betty has been selected by the Dallas Business Journal as one of the “Women in Business” to be honored for her contributions to the hospitality industry. There were over 400 applicants for this prestigious award. The awards luncheon will be Aug. 23rd at the Omni Hotel in Dallas. There are 5 women in the Hospitality category and she was one of them. There are 25 other women in business who will be also honored at this time, too. This is the 11th Annual Women in Business Awards and Trade Show hosted by the Dallas Business Journal. However, this is the 3rd year to honor Women in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality. It is sponsored by the University of Texas at Dallas, Naveen Jindal School of Management AND Visit Dallas (Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau). For listing of 2018 Women in Business Honorees and information about the Awards Luncheon, see: https://tinyurl.com/yat3x66t.

Midweek Menu

Wednesday, June 27 Hot Dogs & Hamburgers

and all the trimmings

Potato Salad & Coleslaw Brought by YOU!

Prizes for the best recipe!!!

Dessert

Deacons of the Week

June 24 David Doom [214] 662-1199

Martha Hatcher [214] 202-0349

July 1 Ray Cox [940] 395-9880

Jaime Clark-Soles [214] 738-8411

No Regular Wednesday Evening

Activities

June 27 or July 4 Join us June 27

for an Independence Day

Celebration 5:30 pm

me

Join us for a Fellowship Meal

at 5:30 pm.

Happy Birthday!

June Darrin Fleenor ......................................... 20

Addison Miller ........................................ 21

Christine Nicolette-Gonzalez .................. 24

Anne Sewell ............................................ 24

Ryan Page ................................................ 25

Steve Sumter ........................................... 25

Avery Michele Stewart ........................... 26

Leslie Cechan .......................................... 27

Phil Keith................................................. 27

Shelly Watts ............................................ 27

Jeffrey Hammett ...................................... 29

July Cara Mullinax ............................................ 1

Carlton Northrup ....................................... 1

Garey Wisdom .......................................... 3

In the Box-Hawkins Gallery

Grace Bohan

Gallery open by appointment 10-4, weekdays, 10-5 Wednesdays

Scriptures of the Week

June 24 1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49

Psalm 9:9-20 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Mark 4:35-41

July 1 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 Psalm 130 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Mark 5:21-43

To change mail or email preferences for The Mosaic, contact Barbara Merry, 214-361-2809, ext. 10 or bmerry@royallane.org.

Royal Lane Baptist Church

6707 Royal Lane Dallas, Texas 75230-4145

The Mosaic is published twice a month Royal Lane Baptist Church

6707 Royal Lane Office Hours: Dallas, TX 75230-4145 Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday Midweek: 6:15 pm Office: [214] 361-2809 Sunday School: 9:45 am Fax: [214] 361-2988 Sunday Worship: 10:55 am www.royallane.org

Rosa Barrientos, Housekeeping Tim Schaefer, Minister to Youth Michael Gregg, Pastor Janet Schultz, Administrative Assistant Michael Hurder, Facilities Manager Blake Vickrey, Sound Technician Laura Keller, Minister to Children Ray Vickrey, Pastor Emeritus Barbara Merry, Administrative Assistant David Weigle, Organist Samuel Quesada, Video Technician Harry Wooten, Minister of Music and Worship