GEORGETOWN FCA’S 2ND ANNUAL UNITY BOWL OCT. 17
PICKING UP PICKLEBALL Page 10
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COMING TO JARRELL’S COUGAR PLAZA
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OCTOBER 3, 2014
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GeorgetownAdvocate @Advocate_TX
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Central Texas’ Source for Community News
CE LEBRATI ON C HUR CH : 1 4 Yea r s of Fa i th & G r o w t h
Faith Expanding Along IH-35
by Cathy Payne
I
t is Austin. While these three words might seem ambiguous to most, to Pastors Joe and Lori Champion they were a beacon to a path of faith and obedience. When this divine directive came to each of them practically simultaneously, yet separately, in 2000, the Louisiana natives both say they knew God had plans for them in Central Texas. Pastoring a church in Baton Rouge at the time, within four months the Champions sold their home, packed up their three young sons, moved to Williamson County, and left the rest of the details up to God.
“Jesus was always looking at his audience for ways to communicate to a particular culture; whether it was to a farmer or fisherman, he spoke their language to communicate an ancient gospel. We are absolutely ancient and grounded in the Scriptures, but the method and the style are different today.”
Pastor Joe Champion
Confident that the instruction hinged around starting a new church, the Champions rounded up a group of new neighbors, friends, and business associates, and on October 1, 2000, with an eager, yet fledgling, congreg tion of 54 (including more than a few of the Champions’ visiting family members) Celebration Church held its first service in
the Round Rock Library. Between 2000 and 2004, the setting moved from the library to a hotel, and then to a strip center. Finally, in 2005, through what can only be described as divine provision, the church was able to buy 110 acres along IH-35 in Georgetown and build a 60,000 square foot permanent home. More importantly however,
over the last 14 years, that faithful group of 54 has grown to over 3,000 members and 9,000 regular attendees. With four satellite campuses (including one in Xai-Xai, Mozambique, Africa) in addition to the main facility, Celebration Church is poised to take the next step in that journey that began with three little words. It is Austin, indeed. On October 1, 2014, after several years of planning, prayer and what Pastor Joe (as he is known to his congregation) describes as “intense negotiation” with city and county officials over develo ment regulations, Celebration See Celebration, page 9
SCHWERTNER ROUND-UP Page 7
ELECTION 2014 Page 13
On a beautiful fall evening, hundreds turn out to celebrate the first phase of Celebration Church’s 80,000 sq/ft expansion project “on the hill.”
ELVIS “LIVES” IN GEORGETOWN Page 6
PHOTO COURTESY OF CELEBRATION CHURCH
Jarrell and Sonterra Agree on De-annexation
by Mike Payne
J
arrell and Sonterra are bound together in many ways: children from both sides attend school together; the Jarrell Volunteer Fire Department will respond to an incident on either side of the road; many community and civic activities are conducted jointly. One critical way in which Sonterra and Jarrell are not connected, how-
ever, is governmentally. Residents who live in Sonterra are within the Sonterra Municipal Utility District (MUD), and as such, are governed by the laws of the MUD. Jarrell residents are governed by the incorporated rules of the City of Jarrell. A recent agreement between the two entities has led to confusion among local residents, some of whom inaccurately concluded that
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Sonterra had been annexed into the City of Jarrell. That is not the case. In actuality, the two governing bodies joined forces to solve a problem, and each walked away with a win. Approximately 14 months ago, Sonterra developer Andy Bilger began to configure a plan that would permit additional financing for infrastructure for the rapidlygrowing development. Bilger
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approached city officials, and together they formulated a plan to accomplish Bilger’s goal, while solving issues that needed to be addressed by both parties. What transpired, according to Jarrell Mayor-Elect Larry Bush, was a plan that would de-annex an undeveloped portion of land under the authority of Jarrell, transferring responsibility and See Sonterra, page 4
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CONSTRUCTIVE LEARNING AHEAD Children are a gift from God.
Psalm 127:3
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Central Texas Lake Levels Lake
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Travis
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Buchanan
36.0
Georgetown
53.6
Stillhouse Hollow
70.3
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