Communion, Caring for our Community, Be Careful

Hi Renew Family-
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Please Be Careful.
I am sending you this message with a heavy heart.  My friend, Pastor Darren Bennett of Calvary Chapel N. Miami, just lost his brother to COVID-19.  He was a police officer in Broward County and went into the hospital earlier this week and died on Friday.  Please pray for Pastor Darren’s family. 
I also want you to pray for Domingo Montalbo.  He is part of my brother’s church in Texas and is in critical condition with COVID-19.
I cannot tell you enough to take this seriously.  We don’t have to live in fear through this pandemic… but we also should not act unwisely.  Take precautions.  Stay safe.  Stay home.  We had two “noncontact” outreaches planned this week that we just cancelled as we wanted to honor the Mayor’s orders and not put our people into any risk of contracting the virus.   
The verse we have been living by in this time is Psalm 46:1, “The Lord is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  Make sure that He is YOUR refuge and strength.  And remember that God is “ever-present” even in your trouble. 
 
Caring for our Community.
I just watched Pastor Ricardo’s bible lesson for RC Kids last night and it was so good!  We will be posting it to watch right after our online service.  It was a reminder that we can find our comfort zone in Jesus.  At the end of the message, Pastor Ricardo challenged our kids to make some posters letting healthcare workers know that we are praying for them.  If your family wants to get involved, grab a posterboard  (or any other cardboard) and have your kids help you make some signs thanking and encouraging all of our healthcare workers for their service. 
If your family makes one, reply to this email and we will figure out a way to get it from you to put at the hospital. 😊
 
Communion
Finally, let me remind you that tomorrow is first Sunday and we are going to receive communion together during the online service.  I encourage you to get prepared now.  I included a picture of the communion elements I found for tomorrow.  In this time of social distancing, its not important “what” you take… it’s the heart behind receiving the bread (body of Christ) and juice (His blood poured out for us).  So, go to your pantry and use whatever you have.  Even if you don’t have a juice… prepare your heart and receive communion during our time together. 
Church starts at 10:30am and we want you to be with us.  We will be showing through our website at www.renew.miami as well as on facebook.com/renewmiami  (Please share and invite someone to join you!)
I want you to know I love you and I am praying for you.  If there is anything I can do for you- please reach out to me or reply to this email.
We are in this together!
 
Pastor Treavor and Misty
www.renew.miami
Facebook.com/renewmiami
Instagram.com/renewmiami
 
PS  Join a ZOOM Small Group this week.  We are meeting Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays at 7:30pm.  Misfit Youth is meeting at 8pm.  Info and links can be found at www.renew.miami/small-groups