Coronavirus
Message from Pastor Ruben
Our "New Normal" was my sermon topic last week, but unfortunately many could not hear it due to some audio issues we were experiencing. It seems our amazing team has resolved those issues, and our Facebook Live this Sunday should be much better!
Presently, due to the COVID-19, our new normal includes:
- Social distancing
- Constantly washing our hands
- Empty store shelves and long lines to get toilet paper
- Hand sanitizers
- Living in quarantine
- Flattening the curve
- Rationing
- Isolation
...these are just a few things we are all dealing with; but be encouraged! Here is a scripture I want you to read and process in this "New Normal":
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
So do not worry, but instead be thankful in every situation! Turn to God and God will show you the way!
Which then brings up the question "Why?"
2 Chronicles 20:15b reminds us... "For the battle is not yours, but God's."
God knows your every care. God knows the demands of this day. God is even aware to the added burdens tomorrow will bring. Remember that God never intended for you to carry even one day's burden alone, but He is available to share and sometimes even bear your load. Remember to pray rather than to worry. Replace your anxiety with faith.
Author William A. Ward once wrote:
"Worry is faith in the negative, trust in the unpleasant, assurance of disaster and belief in defeat." He also said, "Worry is wasting today's time to clutter up tomorrow's opportunities with yesterday's troubles."
Just know that our church thinks about each one of you. We pray for your peace, isolation, health, finances, worry, and sanity during these challenging times.
Here are some additional updates I would like to share with you:
OUR NEW "WORSHIP" NORMAL
We went Live with our worship service last Sunday but as you know, ran into some technical issues. We believe those issues have been fixed so we should have no problems this Sunday, March 29th. We will have our regular Sunday 9AM service and another service at 11AM. I hope you can join us Live on FACEBOOK or later you can visit our Messages page and watch the service on your own time through our YouTube channel.
A few words of advice to make this worship experience special:
- Treat it as sacred time. Set aside about 45 minutes, hopefully at your regular worship time. Turn off your phone and any other distractions.
- Become familiar with the words of the songs we are using prior to viewing the service. You will see them listed on Facebook and below.
- Have your bible by your side.
- Send us your prayer via our Request Prayer page so that I can read them Live.
- Remember "Who" we are worshiping not "how, where or when."
- Invite your family to be with you.
Unfortunately, I do not believe we will have our regularly scheduled Holy Week services this year, but that does not mean we cannot celebrate one of the most important "Holy days" of the Christian Church. Actually, we might better understand the meaning of Easter after we come through this crisis.
Where once we were believed to be "lifeless", now there is life in us and we are alive and flourishing because of Jesus! Easter season is a reminder that not everything has to be perfect for us to celebrate that Jesus is alive. Though we may be going through hardship, it will not last. In the words of Tony Compolo, "We might be living in the pain of Good Friday, but Easter is coming." Jesus is alive and so is his Church!
Next week I will give you more details on how we can celebrate Easter a little different in 2020!
HOLY COMMUNION FOR NEXT WEEK
Next Sunday is the first Sunday of the month when we traditionally celebrate the Lord's Supper in communion with each other and Christians around the world. This year because of the COVID-19 virus, we are faced with obstacles on how to celebrate Communion. In conjunction with other United Methodist Churches, we are planning some unique ways to do Communion in our family units from our homes. Here are some articles from our Bishop Ken Carter that explains the challenges we are facing and what we need to do to faithfully celebrate Communion next week. I will give you more details in Next Saturday's e-blast.
Blog written by Bishop Carter:
https://www.flumc.org/blogdetail/653552
Finally, please join us this week as we focus on praying for Family & Neighbors. Our wonderful Prayer Team will be sharing with us a Prayer Calendar, which will be sent via e-blast (Sign-up to our Newsletter!) and posted on our website. Click Here to see the upcoming calendar.
Blessings,
Pastor Ruben Velasco
Remember you are not alone and together we will get through this.
I hope you can join us this Sunday in cyber worship on Facebook Live @ 9AM & 11AM! Know that you are not forgotten, you are loved, and you are a child of God. We might go through some hardship, but we will get through this. And maybe we will learn what really matters when this is over.
If you feel led and are able to give, you can mail us your offering to:
KENDALL UMC
7600 SW 104th ST.
PINECREST, FL 33156
Online giving is available through this website www.kendallchurch.org (go to main header and click on "Give Securely Online") or you can mail a check to Kendall United Methodist Church (Made out to "KUMC.")
Follow us on Instagram at @kendallumchurch.
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