What Can I Do?

Feeling sidelined by the “stay at home” precautions? Here are ways to actively exercise your faith in the midst of the pandemic.

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BABY NIKO IS ON HIS WAY!
Danny and Kristin Reyes are expecting a new arrival May 19th, and it would be awesome for us to rally around them and big brother Vinny as Baby Niko make’s his debut. Click the icon above or here to participate in their baby registry. Given the extenuating circumstances that COVID-19 and life have presented them, your consideration of cash gifts would be helpful for typical household expenses.

GIVING BEYOND
”As a community of faith, we have witnessed God’s provision for us in times of difficulty. Corporately and individually we have countless stories that contribute to the stream of praise that we give to Him in celebration of His faithfulness. We know that right now many of us are going through difficulties and trials but based on the past we know that God is going to take us Beyond today’s struggles. As He was with Israel in the desert, so He is with us now. By His Spirit of generosity, He is preparing for us to meet the needs of the future that lay beyond right now. As a community of faith, we want to be able to help with the needs that we know will arise. That’s why we are asking for you to reflect on what God has done in the past and prayerfully consider a gift that is beyond what you would normally give. God is the ultimate provider for our needs, but He works through the generous Spirit of His disciples to meet the needs of His church.” --Kevin Wells, Senior Pastor

Giving Beyond what you have given before will empower our church to care for the extraordinary needs of our community and the ministry opportunities that arise in the midst of the pandemic, and inevitably in its aftermath. You can contribute through Text-to-Give right now.

Text-to-Give:
• Step One: Text the amount you want to give [dollar sign ($) isn't necessary], one space and the word "beyond" to (833) 956-8246.
• Step Two: You will receive a text back with a link to enter in your information, address and credit card information. Text-to-give exclusively uses credit card transactions; Our apologies, no debit cards.
• Step Three: It will confirm the amount you are giving. Then hit "process.” Following, you should receive a confirmation/appreciation text.

Give Online or by App:
You can also participate in Giving Beyond, by contributing to “Local Budget” through our online portal or our giving app (iOS Store or Google Play).

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REVIVE CARES: ADOPT-A-MEMBER
In good times and bad times, we are still one big church family. Our current times can be particularly isolating for our members who are among the more vulnerable and may already be shut-in, elderly or disabled.

If you would like to commit to checking-in on an elderly member who may be experiencing hardship or vulnerability during this time, please sign-up. Once you are signed up, we will pair you with a church member who may be experiencing difficulty and/or may just need to hear a friendly voice. Click the above icon or here to adopt-a-member.

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CONNECT CHALLENGE
Reach out via text or phone to at least 2 members of our church family! Ask them how they're doing! Share something that's encouraged you this week. Pray for them.

We want to make sure no one feels isolated or lonely during this time of social distancing! That's why we want you to take part in the Connect Challenge, which encourages everyone to do something each week to connect (virtually) with others in our church, neighborhoods, and larger community. Let's make sure that no one misses out on the grace of God during this stressful time.

Help us stay in touch with who you touch. Fill out our challenge page with who you contacted and how so we can keep our contact records up to date. Start today, and be sure to fill out the form with each connection!

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REVIVE COMMUNITY CARE
DRIVE-THRU FOOD PANTRY

Our REVIVE Community Care Food Pantry has adapted into a “no-contact, drive-thru” format due to county and state guidelines during the pandemic.

The pantry drive-thru takes place twice a month on Wednesdays where volunteers will help: greet and register clients, load food supply bags into vehicles/trunks, and organize food stuffs. Additionally, volunteers are needed the previous Tuesdays to load out food from Tarrant County Food Bank, load in to our Food Pantry, then sort and organize the food supply bags. To share the load of work, volunteers are needed to serve in shifts on those days. If you would like to volunteer, click here.

REVIVE Community Care is currently looking for more food pantry volunteers! Due to local and state COVID-19 precautions, we are only allowing a team of ten to volunteer at one time. However, in an effort to decrease the work-load for our all our volunteers, we are adding new shifts to our current operations. Click the above icon or here to sign up as a food pantry volunteer.

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WHEN YOU GIVE MINISTRY HAPPENS
Thank you so much for your generosity to our church! Your financial support, volunteer service, and active involvement make ministry thrive. Even though our in-person services are suspended, ministry continues as the needs of our community grow. We encourage you to automate your tax-deductible contributions through our online giving platform. Click the above icon or here to give online.

New App! A new giving app is also available if you prefer to use your phone. The app can be downloaded through the iOS Store or through the Google Play Store. A video tutorial is available for how to use either the online platform or the new app. Click here for the tutorial.

For specifics about how your generosity is impacting Younger Generation Church’s ministry during the pandemic, click here.

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MAKING THE MOST OF THIS TIME
Did you know that Isaac Newton was a college student during the Great Plague of London in 1665? Although it would take another 200 years for doctors to understand what caused the sickness, folks had enough sense to send students home to practice social-distancing.

Back in London, a fourth of the population would die of the plague between 1665-1666. It was one of many outbreaks during the 400 years that the Black Plague ravaged Europe.

Isaac Newton returned to Cambridge in 1667 with his theories in hand. Within six months, he was made a fellow. Two years later, he became a professor—not bad for a man in his twenties. We have all been improved by his time alone during a pandemic. . .

Because Isaac Newton couldn’t stay busy with his normal work that he made some of his most important discoveries. A big interruption became a big introduction to discoveries and advantages. But he had to choose to make his problem a possibility, to make his obstacles opportunities. He had to invest his time, not waste it. The stumbling block to his education became a steppingstone for new learning.

So, how did he turn life in his favor?

1. He had time and solitude to muse and to create.
I think most people run from solitude. We are conditioned to put our earplugs in and make noise. Turn the radio on. Drown out the boredom. While there’s nothing wrong with this, it frequently prevents original thinking. Neuroscientists tell us that it’s during times of boredom our brains develop empathy and creativity. Fortunately, Isaac Newton had no video games or television with which to squander his time. When nothing and no one consumed his time, he had the time to imagine and come up with some timeless ideas.

2. He had ownership of his day to pursue what interested him.
When no one is around to tell us what to do, we ought to experience our greatest moments. We own those moments. Isaac Newton pursued the things he wanted when he wanted. He didn’t squander his freedom. I’m sure he took time for fun, but his tasks were fun because he was in charge of them. Call it metacognition. Ownership creates initiative. Good things can happen when we have autonomy—we can master a passion.

3. He had margin to observe and to experiment.
A college student’s life is usually full. A combination of classes, clubs, studies, and sports leaves little margin in the week. Newton’s life came to a halt, just like yours and mine, during the pandemic. He leveraged his days experimenting with light, exploring mathematical equations, and writing new theories about how the world works. And it paid off. With brain bandwidth to observe and investigate, he was promoted twice in three years.

Today, I am so grateful Isaac Newton had some spare time. What will you do with yours? —Tim Elmore

Click here for the complete blog feature by Dr. Tim Elmore of Growing Leaders.

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SHARE EASTER 2020: BROKEN TO PEACE
In the final days of Christ Jesus we find astounding images of brokenness. We discover not only that He can empathize with our plight, but He would also make a breakthrough on behalf of all humankind. Experience our virtual celebration of Christ Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection in four continuous, yet unique, expressions; Including an online celebration of the ordinance of humility and communion. Share this unique worship experience with others. Click here or the above icon for the Vimeo showcase of these worship experiences.

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FOCUS ON JESUS: LORD OF ALL
In this season, let us intentionally glorify Christ Jesus in all circumstances. Now through eternity, may we find our focus centered on the "Lord of All."

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LORD OF ALL

In the fire, in the flood
Through the need and through enough
We say Jesus, You are Lord of all
In the light, in the dark
With our lips and with our hearts
We say Jesus, You are Lord of all

Ever faithful, ever true
Ever sure to see us through
We surrender all to you
We say Jesus, You are Lord of all

In the sun, in the rain
Through the joy and through the pain
We say Jesus, You are Lord of all
In the calm, in the storm
When we sing and when we mourn
We say Jesus, You are Lord of all

Ever faithful, ever true
Ever sure to see us through
We surrender all to you
We say Jesus, You are Lord of all

In our doubt and belief
When we cannot hear or see
We say Jesus, You are Lord of all
And in life, until death
May we use our every breath
Saying Jesus, You are Lord of all

Ever faithful, ever true
Ever sure to see us through
We surrender all to you
We say Jesus, You are Lord of all

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Previous initiatives at Younger Generation Church…

GIL FAMILY GROWS
Baby Gil #2 will be here any day now! We have started a gift card meal train, because of COVID-19, and we hope that you will be able to support this precious family in this way. Please click the icon above or here to check out the mealtrain sign up. Please help us share some love, spread the word, and care for the Gil family. Thank you in advance. —Hayley Proctor #showthegilssomelove

EMERGENCY BLOOD DRIVE • Saturday, April 18 • 10:00AM - 2:00PM [CDT]
Due to COVID-19, blood donations are down by 50% if not more. Giving blood is an essential service and is still very safe to do. Carter BloodCare's mobile unit will be at our church campus on April 18, 2020 from 10AM to 2PM. Appointments are necessary given pandemic precautions; No walk ups please. Click the above icon or here to make an appointment to give life-saving blood.