May 9, 2012
This Is Restoration
Unlike most suburban boys, Wylie White decided that instead of having a big birthday bash at Brunswick Zone, he wanted to invite his friends to celebrate his birthday at Feed My Starving Children. Wylie and his friends (along with the rest of the volunteers that day) packed enough food to fill 70 boxes of meals. This equals 15,120 meals that will feed 42 kids for one year! Not only that, but instead of accepting birthday gifts from his friends, he asked them to fill M&Ms tubes with quarters and the resulting $120 will be enough to feed one child for 16 months!
Wylie is building for the kingdom of God. He definitely lived out the verses we talked about last Sunday: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33) and “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Luke 12:33-34).
I think Jesus smiled on Wylie that day. Have you found freedom from money and material possessions? Do you have a story of generosity? We would love to hear it.
Talk to God about how you can be generous with your time, resources and love.
Have a God-filled week,
Pastor Rob
Family Meeting Summary
The links in the summary notes from the April 29 Family Meeting have been updated. If the links did not work for you last week, please click here to read the updated document.
Ministry Teams: Worship and Creative
Are you curious about how things get done at Restoration and who does everything? To help us all be familiar with how things run, we’ll highlight two ministry teams each Sunday and introduce their leaders.
This past Sunday, Carrie Harpell and Lezlie Steiner explained that the Hospitality & Connections Team’s purpose is to welcome people to Restoration, make them feel comfortable, and help them connect with others. Also, Eric Langmaack said that the vision of the Life Groups & Spiritual Formation Team is to encourage people’s spiritual growth and facilitate the formation and support of Life Groups at Restoration.
If you’d like to use your gifts and serve on either of these teams or would like more information about what these teams do, Carrie, Lezlie or Eric would really like to hear from you. Contact Carrie at CarrieHarpell@restorationcov.org or Lezlie at LezlieSteiner@restorationcov.org or Eric at EricLangmaack@restorationcov.org.
Food on the First
Thanks so much for your contributions for Food on the First this past Sunday. We were able to deliver 130 pounds of food and several gift cards to Westview Elementary School on Monday. Our donations always come at such a welcome time for them each month and the staff is always so grateful to our church family for giving help in such a meaningful way to their families in need. Please keep in mind that the next Food on the First is Sunday, June 3.
Ministry Center Progress
The electrical inspection is complete, the framing inspection is this Friday and the HVAC work is about 50% done. We have some specific needs for this next week so please click here to see the list. Contact Jon Boyum at 612-237-3762 or JonBoyum@restorationcov.org if you are interested in helping with any part of the remodel. Contact Carrie at CarrieBoyum@restorationcov.org if you are interested in donating to the project. The plan for the ministry center is to have offices and gathering spaces for weekly ministry opportunities. Hayes Community and Senior Center will continue to be our Sunday morning worship location.
Moving Furniture
The Parés have been kind enough to let Restoration use their garage to store office furniture but now they’re moving so it needs to get hauled over to the ministry center. We’re renting a truck and organizing teams for Sunday and Monday, May 20 and 21. If you have some time to help out, please contact Julie Nybakken at JulieNybakken@restorationcov.org.
Memorial Day Picnic and Kickball
Let’s ‘kick off’ the summer season right with an all-ages round of kickball games on Memorial Day. Pack your picnic dinner and a blanket or chairs and join us at the Apple Valley Community Center on Monday, May 28, between 4pm and 7pm. Whether you’ll come to kick the ball or just kick back and watch, we look forward to seeing you there. Contact: Jessica, JessicaSanborn@restorationcov.org
Westview Community Garden
In addition to the dates already set up for soil prep and planting, Wednesdays beginning May 29 are scheduled for Restoration gardening volunteers.
By supporting Westview Elementary School’s community garden, we’ll be helping to provide fresh food to local families in need. This is a great opportunity to connect with our city. Join us on any of these dates: preparing soil 10am–noon on May 12; planting 10am–noon on May 19 and 4–5:30pm on May 21. Contact: Jessica, JessicaSanborn@restorationcov.org
The Marriage Course
Designed to build, strengthen and even mend marriages, The Marriage Course helps married couples learn practical tools for strong and healthy marriages. Couples have the chance to discuss important issues often ignored in the rush of daily life. The $45 per couple cost covers the books and dinner-for-two at each meeting. Sessions are 6:30–8:30pm on Wednesdays from June 6 to July 25 (except July 4). To sign up or learn more, contact the hosts Chad and Rebecca White at crdwhite@charter.net.
Saturday Morning Men’s Group
We meet Saturdays at 7am at Big Apple Bagels in Apple Valley. We just began Scot McKnight’s book The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible. If you’re looking to figure out how you can better read and understand the Bible, this is a great group to join. Contact: Chad, ChadWhite@restorationcov.org
Student Groups
The Middle School Student Group is going bowling Tuesday, May 22.
Why on a Tuesday, you ask? Well, even Tuesdays need to be fun sometimes!
The High School Student Group (grades 9-12) meets Sundays at 12:30pm at the Wendy’s on CR 42 & Cedar Avenue in Apple Valley. Contact: Louie Washleski, 952-261-7523
Sharing the News
Information and upcoming events from organizations and institutions in and around our community.
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Bethel Seminary
Ministry Partner Information Session
May 15th at 7–8:15pm
Click here to view the information sheet
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International Justice Mission
Evening of Celebration
May 15 at 6:30–9pm
Celebrate justice by hearing stories from the field, watching the short film At the End of Slavery, enjoying live music, praying and funding more rescues. This event is free, but you must register in advance.
www.ijm.org/benefit-dinners/twin-cities
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Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center
Two-Mile Walk for Life
June 9 at 8:30am
www.amnioncpc.org/friends
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Minnehaha Academy
New job openings: Director of Finance & Operations, Assistant Director of Technology, Fine Arts Assistant/Accompanist
www.MinnehahaAcademy.net/employment/index.php
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Urban Homeworks
Job opening: www.urbanhomeworks.org/about/jobs
Urban Neighbor program: Love where you live, and live on purpose by loving God and learning what it means to be a neighbor in an urban neighborhood of Minneapolis or St. Paul.
www.urbanhomeworks.org/housing/urban-neighbors
Upcoming Events
Vacation Bible School with Faith Covenant Church · June 18–22
Restoration Day Camp · August 6–9, 9am–1pm
Outdoor Worship Service, Believer Baptism and Picnic · August 26
View the complete calendar
Believer Baptism
Pastor Rob would like to meet with people interested in being baptized this summer. Even if you aren’t sure about full immersion in a lake, we encourage you to call and schedule a time to talk with him. Contact: Julie Nybakken, JulieNybakken@restorationcov.org