November 15, 2018
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:24-25
This is my favorite time of year. I am so excited for the change of season and look forward to the sound of snow crunching under my feet and the coming holidays. I frequently find myself contemplating the many things for which I am grateful as I look forward to the change of season: cozy blankets, fires, time to snuggle my kids, snow, my warm home, soup, coffee and hot cocoa, skiing, decorating the Christmas tree, spending time with old and new friends through my kids' activities, warm clothes, family during the holidays.
And then I often find myself turning my attention to the many people who do not have these things or these opportunities to look forward to. Rather than a warm bed, they may be in search of a blanket to keep warm on the floor. Rather than looking forward to the family gathering for Thanksgiving, they may be preparing for the first holiday without a loved one. Or rather than sharing in the excitement of shopping for the perfect gift, they may be wondering if they can provide even a Christmas dinner for their family, let alone gifts under the tree.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve families through Armful of Love. Serving others forces me to shift my mindset from within to thinking beyond my first world problems. Serving others is a great reminder of how blessed we are and how we can tangibly bless others. Year after year, I am always amazed by the level of generosity of our small church. This was our sixth year participating in the 360 Communities Armful of Love outreach. In addition to serving through the Armful of Love outreach, our church provides weekend food for 30 children at Westview Elementary School through the Sheridan Story project. We also continue to provide for the children and families at Westview Elementary through our Food on the First donations, along with providing shoes and backpacks for the start of the school year.
Our mission at Restoration is to bring hope to a hurting world through a restored relationship with Jesus. We want to be a church that would be missed if we ever left our community. We want people to know how much Jesus loves and cares for them. You are helping to do this by providing basic needs for many people in our community. While I am elated that we are able to serve our community through these ways, I often find myself pondering who benefits more. I pray that you will find time to contemplate the very reason we exist in our community, the reason we exist in our world: Jesus.
In peace,
Michele
Share Your Story
Have you been putting the steps from the BLESS series into practice? Can you see the ways God is working in your life? We want to hear your stories! If you'd like to write a News & Notes article or if you just want to tell us how you've seen BLESS in action in your life or the life of others, please contact us at communications@restorationcov.org.
Restoration Praises and Prayers
We're excited to let you know that we've created a new section on our weekly News & Notes newsletter email called Restoration Praises and Prayers. In this new section, we'll include big announcements and happenings within our community. You'll be able to find milestones from the rest of our Restoration community to help keep you better connected. So, we'd love to highlight times like engagements, new babies, retirement announcements as well as if someone in the Restoration family is hospitalized or if an immediate family member has passed away. Please keep us updated on anything you'd like to include by emailing info@restorationcov.org. Likewise, if you're ever interested in writing an article for our News & Notes weekly email newsletter, contact the same address above – we're always looking for writers!
Engagement
Help us congratulate Jim and Ginny Bauman as they celebrate the engagement of their son Jake to Cassie Doerr. A November 2019 wedding is planned. Congratulations, Jake and Cassie!
Celebrate New Life – Julian Bothun
We celebrate the birth of Julian Jack Bothun, born to Jon and Katie Bothun on Monday October 29th. Julian was 8lbs, 13oz. Please keep the Bothun family in your prayers during this busy time and praise God for a healthy mom and baby. If you'd like to provide meals for the Bothun family please use this LINK.
*NEW*
Women’s Christmas Gathering
The Sunday Night Women's Small Group would like to invite all Restoration ladies and a guest to a Sip and Social Christmas party! Join us Sunday, December 9th from 6:30-8:30pm at Kara Rasmussen's house: 161 Spruce drive Apple Valley MN 55124. Consider this opportunity to invite a friend to this informal evening of food, song and holiday festivities. RSVP or contact kararasmussen@restorationcov.org with any questions.
*NEW*
No Worship Service on Sunday, December 30
The holidays are a great time to express our appreciation to all of our volunteers who invest in Restoration’s mission on a weekly basis. Thank you to our amazing team leads and loyal volunteers. We are so thankful for you and all the work you do! We hope you'll enjoy sleeping in on Sunday, December 30, because we will not be gathering for a worship service that day. However, we do hope you'll join us that day for…
…Sunday Fun Day!
Restoration is going to have a whole lot of fun on Sunday, December 30. We'll meet at the Ministry Center at 10am until 1pm. Staff will provide brunch from 10-11:30am. Stick around for games and conversation. There will also be some great games set up in the large room, but you are welcome to bring your own game as well. This is an "all church" event which means everyone is welcome. No RSVP required. Festive or tacky Christmas attire is encouraged. Contact LaceySkoglund@restorationcov.org in the church office with questions.
Caroling
Because our Christmas message series focuses on Christmas Carols, the staff thought it'd be an awesome idea to bless others this holiday season through the gift of song. Even if your singing doesn't feel like a gift, your presence is and we hope you'll join us at the Ministry Center on Wednesday, December 19 at 6:30pm to carol with us. This will take place during our regularly scheduled Restoration Students but ALL ages and musical abilities are welcomed and encouraged to carol. Please RSVP to info@restorationcov.org to let us know you're coming so we know how many groups we'll have.
Care for the Tanaka Family
Thank you so much to all of you who have already provided meals and help to Wes and the kids. Along with prayers, they still need help for meals and lawn care. We'd like to keep this particular care calendar for only the Restoration family or friends of the Tanakas. If you or someone who doesn't know the family well would like to gift the Tanakas with gift cards, feel free to bring them to the ministry center or put them in the offering on Sunday mornings and we will make sure that they get to the family. To access Tanaka Family's CareCalendar site, visit HERE. Please contact communications@restorationcov.org to be validated for the security code.
Armful of Love
Restoration will partner with 360 Communities' Armful of Love for our Christmas outreach opportunity again this year. Armful of Love matches hundreds of local families in need with sponsors to provide gifts in the Christmas season. This year Restoration signed up to support 12 people in five families, which corresponds to about 60 gifts. We will have ornaments that list desired gift items from these families for Restoration families to pick up on Sunday, November 18 and November 25. Gifts may be brought unwrapped and labeled with the ornament to the Ministry Center before 10am on Saturday, December 1. We hope you'll invite a friend and join us to wrap gifts and create cards at the Ministry Center from 10:00am-noon Saturday, December 1. Contact Michele Jacobson at outreach@restorationcov.org.
Join the Setup Team
Are you a behind-the-scenes type of person ready to serve alongside other men and women at Restoration? Do you know someone who could serve in this capacity? If you're willing to move chairs, do light lifting, and set up the stage and worship area once a month on Sunday mornings, then you'd be a valuable asset on the set up team. At Restoration, the set up team creates the environment where people can encounter God. Michael Van Dyken, the team leader, is looking for volunteers to to serve. To learn more, contact him through setup@restorationcov.org.
Small Groups
Restoration Small Groups exist to help people be known and grow in their relationships with God, the church, and with others far from Christ. We believe that people need different things to grow at different points in their life. Because of that, we offer three types of Restoration Small Groups. Below are some of our available fall Small Groups. For questions or to join a Small Group, please contact kararasmussen@restorationcov.org.
SUNDAY
Women's Life Group
Every other Sunday, 6:30-8:30pm in various homes
Studying the current sermon series
Led by Kara Rasmussen
Family Life Group (children welcome)
Every other Sunday, 5:30-7:30pm in various homes
Studying the current sermon series
Led by Matt & Mallory Allinder
Second Stage Life Group
Every other Sunday, 6:00-8:00pm at the Klatts' home
Studying the current sermon series
Led by Dick & Patte Klatt
Families of Youth Life Group (potluck lunch)
2nd Sunday of the month, Noon-2:00pm in various homes
Fellowship with some discussion and prayer
Led by Janice Svaren
MONDAY
Prayer Study Group (Fall session only)
Mondays, 7:00-9:00pm
Oct 1 through Nov 26 at the Ministry Center
Studying the book The Battle Plan for Prayer
Led by Michael Nybakken
TUESDAY
Women's Life Group (children welcome)
Every other Tuesday 10am at the Days' home
Studying the current sermon series
Led by Amy Day
WEDNESDAY
All Ages Life Group (children welcome)
Every other Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm at the Zaffkes' home
Studying the current sermon series
Led by Garrett & Amy Zaffke
THURSDAY
All Ages Disciple Group
1st and 3rd Thursdays at 7pm at the Barriusos' home
Led by Janae Barriuso
SATURDAY
Men's Bible Study Group
Saturdays at 7am at the Ministry Center
Studying the Book of Mark
Led by Chad White
Pray or Receive Prayer
Are you gifted at prayer or do you have a prayer request that you’d like to share with our prayer team? We believe in the power of prayer and know that God is listening. We would love to pray for you. If you’re interested in joining the prayer team or have any prayer requests, send them to our prayer team at prayer@restorationcov.org
RESTORATION KIDS
Contact: ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org
Calling All Kids
Do you have friends who would like to have their kids involved in church but have yet to check us out? We have a great way to reach your unchurched family and friends who are looking for fun ways to get their kids to church. Invite them to participate in our Children's Program on Sunday, December 16. The kids will start practicing for the program during our regular worship time starting November 11. Parents hear a great message and kids learn more about the Christmas story. We're always looking for adult volunteers to help with our program so if you're willing to share your gifts, please contact ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org.
What We're Learning in November
Toddlers & Preschoolers
The Happy Helpers Club is back, and we want everyone to join! In the past, we’ve talked about all the ways we can help. This time, we want to look at helping from a different angle and focus more on being thankful for the many people who help us. We’re asking, who helps me, and how can I show them I am thankful for them?
Simply put, we want our preschoolers to grow up with eyes that see the helpers and a heart that is thankful, because no matter how grown up you are, you always have people helping you and a thank you goes a long way. When we stop and think about it, we are surrounded by helpers who deserve a big thank you for all the ways they help us. They are making the world we live in—the world our preschoolers live in—a better place.
Memory Verse: “Always give thanks to God” Ephesians 5:20, NCV
Elementary
Cooperation: Working together to do more than you can do alone
Cooperation is a spiritual concept that originates with God. God created us to work together in community. Throughout the Bible, we see how God brought people together to accomplish something big for Him. When we work together, we reflect what Jesus envisioned for His followers. Our love for one another can point people to Him.
Memory Verse: “Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do.” Ecclesiastes 4:9, NIrV
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: students@restorationcov.org
*NEW*
Lock & Key Escape Room
Students in grades 6-12, join us and invite your friends for a Lock & Key Escape Room experience on Saturday, December 8. Come ready for a challenge and mystery that will only be solved by working together. Meet at 10:00am at Restoration's Ministry Center: 7707 147th St W, Apple Valley. Cost is $20/student, and each student needs a participation & liability form on file. Bring $5 for lunch. You can get picked up at the Ministry Center at 1:45pm. Sign up early-we are limited to 20 students. RSVP by Sunday, December 2 with cash or check. Email students@restorationcov.org with questions.
Restoration Students Wednesday Nights
Upcoming Dates: Nov 28, Dec 5, 12, 19, Jan 9, 16, 23, 30
Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to join us at the Ministry Center (7707 147th St W, Apple Valley) from 6:30-8pm on Wednesday nights for a time of teaching, activities, and groups that focus on encountering Jesus, building meaningful relationships, and restoring hope to the world. If you have a Bible, bring it. Invite a friend! Contact students@restorationcov.org
Middle School Group
Upcoming Dates: Nov 18, Dec 2, Jan 6, 20
Students in grades 6-8 begin Sunday mornings in the worship service. On the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, they are sent to the café for discussion and activities that complement the Sunday morning message.
Sharing the News
Information from organizations and institutions in and around our community are offered as resources and not necessarily with the full endorsement of Restoration Covenant Church.
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Ukraine Mission Trip
Jacob Sturges is preparing for a 10-day mission trip to the Ukraine where he will visit and serve local orphans at a state run orphanage that currently serves about 120 children. If you're interested in learning more about his trip or supporting Jacob through your prayers or finances click HERE or contact him at Jacob.Lee.Sturges@gmail.com.
Operation Christmas Child Seeking Seasonal Help
In order for Samaritan's Purse to be successful and reach as many children as possible, they need Team Coaches, Greeters, Floor Coordinators, and Dock Workers to assist with the volunteers that come every day to help package shoeboxes for children all over the world. If you're interested in supporting this great mission and making a few dollars while doing so, please check out the attached pdf HERE.
View past News & Notes by clicking HERE.
