May 9, 2019
 
God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
1 Peter 4:10 NLT
 
Westview Serving Sunday / Restoration Covenant Church Apple Valley, MN
 
Sunday was the first time that my husband Jon and I were able to participate in the Westview Serving Sunday and it was INDEED a blessing to me/us.
 
First off, being upfront on worship team gives me the opportunity to see things from a different vantage point from where I normally sit. I LOVED seeing people come into church without makeup, wearing baseball caps, t-shirts and tennis shoes and also seeing my pastor in his Restoration sweatshirt. I LOVED hearing what Patsy, Tammy,and Eileen said. It was fun for me to be able to share with those 3 ladies later, that I too, had attended Westview way the heck back in 1973!! I LOVED seeing families work together and the fellowship that happened over the lunch back at Hayes. Here are some of the great things Patsy shared with us on Sunday:
 
There are 32 schools in our district and WV is the only one who has such a unique relationship with a neighboring church community.
 
In our combined 85 years in education, we have learned positive relationships is what makes everything happen. When a student and teacher connect, learning comes naturally; when parents have a relationship based on trust in their child’s school, everyone is better. When teachers, nurses, principals and social workers have affirming relationships, the school becomes safe and healthy.
 
But, when church, school and state work as a team, deep, meaningful relationships are created and a thriving community is established. It’s basically frosting on the cake. Thank you for being our frosting.
 
WCCO used to give out the Good-Neighbor award, I know I am dating myself, but if this still happened, Restoration Church would get the grand prize. Thank you for all you do.
 
Please know I am so thankful and proud of my sweet church and I love serving with you all!
 
With Joy,
Lezlie

 
Lezlie / Restoration Covenant Church Apple Valley, MN
 
*NEW*
Student Director Search Team Update

In January we welcomed Aiden Gosiak as our Interim Students Director. His contract runs through the end of May. March 1, we posted the job on our webpage, with our conference, several job search sites, and a handful of college and universities in and around the Twin Cities. A search team, comprised of Amy Zaffke, Caleb Anderson, Janice Svaren, Mallory Allinder, and Rob Jacobson, began meeting the first week of April. They have reviewed ten interested applicants, invited five to complete applications, and are currently in the interview process. Please join us in prayer for wisdom and discernment. We are praying and working towards having a recommendation for the Leadership Team in the next two weeks.
 
*NEW*
Celebrating Graduates – June 9

On Sunday, June 9, we’ll recognize Restoration's graduating high school, college and graduate school students with a prayer of blessing during service followed by a cake reception after the worship service. If you are a graduate from any time in the past year, please contact Aiden in the church office by Thursday, May 30 so we can be sure to include you. Your Restoration family is proud of you and wants to acknowledge your hard work! Contact AidenGosiak@restorationcov.org
 
Serve in Church
Please pray about and consider serving in one of the areas of critical need within our church. Whether you’re already serving or considering where you can best bless our church, thank you for sharing your much needed gifts! Look for a list of additional serving opportunities on our website at HERE and at the Info Table in the lobby on Sundays. Please feel free to contact the person in charge of the area in which you’re most gifted or interested.
 
Join the Students Team
Do you have a passion for working with students? Are you interested in serving Restoration through our Wednesday Night Student Groups? We would love to hear from you! The students team is looking for adult men and women who would like to get involved in being a part of our team. We welcome anyone who loves God and loves the idea of working with students. Contact aidengosiak@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
Did you know it's not too late to join a Restoration Small Group? Many of our groups discuss Sunday's message which makes it easy to join in at anytime. If you've considered joining a group but never quite got around to it, there’s still time! 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)
Not meeting in May due to Mother's Day
2nd Sunday of the month, Noon-2:00pm at the Ministry Center
Fellowship with some discussion and prayer
Led by Janice Svaren
 
WEDNESDAY
All Ages Life Group (children welcome)
Every Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm at the Zaffkes' home
Studying the current sermon series
Led by Garrett & Amy Zaffke
 
SATURDAY
Men's Bible Study Group
Saturdays at 7am at the Ministry Center
Studying the Book of Isaiah
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
 
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RESTORATION KIDS
 
Contact: ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org
 
Play & Pray
Upcoming Dates: May 29 | June 12 | July 10, 24 | August 7, 21
Looking to connect with other parents and kids this summer? Parents, bring your kids, your friends, and your friends' kids to Apple Grove Park (by the fire station at CR42 and Hayes) from 9:30-11:30am. The kids enjoy themselves at the park while the grown-ups talk about the things going on in their lives and share prayer requests. Play and Pray mornings are an easy way to be in community with each other during the summer months. Contact: ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org
 
VBS 2019
 
VBS 2019 / Restoration Covenant Church Apple Valley, MN
Get ready to Power Up! Are you ready to raise your game? Get ready to change the world because God’s power gives us everything we need to do just that. Mark your calendars and invite your friends to join us June 24-28 from 9-11:30am at Apple Valley Baptist, 964 Garden View Drive, Apple Valley. Register online HERE
 
What We're Learning in May
 
May Preschool / Restoration Covenant Church Apple Valley, MN
 
Preschoolers
 
What would you do if you were assigned a huge building project to manage? Or told to step into the leadership role for an entire nation where every person would depend on you to make the right decisions? How about helping someone else accomplish a big job where you’re not going to get much recognition? Or, do the one thing you would be most afraid of doing, while everyone you know watches?
 
All of these are pretty big things and would intimidate most of us. However, God can help us do really big things. When our preschoolers are faced with big things, we want them to remember to hop to it, because God will help them. Our world is filled with things that are big and sometimes scary. When our preschoolers face these big things, we don’t want them to run. We want them to hop to it because they know God is bigger and will help them do big things.
 
“We have the Lord our God to help us.” 2 Chronicles 32:8, NLT
 
May Elementary / Restoration Covenant Church Apple Valley, MN
 
Elementary
 
This month, our elementary aged kids will be talking about the connection between perseverance and God’s character as shown through God’s big story.
 
Throughout history, God has offered strength to help people persevere through difficult situations. Jesus persevered through death itself to make it possible for us to have a forever relationship with God. Because of what Jesus did for us, we can trust Him to help us find the strength to persevere through whatever we face.
 
“But those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak.” Isaiah 40:31, NIrV
 
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RESTORATION STUDENTS
 
Contact: students@restorationcov.org
 
*NEW*
Whirlyball – May 27

Please join us for an exciting and fun-filled Middle School Student event on Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day) from 1:45-5:15pm. For $20, students will get to experience a new and incredibly awesome team game involving bumper cars and lacrosse-like equipment at Twin Cities Whirlyball located in Maple Grove. The best part? You can invite friends to challenge as well! RSVP by Sunday, May 19th to Aiden Gosiak at students@restorationcov.org.
 
Restoration Students High School Sunday Nights
Upcoming Dates: May 19
We’re excited to announce High School Students Sunday Nights on the first and third Sunday of March-May. This will be an opportunity for High School Students to dig into the book of Daniel together. They’ll discover what it means to live in the world but not of the world when presented with today’s teen challenges. Daniel himself faced unbelievable challenges as a believer under Babylonian authority. Each meeting will be tailored to engage students with thought-provoking questions and discussions while delving into the personal lives of believers who share their testimony and how they navigate today’s ebb and flow of modern morals. We will meet from 6:30-8pm at Pastor Rob Jacobson’s house. Snacks will be provided, but please eat supper before you come.
 
Restoration Students Wednesday Nights
Upcoming Dates: May 15
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: May 19
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.
 
Restoration Students Facebook / Restoration Covenant Church in Apple Valley MN
 
  View past News & Notes by clicking HERE.