May 20, 2020
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands up toward heaven and said: “Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.
1 Kings 8:22-24
I have been struggling for quite a while with the relationship between my boys, desiring it to be less ugly between them. It seems I have spent many moments over the years pleading with God to help with that situation and fix this situation and wondering why He was not answering me with “yes” instead of “wait.”
This winter, I took a Bible Study Class, led by Amy Zaffke’s mom, through which I spent daily time in God’s word over the six-week class. This time was transformative! So much so that during the last verses I was meditating on, 1 Kings 8:22-24, I was able to give the old self to God with arms raised fully to Heaven. And I never raise my hands! As a result of this time, I have been able to walk in a place of joy and in the authority given me through Jesus Christ. I have been able to pause in the middle of struggles with the boys and ask God what He wants me to do. I still feel that sense of not being in control, but I don’t respond in the same, negative, ways I used to.
I share the above detail with you to acknowledge that my time with the Lord prior to this class was typically only when I desperately needed help. Now I am in more constant communication with Him and my desires are more aligned with his. So, when I prayed over and with my oldest a few weeks ago that God would change his heart toward his brother and that their relationship would improve, God’s immediate answer was “yes.” That’s not to say His answer isn’t still going to be “no” or “wait” sometimes and the “ugly” still shows up now and then, but it speaks to me that God desires relationship with me and it is a two-way street, not just me making my requests and demands. Mother’s Day evening, in fact, my desire was to spend time with Him and in His word after a trying day, instead of my usual go-tos.
A few days after the change in attitude between my boys, I was able to come back around with my oldest and say, “That was God! Only He can change our hearts. We can’t do that on our own.”
Blessings,
Sara Tomlinson
Blessing Graduates – June 7
On Sunday, June 7, we’ll recognize, celebrate, and bless Restoration's graduating high school, college, and graduate school students with a prayer of blessing during service. We are excited to provide an opportunity for a role model in each graduate's life to share a prayer of blessing. Please mark the date if you have a graduate to be sure you don't miss this opportunity to remind family and friends that our graduates will be featured at the beginning of the service on June 7. If you are a graduate from any time in the past year, please contact Daniel by Monday, May 25 so we can be sure to include you. Your Restoration family is proud of you and wants to acknowledge your hard work and pray for your future! Contact DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org
Photo Contest Update
We can all agree that church has looked very different over the last few weeks. One of the ways we can keep connected is through pictures. We'd love to see pictures of you participating in church online, spreading kindness to your neighbors, praying, zoom chatting with your small group, or what it looks like when you worship with your family at home. All entries will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Target gift card. We'd like to use these pictures on Facebook, our website, and in our weekly newsletters so please know that submitting these images provides us with permission to do so. We’ve only received a few pics so far so we’re extending this contest to May 29. Please send images to info@restorationcov.org. We’ll draw for the gift card on Friday, May 29.
Small Groups Meeting Online via Zoom
In these unprecedented times, it's more important than ever to have face time with friends and family - even if it's virtual. We recognize the huge value in this opportunity to stay connected and some of our small groups have formed online zoom chats to stay connected:
- Women's Group - Every other Monday at 7pm - led by Erin Garcia
- Men's Group - Every Saturday morning at 7am - led by Chad White
- Prayer Group - Every Tuesday 7-9pm - led by Mary Beshara and Michael Nybakken
- Adultish? Group - Friday evenings - led by Daniel Morgenstern
These groups are all easy to join. Please reach out to DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org to get connected to these zoom chats or to find the group that fits best.
Sunday Coffee Time
Are you missing after service chats by the coffee cart? Join us after the message Sunday on a zoom call for our virtual coffee meeting; we'll bring the company you bring the coffee. We will break up into groups of 3-4 callers to give you a chance to chat and check in on folks you might not have connected with otherwise. Use this link to join. A link will also be posted in the Facebook chat at the end of the service on Sunday.
Food on the First
In lieu of our usual Food on the First food collections for May, we’ll be collecting gift cards to provide to families in need. Please send grocery gift cards from Target, Cub, Aldi, or Walmart to Michele Jacobson. Please message us at info@restorationcov.org for Michele’s address.
Calling all Writers
The world is changing by the minute. Conversation and connection in this strange time of uncertainty is paramount. Have you experienced new thoughts and emotions stirred up by isolation or having your kids home 24/7? Are your kids experiencing fears or frustrations they want to talk about? We want to hear it if you’re willing to share with us! We’re always looking for writers of all ages and stages to contribute to our News and Notes articles. You don’t have to be an amazing writer, you just need to have something to say or share. Has something you’ve heard or experienced sparked or inspired you? We’d love to hear about it or hear a piece of your story. We also have people to help edit if you have something to share, but aren’t sure how to say it. Contact KerryStok@restorationcov.org if you’re interested or have more questions.
Online Giving
There’s no time like the present to set up online giving. Because our regularly scheduled worship service will be online for the next few weeks, online tithing is a way to remain faithful in your giving even in the most uncertain of times. Decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. We encourage you to consider giving online so that your giving is regular and easy to manage – it’s easy to sign up HERE.
Pray or Receive Prayer
Now more than ever, people are turning toward prayer or are in desperate need of prayer. We have an amazingly gifted prayer team you can depend on for prayer. They’re always looking for other prayer warriors if you want to join or if you need prayer for any situation, you can contact them. 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
Hello families,
I am sure most of you have heard me say before (probably many times) that at Restoration we believe strongly in empowering parents to be the spiritual leaders of their child's faith. You have so much more time and influence in your child's life than we ever could. That is especially true now. As parents, you are now not only the most important influence but likely one of the only daily influences our kids have to hear about God's word and see what that means for our lives. It is also still true that Restoration Kids is here to support you. We are working to make sure you have access to the Bible lesson content your kids would have gotten on Sunday mornings as well as discussion prompts and activities to help engage your child around these topics. We are also working on some creative ideas to help keep the sense of community and fun as the weeks at home continue. Make sure to follow us on Facebook so you don't miss anything!
As always, if you have any questions or need anything at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org. I am praying for your families and want to know how you are doing over the next few weeks!
VBS News
With so much uncertainty surrounding this summer, we have made the difficult decision to cancel VBS in June. We will continue to monitor local recommendations and are open to planning a smaller kids gathering later in the summer if the situation allows. We will be sure to let you know via email and social media if we are able to add an event for Restoration Kids this summer. We’ve enjoyed staying connected with you via our weekly Facebook challenges. Thanks to you and your kids for participating and helping us keep in touch during this time away.
Restoration Kids Weekly Challenge
Have you been keeping up with the weekly Facebook challenges? These easy challenges are something fun for kids to do and a way to connect with other Restoration families. We have loved seeing what everyone comes up with. Plus there are prizes!
This week’s challenge is to draw a monster like Pastor Rob talked about on Sunday. I can’t wait to see what monsters you come up with! Post a picture of your creation on our Facebook page by Friday for a chance to win a $10 gift card.
What We're Learning in May
Preschoolers
We are using a lemonade stand theme this month to welcome in the warmer days and introduce preschoolers to the amazing truth that God loves them. We want preschoolers to know that God has put a lot of planning and creating and love into each of them. And, just like you can’t separate the water from the sugar from the lemon juice once you mix them, NOTHING can separate us from God’s love. Throughout the month our preschoolers will hear how the Bible teaches us that God made us in His image, has a plan for us, and will never stop loving us. So, think a lot of love and a little lemon – mix it all together and we will get an entire month of God loves me!
“Nothing at all can ever separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:39, NIrV
Elementary
This month, elementary kids will be talking about determination. Throughout the Bible, we read about all sorts of people who showed determination in the face of hardship and difficulty. They relied on God’s strength to get them through it. Even Jesus Himself endured through the pain of the cross so that we would be able to have a forever relationship with God. When it comes to the situations in our own lives, God gives us the Holy Spirit to empower us to keep going, even when life gets difficult.
“Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9, NIrV
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org
Restoration Students Update
We don’t have to tell you that there is a lot of uncertainty in these times. A lot of things we assumed were immovable aren’t and a lot of things we thought would never have to change are. We, the Restoration Student Leaders, first want to emphasize that, though we don’t fully understand, we feel the loss and unease of our students. We too have lost or seen things shift that we depended upon. It is frustrating and disappointing to feel so out of control and we mourn for our students that have to go through this very adult thing so early.
What we can control is our ministry and our spiritual orientation. The Restoration Student Leaders are committed to take every opportunity to keep on keeping on when it comes to Restoration Student Ministry. That means that student gatherings on Wednesday nights have changed but haven’t ended. Invitation days are still happening. That means that we still affirm and act on what God has said about us and our responsibilities. Restoration Student Ministry will remain a stable part of our life and we encourage and pray that wherever you and your students are you find things that you can make stable. Remember the word in Hebrews 13: God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.