April 11, 2019
My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Ezekiel 37:27
I took this picture while on vacation a couple weeks ago. The bird is a Yellow-throated Toucan. I didn’t even know such a creature existed. I’m sure you can find hundreds, if not thousands, of better pictures of this bird online. Actually, when I googled it, I not only found beautiful pictures but I found one website where I could listen to a recording of its ‘song’!
I’m not sure what remains in the world that you cannot see or hear virtually. However, this picture reminds me of what is unique and even sacred about presence. We can access almost anything online. We can watch videos of other people’s lives on social media. We can look at online photo albums of places where it almost feels like we are there…almost.
When you look at this picture, I hope you see an interesting and vibrant bird. But when I look at this picture, I recall the smell of the rain forest, the feeling of the breeze on my face, the sounds of my family's footsteps along the path, and the taste of the coffee at the farm after that hike. I can’t separate this picture from my presence in that moment.
When I combine my presence in that moment and my engagement with the sensations around me, it becomes a sacred, or holy moment. That experience wasn’t holy because I’m a pastor. I believe that experience was holy because I was fully present as a human being who chose to set aside that moment as something that could be special.
This definition is reinforced by God in the Bible. The seventh day is the first thing that is called Holy in the Bible (not God, not humans, not creation). The seventh day is holy because God set it apart as different from the others. Later, God gave his people special feasts and festivals to mark ‘sacred time’ (See Leviticus 23). I don’t think they were automatically holy. I think they were opportunities to be holy moments, if the people chose to be wholly present.
We just finished a teaching series where God’s people almost ‘got it’, but actually missed the holy moments. Instead, they drifted away from God. It’s all too easy in our culture, where nothing is set apart as sacred, to drift away from God. (CLICK HERE to listen if you missed it.)
This week, we are moving towards some of the most sacred moments in history: the declaration, accusation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These days are ripe for holy moments…how ready are you?
Join us this Sunday, Palm Sunday, and the next, Easter, as two opportunities to experience a holy moment. Prayerfully ask God who else he may want you to invite and include in those moments too.
Peace,
Rob
*THIS SUNDAY*
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is when we remember the royal welcome Jesus received from the crowds as he entered Jerusalem the week before his resurrection. Sunday, be sure you check your kids in prior to the start of worship as kids grades K-5 will gather in the large group classroom at 10am to receive palm branches to hand out to the congregation during worship. The kids will worship with us as usual and will be blessed and sent to their regular classes.
Easter Message Series
The deepest love poured out of the greatest sacrifice in history. A love that heals. A love that forgives. A love that welcomes. This Easter we celebrate the power of Christ’s resurrection! But is Easter a ‘one and done’ day, or does what happened that day still impact today? For many people, even Christians, there’s a trace of doubt. For those first followers of Jesus, however, they claimed Jesus’s resurrection had the power to revolutionize the messy, dysfunctional culture of the Roman Empire, filled with violence, injustice, and personal pain. Some of those followers even took the news to the intimidating capital of Rome. There, they challenged the most sophisticated, skeptical and insensitive crowds; crowds not much different than people today. Join us for Easter and weeks that follow to learn what the resurrection means in our everyday lives.
Women's Sip & Social
The Sunday night women’s small group would like to invite all Restoration ladies and guests to a fun evening of socializing at our next Sip & Social on Sunday, April 28 from 6-8pm at Lezlie Steiner's home in Eagan. Join us for heavy hors d'oeuvres and a relaxing time of connecting with other ladies. Contact kararasmussen@restorationcov.org with questions or to get the address.
Serve in Church
Please pray about and consider serving in one of the areas of critical need listed within our church. At this time we need:
- Setup Team members
- Restoration Kids Elementary small group leaders
- Restoration Students small group leaders
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)
2nd Sunday of the month, Noon-2:00pm at the Ministry Center
Fellowship with some discussion and prayer
Led by Janice Svaren
TUESDAY
Book Study Group
Tuesdays, March 5 through April 30, 7-9pm at the Ministry Center
Reading and discussing the book Everyone Can Do Something by Jason Johnson
Led by Jacob Sturges
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
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
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.
What We're Learning in April
Preschoolers
God created us to be in a relationship with Him and in relationships with people here on earth. He wants us to have friends, and He wants us to be a good friend. In fact, He wants it so much, God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to show us how to be a good friend and make a way for us to be friends with Him forever.
Friendships are a big part of preschoolers’ lives. Through these first relationships, they are learning how to be a friend, have fun with friends, get along with friends, problem solve with friends, resolve conflict with friends, and above all, love friends. This month, we hope preschoolers will learn that Jesus is their friend – the best friend they will ever have. If our preschoolers finish this month knowing that Jesus wants to be their friend forever, that is a huge win! That will make it a very happy Easter!
Memory Verse: “A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17, NIrV
Elementary
This month, Elementary students will be talking about Hope or believing good can come out of something bad. We can’t always understand why some things happen. But we can believe in a God who keeps His promises. We can have hope, even in the toughest times, because we know He can make something good out of something bad.
Memory Verse: “In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.” John 16:33b, NIrV
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: students@restorationcov.org
Restoration Students High School Sunday Nights
Upcoming Dates: May 5, 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: Apr 17, 24 | May 1, 8, 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.
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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Mary Goblirsch Fundraising/Benefit for Mission Work in Honduras
Sunday, April 28, 12-4pm, American Legion 14521 Granada Dr, Apple Valley. For more information on this event, click HERE.