April 25, 2019
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29
The beautiful weather last weekend revitalized me. Not only was it a long winter, but I can't remember the last Easter weekend when we were able to enjoy extended time outdoors AND actually wear our Easter best without covering it up with a coat.
I made my family take a hike both Saturday and Sunday because I was so eager to finally enjoy the sunshine. Somewhere near the middle of our second hike, my kids started complaining about how hot it was because, let's be real, it was snowing the week before. However, I had no patience for it because I was so ecstatic about the good weather that I felt no time could be wasted complaining about the heat and the fact that we're unaccustomed to it. I'm also a realist, and recognize that, as glorious as Minnesota's Spring and Summers are, together they only take up half the year compared to our winter. My kids' major protest was that this was just the beginning of the great weather and we still have months to enjoy it.
My husband often tells me that I need to worry less about squandering the gorgeous days we have outdoors and to just enjoy them and be optimistic that there are more to come. I think I also tend to do this with my faith and with the Easter story. I get so excited about Easter – the build up of the Lenten season, preparations for Easter Sunday, arranging to spend more quality time with friends and family with warmer weather and just generally feeling very optimistic about Christ's return. However, I sometimes tend to hoard my deepest faith for the times when my life is the hardest instead of retaining the excitement of Christ's resurrection within my heart all year long.
Don't get me wrong – I think the promise of Spring helps the renewal of Easter in regards to our optimism, but what about in terms of our faith? It seems like we crawl out of winter with hope fueled by new growth, nicer weather and fewer layers of clothing we're required to wear. But does our faith stay as strong as it was when we waved palm branches and declared with certainty that He is Risen?
I think we want to believe that He is Risen and alive in our hearts but one quick look at our local news and current state of world affairs sometimes has us quickly forgetting that Christ died to overcome this broken world. In our Brand New message series, Rob will talk about the ways we can carry Easter in our hearts for longer than just a season. The first followers of Jesus claimed Christ's resurrection had the power to revolutionize the messy, dysfunctional culture of the Roman Empire, filled with violence, injustice, and personal pain. His followers challenged the most sophisticated and skeptical crowds – not much different than people today.
I don't know about you, but I can use the encouragement that Christ is risen well past Easter Sunday. He's alive in you and me and He wants to have a relationship with us that transcends through our winters and our doubts and gives us hope that Spring truly is here to stay.
See you Sunday,
Kerry
*THIS SUNDAY*
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. Some of the first followers of Jesus, believing in the revolutionary power of Christ's resurrection, 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 the weeks following Easter to learn what the resurrection means in our everyday lives.
Communion Sunday
This Sunday we'll be celebrating communion near the end of the worship service. Communion is a sacred practice in the Christian church instituted by Jesus Christ. The bread and cup represent and remind us of Jesus’ body and blood freely being offered to restore us with God. Please note that we always use juice instead of wine and have gluten-free bread available so that all members of our community can participate in communion. If you have questions about kids and communion, please contact ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org
*THIS SUNDAY*
Women's Sip & Social – April 28
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.
Prayer Meeting – April 29
As a church, we gather together to lift up needs within our church and around the world, believing God is going to move in mighty ways. Join us as we pray with faith that the Lord will help us in every area of our lives! We will meet the last Monday of each month from 7-8pm at the Ministry Center. We would love to see you there! Contact prayerteam@restorationcov.org with questions.
*Updated*
Westview Serving Sunday – May 5
During our regular worship time on Sunday, May 5, we’ll worship at the Senior Center from 10-10:15am and then get instructions and walk over to Westview Elementary and serve together as a church. The day will be spent helping them with indoor and outdoor tasks so please dress accordingly. Because May 5 is also Food on the First, we're asking specifically for donations of snacks so that we can put together snack packs for families at Westview. Items placed in these snack packs include nutritional choices that kids can easily grab for a snack in the summer months like applesauce, crackers, pudding, granola bars, packaged fruit, or trail mix. We encourage you to stick around after we serve at Westview and join us for a light lunch that the church will provide. If you have any questions about this service day, please contact ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org
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
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
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. Register online HERE
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: 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: Apr 28 | 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.