May 23, 2019
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Romans 6:4
When I was growing up, my family moved a lot. I went to four different high schools. I didn’t handle moving every year well at all. I was shy and didn’t make friends easily, although my siblings seemed fine with the uprooting and even flourished. Somewhere around 10th grade I became furious with God for not taking better care of me, for allowing depression and despair to rule my lonely life.
When I was about 18, I made a sort of peace with God but still didn’t trust or think too highly of Him. I certainly didn’t love Him or want to talk to Him. As the years went by, I always attended church on Sundays, prayed before meals and bed, attended Bible studies and even taught VBS. I was trying to find what I was missing because I felt a HUGE emptiness inside. Life went on. I had complete delight in my children until my fourth child came along and it all fell apart. We adopted Alycia and her sister Shawna from Korea. Shawna was a baby and all was well from the get go. Alycia, however, was 8 years old and had lived in an orphanage almost her whole life. She brought a true nightmare with her and dropped it right into the middle of our unsuspecting family. She had a particular animosity toward me and I eventually felt slightly the same way. No one would help us – not the adoption agency, our friends, our church, our families, and eventually not my husband. I’d been abandoned by everyone. Good thing I had never counted on God because at least He hadn’t left me due to His non-presence in my life anyway!
From then on, my life was pretty harsh. I suffered from decades of depression, anxiety, PTSD, alcoholism, drug addiction, suicide attempts – you name it, I went through it. I just couldn’t stand living anymore. I’d tried long and hard to make it work and, alone, I could not. I tried and I was utterly DONE trying, and hurting endlessly and felt ALL ALONE ALL THE TIME. After my last suicide attempt, I woke up in the Psych Ward of Southdale Hospital. I sobbed, “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” I fell into a deep sleep and tried my best to escape the bad reality that surrounded me.
Here is where I usually say a few sweet things about how I realized I wasn’t alone after all and that I knew God was present and yadda, yadda, yadda. What really happened after I woke up is not believable to most people so I stopped telling it the way it really happened because it embarrassed me when people smirked and stopped listening. Here is the truth: I don’t have any idea how long I slept but, when I slowly woke up, I thought I was in another world. Everything had changed. The sun was coming in and everything seemed really bright and the air seemed fresh and new. A peace I had NEVER known dwelled right in the place where the black hole used to be. I swear I heard angelic singing. As I am basking in this new place of love and harmony, I sensed a presence close behind me. Then I heard a gentle whisper in my ear saying “I am here.” Yes, JESUS was there! I heard him, clearly, JESUS!
I was free, forgiven, owned, enveloped in Jesus’ indescribable LOVE. The kind of love only He knows how to give. I was light and felt radiant. Me. Hate-filled, resentful, distrustful, rejecting, stubborn as hell. ME! He pursued me and claimed me and now I am His. FOREVER!
I am not the same person I used to be. I can trust, make deep friendships, meaningful commitments, inspire, comfort, listen, be unselfish, and laugh uproariously. I experience unadulterated JOY every single day, even on the not so great ones. Occasionally, my husband Dick will still ask, “Who ARE you?” and then I know something I just said or did or want do is the new me, the saved me. Jesus came to me and made me HIS. And, here’s the good news. If I can be brought out of an endlessly deep pit of despair, I know it can happen for you too. If you’re feeling lonely or desperate, I urge you to look to the only One who can pull you out of it. He did it for me and He loves you enough to do it for you too.
With Joy,
Patte
*NEW*
Celebrating Baby Jack Roeller
Jack William Roeller, 7 lbs 11 oz, 20 in long, was born at 10:13 am on May 17, 2019. Everyone is doing well and so in love with their newest member of the family! Big sister Charlie is so proud and loves to shower her little brother with kisses. Please keep the Roeller family in your prayers during this busy time and praise God for a healthy mom and baby. We welcome the Restoration family to support and bless them by providing meals. A Meal Train site has been set-up between the dates of May 24-June 13. Please sign-up through this link: MEAL TRAIN.
*THIS SUNDAY*
Communion Sunday
This Sunday we'll be celebrating communion as part 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*
Intergenerational Worship
At Restoration, we believe that it’s important for children and students to learn spiritual concepts alongside their parents at home and in age-appropriate class settings such as Restoration Kids and Restoration Student groups. We intentionally look for ways to cultivate intergenerational relationships, encourage all ages to participate in various serving roles, and structure the worship set and message in such a way so as to include something that speaks to all generations. This Sunday is designed to be an experience where all ages can be seen, heard, and welcome to participate. Kids and students will remain in service to worship alongside their families and church community. Busy bags will be available for younger kids. Nursery is available for infants and toddlers.
Congregational Meeting
Please stay after the service on Sunday, June 2 for a brief Congregational Meeting. At this meeting we will select 2-3 members of Restoration to be on the Nominating Committee to choose Leadership Team candidates for Restoration members to vote on at a later meeting.
Baptism and Dedication at Restoration
Did you know Believer Baptism is a picture of how Jesus has changed your life and a response to God’s redeeming love for us? If God has been working in your life, have you considered being baptized? We will do believer baptisms at our outdoor worship service on Sunday, August 25. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact MatthewGoerdt@restorationcov.org. If you are interested in having a child dedicated or baptized, please contact ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org or contact the church office.
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 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
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 Ruth
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 May
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
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
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: students@restorationcov.org
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
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.
