June 20, 2019
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1
Is anyone else wondering where June went? I know, I know, it's not over yet but I feel like this summer is flying by. I have SO many things that I still want to do – sleep in for a week straight, take my kids paddle boarding and kayaking, have friends over for a lovely night on the deck, the list is endless.
As much as I love the unstructured chaos that summer brings, I also find myself slipping out of "church mode" a little more. Nights filled with soccer or days of kids running around in different camps means less time we eat together as a family and pray around the dinner table. Fun family vacations and time camping or traveling means fewer Sundays in church. Summer usually means I fail a little more on healthy eating, mealtimes (2pm lunch is a regular thing), and allowing late bedtimes. If you're like me, you love the flexibility of summer but truly miss being away from church as well as some of the cohesiveness and structure that brings.
Lucky for all of us, we have LOTS of opportunities to play AND connect with your Restoration family this summer. Next Monday, Restoration kids start VBS. VBS really is an awesome opportunity to invite young family and friends to church over the summer. Even better? This year we're celebrating the close of VBS with a summer bash right after our regular worship on Sunday, June 30. We'll have hot dogs and chips, sno-cones, face-painting and even a dunk tank to celebrate a fun week of VBS.
VBS Sunday is a great time to bring friends and family to church to see the kids sing the songs they learned all week, even if you weren't able to attend VBS. Additionally, we're using VBS Sunday to fundraise for our shoe and backpack drive for Westview Elementary school. If you missed the video we showed in church on Sunday that my kids created, you can see it HERE (I'm sorta proud of them that they worked on this and got along together for like two straight hours). Additionally, if you can't make it to VBS Sunday but want to donate to the shoe and backpack drive, you can do so HERE.
We have chances for you to connect over golf, play at the park with friends, spend an evening with other women on the deck, attend a picnic after church — we really do have a little bit of something for everyone this summer so please be sure to mark your calendars with the events listed HERE.
Don't let this summer slip away — please consider this your personal invitation to any and all of these events where you can keep a little more church in your summer and get to know your church family a little bit better. I know you'll be glad you did! I look forward to seeing you there!
With Joy,
Kerry
*THIS SUNDAY*
Annual Vision Meeting
Friends and members of Restoration, please stay after the worship service Sunday, June 23 for our church’s annual vision meeting. Learn what God’s doing here at Restoration and how we’ve seen Him move in the past year. The leadership team will share the way our church is working towards His vision. They'll also tell how we'll fund the next fiscal year, announce new members, and members will vote on the 2018-19 budget. Child care will be provided. Contact LeadershipTeam@restorationcov.org with questions or for more information.
Current Message Series – Happy Home
We want our homes to be places of happiness, peace, and contentment, but so often we struggle in our most important relationships. Often in the busyness of our culture or the fuzziness of our priorities, we miss what’s vital for the people who matter most to us. We will discover ways we can change our homes and the atmospheres around us by studying the ways Jesus treated those around Him. Join us as we chart a course toward building a Christ-centered home where our families can thrive and overflow to bless others.
Prayer Meeting – June 25
We were thrilled to have such a great turnout at our last prayer meeting! Because of the great participation, we’re planning to have our next prayer meeting on a Tuesday as well. Join us as we lift up needs within our church and around the world and pray with faith that the Lord will help us in every area of our lives! We will meet from 7-9pm on Tuesday, June 25 at the Ministry Center. We would love to see you there! Contact MaryBeshara@restorationcov.org with questions.
VBS Sunday – June 30
We’re “powered up” to celebrate the close of VBS with a fun Sunday of hot dogs, sno-cones, and other special surprises the kids will learn about during the week of VBS. Join us during our regularly scheduled worship at 10am as the VBS kids lead us in worship with songs they learned. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for our church to match the funds the kids raised at VBS. Over the past three years, Restoration has used the money raised by our VBS kids to buy shoes and backpacks for Westview Elementary families who need them. We're hoping to beat last year's numbers! Here's how you can help – bring cash or check to our VBS Sunday celebration. Thanks in advance for your help with this great outreach to our community. Contact ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org
Moms and Daughters Small Group – July 1
Moms and their preteen girls in grades 5-8 are invited to join us as we begin the study of Treasured led by Kara Rasmussen & Chrystine Vilhauer. Treasured is a 6-session faith-based study designed to connect moms and daughters around topics critical to the preteen years: identity, body, emotions, friendships, technology, and faith. Our first group will be on Monday July 1 from 6:30-8:00pm at the home of Kara, Ava (7th) and Annie (5th) Rasmussen in Apple Valley. Group dates are July 1, 15, 22, 29 | Aug 12, 26. For questions or to join contact KaraRasmussen@restorationcov.org.
Men’s Golf Event – July 13
Restoration Men – Invite a friend and join us for a fun day of golf at Bellwood Oaks Golf Course in Hastings, MN. Start time is 8am on Saturday, July 13. Cost is $33 to walk 18 holes and $50 for a cart + 18 holes. Don’t want to golf but want to join us for burgers after? After golfing, the guys will head to lunch at King's Bar & Grill, 14460 240th St Miesville, MN 55033. Contact events@restorationcov.org to let us know you want to play or to let us know you’ll join us afterwards at King’s.
Summer Sip & Social – July 14
All women of Restoration are encouraged to invite a friend and attend our Summer Sip & Social on Sunday, July 14 from 6:30-8:30pm at Kerry Stok's home in Apple Valley. This relaxed evening of refreshments on the deck is all about creating space for fun and fellowship for Restoration ladies and friends. Contact Kara for the address kararasmussen@restorationcov.org.
All Church Picnic – July 28
Mark your calendars now-we’re having an all-church picnic on July 28! We’ll be gathering after the worship service at the Senior Center. We’ll provide pulled pork sandwiches, beverages & paper products. If your last name starts with A-O, please bring a salad or picnic food to share. If your last name starts with P-Z, please bring a dessert to share. Consider inviting a friend to join us for this great time of fun and fellowship! Contact info@restorationcov.org
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.
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
Many of our small groups take a break over the summer months. However there are a couple of groups that continue to meet. The Men’s Group meets weekly on Saturday mornings at 7am at the Ministry Center and the Second Stage Group meets biweekly Sundays nights at 6pm in host homes. Both groups are open to join at anytime. There are also several connection opportunities for men, women, and families throughout the summer. For more information about these opportunities or if you’re interested in joining or starting a small group, Kara would love to talk to you! Contact kararasmussen@restorationcov.org.
SUNDAY
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 (lunch)
2nd Sunday of the month, Noon-2:00pm
Led by Janice Svaren
MONDAY
Moms and Daughters Small Group
Mondays, 6:30-8pm at the Rasmussens' home
Studying Treasured
Led by Kara Rasmussen and Chrystine Vilhauer
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: 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
*NEXT WEEK*
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 June
Preschoolers
Have you ever played PAC-MAN? The best part of that game is eating the large power pellets. Pac-Man immediately powers up, and then you can do anything. The bad guys can’t get you! You can eat them and earn bonus points doing it! It’s awesome! Feeling like we can do anything is a pretty great feeling.
We may not have power pellets lying around that we can eat to power up, but we do have another power source—a real power source that gives us the power to do everything God wants us to do. His name is Jesus. And, He is AMAZING! We are going to Power Up through the next two months with the hope of creating a super fun and engaging experience for preschoolers to learn about the fruit of the spirit—what happens when we are connected to Jesus, the real source of power.
“I can do everything by the power of Christ.” Philippians 4:13, NIrV
Elementary
God created us in His image, and He sent His Son, Jesus, to show us the way to live. He also knew we would need help; that’s why He sent us the Holy Spirit. With the power of the Spirit, we can produce fruit that points others to Jesus. Every month, kids discover something about God’s character and how they can reflect or respond to that character because they are created in God’s image. We call those LifeApps. And this summer we’re discovering how several of these Life-Apps show up specifically in what the Apostle Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit.
“The fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself.” Galatians 5:22-23a NIrV
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: students@restorationcov.org
Restoration Students Pool Party
On Wednesday, July 10, we will be having a Students Pool Party at the Svarens' home in Apple Valley. ANY student who would be going into grades 6-12 this fall is welcome to join us from 6:30-8:30pm. We'll have snacks, play some games, and enjoy the pool. Students are encouraged to bring friends! Contact students@restorationcov.org.
High School Sunday Nights
"We use the word 'love' all the time. But do we really know what that means? Jesus laid down His life on the cross for us. Do you know what that means!? He gave up His life so we could know what real life, and what real love is all about. The best way we can show His love to others is by giving of ourselves for them. How are you 'laying down your life' for the people around you?" Students grades 9-12 will be meeting at the Svarens’ home to study and discuss the book Love Out Loud by Doug Fields. Join us Sunday evenings from 6:30-8pm. Contact students@restorationcov.org with questions.
DATES: June 30 | July 14, 28 | August 11, 25
Summer Middle School Group
Students going into grades 6-9 this Fall begin Sunday mornings in the worship service then they meet in the café for discussion and activities that complement the Sunday morning message. Contact students@restorationcov.org
DATES: July 21 | August 4, 18
Upcoming Events
Students Cannon River Tubing
July 24 | 12:30-6pm
Drop off and pickup at the Ministry Center
Students Lake Party
August 14 | 5:30-9pm
at the Besharas' home in Apple Valley
Wild Mountain
August 28 | 8:30-5:30
Drop off and pickup at the Ministry Center
MUUUCE
Students entering grades 6-9, join us for MUUUCE (Most Unbelievable Ultimate Urban Camping Experience) on August 1-3. This is an unforgettable, spiritual, high-energy three days of chaos, Valleyfair, live worship, food, and fun with hundreds of middle school students and leaders from all over the Northwest Conference. Invite your friends to this event! We also welcome adults willing to help lead. Cost is $125/person. Registration forms and payments are due Sunday, July 15. Forms can be downloaded below or picked up at the information table on Sundays. Contact students@restorationcov.org for RSVP and questions.
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 students@restorationcov.org