God's Goodness
READ THIS: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his loyal love endures! Let those delivered by the Lord speak out, those whom he delivered from the power of the enemy, and gathered from foreign lands, from east and west, from north and south. They wandered through the wilderness on a desert road; they found no city in which to live. They were hungry and thirsty; they fainted from exhaustion. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; he delivered them from their troubles.” (Psalm 107:1-6)
THINK: Sometimes it’s hard to believe in the goodness of God. For many, holidays like Thanksgiving are not a time of truly giving thanks, but a painful reminder of what is not. Families aren’t always the safe place they were created to be. Maybe someone is sick or maybe someone is missing. Maybe the economic crisis has hit close to home. The busyness and chaos of the holiday season officially kicks off, adding even more stress. There are countless reasons why this “bountiful feast” can feel more like an “unbearable beast.”
For all that Thanksgiving brings with it, there is one fact that remains unchanged year in and year out: God’s goodness. The Greek word for goodness is agathosune and it describes a kind of active goodness. God seeks to do good things because it is in his very nature to do so. He wants to bless us, embrace us and care for us. He longs to show his goodness to us.
Whatever your circumstances this season, do not doubt God’s goodness towards you. Sometimes he allows us to go through difficulties, but he does not leave you alone in them and his promises never fail. As the passage above states, he is good and he will bring you through. At times I am overwhelmed that we serve an all powerful God whose goodness overflows into our lives every day. Even in the midst of trails, God is seeking our good, to teach us something and draw us closer to him.
This Thanksgiving, in the midst of turkey, pie, football, and parties, don’t forget to take some time treasuring God’s goodness to you. Thank him, praise him, and “let those delivered by the Lord speak out.”
ASK: Goodness is one of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. How can you reflect God’s goodness to others?
PRAY: Spend time thanking God for his goodness to you, asking him to bring to mind specific situations you might have looked over.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Family Game Night!
Every Monday from 7:30-8:30pm we will be gathering through Zoom to play fun games together! No installation or purchase required. Anyone age 12+ can join the game via computer, phone, or any other device that can browse the internet. If you're interested and would like to know more, please contact Matthew at: matthewgoerdt@restorationcov.org
Sunday Coffee Time
Are you missing after service chats by the coffee cart? Join us after the Sunday worship service 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 each other. Use this link to join. A link will also be posted in the chat at the end of the service on Sunday.
Online Only Sundays - Nov 29
Tune in at 10am for our live stream on Facebook or our website online.restorationcov.org. Host a watch party and invite some friends to join you in-person or in a digital small group to connect and grow.
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
With the new state restrictions, Small Groups at Restoration will be pivoting slightly. We are asking that those groups who were meeting in person respect the new guidelines of 10 or under and no more than three households. That being said, there are options to still meet. Restoration is willing to sponsor groups as ongoing events at the Ministry Center if those groups follow the Church's guidelines. Also the Church has a Zoom account we can lend to any group that might need it. Community is so important, friends! Please keep finding ways to seek Jesus together; you'll be glad you did!
| Restoration Kids Advent To Go Boxes Restoration Kids wants to help your family enter the Christmas season in a way that is meaningful and focused on the hope of Christ, so we are once again offering Advent To Go boxes. Each box contains an activity booklet with weekly family readings and fun activities to help your family connect and celebrate the birth of our Savior this Advent season. Over the next few weeks, join us on our Facebook page where we will be posting weekly challenges for you to participate in as a family. If you have not received a box by this Saturday and would like to take part, contact ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org and we will be sure to get you one. |
| RESTORATION KIDS VIRTUAL CLASS Restoration Kids will be offering a virtual class this Sunday after the online worship service. Kids in Kindergarten through fifth grade are encouraged to join as we learn about the Bible and apply it to our lives through discussion and activities. Make sure they have their Bibles handy! The link will be posted in the comments at the end of the service or use this link. |
WEDNESDAY NIGHT STUDENT GATHERING
Wednesday Night Student Gathering
We are watching the updates from the state and will be staying in person for the one remaining Student Gathering in November (we have no Student Gathering 11/25). Student Gathering is a public event that falls below the 25 person number. We will reassess conditions in December and may move to online meetings if that is deemed wise or necessary.
View past News & Notes by clicking HERE.