September 9, 2020
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.”
Matthew 5:14 MSG
Over the Labor Day weekend, my wife and I decided to do a little DIY remodel of a bathroom. Nothing fancy, we didn’t touch the shower nor did we take down any walls; just some faucets, counter, flooring and trim. It proved to be a little challenging and I was glad I had just enough skills to do it myself.
In our American culture, we are told to Do It Yourself. Teenagers and young adults search YouTube before thinking to ask an adult or a parent. Our culture values self-sufficiency above all else; but is it how we were designed to live?
We also enjoyed a couple evenings with different friends from church on the patio. Both nights we shared stories, laughter, and life. We didn’t celebrate self-sufficiency; we celebrated community. I was truly thankful to have just enough skills not to do life on my own.
As we enter a new and different season, we need to remember what God designed us for. We were designed to make a difference. We can live even in these times as light, hope, and healing.
I hope you will join us in-person (or online) for a new series in a new season at a our new location.
With hope,
Pastor Rob
Fall Schedule
THIS SUNDAY
In-person and Online Sundays – Sept 13, 27, Oct 11, 25
Arrive before 10am to grab a chair and be a part of our “studio congregation” at The Family Life Center Building at 14201 Cedar Avenue, Apple Valley, or tune in at 10am for our live stream on Facebook or our website online.restorationcov.org. For parking and worship follow the Restoration signs.
Online Only Sundays – Sept 20, Oct 4, 18
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.
Regathering Information – Sept 13 & 27
We’re excited to be offering in-person worship at our new location at 14201 Cedar Avenue, along with continuing to stream our worship gatherings online. Please know that there will be things that will look and feel different as we regather together. Regardless of how your family chooses to participate in church, we want you to know we’re glad that you’re a part of our church family. The foundation of why we gather together is not changing. We gather together to worship Jesus and to spread the hope He brings as one body in Him.
For complete information about our in-person guidelines, click HERE. Here’s a quick recap:
- Worship will still be streamed online
- Come early for in-person worship – must set up and be in seats for a prompt 10am start
- No Restoration Kids ministry or nursery; bring your own activities, busy bags available
- Bring your own mask, notebook, pen, and a phone if you’d like to access the digital worship folder
- Social distancing and masks required by state mandates
- No coffee or bagel service for the time being
Immerse: Beginnings at Restoration
These days more than ever we need a hopeful story of God taking care of His people. It feels like divine planning then that our goal has us slotted to read Immerse: Beginnings. Starting September 28, we will be reading Immerse: Beginnings; finishing the entire Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) in 8 weeks. What better way to combat fear and uncertainty than reading the promises of God? For those 8 weeks, Pastor Rob will preach about the week’s reading and small groups will discuss what they have read in a format similar to that of a book club, and the students will be studying the same material. Thanks to an anonymous donor, we can provide one free Immerse: Beginnings book per family, with additional copies available for $5 per book. Join us as we find hope and comfort in the beginning of God’s story. To find out more or to join a small group, contact danielmorgenstern@restorationcov.org.
How you can participate – Weekly sermons, join a small group, follow the Reading Plan, read the Family Discussion Guide with your family, watch the weekly videos or listen to the audiobook free HERE.
How you can get a book (or Family Guide) – In-person service 9/13 or 9/27, pick up from the Ministry Center during the week, call or email the office for delivery, or buy the e-book.
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
We’re very excited to launch a new season of small groups soon. If you’re looking for a deeper connection with others, we highly encourage you to plug in to one of the small groups below. Most of these groups will be studying Immerse and starting late September, and there are options for both in-person and online groups. If you’re interested in joining one of these groups or would like to better understand which group is the best fit for you or your family, please contact Daniel or the leader directly.
- Family Group Farmington (In Person), Sunday Evenings at the Carlsons’ Home, Studying Immerse: Beginnings, Led by Greg and Stephanie Carlson
- Family Group Lakeville (In Person), Sunday after service at the Zaffkes’ Home, Studying Immerse: Beginnings, Led by Amy and Garrett Zaffke
- Women’s Group (In Person), Sunday Evenings at the Ministry Center, Studying Immerse: Beginnings, Led by Ellie Holmquist
- Adultish (In Person), Thursdays 6:30pm at Daniel’s Home, Studying Immerse: Beginnings, Led by Catherine Braaten and Daniel Morgenstern
- Prayer Group (Online Option), Tuesdays at 7pm at the Ministry Center and on Zoom, Studying Immerse: Beginnings, Led by Michael Nybakken and Mary Beshara
- Men of the Wilderness (Online Option), Fridays at 6pm at the Sorensens’ Home and on Facebook, Studying Immerse: Beginnings, Led by Michael Sorensen
- Second Stage Group (Online), Time TBD, On Zoom, Led by Patte Klatt and Christa Young
- Online Group (Online), Sunday at 7:30pm on Zoom, Studying Immerse: Beginnings, Led by Matthew and Amanda Goerdt
- Men’s Group (Online), Saturdays at 7am on Zoom, Led by Chad White
You are invited to Family Game Night! – September 14
We want to stay connected and have fun through these times, so every Monday from 7:30-8:30pm we will be gathering through Zoom to play some fun party 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 message Sunday on a zoom call 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 folks you might not have connected with otherwise. Use this link to join. A link will also be posted in the chat at the end of the service on Sunday.
This fall as we begin regathering as a church, we will be waiting a few weeks before adding nursery and Kids Ministry classes. During this time, families will worship together during intergenerational worship services. We will have busy bags with activities available for kids to take, use during worship services and then take home and bring back with them on following Sundays. Stay tuned for information on fall events for families coming soon!
Bible Presentations – September 27
If you have a child entering 2nd grade this year or if your child is past 2nd grade but doesn’t own their own Bible yet, please let us know! On Sunday, September 27, we’ll be presenting Bibles and celebrating a milestone where we recognize that kids are going from an age where they are learning to read to a time when they are reading to learn. Our goal as a church is to support parents so they can be their child’s spiritual champion. Part of achieving that goal is providing children with an age-appropriate Bible so they can really understand God’s Word.
Restoration Kids’ Lessons
We believe that every moment with your kids matters and that as parents, we have the opportunity to impress Biblical truth in a kid’s life, especially during these unprecedented circumstances.
Follow this link to access each week’s video lesson that your kids can complete on their own or with you.
NEW Student Gathering Launch
Hey Students, bet you’re missing Student Gathering – the friends, the games, small group discussions, and, of course, the one-of-a-kind Daniel’s Video Library of Excellence. Good News! It’s all coming back Wednesday, September 16, 6:30-8pm, at the Ministry Center (new location: 14201 Cedar Ave)! You may not be super excited to return back to homework but we’re excited to start seeing you again every week. Bring a friend to join in the fun, we have plenty of space to welcome them. Hand sanitizer will be provided and masks are required while inside. Please reach out to Daniel Morgenstern at by email or call him at 952-686-8408 with any questions or concerns. See you soon!
NEW Students Immerse Experience
God’s Story isn’t just for adults! Restoration Students Ministry is excited to launch into Immerse Beginnings. Starting October 7, Student Gathering will draw the teaching and small group discussion from the previous week’s Immerse reading. This way, students will be getting a taste of what the rest of the Church is reading through.
We also ask that parents encourage their students to take part in the Immerse reading as well. If the amount of reading is intimidating, please consider the Family Guides which breaks up the reading into shorter devotionals. You can pick up the Family Guide along with your Immerse: Beginnings book or download one yourself HERE. You could go through the devotional as a family or students could read through them on their own. Whatever method you choose, please encourage your student to join in. We have the opportunity to have the entire church reading through the same passages together! It won’t be the same without them! So, please invite them in, they can’t say “yes” if you never ask.
View past News & Notes by clicking HERE.
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