February 27, 2020
Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Genesis 2:25
The first time in my adult life I remember feeling shame is when I was a newlywed. My husband Marc and I had been married all of about two months when I started feeling really depressed and really lost in my new role as a wife.
Because Marc was about to enter pilot training, we would start on a course of moving from place to place. The first place we lived as a married couple, we were only at for 4 months. The next place was less than a year. After that, we made two more moves of 6 months or less. What this meant for me was that it was almost impossible to find work and nearly as difficult to make new friends. Lots of places don’t want to train someone who will only be there for a few months. Likewise, most people don’t want to get too invested in a friend who will be moving in a matter of months. I had completely uprooted my life and lost my identity in the process.
Even though I had Marc, I felt incredibly alone and completely without purpose. He had classmates wherever we moved who were all in the same boat so he had both an interesting career and built-in friends. When I reached out to my friends and family about my struggles, they responded by disregarding my feelings and convincing me that my situation was not as dire as I made it out to be. To be fair, they did this because they didn’t want our marriage to fall apart. However, it made me ashamed that I wasn’t being the wife Marc deserved, made me doubt my strength and it definitely made me start keeping my feelings to myself. The other problem during all this was I wasn’t talking much with God. So, even though my emotions were both real and justified, all those around me were telling me I needed to get over it already. It wasn’t helpful and it made everything worse because it amplified the shame I was already feeling about not being a supportive wife during a stressful and challenging time in my husband’s life. I was both incredibly lost and too embarrassed to talk about it. My new husband didn’t want me to be unhappy, but he swept most of my feelings under the rug because he wasn’t equipped to help me through life as a military spouse.
As Rob talked about on Sunday, shame starts by spreading doubt, distorting truth, and disrupting relationships. Even with Adam and Eve in the first sin, God did not want them to feel ashamed (they did) but He wanted them to talk to Him. The devil wants us to hide our shame away and let it fester and grow in a dark place. When we bring our shame into the light, we can overcome it. It’s not easy but it’s vital. Now when I feel ashamed, like just last week when I really let one of my kids down with something irresponsible I’d done, I bring it to light. I immediately admitted my fault and apologized to my son and talked to God and, when I did, He reminded me that I’m loved no matter what.
With light,
Kerry
*THIS FRIDAY*
Women’s Sip & Social – February 28
Women of Restoration – winter is long in Minnesota, can I get an Amen? Please join us for a break in the long winter season to socialize with Restoration ladies at Jo Jo’s Rise & Wine, 12501 Nicollet Ave #100, Burnsville. We’ve reserved a room from 6:30-8pm at Jo Jo’s and food and beverages are available for purchase there. Contact kerrystok@restorationcov.org.
*THIS SATURDAY*
Men’s Movie and Games Night – February 29
Men of all ages are invited to enjoy an afternoon/evening of games and a movie at the ministry center February 29 from 4-7pm. We’ll be watching Black Panther. If you don’t want to watch the movie, come for the food and hang out and play games. RSVP to DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org so we can get enough food.
*THIS SUNDAY*
Food on the First
At the start of the month, we donate food for Westview Elementary School staff to distribute from a “food locker” to hungry families. To help, head to the store for healthful, non-perishable food and bring it to church. Gift cards in any amount to Cub, Wal-Mart, or Target will also be greatly appreciated since they help families purchase meat and fresh produce. Cash, check and designated online donations go to The Sheridan Story program that puts a weekend meal in participating students’ backpacks every Friday of the school year.
Current Series – Unashamed: stories of shame, truth, & hope
Whether we realize it or not, all of us carry a spiritual infection…its name is shame and it affects every aspect of our lives: personal, spiritual, vocational, and relational. Shame is universal and yet elusive. It’s sometimes difficult to put into words because it possibly infected us before we had words for it. It causes feelings of embarrassment, humiliation, disgrace, and depression. Shame seeks to disintegrate our minds and our relationships and lock us into invisible prisons. And yet, there is hope. God created a world without shame and He designed us to live in that joyful, creative space. Jesus came to bring us hope, give us sight, and set us free. In this series, we will share stories of shame and see how the truth can break us free from the stronghold of shame.
Baptism & Dedication Meeting – March 15
We will be having baptism and dedication on Sunday, March 29. An informational meeting will be held after the service on Sunday, March 15. If you are interested in having a child dedicated or baptized, please contact ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org or contact the church office.
Reading to Kindergarteners at Westview Elementary
Westview is in need of volunteers willing to read with Kindergarteners on a weekly basis. This is an easy way to serve Westview Elementary and show them how much our church cares about them. Additionally, Westview is looking to hire a paraprofessional if you know anyone who may be interested in applying. If you’re interested in either volunteering or the para position, please email Patsy.Ryan@district196.org or call her at 952-431-8386.
Membership Class – March 16 &23
We are better together! Church membership is about joining with fellow believers and making a commitment to the local church. When we covenant, or commit to each other, it shifts our identity from a “friend of the family” to “family member” status. Through this commitment we put down roots for strong spiritual growth and we join Christ in declaring our love for the Church that He gave his life for. Our next two-night membership class is tentatively scheduled for March 16 and 23 from 7-9pm at the Ministry Center. We say tentatively because we want to accommodate anyone who is interested in joining so please reach out to ChristaYoung@restorationcov.org with any questions or if you’re interested but these times don’t work for you.
Online Giving
In order to meet the financial goals we believe God is guiding us towards, our church needs an increase of giving of 21% over the next six months. We don’t share this to guilt but to encourage you to be a vital part of our church’s health and growth. 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.
Covenant Pines Family Camp
Did you know that several families from Restoration have participated in Covenant Pines Family Camp for the past few years? Covenant Pines family camps are designed to give you quality time with your family. Covenant Pines works hard to provide a loving, exciting, and energizing environment where life-changing moments can happen on a daily basis. They have two programmed Family Camps at CPBC every summer from July 4-7 or August 8-11. Covenant Pines also has their Silver Beach Family Area available all summer for families to have a less programmed, but still very intentional stay. You can pick up a brochure at the info table on Sunday or check out their website HERE.
Restoration Small Groups
Small Groups exist to help people be known and grow in their relationships with God, the church, and with others. If you have a question about our next small group season starting up soon, please contact Daniel at groups@restorationcov.org.
SUNDAY
Second Stage Group
Every other Sunday, 6-8pm in host homes
Studying the sermon series
Led by Dick & Patte Klatt
Families of Youth Lunch
2nd Sundays, Noon-2pm
Eating together and fellowship
Led by Kerry Stok
Women’s Small Group
Every other Sunday, 6-7:15pm in host homes
Studying the sermon series
Led by Teresa Slepicka
Family Small Group
Every other Sunday, 5:30-7:30pm in host homes
Studying the sermon series
Led by Nick and Andrea Youngberg
TUESDAY
Prayer Group
Every Tuesday, 7-9pm at the Ministry Center
Led by Mary Beshara and Michael Nybakken
WEDNESDAY
Parents with Young Children Play Date Group
3rd Wednesdays, 9:30am-11:30am in host homes
Informal time of fellowship while kids play
Led by Chrystine Vilhauer
SATURDAY
Men’s Bible Study Group
Saturdays, 7-8am at the Ministry Center
Studying the book of Revelation
Led by Chad White
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.
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
What We’re Learning in February
Preschoolers
Following the leader is definitely something preschoolers love and understand. What they need to learn is that throughout life there will be countless choices of leaders they can follow. We want them to know who the best leader is to follow. And that is Jesus! Jesus is the best leader we can follow! By the end of this month, when we ask preschoolers who can you follow, our prayer is that they will answer, I can follow Jesus. Why? Because Jesus loves us, and He will always lead us in the best way.
Memory Verse: “Come and follow me,’ Jesus said.” Matthew 4:19, NIrV
Elementary
This month, the elementary classes will be taking a look at the connection between forgiveness and God’s character. Throughout the Bible, we can read about the importance of forgiveness. Right from the start, God made a way for Adam and Eve to have a relationship with Him again. The same is true for us. No matter how much we mess up, God will always make a way to forgive us. When it comes to forgiveness, we can also look to Jesus, who chose to forgive even those who were crucifying Him. Because of God’s amazing forgiveness, we should work hard to forgive others.
Memory Verse: “Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13, NIrV
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org
Families of Youth Lunch – March 8
We’re planning to go back to Culver’s on March 8. These lunches are a wonderful and fun way to get to know other families who have students grades 6-12. Join us at Culver’s on Sunday, March 8 from 12-2pm. If you have any questions or are interested in hosting, please contact KerryStok@restorationcov.org. See you there!
Homemade Snacks Needed
Every Wednesday, Restoration Students crave snacks. It takes roughly 20,000 homemade snacks for a student group to feel satisfied (according to hungry students). Yet sadly, our students only receive homemade snacks every once in a while and must instead make do with store-bought cookies and crackers. Please help Daniel feed these poor souls. You can make a difference by volunteering to make snacks. Contact Janae Barriuso at rjbarriuso@gmail.com to volunteer or sign up directly on Signup Genius.
Restoration Students Wednesday Nights
Mar 4, 11, 18, 25 | Apr 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | May 6, 13, 20, 27
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!
Middle School Group
Mar 8, 22 | Apr 26 | May 10, 24
Students in grades 6-8 begin Sunday mornings in the worship service. On the designated Sundays, they meet in the café for discussion and activities that complement the Sunday morning message.
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 Daniel Morgenstern.
View past News & Notes by clicking HERE.
