April 8, 2020

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”
1 Peter 1:3 NIV

Another Easter or a new Easter?

Ten years ago, a couple dozen people huddled in a huge oval in my basement. We had been praying and dreaming about a new church—Restoration—a place where all kinds of people could experience Jesus and be restored. In one of those meetings, a newer friend of mine shared a beautiful investigative story of coming to believe and trust Jesus as a young adult. And yet, since getting married, having children, getting into the career he had hoped, he felt a twinge of sadness…as if his solid faith, stable marriage, and steady job actually made his life feel stationary. Stuck. Unchanging. It was as if there would be no more new beginnings.

This friend concluded, “My life should feel full and happy, but sometimes I feel like something is missing, especially if all that’s left for me is to continue living the reality of the decisions I’ve already made in my career, my marriage, and my family.”

Oh, if only we could have seen it at that time, something else, someone else, so close, hovering above the darkness of my friend’s finality.

I’ve since learned, and I’m continuing to discover, the unchanging-but-always-becoming God designed all of his creation to begin again. Darkness, chaos, and stuck-ness, as well as peace, light, and love hovering just above it. In fact, there’s always darkness before the light breaks in, before new life and new beginnings spring forth. We see it in the darkness of winter before spring, we see if in the light and hope that is springing up during the darkness of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we see it in the story of Easter where the darkness of death would not stop the light of Jesus’ resurrection!

Join us on Easter and in this unique season to discover and engage in all of the new beginnings God still invites us into.

Pastor Rob

*NEW*
Good Friday
Do you ever wonder what Jesus’s closest followers may have experienced on that night after Jesus was arrested and they were without Him for the first time in years? Good Friday and the day that followed were days of darkness before the world changed. Without Good Friday, there is no Easter. Join us on Facebook for a family-friendly night of music and dramatic readings reflecting on Jesus’ ministry and the moments leading up to the crucifixion. You will see art and video from the Holy Land and hear voices of the disciples, supporters, and characters Jesus interacted with. Livestream will begin Friday, April 10, at 7pm.

*UPDATED*
Church Update
We (the leadership team and staff) have been praying for our church, cities, country and world in this uncertain time. We want you to be aware that the Apple Valley Senior Center (where we gather on Sundays) is still closed and will remain closed through at least May 3. We also know that, through history, the church has always grown through trials and adversity. We believe this time is no different. God is present and in ultimate control even though world events are causing anxiety and fear. You can find our worship services on our Facebook page and Youtube, as well as past messages on iTunes and our website. Our prayer groups, small groups, and student ministry are meeting virtually. You can find more information on our website about ways to connect and engage, as well as the most up-to-date information on gatherings or gathering restrictions.

May the joy of the Lord be your strength!

Helping parents in the midst of COVID-19
Last week, Pastor Rob and our own Ann Fleming, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, had a helpful conversation about how to process, grieve, and care for yourself, children, and teenagers in these uncertain times. You can check it out HERE.

Online Directory
There has never been a more important time to stay connected with others. Don’t forget Restoration has a great online directory to help you stay in touch with your church family. If you haven’t already, please update your picture and contact info on the link below. Need help doing that? Please reach out to Lacey at info@restorationcov.org or check out the directory page on our website.

Small Groups Meeting Online via Zoom
In these unprecedented times, it’s more important than ever to have face time with friends and family – even if it’s virtual. We recognize the huge value in this opportunity to stay connected and some of our small groups have formed online zoom chats to stay connected:

Women’s Group – Every other Monday at 7pm – led by Erin Garcia
Men’s Group – Every Saturday morning at 7am – led by Chad White
Prayer Group – Every Tuesday 7-9pm – led by Mary Beshara and Michael Nybakken

These groups are all easy to join. Please reach out to DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org to get connected to these zoom chats or to find the group that fits best.

*NEW*
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. A link will be posted in the Facebook chat at the end of the service on Sunday.

*UPDATE*
Care during COVID-19
We’ve been in contact with people from Restoration and people from our neighborhood school, Westview Elementary, to find out how we can best help families during this unusual time of need. In lieu of our usual Food on the First food collections for April and May, we will be collecting gift cards throughout the next two months to provide to families in need. If you are willing and able to partner with us, please send grocery gift cards from Target, Cub, Aldi, or Walmart to Michele Jacobson, 14230 Audobon Way, Rosemount, MN 55068. Michele will coordinate getting the gift cards to these families. If you are a family in need, or know of a family in need, please call, text or email the church 952-373-1274 or info@restorationcov.org and we will do what can to assist.

Facebook Live Service
Thanks to everyone who worshipped with us via Facebook Live last week! Did you know that, between you watching, commenting and sharing, we’ve already had over 1,000 views to our live service? If you’d like to share with friends or family, last week’s service can be viewed HERE. What’s way more important than views was the sense of community we experienced while worshipping from the comfort of our own homes. Please know we’re making improvements each week and trying to make lyrics and slide information available.

*THIS SUNDAY*
You can find Restoration Covenant Church on Facebook HERE.

Once we start live streaming you can make it easier for your friends to join by clicking the Share button and selecting Start a Watch Party.

If you want direct link to next week’s service please email info@restorationcov.org. An email will be sent 10 minutes prior to the service time and also posted on our website HERE. You do not need a Facebook account to view the video. To add comments you will need to login to a Facebook account.

Calling all Writers
The world is changing by the minute. Conversation and connection in this strange time of uncertainty is paramount. Have you experienced new thoughts and emotions stirred up by isolation or having your kids home 24/7? Are your kids experiencing fears or frustrations they want to talk about? We want to hear it if you’re willing to share with us! We’re always looking for writers of all ages and stages to contribute to our News and Notes articles. You don’t have to be an amazing writer, you just need to have something to say or share. Has something you’ve heard or experienced sparked or inspired you? We’d love to hear about it or hear a piece of your story. We also have people to help edit if you have something to share, but aren’t sure how to say it. Contact KerryStok@restorationcov.org if you’re interested or have more questions.

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.

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.

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

RESTORATION KIDS

Contact: ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org

Hello families,

I am sure most of you have heard me say before (probably many times) that at Restoration we believe strongly in empowering parents to be the spiritual leaders of their child’s faith. You have so much more time and influence in your child’s life than we ever could. That is especially true now. As parents, you are now not only the most important influence but likely one of the only daily influences our kids have to hear about God’s word and see what that means for our lives. It is also still true that Restoration Kids is here to support you. We are working to make sure you have access to the Bible lesson content your kids would have gotten on Sunday mornings as well as discussion prompts and activities to help engage your child around these topics. We are also working on some creative ideas to help keep the sense of community and fun as the weeks at home continue. Make sure to follow us on Facebook so you don’t miss anything!

As always, if you have any questions or need anything at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org. I am praying for your families and want to know how you are doing over the next few weeks!

What We’re Learning in April

Preschoolers

Everywhere we look in spring we see green starting to push through the soil and trees heavy with buds getting ready to bloom. Everything just feels so ALIVE! It’s the perfect picture to help teach preschoolers that Jesus is alive! We are sharing with preschoolers the life changing truth that Jesus is alive and He wants to be their friend forever. We are planting seeds that we pray will grow and bloom into a faith that is as alive as Jesus. A love that will love like Jesus. A compassion that will care like Jesus. A life that will give like Jesus.

Elementary

We live in a me-centered world, where people act as if the world revolves around them. Figuring out how to be humble can be difficult. But we don’t have to figure this out on our own. When Jesus was on earth, He gave us the ultimate example of humility. Jesus is God, and He put that aside for us. Through His life and death, He also showed us how to serve others and put them first.

RESTORATION STUDENTS

Contact: DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org

Restoration Students Update
We don’t have to tell you that there is a lot of uncertainty in these times. A lot of things we assumed were immovable aren’t and a lot of things we thought would never have to change are. We, the Restoration Student Leaders, first want to emphasize that, though we don’t fully understand, we feel the loss and unease of our students. We too have lost or seen things shift that we depended upon. It is frustrating and disappointing to feel so out of control and we mourn for our students that have to go through this very adult thing so early.

What we can control is our ministry and our spiritual orientation. The Restoration Student Leaders are committed to take every opportunity to keep on keeping on when it comes to Restoration Student Ministry. That means that student gatherings on Wednesday nights have changed but haven’t ended. Invitation days are still happening. That means that we still affirm and act on what God has said about us and our responsibilities. Restoration Student Ministry will remain a stable part of our life and we encourage and pray that wherever you and your students are you find things that you can make stable. Remember the word in Hebrews 13: God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.