March 5, 2020
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4:17 (NLT)
Greetings,
Have you ever wondered about the “labels” that people have placed on you, or maybe you have placed upon yourself? Over the years, anger, loneliness, and rejection are just a few “labels” that have been part of my life and story. They affected how I viewed things such as life, relationships, employment, and ministry. About six months ago, I began to seek help through counseling for this and I told myself, “I don’t want any of my friends, coworkers, or church to know that I am in counseling. I don’t want to be looked at differently or feel rejected by them.”
Dr. Curt Thompson shares in his book, The Soul of Shame, that each person has experienced some level of shame in their lives. He shares that there are qualities that we can recognize as being common to our experience of shame and that one of these is hiding. (2015:24, 29) While reading this I recognized what I was doing. I was hiding from God and others because I felt ashamed for seeking help through counseling.
Shame brought Adam and Eve to a place of hiding—their eyes were opened to their nakedness which exposed them to their vulnerability. Before this, they trusted God with everything. And though they hid themselves, He still pursued them and showed His grace and mercy.
Hebrews 4:17 says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.” I think the writer of Hebrews understood how shame would affect our lives. The writer is saying that no matter what kind of “labels” others or you have placed upon yourself, that you can still come to God!
We have prayer and care team ministries at Restoration Covenant, who would love to walk with you on this journey of living free from shame. As I continue with counseling, I’m understanding that my story of shame doesn’t have to be defined by my past—I can live free as a child of God and come boldly before His throne of grace!
Living Unashamed,
Jacob
*THIS SATURDAY*
Daylight Saving Time Begins
Daylight saving time for 2020 begins Sunday, March 8, so remember to set your clocks AHEAD one hour when you go to bed this Saturday night. See you for worship at 10am this Sunday!
*NEW*
Easter Choir (Special Music)
Do you enjoy singing? We need you! We’re looking to build a choir to share special music on Easter Sunday and we’d love to have your voice. Please contact MatthewGoerdt@restorationcov.org to join.
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.
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.
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 SMALL GROUPS
Contact: DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org
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.
*NEW* Group – Adultish?
Is being an adult still something you do instead of something you are? Does your phone have notes for your taxes saved next to the dankest of memes. Then we have a group for you! Adultish? A group for people somewhere between comic books and National Geographic. Join us at 7pm on April 11 at the Braatens’ house: 17487 Iceland Trl. Lakeville for some board games, snacks, and a chance to talk about how life has changed.
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
RESTORATION KIDS
Contact: ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org
What We’re Learning in March
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
*THIS SUNDAY*
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!
*NEW*
Students Movie Night
Student Gathering can sometimes feel like a jungle so the movie, Jumanji, picked itself. Join us at 6:30pm on Wednesday, March 25 at the Ministry Center for our Movie Invitation Student Gathering. Invite your friends to watch the movie, enjoy some snacks, and meet some new people. 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 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!
*THIS SUNDAY*
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.
