March 14, 2018
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
%20copy%202.jpg "One Kind Thing / Restoration Covenant Church in Apple Valley MN")
If I make a pot of coffee and no one drinks it, does it still count as one kind thing? Would I have picked up that trash anyway? Does my one kind thing have to be for someone different every day? If no one notices does it really matter? I found myself searching for parameters with this challenge.
I deemed some acts of kindness not good enough to count, some not out of the ordinary enough, some not loving enough. But really, what is the goal of doing one kind thing? Are we trying to change the world? Well, yes and no. It's a start. Each act of kindness makes a difference. We can't really know who sees when we pick up that trash or shopping cart. We can affect people without knowing it. We can do these acts of kindness and let them change us.
The most noticeable change I saw was in me. I was much more aware of opportunities to be a doer of kind things. I was looking around me, prepared for God to provide that space for me to make a difference. I may not have changed the world, but maybe I made someone's day. Maybe I can show someone God's love on a day they really need it. I can let God show me how I can make a difference in the world around me.
I admit there have been days that I forgot to pick out a kind thing to do. But I think the change in my perspective was accomplished and I'm really glad I decided to give it a try. I am going to try to continue, yes even past Easter, to see those opportunities God presents me with to do more kind things.
God Bless,
Lacey
*NEW*
Simon Christopher Paré
We celebrate the birth of Simon Christopher Paré, born to Chris and Liz Paré on March 6! Simon is also welcomed home by big sisters Jocelyn and Olivia, and big brother Corban. Please keep the Paré family in your prayers during this busy time and praise God for a healthy mom and baby. A Meal Train site has been set-up for the Paré family. We welcome the Restoration family to support and bless the Parés by providing meals. Please sign-up through this link: meals for Parés.
Feed My Starving Children – March 21
Looking for an amazing opportunity to serve kids in need with your friends and family? Join us for Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) to pack meals for hungry kids worldwide on Wednesday, March 21 from 6-7:30pm. We will meet at 5:45pm at 990 Lone Oak Road, Suite 136, Eagan. There is no cost to participate, but FMSC welcomes donations. Invite your friends and family for this awesome international outreach! Everyone age 5 and up is welcome, but space is limited. Please RSVP first name, last name, and if you are an adult to DerekWassell@restorationcov.org.
*NEW*
Good Friday – March 30
Join us for a joint Good Friday service at 7pm on Friday, March 30 at Lighthouse Christian Church, 3285 144th St W, Rosemount. There will be scripture readings and communion, but the majority of the service will be dedicated to worship.
*NEW*
Easter – This Changes Everything
Certain events in history have been so significant that, from that point on, things were never the same. The first Easter changed everything. But, even if we realize that it did, why does it often feel as if nothing has changed? Easter really does matter. It’s much more than a holiday that comes once a year. Likewise, faith matters too, especially if you know what you have faith in.
Join us this Easter as we journey through the dreams, fears and possibilities of everything changing!
*NEW*
P3 Retreat – April 21
P3 = Pray, Play, Plan
Every spring, Restoration’s staff, ministry team leaders and members of the Leadership Team meet to pray, play and plan for the year ahead. We reflect and listen to how God has been working and leading us and then we play and plan how we can best respond as a church towards the vision God is calling us to. These plans are then shared and reviewed for approval at our annual Vision Meeting in June. This year's P3 retreat will be held on Saturday, April 21 from 8:30am-3:30pm at the Ministry Center. First and foremost, we ask for your prayers for this important day. If you have specific prayers, input, ideas, or revelation from God for our church or for a particular ministry, we highly encourage you to share them with a Ministry Team Leader or with the Leadership Team before April 5. Contact John Schroeder with any questions: JohnShroeder@restorationcov.org
*NEW*
Westview Serving Sunday – May 6
One of our values at Restoration is Serving Humbly. We believe so highly in this value that we're planning to spend regular worship time on Sunday, May 6 to serve together as a church. That Sunday we will worship at the Senior Center from 10-10:15am and then we will get instructions and all walk over to Westview Elementary to help them with indoor and outdoor tasks that they need done. There will be several outdoor projects where you might get dirty so please dress accordingly. If you have them, please bring gardening tools – specifically gloves, lawn bags, leaf blowers and tillers. If you have a tiller or leaf blower or have any questions about this service day, please contact Chrystine Vilhauer at ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org. Sometimes the best way to love our neighbor is serving them in very practical ways. Thanks in advance for doing just that – we look forward to serving alongside you soon!
Kids Electronic Check-in
Restoration Kids values our ability to create a safe, fun environment where every child can come to know Jesus. Children are highly valued and we want to make sure our check in process is as secure, welcoming and simple as possible. This is why we launched a new electronic check in system for Restoration Kids from birth through 5th grade. As we grow as a church and continue to welcome new kids into our ministry, it's imperative that we utilize the best possible space and practices to keep our kids safe and accounted for. Please click here to review the new process. If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Leadership Team at Leadershipteam@restorationcov.org. We're grateful for the opportunity to grow the Kids' Ministry and appreciate the support of our parents and church.
CLICK HERE for more details on the new process.
Current Message Series: Relation-slips
Our greatest regrets and our most embarrassing moments can come from our relation-slips. A relation-slip is when you say something you shouldn’t have said or you don’t say something that needed to be said. Either way, you undermine your relationships and injure yourself. The end result is a damaged or possibly broken relationship. Jesus was the master of relationships. What did he do and how did he do it in his ministry on Earth? How can we follow His lead in preventing and overcoming our relation-slips? Join us for this meaningful and applicable teaching series.
One Kind Thing
As a church community, we're always looking for ways to share the love of Jesus. There's no better time to model the love God has for each of us than in the days leading up to Easter. We're encouraging our Restoration family and friends to think of one kind thing you can do for 40 days starting on Ash Wednesday, February 14. See if you can continue the streak by writing down the kind thing you do every day. Need ideas? Go to restorationcov.org/onekindthing. Thanks for helping us spread kindness throughout our community starting with One Kind Thing.
Small Groups
Are you looking for a way to get to know others and grow in your faith? Small Groups help us grow in our love for God and others within an authentic community of people. Though each group's format is different, all groups have a time of discussion and prayer. Contact groups@restorationcov.org to learn more.
Families of Students Small Group
12pm 2nd Sundays, monthly
Share a meal together, led by Janice & Pete Svaren at host homes.
Families with Children Small Group
5:30pm Sundays, bi-weekly
Discussion of the sermon, led by Matt & Mallory Allinder at host homes. Children Welcome.
Sunday Women’s Small Group
6:30pm Sundays, bi-weekly
Discussion of the sermon, led by Kara Rasmussen at host homes.
Tuesday Women’s Small Group
7pm Tuesdays, weekly
Discussion of Hearing God: How to Recognize His Voice, led by Mary Beshara at the Besharas' home in Apple Valley.
All Ages Small Group
6:30pm Wednesdays, bi-weekly
Discussion of the sermon, led by Garrett & Amy Zaffke at the Zaffkes' home in Apple Valley. Children welcome.
Men’s Small Group
7am Saturdays, weekly
Study of the book of 1 Peter, led by Chad White at the Ministry Center.
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 March
Preschool:
This month we’ve GONE FISHIN’! It just seems perfect since this month is all about Jesus and how He taught the disciples to be fishers of men. How did they learn to be fishers of men? Well, they followed Jesus! And, we want our preschoolers to know that they can follow Jesus too!
This is going to be a wonderful month as we help preschoolers prepare to celebrate the biggest act of love ever known to man …Easter. And when they’re old enough to hear Jesus say ‘Follow me,’ we want them to be ready to say yes!
Elementary:
This month, elementary kids will be talking about peace. When Adam and Eve decided that their way was better than God’s way and broke God’s rule, they changed the relationship between God and His creation. Where once everything and everyone could be in the presence of God, we were at odds with God. God could have done anything He wanted, including wiping us out and starting over. But instead God decided to make peace with us. Ultimately God did this through His Son, Jesus.
When Jesus died and then rose from the dead, He paid the price for everything that was wrong and unfair in this world. Because of Jesus, we can have peace. We don’t have to get even. Instead, we can reflect the character of Christ by caring for others and making peace.
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: DerekWassell@restorationcov.org
Restoration Students Wednesday Nights
Upcoming Dates: Apr 4, 11, 18, 25 | May 2, 9
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 and building meaningful relationships. If you have a Bible, bring it. Invite a friend!
Middle School Group
Upcoming Dates: Mar 18 | Apr 15 | May 6
Students in grades 6-8 begin Sunday mornings in the worship service. On the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, they are dismissed to the café; for discussion and activities that complement the Sunday morning message.
Restoration Students Facebook Page
Did you know we have a Restoration Students Facebook page? Check it out and "Like" the page!
Sharing the News
Information from organizations and institutions in and around our community are offered as resources and not necessarily with the full endorsement of Restoration Covenant Church.
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Mary Goblirsch Fundraising/Benefit for Mission Work in Honduras
Sunday, April 22, 12-4pm, American Legion 14521 Granada Dr, Apple Valley. For more information on this event, click here.
View past News & Notes by clicking HERE.