March 25, 2020
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25
A couple weeks ago, I was feeling very “full.” It had been a crazy week at work with transitions and major events coming up. I was feeling very overwhelmed on that Wednesday and literally heavy with the stress. During the day, I kept getting words from the Lord through my dad and some others calling me to rest in my Father God even when they didn’t know I was feeling so stressed (thus I conclude the message was from the Lord to rest!).
Well, Thursday as of 4:30pm the university I work at announced they were sending the students home for the remainder of the semester to finish with online classes. As I was driving to teach my class with the RT4 Ministry Minnesota House of Healing that evening, I began laughing out loud in the car realizing ALL of the things I was stressing about the day and hours before the announcement have literally become irrelevant as I am an event coordinator and all of the future events have been cancelled as well as my other responsibilities as the students leave the campus. The Lord was showing me in the car how to not take on the worries and stress of tomorrow!!
So, I like most all of you, have new unknowns each day in this time. I have new temptations each day to return to that place of carrying the stress of tomorrow or an opportunity to say, “Lord give me enough grace for today and declaring the truths I know about who He is and who He says I am even in this.” I sit here choosing joy, laughing at the days to come just like the woman from Proverbs 31. One of my declarations since December is I will be a woman to laugh at the days to come without fear of the future! Sharing this to spread peace that, you too, have access to. Declaring over each of you peace and family fun this day and week!
Amy
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 is linked 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.
*THIS SUNDAY*
Communion Sunday
This Sunday we’ll be celebrating communion during our online worship service, Sunday, March 29. Communion is a sacred practice in the Christian church instituted by Jesus Christ. The bread and cup represent and remind us of Jesus’ body and blood freely being offered to restore us with God. We’d like to invite you to participate from your home by gathering the communion elements before Sunday morning so you are not scrambling to find something in that moment. You may not have the traditional elements of bread and juice/wine on hand to use, so feel free to use what is meaningful and available to you. Our desire is to experience Christ with us as we break the bread and drink the cup, whatever those actual elements may be. We look forward to participating with you online Sunday morning!
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.
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.
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. 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.
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 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
Restoration Students Update
Restoration Students and parents, please watch your email for ideas for how to keep your faith in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic. We’re bummed not to be meeting but we want to stay connected so stay tuned for that!
View past News & Notes by clicking HERE.
