May 6, 2020
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13
When I was younger I made a consistent and damaging mistake in how I thought of God. I assumed that because God is all powerful and constantly present that he just did all his work directly. I mean, if you could just finish anything and everything you put your mind to in milliseconds, wouldn’t you? Delegating tasks takes work and trust that the job will get done. It’s a lot easier to just do it yourself. The thing is, I think a lot of us believe a version of this error.
Now friends, I was obviously wrong. People aid in God’s work all the time: giving to the needy, helping others discover Christ, pastoring people, or going across the world as a missionary are all examples of how we join with God to promote His Kingdom.
We believe that God does all the heart work and that we don’t have a part in encouraging and growing people. Handing out sandwiches and going on missions trips seems like stuff we should do but telling people about who we think they are as a person and their potential, well, that seems like something above our pay grade. I mean, who are we to be doing such difficult and important work?
Well, I’ll tell you, you are a child of God, made in His perfect image, and armed with His Holy Spirit. God works in many ways, and one of those ways is through you. If you think back on your own life you can probably recall a time when someone said something to you that just stuck. A couple months later they couldn’t remember they said anything but their words stayed with you for years, if not still to this day. That is the power of the divine, so powerful it works even through half-baked compliments and so persistent that even nonbelievers become conduits. When we tell people about the awesome person we see that they are, we don’t do so alone. God lends His power to us and more importantly has been shaping and growing us for this very moment.
Friends, we are the hands and feet of Jesus! Jesus didn’t come to change people’s physical and mental situations alone. He came to change their core. If we want to do the work of Jesus, we’d better be ready to do heart work. I hope you’ll pray about the work He’s asking you to do right now and that you’ll ask Him for the strength to do it.
Daniel
Blessing Graduates – June 7
On Sunday, June 7, we’ll recognize, celebrate, and bless Restoration’s graduating high school, college, and graduate school students with a prayer of blessing during service. We are excited to provide an opportunity for a role model in each graduate’s life to share a prayer of blessing. Please mark the date if you have a graduate to be sure you don’t miss this opportunity to remind family and friends that our graduates will be featured at the beginning of the service on June 7. If you are a graduate from any time in the past year, please contact Daniel by Monday, May 25 so we can be sure to include you. Your Restoration family is proud of you and wants to acknowledge your hard work and pray for your future! Contact DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org
Welcome Soren Youngberg
We celebrate the birth of Soren Floyd Youngberg, 4lbs 10oz, 17 1/2in long, born to Nick and Andrea Youngberg on April 8, 2020 at 8:52am. Soren is also welcomed by big brother and sisters Leif, Veil, and Maren. Soren will be spending some time in NICU before coming home but he and Andrea are both doing well. Please keep the Youngberg family in your prayers during this time and praise God for a healthy mom and baby. We welcome the Restoration family to support and bless them by providing meals. Please sign-up through THIS LINK Note: Meal Train recommends all Meal Trains utilize Restaurant or “Contact-Free” delivery when providing support during COVID-19.
Photo Contest Update
We can all agree that church has looked very different over the last few weeks. One of the ways we can keep connected is through pictures. We’d love to see pictures of you participating in church online, spreading kindness to your neighbors, praying, zoom chatting with your small group, or what it looks like when you worship with your family at home. All entries will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Target gift card. We’d like to use these pictures on Facebook, our website, and in our weekly newsletters so please know that submitting these images provides us with permission to do so. We’ve only received a few pics so far so we’re extending this contest to May 29. Please send images to info@restorationcov.org. We’ll draw for the gift card on Friday, May 29.
New Beginnings Message Series
Did you know the Easter story is a new creation story? Jesus died and was buried on a Friday, like a seed placed in the Earth by God, that sprung forth on Sunday. Jesus’ resurrection inaugurates the new creation. The Church first referred to Sunday as the eighth day. Creation was completed in six days, God rested on the seventh day, but at the resurrection God started a new beginning. God didn’t just raise Jesus from the dead; the resurrection of Jesus began an era where God is making all things new.
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
- Adultish? Group – Friday evenings – led by Daniel Morgenstern
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.
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.
Food on the First
In lieu of our usual Food on the First food collections for May, we’ll be collecting gift cards to provide to families in need. Please send grocery gift cards from Target, Cub, Aldi, or Walmart to Michele Jacobson. Please message us at info@restorationcov.org for Michele’s address.
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.
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!
Restoration Kids Weekly Challenge
Have you been keeping up with the weekly Facebook challenges? These easy challenges are something fun for kids to do and a way to connect with other Restoration families. We have loved seeing what everyone comes up with. Plus there are prizes!
This week’s challenge is to make chalk art in your driveway. I can’t wait to see what you come up with! I will give you until Saturday at noon to post a picture on our Facebook page. Winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card!
What We’re Learning in May
Preschoolers
We are using a lemonade stand theme this month to welcome in the warmer days and introduce preschoolers to the amazing truth that God loves them. We want preschoolers to know that God has put a lot of planning and creating and love into each of them. And, just like you can’t separate the water from the sugar from the lemon juice once you mix them, NOTHING can separate us from God’s love. Throughout the month our preschoolers will hear how the Bible teaches us that God made us in His image, has a plan for us, and will never stop loving us. So, think a lot of love and a little lemon – mix it all together and we will get an entire month of God loves me!
“Nothing at all can ever separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:39, NIrV
Elementary
This month, elementary kids will be talking about determination. Throughout the Bible, we read about all sorts of people who showed determination in the face of hardship and difficulty. They relied on God’s strength to get them through it. Even Jesus Himself endured through the pain of the cross so that we would be able to have a forever relationship with God. When it comes to the situations in our own lives, God gives us the Holy Spirit to empower us to keep going, even when life gets difficult.
“Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9, NIrV
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.