May 27, 2020
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6
One of the things I keep forgetting during this quarantine is that kids have a completely different perspective than adults. It was made pretty obvious in Piper’s video a couple weeks ago when she told us that God is telling her to wash her hands. But seriously! I loved that little peek into what this time has been like for a kid (and just adored Piper’s video in general).
For some kids, it’s a pretty confusing time. They’re not quite old enough to grasp what’s going on. All they know is that they need to wash their hands, stay away from people outside their family, and that they can’t play with their friends right now. For some, it’s awesome to not have to go to school and to be able to play outside more or see their parents who aren’t having to go to work. They may not feel the huge responsibility of providing for their family while furloughed or figure out when it’s safe to return to normal, but they do feel that something is very different, and sometimes not in a good way.
But, kids can often see more of the good. And they’re also mirrors of what they’re hearing from us and from God. I love Jocelyn’s message of seeing God’s blessings in the midst of all this. Check it out here:
If you or a loved one wants to share what’s been going on during this time, know that we love seeing your faces, hearing your stories and sharing them with our church family so keep your feelings and videos coming so we can hear God’s word through you.
Blessings,
Kerry
*THIS SUNDAY*
Communion Sunday
This Sunday we’ll be celebrating communion during our online worship service. 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! The recipe for our typical Communion bread can be found HERE if you want to make it yourself.
*NEW*
Covenant Pines Bible Camp
All scheduled youth and family programs are cancelled through August 16, 2020. This includes all youth camp sessions and August Family Camp. Covenant Pines is exploring other ministry experiences to offer in some fashion, and will be sure to make those known once they are finalized. Their hope is to resume their Retreat Season in the fall of 2020 while continuing to monitor and adhere to guidelines and regulations regarding health and safety.
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.
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.
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.
*NEW*
You are invited to Family Game Night!
We want to stay connected and have fun through these times, so every other Monday, starting on June 8th from 7:30pm-8:30pm, we will be gathering through Zoom to play some fun party games together! No installation or purchase required. Anyone age 12+ can join the game via computer, phone, or any other device that can browse the internet. If you’re interested and would like to know more, please contact Matthew at: matthewgoerdt@restorationcov.org
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. Use this link to join. A link will also 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!
VBS News
With so much uncertainty surrounding this summer, we have made the difficult decision to cancel VBS in June. We will continue to monitor local recommendations and are open to planning a smaller kids gathering later in the summer if the situation allows. We will be sure to let you know via email and social media if we are able to add an event for Restoration Kids this summer. We’ve enjoyed staying connected with you via our weekly Facebook challenges. Thanks to you and your kids for participating and helping us keep in touch during this time away.
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 we’re going to do a science experiment! It can be as simple or complex and you want. If you need some ideas for easy experiments, try one of these.
You can work in teams with your siblings and you will all get your name entered. Just post a picture or video to this thread. This week’s winner will get a $10 gift card to Target!
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
Coming Soon – we will be dividing the Students into three groups (HS Girls, Boys, and MS Girls) to allow them to start meeting in person. The group leaders and meeting locations are currently being determined, so until those details are confirmed, Student’s Ministry will continue as a combined group online Wednesdays at 6:30. We are excited to bring Students back together as soon as we can do so safely. Contact DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org with any questions.
View past News & Notes by clicking HERE.