June 3, 2020
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…
Revelation 7:9a NIV
My dear people of Restoration,
The past week’s events in our cities and our nation have been heart-wrenching. The untold and uncovered pain of our sisters and brothers of color has almost been suffocated by the news coverage of the looting and riots. And so many I talk with are weary—emotionally exhausted. Monday morning I felt guilty for taking a break from the news, from the pain, and from my work…I felt guilty because my friends of color never get to take a break from this brokenness.
Last weekend, I sensed the Lord asking me to speak to the week’s events. We lamented, we confessed, and I challenged us with Christ’s invitation to “cross the chasm,” (Luke 16:19-31) to stand with and share in the suffering of those who are devalued or deemed invisible.
I know several of you are asking, ‘what can I do?’ First, if you are white, you can humble yourself and listen to the stories of your black and brown friends, neighbors, and coworkers. My wife had a co-worker open up who has never shared any of his story, but as an African American man, coming back to work on Monday was difficult and she took the time to gently ask how he was doing. If you don’t have any friends of color, don’t immediately try to find one. Start by praying and asking God who is in your circles of connection and influence.
The second important step you can take is to educate yourself. My friends of color tell me how discouraging and exhausting it is when their white friends ask them to educate them. It reminds them that even their friends don’t understand them or the issues they face. White folks need to read books and articles, listen to lectures and podcasts, and watch movies and documentaries of the problems, pain, and systems of racism. I started doing this work several years ago, but I have a long way to go. Click HERE for a list of resources to help you get started in your research. Don’t try to work through all of it in the next 2-3 weeks. Pick 2-3 that you can do soon and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you as you read, watch and listen. Then choose a couple more and do it again.
Lastly, and this comes from a person of color, give yourself grace. We, as a country, a city, and a Church, have a long way to go. These conversations stir up uncomfortable feelings, challenging thoughts, and even some shame. But when we listen to a person of color’s story-when we seek to understand without dismissing or discounting them-when we allow grace for them and grace for us, real change can occur.
Restoration’s vision is to join with Jesus to restore communities by multiplying more Christ-centered people, who become leaders, who create ministries, who start and strengthen churches. This reconciliation and restoration work is Jesus’ mission, not just ‘God and me,’ but ‘me to we.’ We are called to love God with everything and love our neighbor as ourselves.
The mission of God has always been to include all peoples, regardless of where they live, the language they speak, or the color of their skin. John received a vision from the Risen Jesus in the book of Revelation that says: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…” (Revelation 7:9a NIV)
Restoration members and friends, will you join me as we take small steps to cross the chasms of racial righteousness and reconciliation? Will you ask the Lord to show you your own pride, bias and prejudice, and carry them to the cross of Jesus? Will you courageously walk towards people, towards the pain, trauma, and brokenness to work for harmony, for peace, and for flourishing, especially for our sisters and brothers of color?
With hope,
Rob
*THIS 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
*NEW*
COVID-19 Update
Our vision is to join with Jesus to restore communities…we do this as a church that is gathered and as a church that is scattered. Either way, we are Jesus’ church. In light of restrictions being lifted for churches to begin regathering in Minnesota, Restoration Staff and Leadership Team are actively determining the best and safest ways for Restoration to begin meeting in person again. At this time, our regular meeting place, the Apple Valley Senior Center on Hayes Road, is still closed by the city. They do not know when they will be open again. We have also started a ‘return-regather-relaunch’ task force. At this time, we will continue to meet online for Sunday morning services and we’ll communicate details as we progress. If you have any questions, as always, please reach out to Pastor Rob at robjacobson@restorationcov.org or the Leadership Team at lt@restorationcov.org.
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.
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.
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!
We are beginning a new theme in June and July and that means new memory verses. I want you to create a piece of art with the new memory verse that you can display and help you remember it this month! It can be a picture, chalk art, painting, whatever! Be creative!
Post a picture on our Facebook page by Saturday at noon and I will draw a winner of a $15 Target gift card Saturday afternoon.
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 June
Preschoolers
June and July are all about what we can spy with our little eyes. Get ready for I Spy! It’s a great theme that helps us see the things that help us believe in Jesus. I Spy. It is all about the eyes. We are helping preschoolers see so they can believe in Jesus. We will have one key question and bottom line for June and July. We don’t think we can say these too much. They are that good. Get ready to ask, “who can believe in Jesus” and respond with, “I can believe in Jesus,” over and over again. Our hope is that your preschoolers will have the truth that they can believe in Jesus with them forever.
“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God.” John 20:31
Elementary
This summer, our focus is going to be on faith. God has always been involved in the world He created. We see His handiwork on display in creation. We see God’s love on display through Jesus, who came to rescue us. We respond to God in faith, believing in what we can’t see because of what we can see. When we focus on what we know to be true about God and the world God created, we can have faith in what we can’t see or fully understand.
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being sure of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
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.