September 23, 2020
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Hi, my name is Amanda, and I’m a raging introvert. I enjoy copious amounts of alone time and all things quiet. My hobbies include shutting the elevator door before anyone else can get in, and avoiding phone calls.
Your next thought may be “Amanda, If you’re so introverted, how can you lead a small group?” Honestly, I’m wondering that too. I really struggle to speak up in group settings, let alone lead a group. I’m an internal processor and sometimes I’m so wrapped up in my thoughts I genuinely forget to speak. I struggle to connect with others because I don’t feel ‘safe’ in social settings. I truly struggled to commit to leading a small group because I didn’t think I had the skill set.
I finally said yes because I saw the value in allowing myself to grow rather than staying in my little bubble. I realized the value of connection and relationships, despite my default setting of being alone. I’m excited to facilitate the growth and connection for others and I am praying that being a part of a small group is a bit of comfort and security in today’s strange and uncomfortable world.
I hope you’ll join me in taking the leap in joining a small group this Fall. I can’t promise that it’ll be easy whether you’re an introvert or not, but I know that it’ll be worth it to seek out God and connect with others in the process.
With hope,
Amanda Goerdt
*THIS SUNDAY*
Communion Sunday
This Sunday we’ll be celebrating communion during our in-person and 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.
If you’re worshipping at home, we’d like to invite you to participate 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.
If you’re worshipping with us in person, communion will be provided with safety protocols to make this ritual as touch-free as possible. Designated people serving will be required to wear face masks and gloves during preparation and serving of elements. Communion Servers will use hand sanitizer prior to initiation, and again after touching something other than the communion elements. Individual cups with juice and bread will be prepared and served. Communion Servers will maintain a distance of as close to six feet as possible, requiring both parties to extend their arms as comfortably as possible. Stations will be set up to avoid bottle-necking so that a distance of six feet can be maintained at all times. Elements must be consumed at your seats. Face coverings may be temporarily removed for participating in communion but must be replaced immediately following. As always, participation in communion is strictly voluntary.
*NEW*
New Look Where We Meet
If you are joining us in-person on September 27, October 11, or October 25, you may notice a different look at 14201 Cedar Avenue where we meet. That is because the congregation of The Mount voted on August 30 to become the Apple Valley campus of a church named Bethel’s Rock. This really doesn’t change anything for Restoration but we thought you might want to know. In a meeting with Bethel’s Rock lead pastor and the Apple Valley campus pastor on September 9, they told Pastor Rob that they would honor the one-year lease agreement. We wish the best to the community of The Mount, now Bethel’s Rock: Apple Valley campus, and our prayer is that more and more people come to know and love Jesus Christ in both of our churches. If you have further questions, please contact our Leadership Team: leadershipteam@restorationcov.org.
*NEW*
Prayer and Repentance Night
Join Mary Beshara to participate in a time of prayer and repentance to heal our land on September 26, 5-9pm. The address is 25500 Zachary Ave, Elko-New Market. This is a beautiful space in the country where Pastor Linda Rahn (Amy Zaffke’s mom) hosts a para-church ministry. We know that there are many of us who want with all our heart to see our land healed. If this describes you, please consider joining us this Saturday. Please share this with your family and friends as we believe that the Lord is doing something new, something exciting and something good in our land.
Fall Schedule
*THIS SUNDAY*
In-person and Online Sundays – Sept 27, Oct 11, 25
Arrive before 10am to grab a chair and be a part of our “studio congregation” at The Family Life Center Building at 14201 Cedar Avenue, Apple Valley, or tune in at 10am for our live stream on Facebook or our website online.restorationcov.org. For parking and worship follow the Restoration sign.
Online Only Sundays – Oct 4, 18
Tune in at 10am for our live stream on Facebook or our website online.restorationcov.org. Host a watch party and invite some friends to join you in-person or in a digital small group to connect and grow.
Regathering Information – Sept 27
We’re excited to be offering in-person worship at our new location at 14201 Cedar Avenue, along with continuing to stream our worship gatherings online. Please know that there will be things that will look and feel different as we regather together. Regardless of how your family chooses to participate in church, we want you to know we’re glad that you’re a part of our church family. The foundation of why we gather together is not changing. We gather together to worship Jesus and to spread the hope He brings as one body in Him.
For complete information about our in-person guidelines, click HERE. Here’s a quick recap:
- Worship will still be streamed online
- Come early for in-person worship – must set up and be in seats for a prompt 10am start
- No Restoration Kids ministry or nursery; bring your own activities, busy bags available
- Bring your own mask, notebook, pen, and a phone if you’d like to access the digital worship folder
- Social distancing and masks required by state mandates
- No coffee or bagel service for the time being
Immerse: Beginnings at Restoration
These days more than ever we need a hopeful story of God taking care of His people. It feels like divine planning then that our goal has us slotted to read Immerse: Beginnings. Starting September 28, we will be reading Immerse: Beginnings; finishing the entire Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) in 8 weeks. What better way to combat fear and uncertainty than reading the promises of God? For those 8 weeks, Pastor Rob will preach about the week’s reading and small groups will discuss what they have read in a format similar to that of a book club, and the students will be studying the same material. Thanks to an anonymous donor, we can provide one free Immerse: Beginnings book per family, with additional copies available for $5 per book. Join us as we find hope and comfort in the beginning of God’s story. To find out more or to join a small group, contact danielmorgenstern@restorationcov.org.
How you can participate – Weekly sermons, join a small group, follow the Reading Plan, read the Family Discussion Guide with your family, watch the weekly videos or listen to the audiobook free HERE.
How you can get a book (or Family Guide) – In-person service on 9/27, pick up from the Ministry Center during the week, call or email the office for delivery, or buy the e-book.
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.
Name Tags
We’re excited to create new name tags for everyone in our Restoration community. These name tags will include your picture to allow everyone to see your smile while we’re safely following mask guidelines when we gather in person. If you’d like us to make you a permanent name tag, please send Lacey a current picture at info@restorationcov.org. We’ll update the directory with this new image as well. We’ll have a rack to keep the name tags between Sundays but you’re also welcome to bring them back and forth if you’d rather. If you’d like a name tag without a picture, just email your preference and Lacey will have them ready for our next in-person Sunday gathering.
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
We’re very excited to launch a new season of small groups soon. If you’re looking for a deeper connection with others, we highly encourage you to plug in to one of the small groups below. Most of these groups will be studying Immerse and starting late September, and there are options for both in-person and online groups. If you’re interested in joining one of these groups or would like to better understand which group is the best fit for you or your family, please contact Daniel or the leader directly.
- Family Group Farmington (In Person)
Sunday Evenings at the Carlsons’ Home
Studying Immerse: Beginnings
Led by Greg and Stephanie Carlson - Family Group Lakeville (In Person)
Sunday after service at the Zaffkes’ Home
Studying Immerse: Beginnings
Led by Amy and Garrett Zaffke - Women’s Group (In Person)
Sunday Evenings at the Ministry Center
Studying Immerse: Beginnings
Led by Ellie Holmquist - Adultish(In Person)
Thursdays 6:30pm at Daniel’s Home
Studying Immerse: Beginnings
Led by Catherine Braaten and Daniel Morgenstern - Prayer Group (Online Option)
Tuesdays at 7pm at the Ministry Center and on Zoom
Studying Immerse: Beginnings
Led by Michael Nybakken and Mary Beshara - Men of the Wilderness (Online Option)
Fridays at 6pm at the Sorensens’ home and on Facebook
Studying Immerse: Beginnings
Led by Michael Sorensen - Second Stage Group (Online)
Sundays On Zoom
Led by Patte Klatt and Christa Young - Online Group (Online)
Sunday at 7:30pm on Zoom
Studying Immerse: Beginnings
Led by Matthew and Amanda Goerdt - Men’s Group (Online)
Saturdays at 7am on Zoom
Led by Chad White
You are invited to Family Game Night!
We want to stay connected and have fun through these times, so every Monday from 7:30-8:30pm 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 chat at the end of the service on Sunday.
This fall as we begin regathering as a church, we will be waiting a few weeks before adding nursery and Kids Ministry classes. During this time, families will worship together during intergenerational worship services. We will have busy bags with activities available for kids to take, use during worship services and then take home and bring back with them on following Sundays. Stay tuned for information on fall events for families coming soon!
Restoration Kids’ Lessons
We believe that every moment with your kids matters and that as parents, we have the opportunity to impress Biblical truth in a kid’s life, especially during these unprecedented circumstances.
Follow this link and click “watch at home” to access each week’s video lesson that your kids can complete on their own or with you.
Student Gathering
Friends, games, small group discussions, and of course, the one-of-a-kind Daniel’s Video Library of Excellence are all happening every Wednesday from 6:30-8pm, at the Ministry Center (new location: 14201 Cedar Ave)! Bring a friend to join in the fun, we have plenty of space to welcome them. Hand sanitizer will be provided and masks are required while inside. Please reach out to Daniel Morgenstern by email or call him at 952-686-8408 with any questions or concerns. See you soon!
Students Immerse Experience
God’s Story isn’t just for adults! Restoration Students Ministry is excited to launch into Immerse Beginnings. Starting October 7, Student Gathering will draw the teaching and small group discussion from the previous week’s Immerse reading. This way, students will be getting a taste of what the rest of the Church is reading through.
We also ask that parents encourage their students to take part in the Immerse reading as well. If the amount of reading is intimidating, please consider the Family Guides which breaks up the reading into shorter devotionals. You can pick up the Family Guide along with your Immerse: Beginnings book or download one yourself HERE. You could go through the devotional as a family or students could read through them on their own. Whatever method you choose, please encourage your student to join in. We have the opportunity to have the entire church reading through the same passages together! It won’t be the same without them! So, please invite them in, they can’t say “yes” if you never ask.
View past News & Notes by clicking HERE.