November 21, 2019
A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
Proverbs 18:16 NIV
Greetings Restoration,
Don’t you love the preparation for Christmas? I don’t. Okay, okay. I love decorating for Christmas, I love seeing Christmas lights, I enjoy drinking a warm cup of coffee or tea during the cold season, and I can even admit that I love the incredibly cheesy season of Hallmark Christmas movies. But, if I’m being honest, I don’t love the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season or consumerism that tends to take over with Black Friday deals and grumpy people in stores and parking lots this time of year.
In the past few years, I’ve found one way to overcome my distaste of all things Christmas-shopping related: buying gifts and donating time or money for those in need. The single-most effective way I’ve found of ridding myself of my frustrations with Christmas lists is buying something for someone who is NOT on my Christmas list. Let’s be honest, my kids have enough video games and toys to last them through the year. My husband and close relatives? It’s not nearly as fun to buy for people who already have everything they need. What I really love is buying something for a family who will likely not get any other gifts this year. I love spending a little extra on someone who might not always get something name brand or extravagant. We have the opportunity to do that in the next couple weeks with our Armful of Love outreach project. We’ll have ornaments for you to pick to buy gifts that will go to families in need this Christmas season. Besides blessing another family, you know another huge perk of this outreach? Getting your kids or friends involved. Nothing gets your kids out of their over-the-top Christmas list making like taking them to buy a thoughtful gift for someone else and explaining why you’re doing it.
Does adding ANOTHER item to your shopping list sound daunting or expensive? That’s okay! We have other ways to donate your time and talents this Christmas. You can sign up to help wrap all these gifts. Don’t like shopping or wrapping? Still okay! We also have the opportunity for you to share your talents (creative, musical or culinary) with the church at the Christmas Showcase on Saturday, December 7. Three ways to give of yourself the first weekend of December: buying holiday gifts for families in need, wrapping those gifts, or sharing your talents with our church community at the Christmas Showcase. I highly encourage you to consider one of these three ways to really get into the spirit of Christmas and bring joy to the world the way Jesus would.
With hope,
Kerry
Immerse: Messiah
We did it! We completed reading the first volume of Immerse: the Bible Reading Experience. This Sunday, Pastor Rob will wrap up the teaching series. There will be an opportunity to share your experience with Immerse. If you missed any Sundays you can listen online or check out the teaching transcripts linked below. There are additional resources available on our website HERE as well as linked below.
Some helpful links:
Reading Plan
E-books
Audio Files
Family Guide
General Discussion Guide
Additional Discussion Questions
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8
Sunday Message Transcripts
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8
*NEW*
Hope is on the Way Message Series
Most of us don’t like to wait…for anything. Yet, for almost two-thousand years, Christians have ‘started’ their sacred year with Advent: stopping and waiting. The four weeks leading up to Christmas are a time of past and future colliding in the present. It’s a season to remember, prepare, and celebrate, not only Jesus’s first coming, but also His second coming. Hope is on the Way is a series designed to help you hear God’s promises through the centuries, to see Jesus Christ for who He really is, and to celebrate one of the most important events in all of human history: the eternal and almighty creator of the universe becoming human, living among us, and suffering for us so that we could be with God, now and forever.
*NEW*
Christmas Eve Service
We will gather for a special time of worship at 3:30pm on Monday, December 24, at our usual worship location, 14601 Hayes Road in Apple Valley. Child care will be provided for younger children, birth through preschool, and busy bags will be available at the worship services for children in grades K-5. Please visit the information table in the lobby on Sunday for invitations you can share with someone you know.
*THIS SATURDAY*
Membership Class – November 23
Becoming a member of Restoration is about joining with fellow believers and making a commitment to the local church by recognizing that we are better together. Through this commitment, we put down roots for strong spiritual growth and join Christ in declaring our love for the Church that He gave his life for. A one-day Restoration membership class will be offered on Saturday, November 23 from 10am-1pm at the Ministry Center with a pizza lunch included. More information can be found HERE. If you’re interested in membership but this day doesn’t work for you, we’d love to talk with you. If you need childcare to be able to attend this class please let us know. Contact ChristaYoung@restorationcov.org with questions regarding membership.
*THIS SUNDAY*
Communion Sunday
This Sunday we’ll be celebrating communion near the end of the 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’s body and blood freely being offered to restore us with God. Please note that we always use juice instead of wine and have gluten-free bread available so that all members of our community can participate in communion. If you have questions about kids and communion, please contact ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org
Engagement Announcement
We’re so excited to announce the engagement of Caresse Christensen and Joe Mueller. They were engaged on Nov 4 with wedding date to be determined. We hope you’ll join us in congratulating Caresse and Joe!
Armful of Love
One of our values at Restoration is serving humbly, so we share hope in Jesus Christ through acts of love. One of the ways we love the community around us is by partnering with 360 Communities’ Armful of Love for our Christmas outreach. Armful of Love matches local families in need with sponsors to provide gifts during the Christmas season. This year Restoration signed up to support 18 people in six families, which corresponds to about 72 gifts. We will have gift label ornaments that list desired gift items from these families for pick up on Sunday, November 17, November 24 and December 1. Gifts may be brought unwrapped and labeled with the gift label ornament to the Ministry Center by Friday, December 6. Please note that the wrapping will not take place on Saturday as in the past but on Friday night instead. Another way you can be generous in this outreach is by donating your time to help wrap gifts. If you are interested in helping with the gift wrapping on Friday, December 6 from 6:30-8pm contact Michele Jacobson at outreach@restorationcov.org.
Christmas Showcase – December 7
We have a fun opportunity for our church family to fellowship and get to know one another better during the holiday season. We want to showcase your talent and hard work on Saturday December 7 from 2-4pm. Have a special talent to share? Let us know! We’re looking for people of all ages who’d like to play an instrument, sing, dance, read a poem, or perform a skit. Showcase your favorite holiday goodies, sing some Christmas carols, and let’s celebrate the holidays together. If you’d like to participate in the showcase, bring food, or help plan the event please email laceyskoglund@restorationcov.org by November 24.
Kids’ Christmas Program – December 15
The Kids Christmas Program is probably the easiest opportunity to invite your friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers to church with the excuse of seeing adorable kids of all ages shine in the spotlight. We hope you’ll invite others to join us at 10am on December 15 as the kids usher us into a morning of worship that will help brighten your Christmas season. Pastor Rob shares the stage with the children of Restoration Kids as they retell the Christmas story and remind us that Jesus coming to Earth is the real gift of the season. Parents please have your kids to church at 9am on Sunday, December 15.
Restoration Online Directory
Did you know Restoration has an online directory where you can find photos and contact information for others at church? We would love to have everyone’s picture there as another way to help everyone get to know each other. You can find directions on how to use the directory HERE. Contact info@restorationcov.org if you have any questions.
Join the Setup Team
Are you a behind-the-scenes type of person ready to serve alongside other men and women at Restoration? Do you know someone who could serve in this capacity? If you’re willing to move chairs, do light lifting, and set up the stage and worship area once a month on Sunday mornings, then you’d be a valuable asset on the set up team. At Restoration, the set up team creates the environment where people can encounter God. Michael Van Dyken, the team leader, is looking for volunteers to to serve. To learn more, contact him through setup@restorationcov.org.
Small Groups
We’re very excited about this season of small groups. If you’re looking for a deeper connection with others within our church, we highly encourage you to plug in to one of the many small groups offered below. If you want to learn more or you’re not sure which group would be the best fit for you or your family, please contact groups@restorationcov.org.
SUNDAY
Second Stage Life Group
Every other Sunday, 6-8pm in host homes
Studying Immerse: Messiah
Led by Dick & Patte Klatt
Families of Youth Lunch
2nd Sundays, Noon-2pm
Eating together and fellowship
Led by Kerry Stok
Women’s Small Group
2nd/4th Sundays, 6-8pm in host homes
Studying Immerse: Messiah
Led by Kara Rasmussen
Family Small Group
1st/3rd Sundays, 5:30-7:30pm in host homes
Studying Immerse: Messiah
Led by Nick and Andrea Youngberg
Family Small Group
1st/3rd Sundays, 5:30-7:30pm in host homes
Studying Immerse: Messiah
Led by Evan and Vinesha Frey
TUESDAY
Prayer Group
Every Tuesday, 7-9pm at the Ministry Center
Led by Mary Beshara and Michael Nybakken
Women’s Small Group
Every Tuesday, Oct 1-Nov 19, 7-8:30pm in the Ministry Center Prayer Room
Studying Immerse: Messiah
Led by Val Magnuson
WEDNESDAY
Parents with Young Children Play Date Group
3rd Wednesdays, 9:30am-11:30am in host homes
Informal time of fellowship while kids play
Led by Chrystine Vilhauer
SATURDAY
Men’s Bible Study Group
Saturdays, 7-8am at the Ministry Center
Studying Immerse: Messiah
Led by Chad White
Amazon Smile
If you do any holiday shopping at Amazon, if you go through AmazonSmile it can also be a gift to Restoration. To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You have access to all the same items through AmazonSmile. You may want to add a bookmark to make it even easier to start your shopping at AmazonSmile. Sign up and choose Restoration Covenant Church as your organization to support. Thanks in advance for choosing to support Restoration!
Pray or Receive Prayer
Are you gifted at prayer or do you have a prayer request that you’d like to share with our prayer team? 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
Calling All Kids
Do you have friends who’d like to have their kids involved in church but have yet to check us out? We have a great way to reach your unchurched family and friends who are looking for fun ways to get their kids to church. Invite them to participate in our Children’s Program on Sunday, December 15. The kids will start practicing for the program during our regular worship time starting November 11. Parents hear a great message and kids learn more about the Christmas story. We’re always looking for adult volunteers to help with our program so if you’re willing to share your gifts, please contact Chrystine Vilhauer.
Kids’ Christmas Pajama Party – December 22
As we enter the very busy Christmas week, we’ll be having a fun, relaxing morning in Kids Ministry. Kids in preschool through fifth grade are invited to wear their pajamas for a cozy morning at church. After songs, the kids will be sent to Kids Ministry where we will spend time celebrating Christmas and the hard work of our Christmas Program. We will watch the video of the program together and enjoy some holiday snacks, stories, and crafts.
What We’re Learning in November
Preschoolers
“Can you say thank you?” How many times will a child be asked that question in their preschool years? We ask them again and again because we want to help them learn to be thankful. This month is all about saying thank you. In fact, we are going to be bubbling over with thankfulness with our Bubble Factory theme.
Throughout the month, preschoolers will learn to be thankful for their family, friends, and food. And, they’ll learn that saying, “Thank you” is just as important as being thankful. Imagine the preschoolers in your church learning to tell God thank you – for EVERYTHING – all while having fun with their small group leaders and friends. Imagine them growing up giving thanks to the Lord with their WHOLE heart.
Memory Verse: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.” Psalm 111:1, ESV
Elementary
In November, Elementary kids will be learning about honor. Honor is letting someone know you see how valuable they really are. All people have value because they were created in God’s image. God values each of us so much that He sent Jesus to make it possible for us to have a forever relationship with Him. We follow God’s example when we show others they have value too.
Memory Verse: “Love one another deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.” Romans 12:10, NiRV
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org
Families of Youth Lunch – December 8
These lunches are a wonderful and fun way to get to know other families who have students grades 6-12. Join us at Culver’s on Sunday, December 8 from 12-2pm. See you there! Contact KerryStok@restorationcov.org with any questions. See you there!
Restoration Students Wednesday Nights
Dec 4, 18
Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to join us at the Ministry Center (7707 147th St W, Apple Valley) from 6:30-8pm on Wednesday nights for a time of teaching, activities, and groups that focus on encountering Jesus, building meaningful relationships, and restoring hope to the world. If you have a Bible, bring it. Invite a friend!
Middle School Group
Nov 24 | Dec 8, not 22 | Jan 5, 19 | Feb 2, 16 | Mar 1, 15 | Apr 5, 19 | May 3, 17
Students in grades 6-8 begin Sunday mornings in the worship service. On the designated Sundays, they meet in the café for discussion and activities that complement the Sunday morning message.
Join the Students Team
Do you have a passion for working with students? Are you interested in serving Restoration through our Wednesday Night Student Groups? We would love to hear from you! The students team is looking for adult men and women who would like to get involved in being a part of our team. We welcome anyone who loves God and loves the idea of working with students. Contact Daniel Morgenstern.
View past News & Notes by clicking HERE.
