December 5, 2019
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Luke 2:8-11 NIV
Hello Restoration,
Our small group did a Bible study a few years back and the key takeaway for me was creating margin in your life to spend more time with Jesus, loved ones, and to let the Holy Spirit speak through the clutter. It suggested really practical ways to do that, like not adding in that quick 15 minute trip to Target when you only have 10 minutes to spare. Putting your phone away whenever you’re around your family so you can have real conversations. Finding quiet time to pray and spend time with Jesus.
I think the Holy Spirit tends to show up mostly in the margin and in the waiting. And, I think oftentimes people don’t wait long enough to experience it. I also think that we tend to fill up our spaces with so many other less meaningful things and leave less room for the things we need most. Like Jesus at Christmas.
Jesus at Christmas-time is a no-brainer, right? Of course we should be spending time with Jesus leading up to and on His birthday. That’s the beauty of Advent – if you do it right, there’s not a lot of action required. Jesus wants what everyone wants on their birthday – to spend time with those He loves. When asked their favorite verse in regards to Christmas at the staff meeting yesterday, Lacey and Daniel both shared the verses above where Jesus was shown first to the shepherds. Jesus shared His first birthday, not with those who were deemed most important, but to the lowly and the weary. Because He loved them and they needed to believe in Him most. We still do.
In a season where chaos and busyness rule the day, I pray that you will find time to wait, prepare, and spend quality time with Him this Advent.
Hope is on the Way!
Kerry
Hope is on the Way
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.
*THIS FRIDAY*
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. 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.
*THIS SATURDAY*
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 also looking for people of all ages who’d like to come have a good time together. If you’d like to participate in the showcase, bring food, or help plan the event please email laceyskoglund@restorationcov.org.
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.
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.
No Worship Service on Sunday, December 29
The holidays are a great time to express our appreciation to all of our volunteers who invest in Restoration’s mission on a weekly basis. Thank you to our amazing team leads and loyal volunteers. We are so thankful for you and all the work you do! We hope you’ll enjoy sleeping in on Sunday, December 29, because we will not be gathering for a worship service that day. However, we do hope you’ll join us that day for…
Sunday Fun Day Luau!
Restoration is going to have a whole lot of luau fun on Sunday, December 29. We’ll meet at the Ministry Center at 10am until 1pm. Staff will provide Hawaiian brunch from 10-11:30am. Stick around for games and conversation. There will also be some great games set up in the large room, but you are welcome to bring your own game as well. This is an “all church” event which means everyone is welcome. Festive luau or Hawaiian attire is encouraged. Contact LaceySkoglund@restorationcov.org in the church office with questions.
Small Groups Update
The Restoration leadership team is excited to announce that, along with his current duties as Students Director, Daniel Morgenstern will take on the role of Small Groups Coordinator. The leadership team, staff, and many in the congregation have experienced Daniel’s authenticity and acumen in communicating with people of all ages and stages. Daniel already leads several leaders within Restoration Students and can utilize similar training elements with new and current adult small group leaders. Since Daniel is already a part of the staff, this should enable better communication across ministry areas. If you have a question about our next small group season starting up around mid-January, you can contact Daniel at groups@restorationcov.org. If you have further questions or would like to know more about this decision, please reach out to leadershipteam@restorationcov.org or individually (contact information available HERE).
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.
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
Parents with Young Children Play Group – December 18
Parents and caregivers of littles, are you looking for a place to connect with others during the week while your kids have friends to play with? We’d love for you to join us on the 3rd Wednesday of the month for an informal time of play, connection and prayer! Our next meeting time is December 18th, 9:30-11:30am at Chrystine Vilhauer’s home. Contact chrystinevilhauer@restorationcov.org with questions or to let her know you’ll be there.
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.
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org
*THIS SUNDAY*
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 18 | Jan 8, 15, 22, 29 | Feb 5, 12, 19, 26 | Mar 4, 11, 18, 25 | Apr 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | May 6, 13, 20, 27
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
Dec 8 | Jan 12, 26 | Feb 9, 23 | Mar 8, 22 | Apr 26 | May 10, 24
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.
