A WORD FROM PASTOR ROB
Psalms 28:1-3
‘To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.’
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How’s your heart this week? How is your compassion level? I’ve noticed people’s compassion levels drying up as we passed the one year mark on the pandemic. There have been lots of opinions about schools, about activities, and about what other people are doing and about what life will be like when we do come through this.
And then another life was taken in the Twin Cities this week, another trauma and another loss of Black life in our cities.
If you are white like me, you might be getting weary of the racial injustice or race conversations… As my Black colleagues and friends remind me, it’s OK to rest, but it’s not OK to stop. In other words, don’t look away. Our BIPOC friends don’t get to stop; they have to process this every. single. day.
I’ve been doing a lot of lamenting and repenting the past few days: lamenting the prayers for peace without also calling for prayers for justice. I’m lamenting the caustic comments by friends, family and even church communities. I’m repenting of my own silence, fear, and complicity in racial injustice.
We can do this work. Jesus engaged with the marginalized and those different from him. We are not a people without hope; we are resurrection people. Jesus’ new life makes it possible for us to have new life and share new life.
I invite you to you to notice where your heart is, notice where your compassion is, and notice how Jesus might be calling you to look, to listen, and to take action. As a staff we are willing to help you figure out what that looks like. Please reach out.
With you, for His kingdom, together,
Pastor Rob
We have returned to weekly in-person services. We will continue to livestream our services on Facebook, YouTube and our website.
NEW! Facilities Team Update
The facilities task force team has been meeting steadily to pray, plan and prepare for finding Restoration’s next physical space and location. We want to share a few updates about progress to you, the church body, on a fairly regular basis (most likely in every other news and notes) so that you can stay apprised of major movements on the front of finding our next home. This being the first update of that kind, I’ll start with a few basics: We are working with an agent who is well networked in the world of local churches to find and identify suitable locations that may include a rental space, a space for sale or land for sale on which we could build. All of the facilities task force volunteers are also networking and searching independently to find prospective sites. At any given moment, it’s accurate to say that options are scarce due to low inventory, size concerns (too large or too small for our needs), timing, budget, zoning restrictions and other factors. We have, however, identified a handful of exciting lease and buy/build options and are pursuing their viability as each carries with it positive elements as well as drawbacks that must be weighed and considered.
In each of our meetings, we often get to tackle a challenge that has arisen and this week, it was framed nicely by a piece of scripture that was shared regarding finances: 1 Chronicles 29. This scripture leads us nicely to one of the most exciting things about sharing these updates which is the opportunity to pull you (yes YOU!) in to pray, collectively and continuously, for both the challenges and opportunities our facilities search is bringing to light. This week, the theme around those prayers could be this: that we would be unified as a church to think of our finances and to consider a mindset we’ve called “Vigilant Abundance” – to know and believe that Restoration is in good and generous hands; that when we remain true to our mission and aim to stay within our means, finances will not create an impasse to us finding the right home that will ultimately allow us to reach, serve & RESTORE more people in our community. Will you pray that with us?
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events at Restoration
- Sunday, April 18th | In-Person and Online Service
- Tuesday, April 20th at 7pm | Come & See Prayer at the Ministry Center
- Sunday, May 2nd at 10am | Westview Serving Sunday
UPDATED! Once again this year, we will be moving our worship time from the building over to Westview Elementary located at 225 Garden View Dr, Apple Valley, MN 55124. On Sunday, May 2, meet us at Westview at 10am. There will be a short time of songs and instruction before we get to work. We will worship together by serving the kids, staff and families of Westview through various clean-up tasks and projects. All clean-up and tasks will be outdoors this year, so be sure to dress appropriately. Masks are optional outdoors but will be necessary if you need to enter the school for any reason. We encourage you to bring a blanket or chairs and a lunch for a picnic at the park after serving. Contact ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org if you have questions.
WESTVIEW SNACK PACKS
As part of Westview Serving Sunday on May 2, we will be collecting donations of snacks so that we can put together snack packs for families at Westview. Items placed in these snack packs include nutritional choices that kids can easily grab for a snack in the summer months like applesauce, crackers, pudding, granola bars, packaged fruit, or trail mix. You can bring items any Sunday from now until May 2 or call ahead at (952) 373-1274 to drop off at the Ministry Center. Please contact ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org with any questions.
**NEW! RESTORATION CONNECTIONS
The Body of Christ – the Church. We are designed by God to be connected. When we know what’s happening in each other’s lives, it opens doors for further connection. A lot has happened over the last year, and we want to know
each other’s news!
RCC is introducing Restoration Connections, an additional way to know one another. Connections is a place to share testimonies, deaths, births, medical issues, milestones, really, any cause for joy or sorrow that we can invite each other to celebrate and to pray about. Restoration Connections will be emailed twice per month. This will not be posted on the RCC website; it is an internal communication for those who desire to know and be known by others who consider
Restoration their church family.
To sign up to receive Restoration Connections, or to share something that is happening in your life, send an email to
Janae Barriuso: connections@restorationcov.org.
Please note that we will not share information on behalf of someone else unless direct permission is given. We encourage you to tell your own stories in your own words. If permission is given, we will include the subject’s email so people can send a note of support and encouragement.
SERVE AT RESTORATION
Please pray about and consider serving in one of the areas of critical need listed within our church. At this time we need:
- Tech Team (training provided for Sound, Computer Slides and Livestream)
- Setup Team members
- Restoration Kids Elementary small group leaders
- Restoration Students small group leaders
Whether you’re already serving or considering where you can best bless our church, thank you for sharing your much needed gifts! Send an email to info@restorationcov.org to find out more details.
ONLINE GIVING
There’s no time like the present to set up online giving. Online tithing is a way to remain faithful in your giving wither you choose to worship with us in-person or online. 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. You can also Text to Give by texting any dollar amount to 84321.
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
| What We Are Learning in April This month, Elementary kids will be talking about peace. When Adam and Eve decided that their way was better than God’s way and broke God’s rule, they changed the relationship between God and His creation. Once, everything and everyone could be in the presence of God but now we were at odds with Him. God could have done anything He wanted, including wiping us out and starting over. But instead, God decided to make peace with us. Ultimately God did this through His Son, Jesus. “So let us do all we can to live in peace. And let us work hard to build up one another.” Romans 14:19, NIrV |
VBS SAVE THE DATE!
VBS is back this year! This summer, we are making some changes to the format. Instead of a week full of VBS, we are going to meet over the course of a few Wednesday nights in August. We are still working out many of the details but wanted to make sure you save the dates! There will be a kick-off event on Wednesday, July 21. VBS will then run every Wednesday night in August. More details will be coming soon! Reach out to
ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org if you have questions or would like to be part of the VBS planning this year.
**NEW PLAY + PRAY
Looking to get out of the house and connect with other parents and kids this summer? We would love to have you join us for Play and Pray! The kids enjoy themselves at the park while the grown-ups talk about the things going on in their lives and share prayer requests. Play and Pray mornings are an easy way to be in community with each other during the summer months. In May and June, we will be meeting on the first and third Wednesday mornings at Apple Grove Park (by the fire station at CR42 and Hayes). Contact ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org with any questions.
RESTORATION KIDS SPRING SCHEDULE
During April and May, Restoration Kids will continue to have in-person small group classes during the Sunday morning worship service on the first, third and fifth Sundays. The exceptions to this will be Westview Serving Sunday on May 2. Virtual small group for grades K-5 will continue on the second and fourth Sundays at 9:30 am via Zoom. Nursery will be open for infants, toddlers and preschoolers on the first, third and fifth Sundays. On weeks where no nursery is provided, we will have toys set up behind the fireplace in the lobby where parents can bring children if they need to get their wiggles out during service. Busy bags will also be available for older kids on these Sundays.
This schedule will remain until Restoration Kids has enough volunteers to cover additional weeks. If you are interested in serving the kids and families of Restoration on Sunday mornings, we would love to have you join our team! Contact ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org with any questions.
In-Person Nursery and Kids’ Classes: April 18, May 16 & 30
Online Virtual Classes for grades K-5: April 25, May 9 & 23
Virtual Class link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85932448179
RESTORATION KIDS ONLINE CONTENT FOR FAMILIES
We believe that every moment with your kids matters and that as parents, you have the biggest influence on your child’s spiritual development. We have some tools to help you!
We have linked the Bible Story content for this week here. You will need to enter the password restorationkids to access content. We have included a Parent Guide to help you guide conversation that reinforces what your kids are learning in the Bible Story Video. What a great opportunity to help grow your child’s faith!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT STUDENT GATHERING
March is a bit of a funky month for Students. The first two weeks will be online Student Gathering on Wednesdays 6:30-8:00pm. As always, come ready for games, small group discussion, and maybe even a funny video or two.
++ The last two weeks of March are what make it unique though. Students Ministry will be taking a two week break from regular programming to talk strategy, re-organize, and ask for feedback. We would love to hear from everyone what Student Ministry means to you. And when we say everyone we mean everyone.
Parents or Students, new to Restoration or been around for years, volunteers or just interested members, we want to hear what you have to say. Please reach out to Daniel with any feedback or ideas and if anything is confusing he is available for questions. danielmorgenstern@restorationcov.org.
View past News & Notes by clicking HERE.