November 1, 2018

 

But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

Psalm 10:14

 



Orphan Sunday Team 2018

 

November 11th is Orphan Sunday. Orphan Sunday is a time we collectively stand up for the orphans of the world. There are likely no more vulnerable human beings in the world than these children who have no parent or family to care for them. I was adopted when I was fifteen months old and one of my older sisters was adopted at the age of thirteen. Growing up in the church, I had heard pastors preach from the Bible about caring and loving the orphaned and vulnerable.

 

When my sister and I were adopted 20-30 years ago, the Church wasn't really engaged in foster care, adoption or global orphan care. What I have seen while stepping in to advocate for the plight of the orphaned and vulnerable is that God is beginning to work in the hearts and lives of His people (the Church) to respond in using their gifts and skills to love and care for the orphaned.

 

In 2009, I began to hear the call of the Church responding to the nearly 153 million children around the globe who are orphaned. I wanted to be part of that! So, I joined the Christian Alliance for Orphans (www.CAFO.org) in 2016. I recently had a conversation with a young family who had talked about adopting someday. They heard about Orphan Sunday last year, and through this one event, this family started looking into adopting. Stories like these, along with the many prayers that have surrounded me over the last few years, are the ones that keep me going in advocating for the orphans. The Church is more than capable and more than enough to end the orphan care crisis.

 

Pastor Rob talked Sunday about how Jesus vulnerably served the disciples and how he commands us to serve one another as well. One of the ways I've chosen to serve orphans worldwide is by joining a team of people who will go to Vinnytsia, Ukraine for a 10 day mission trip. We will be visiting a state run orphanage that serves about 120 children. We will also be visiting and serving a ministry that seeks to place local orphans in families in Ukraine. At all the sites we visit, our team will invest in the children and workers, bringing much needed supplies and even more needed love and encouragement. Through our presence and time, we seek to let the children know that they are loved and valued and that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them. I pray that you'll seek out ways to follow Jesus' command to love and serve, in whatever capacity that looks like for you this week.

 

Blessings,

Jacob Sturges

 



 

To find out more about Jacob's trip and how you can support him in this mission, click HERE.

 

Restoration Praises and Prayers

We're excited to let you know that we've created a new section on our weekly News & Notes newsletter email called Restoration Praises and Prayers. In this new section, we'll include big announcements and happenings within our community. You'll be able to find milestones from the rest of our Restoration community to help keep you better connected. So, we'd love to highlight times like engagements, new babies, retirement announcements as well as if someone in the Restoration family is hospitalized or if an immediate family member has passed away. Please keep us updated on anything you'd like to include by emailing info@restorationcov.org. Likewise, if you're ever interested in writing an article for our News & Notes weekly email newsletter, contact the same address above - we're always looking for writers!

 

We celebrate the birth of Julian Jack Bothun, born to Jon and Katie Bothun on Monday October 29th. Julian was 8lbs, 13oz. Please keep the Bothun family in your prayers during this busy time and praise God for a healthy mom and baby. If you'd like to provide meals for the Bothun family please use this LINK.

 

*NEW*

Share Your Story

Have you been putting the steps from the BLESS series into practice? Can you see the ways God is working in your life? We want to hear your stories! If you'd like to write a News & Notes article or if you just want to tell us how you've seen BLESS in action in your life or the life of others, please contact us at communications@restorationcov.org.

 

*THIS THURSDAY*

Prayer on the First

Join other prayer warriors on the 1st of every month to pray over the phone for ministries at Restoration Covenant Church. November 1st we will be focusing on foster care and Orphan Sunday. Prayer needs will be explained along with additional prayer for a special Voice of the Martyrs topic. Dial 712-832-8330 and put in access code 475-2417#- it prompts you to give your name but you don't need to, just join in! Looking forward to praying with you!

 

*THIS SATURDAY*

Daylight Saving Time Ends



Daylight saving time for 2018 ends Sunday, November 4, so remember to set your clocks BACK one hour when you go to bed this Saturday night. See you for worship at 10am this Sunday!

 

*THIS SUNDAY*

Food on the First

This week is the first Sunday of the month, and that means it is our Food on the First collection day. At the start of the month, we donate food for Westview Elementary School staff to distribute from a “food locker” to hungry families. To help, head to the store for healthful, non-perishable food and bring it to church. Gift cards in any amount to Cub, Wal-Mart or Target will also be greatly appreciated since they help families purchase meat and fresh produce. Cash, check and designated online donations go to The Sheridan Story program that puts a weekend meal in participating students’ backpacks every Friday of the school year.

 

Care for the Tanaka Family

Thank you so much to all of you who have already provided meals and help to Wes and the kids. Along with prayers, they still need help for meals and lawn care. We'd like to keep this particular care calendar for only the Restoration family or friends of the Tanakas. If you or someone who doesn't know the family well would like to gift the Tanakas with gift cards, feel free to bring them to the ministry center or put them in the offering on Sunday mornings and we will make sure that they get to the family. To access Tanaka Family's CareCalendar site, visit HERE. Please contact communications@restorationcov.org to be validated for the security code.

 

Armful of Love

Restoration will partner with 360 Communities' Armful of Love for our Christmas outreach opportunity again this year. Armful of Love matches hundreds of local families in need with sponsors to provide gifts in the Christmas season. This year Restoration signed up to support 12 people in five families, which corresponds to about 60 gifts. We will have ornaments that list desired gift items from these families for Restoration families to pick up on Sunday, November 18 and November 25. Gifts may be brought unwrapped and labeled with the ornament to the Ministry Center before 10am on Saturday, December 1. We hope you'll invite a friend and join us to wrap gifts and create cards at the Ministry Center from 10am-noon Saturday, December 1. Contact Michele Jacobson at outreach@restorationcov.org.

 

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

Restoration Small Groups exist to help people be known and grow in their relationships with God, the church, and with others far from Christ. We believe that people need different things to grow at different points in their life. Because of that, we offer three types of Restoration Small Groups. Below are some of our available fall Small Groups. For questions or to join a Small Group, please contact kararasmussen@restorationcov.org.

 

SUNDAY

Women's Life Group

Every other Sunday, 6:30-8:30pm in various homes

Studying BLESS (message series)

Led by Kara Rasmussen

 

Family Life Group (children welcome)

Every other Sunday, 5:30-7:30pm in various homes

Studying BLESS (message series)

Led by Matt & Mallory Allinder

 

Second Stage Life Group

Every other Sunday, 6:00-8:00pm at the Klatts' home

Studying BLESS (message series)

Led by Dick & Patte Klatt

 

Families of Youth Life Group (potluck lunch)

2nd Sunday of the month, Noon-2:00pm in various homes

Fellowship with some discussion and prayer

Led by Janice Svaren

 

MONDAY

Prayer Study Group (Fall session only)

Mondays, 7:00-9:00pm

Oct 1 through Nov 26 at the Ministry Center

Studying the book The Battle Plan for Prayer

Led by Michael Nybakken

 

TUESDAY

Women's Life Group (children welcome)

Every other Tuesday 10am at the Days' home

Studying BLESS (message series)

Led by Amy Day

 

WEDNESDAY

All Ages Life Group (children welcome)

Every other Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm at the Zaffkes' home

Studying BLESS (message series)

Led by Garrett & Amy Zaffke

 

THURSDAY

All Ages Disciple Group

1st and 3rd Thursdays at 7pm at the Barriusos' home

Led by Janae Barriuso

 

SATURDAY

Men's Bible Study Group

Saturdays at 7am at the Ministry Center

Studying the Book of Mark

Led by Chad White

 

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 would 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 16. 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 ChrystineVilhauer@restorationcov.org.

 

What We're Learning in October



 

Toddlers & Preschoolers

 

The Happy Helpers Club is back, and we want everyone to join! In the past, we’ve talked about all the ways we can help. This time, we want to look at helping from a different angle and focus more on being thankful for the many people who help us. We’re asking, who helps me, and how can I show them I am thankful for them?

 

Simply put, we want our preschoolers to grow up with eyes that see the helpers and a heart that is thankful, because no matter how grown up you are, you always have people helping you and a thank you goes a long way. When we stop and think about it, we are surrounded by helpers who deserve a big thank you for all the ways they help us. They are making the world we live in—the world our preschoolers live in—a better place.

 

Memory Verse: “Always give thanks to God” Ephesians 5:20, NCV

 

 

Elementary

 

Cooperation: Working together to do more than you can do alone

Cooperation is a spiritual concept that originates with God. God created us to work together in community. Throughout the Bible, we see how God brought people together to accomplish something big for Him. When we work together, we reflect what Jesus envisioned for His followers. Our love for one another can point people to Him.

 

Memory Verse: “Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do.” Ecclesiastes 4:9, NIrV

 



RESTORATION STUDENTS

 

Contact: students@restorationcov.org

 

Restoration Students Wednesday Nights

Upcoming Dates: Nov 7, 14, 28, Dec 5, 12, 19, Jan 9, 16, 23, 30

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! Contact students@restorationcov.org

 

Middle School Group

Upcoming Dates: Nov 4, 18, Dec 2, Jan 6, 20

Students in grades 6-8 begin Sunday mornings in the worship service. On the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, they are sent to the café for discussion and activities that complement the Sunday morning message.

 



 



 

Sharing the News

 

Information from organizations and institutions in and around our community are offered as resources and not necessarily with the full endorsement of Restoration Covenant Church.

---

Ukraine Mission Trip

Jacob Sturges is preparing for a 10-day mission trip to the Ukraine where he will visit and serve local orphans at a state run orphanage that currently serves about 120 children. If you're interested in learning more about his trip or supporting Jacob through your prayers or finances, please contact him at Jacob.Lee.Sturges@gmail.com.

 

Operation Christmas Child Seeking Seasonal Help

In order for Samaritan's Purse to be successful and reach as many children as possible, they need Team Coaches, Greeters, Floor Coordinators, and Dock Workers to assist with the volunteers that come every day to help package shoeboxes for children all over the world. If you're interested in supporting this great mission and making a few dollars while doing so, please check out the attached pdf HERE.