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Prayer at 9
Thanks for checking in with Restore Church so faithfully! It's been a couple weeks since our last update so here's a video on what God is doing in and through us lately.
Continue to pray for us Mondays at 9 o'clock with believers across the world. Pray for courage, strength, opportunity, and our community!
We are a week into 2018 and excited to see how God will work as we are read the New Testament together this year. Doing this as a church has provided some great discussions and opportunity for relationships to deepen as we hold each other accountable.
This Sunday we began a study through 1 Thessalonians, we want to see Restore church grow like the Thessalonians did as they lived on daily mission seen in 1 Thessalonians 1:8 “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.”
As we have been growing in our desire to reach out to people in love there has been a ton of challenges in the lives of almost everyone in our church. Like we learned today from 1 Thessalonians, the grace that God has given to his children is where peace is found but we would love to see an extra out pouring of grace in our church. Please pray that God would give us wisdom as we think through some challenging situations and that we as a church would support one another and grow in grace together!
We are so thankful for your praying with us everyMonday at 9:00pm. As you pray know that God is answering your prayers!
This Sunday we neared our rental facility when we noticed a blanket of glistening snow covering the parking lot. With a little bit of encouragement and a few stray snowballs thrown at each other the kids and some adults did a great job carving out footpaths for people to follow to the entrance.
Inside for our service we wrapped up our study on core values that will guide us as we seek to be a people that show God’s glory in the community. With the last value being Daily Mission we considered how the people of God have the joy of proclaiming the word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. To pursue that goal of being faithful missionaries we noticed how we will need to 1) love the church 2) love those outside the church 3) keep the Gospel central.
One of the ways we are excited about loving those outside the church is by the kids and adults going to the local nursing home to sing carols and share about the meaning of Christmas. We are looking forward to encouraging these sweet people and loving them.
Another fun way we are connecting with those outside of the church is through neighborhood cookie parties. These are really simple evenings where we invite neighbors to bring some cookies to our homes, hang out, and take some cookies as they leave.
Please pray for us that we would be a group that grows in our love for each other and the community. Our desire is to be a church that the community will one day wonder how they ever got along without us being around. Singing at the nursing home and eating some cookies with friends doesn’t sound like much but neither did five loaves and two fish before Jesus met the needs of thousands!
I am sitting in a little room in the mission district of San Francisco reflecting on day one of Church Intensive; a training program put on by Crazy Love ministries. There were a dozen of us from all around the country who sat in for the weekly 7:00 AM pastoral meeting and then were split up to attend one of the house churches. It was a special time of singing, prayer, confessing sin, and taking communion together.
I was refreshed today to seek after God through prayer. There was no lesson or message that brought me to that point, just simple corporate prayer that was filled with the praise of Jesus for his finished work on the cross. I have been sidetracked so many times in this area of praying with groups by getting updates on requests, often followed with long stories about new requests, leaving just a few minutes for actual prayer.
I say all that to encourage you to pray with another Christian with great fervency this week. Don’t worry about all the requests, just go boldly before the Throne of Grace knowing that your heavenly Father is welcoming you near Him. Oh yeah, and while your praying ask God to shape the people that make up Restore Church into a praying people.
I am writing this while reflecting on the church shooting down in Texas and the truth that Restore church considered this morning in our Sunday service. We took time to look at how deep God’s love was displayed amongst the trinity and how that perfect eternal love was extended to us. We concluded our time by sharing in the Lord’s supper making the point that eating the bread and drinking the grape juice gives evidence that we are one with every Believer.
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
- 1 Corinthians 10:17
So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
- Galatians 4:7
We need to pray for our grieving brothers and sisters in Texas, that they would remember the great mercy and love that was extended to them through the gospel. I can’t imagine what this experience is like for them but I know that there is a great family that God has assembled that they can lean on and find his love.
Moments like this should cause us to pause and consider our commitment to the local church families that we are part of. Take a moment when you read this to connect with a brother and sister and let them know they are loved. It is at these points when we genuinely love each other that all men will know that you are a disciple of Jesus (John 13:34-35).
Ways to Pray for Restore Church:
I am heading out to California for some church planting training this Saturday-Thursday, pray I would learn to be more effective in caring for Restore Church.
We need wisdom as we serve the many children who make up Restore Church, we want to create environments where kids find and follow Jesus.
Pray that as we gather in Life Groups this week we will hear stories of the Gospel being shared in our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces.
Here's an update from Landon about groups, Reformation Day celebrations, and more from this week with Restore!
Thank you for laboring with us in prayer! We see God's blessings around us as we love G-Town and help it's people find and follow Jesus. Please continue to pray with us on Mondays at 9:00 PM, and we'll continue to send the glory to God for the great things He's done, doing, and will do!
On Monday after months of staying connected with a business owner we were able to help clean and organize the store. It was a privilege to be able to share with them how we love the community and want to make a difference with our church here in town.
Another fun opportunity to serve the community this fall has been through coaching soccer. I (Landon) am coaching two teams which has given some great opportunity to talk with people and make friends. Last week we had one of the teams over for a midseason soccer party and were able to start relationships with a couple of the families. Soccer is winding down and we want to continue to serve here in town in meaningful ways. Pray that we would find a new opportunity to love and serve our “neighbors.”
We are beginning to meet on Sunday mornings as we work through the core values of Restore church: sincere worship, growing community, and daily mission. Please pray that we would be able to work together to have a service that would give a glimpse of what it means to worship God in spirit and truth.
Prayer at 9:00 is something we started at the beginning of this church planting journey, the idea was simply that we would ensure people are not just reading emails but praying collectively at least once a week. If you are doing that with us great, if you want to join the many people that pray every Monday evening at 9:00pm, than awesome!
Sincerely,
Landon
This weekend we had a great time engaging hundreds of people during the annual Pumpkin Regatta here in G-town. It’s a great event put on by the Mainstreet Committee that worked hard to give the town a fun weekend to enjoy everything pumpkin. The final event of the weekend is a classic; huge pumpkins are hollowed out and raced down the river with a couple thousand people cheering them on.
Our desire as a church is to love the town and make whatever they do better. We did that during the event by providing face painting for a bunch of great kids. While the kids were occupied we spent time with the adults in conversation about their spiritual journey and gave away 200 refrigerator magnets with all the important G-town phone numbers. What has been another fun way to engage people has been a simple T-shirt that says “I heart G-town.” We had people ask us all weekend where we got the shirts and if they could have one. We were able to give a few away and explain that we had them made because God loves G-town and so do we.
This Monday at 9:00 p.m. please pray that the many people we were able to talk with would continue to think about the church and we would be able to connect with them more.
We are beginning to meet on Sunday mornings, pray that we would be able to transform the building space into a welcoming area for those we have been inviting.
Praise God that we were able to sing together as a church on Sunday. As much as acappela is possible we were holding out for God to send us someone who could play guitar. God sent us a great couple two weeks ago and John plays guitar!
I speak for all those who make up Restore church, thank you for you praying!
Landon
We are living in a time of storms. Storms in the weather, storms in politics, and gut wrenching storms of horrific events that we can never understand. Storms are completely out of our control. That is partly what makes them so frightening. They make us feel so helpless and vulnerable. Storms burst into our lives uninvited and leave unforgettable damage and debris on the ground and in our hearts. Whats left behind is ugly, messy and leaves us wondering and wishing for a way to prevent future storms from ever happening again.
After a storm sometimes there is a rainbow, a colorful reminder of hope in God’s promises. Storms can also leave behind great beauty. The calm after the storm gives an opportunity for love to shine. Storms strip away all the material things we hold onto and hide behind. They force us to come out from behind our walls and face one another. We realize we need each other. Every barrier is put aside and we are able to offer our help and kindness unhindered by prejudice or pride that normally keep us apart. One lady interviewed in Key West after hurricane Irma remarked that she had never felt such joy even after her home is destroyed. She said she was so thankful she still had her life and her family and that was what really mattered. Although we would never invite storms of chaos or tragedy in our lives or in our country, we must admit storms really can make our sprits stronger and refocus our hearts to what really matters.
Recently as I sat in our small church gathering in our living room, with people and bibles and cups and babies scattered around on the couches and on the floor, I felt as though I was sitting in the eye of the storm. Here we were in the midst of our busy lives, learning from the Word and learning to lean on one another. For this few hours each week we are given an opportunity to rest our souls. We bear each other's burdens. We share the ups and the downs and we praise God for what He has done and wait on him for what He will do. Each of us can bring our storm shattered souls and find hope and healing in the fellowship of other believers. That’s what church is all about! Church is a people, not a place. A God given community where we can find peace and shelter in this crazy storm of our everyday lives. Our hope is that you too are part of a church. Not as just another thing to-do, But simply so you can experience the joy and beauty of real love amongst real people and a real God.
The Johnson’s are a family who have certainly experienced their share of storms in their lives. I’m sure they would tell you the storms have made them stronger in the Lord. Jon approached Landon the Sunday we announced we were leaving MVBC to start a new church in Goffstown. He shook his hand in the parking lot and said something like “Hi, I’m Jon Johnson. Me and my wife Tia are going to move to Goffstown and help you guys start this church. We’re IN! Totally 100% in!” Since we had never even met this guy before we were blown away by his enthusiasm and excitement. Landon and I looked at each other wide eyed convinced that God would build His church. God has continued to use Jon’s faith to encourage us along the way. God provided them with a house about 1 minute away from our house, on Church Street. They moved in right after we moved here in June. It’s been a blessing to get to know them and their two little boys Landon and Levi.
Take a moment today to thank God for giving us the Church: a place of shelter in this world of chaos. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Prayer request: this coming weekend is the Pumpkin Regatta here in town. We are planning to have a booth to engage as many people as we can about the church. Pray we make great connections!
Sarah
I had a pastor down in Florida make the following statement every time someone joined the church, “we are a better church because of you.” His comment was rooted in the understanding that a church is a body that grows in strength as believers who are pursuing Jesus are added to it.
A family that has strengthened the body that makes Restore Church are the McKenna’s. Adam trusted Jesus as his savior four years ago just before he and Yulia were married. They have increased the health of the church as Adam prepares to help be the lead discipler in a Life Group and Yulia coordinates social media. They have adorable young children that the church is able to get to know and share the truth of Jesus with them.
Last week you met the Radford’s and prayed for their transition. Praise God with us as they moved into their new house on Friday.
God provided some great opportunities to meet new people this week. While walking through a parking lot a man called out mentioning he liked my motorcycle. After talking with him for a few minutes we were able to talk through the gospel. Pray I can make another connection with him this week and continue walking with him on his journey to find and follow Jesus.
Next week we are transition into two Life Groups that will meet during the week. This change will provide space for growth as we continue reaching out to neighbors and friends as we expect God to bring great fruit. Pray with us that God would move in hearts and we would see the gospel advance in this community.
Starting a new church is all about reaching people. This past Saturday evening we made an effort to connect with our town through a meet and greet with Nascar driver Michael McDowell. I would love to report to you that hundreds of people came out and lives were changed but it didn’t happen. What I can say is that we had a great team of believers come together and listen as Michael shared his story of walking with God when things were not going like he thought they would. It was much needed encouragement as doubt crept in from the lack of community involvement.
What is so neat to share is how a small group of believers are learning how to work together to love a community and learn how to reach ut in love. We would like to introduce you to some of the special people who are a part Restore Church over the next few weeks. The Radford’s are special friends that we have served with for 11 years at MVBC. This week they are taking a major step of support by moving close to Goffstown and making us a stronger church as we help the lost find and follow Jesus. They have 4 children: Bella turns 9 this week, Annelee is 7 Travis is 4 and Maddy is 2. We appreciate their willingness to serve and help in any way over the years. We began ministering with them to the teens when we first came to MVBC. Since then we have made many memories from teen overighters to bike rides to making applesauce. We are so blessed to have them on the Restore Church Plant team. We look forward to seeing how God will use them and their talents to build this church and reach people for the gospel. And also to have their friendship and encouragement will be a huge blessing.
We praise God for these friends and for how he has opened so many doors to get them here in their new home.
Please pray for them as they make transition to a new house and new community this week.
Last week you prayed for boldness for our church. Sunday night we had a time of sharing stories of God answering your prayers. It was encouraging to hear about co-workers, friends, and family hearing about the love of Jesus through us simple messengers. See what Restore Church has planned with Michael McDowell
We are studying the book of Acts together as a church and have enjoyed learning how new churches were started in the 1st century. One recurring trait that was evident in the life of Peter, Paul, and their associates was boldness. Often times boldness is thought of as harsh and abrasive speech yet Luke records a group of people that were winsome and freely speaking about who they love, Jesus. There is an example of this thought in Acts 4 when the believers finished praying that the Holy Spirit filled them “and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” If an individual is filled with the Holy Spirit there is no doubt that love (the first of the fruits of the Spirit) will be dominant no matter the situation.
So what does this look like in today’s culture? There is a story that a new believer in Jesus shared with me that fits well. Recently he was standing in Borders bookstore when a gentleman asked him about a tattoo on his arm. His response was short and ended with the words, “Do you believe in Jesus?” The man somewhat surprised replied, “no I'm not really into that.” Not shaken by the strangers coldness he simply replied, “You should really consider Jesus. He’s awesome.”
When I heard this story and thought about it for a minute this young Christian nailed the meaning of boldness and had never studied the meaning of it. He just freely spoke about Jesus!
Pray that Restore Church freely speaks about Jesus. We want to be a people that are so led by the Spirit that to not talk about Jesus with those far from God would be awkward.
"And also for me [Paul], that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel." - Ephesians 6:19
When the weather turns cool during the late summer early fall like it is now, I remember as a kid lighting a little candle under the potpourri pot to waft some new scent through the house. Not sure if that was a 90’s fad, but I am going to share a potpourri of things that happened this past week and how to pray.
God has answered some prayer requests in awesome ways. The Radford’s have a house under contract in the neighboring town of New Boston, they are on schedule to close the end of September.
A family in the church has had an intense struggle going on for years; God has worked in some obvious ways with a turning point in view.
We had been trying to lineup someone to come over for dinner all week with no success, a friend called and next thing we know we have a great time with a family who we were able to share Jesus with.
In a recent conversation with a lady in town she explained how she had never opened a bible but would if she had one. This week I dropped one of with a bookmark to start reading in the Gospel of Mark.
Ways to Pray
We have an exciting outreach event coming up at the end of the month. Pray we can pull together the details and God would be preparing hearts to respond to the gospel.
We are to the point where it is time to multiply into two Life Groups. Pray for wisdom as we choose the location and get families committed.
We want to see the lost find and follow Jesus. Pray that we as a church would be bold in sharing Jesus with those we meet.
“So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Hebrews 9:28
Starting in June we began meeting every Sunday evening as a church in Goffstown. If you are not familiar with what has been going on you might imagine a “service” with rows of chairs, music, preaching, and announcements. I would like to use this blog to help you get a feel for what we have been doing so that you can better pray for Restore Church.
Sunday evening we setup the front yard and prepared for the church to arrive 4:30 PM for a cookout. God provided a perfect NH evening with no humidity and temperatures in the 70s. I started grilling chicken, sausages, and eggplant (yes you read that correctly) as 10 kids and 14 adults arrived with all kinds of beautifully prepared foods. These moments should cause us to praise God as Acts 14:17 says “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your heats with joy.”
After dinner we sat down with the kids and read Romans 15:5-6 reminding us all how important it is to live in harmony with the people God has placed in our lives. This is a special time when we encourage the community of Christ to engage with the kids and pour into them with the hopes that each child finds and follows Jesus. At this point I wish we had a well tuned kids program but they ended up laughing together watching the Lorax as the adults dove into Acts 17 and Paul’s message on Mars Hill. We were encouraged by Paul’s example to speak the essentials of God’s truth no matter who the audience might be.
We closed the evening with ladies praying inside because the perfect NH evening was getting chilly while the men sat outside. It is these moments of sharing and praying that we are all reminded about the cares of this world and how burdensome they can become. It is when the body of Christ comes together that we can collectively “cast our cares on Him, because he cares about us” that we acknowledge there is not a better place we can be.
Please pray for the following…
Sincerely,
Landon Clouse
Goffstown needs another Christian family in town, don’t you think? Our friends the Radford’s are trying to be that family! This family of 6 has their current house sold with a closing date the end of September. They are looking to move here to G-town to jump on board and help the community find and follow Jesus.
Their move here will take all of you praying fervently that they find a house soon. God opened up huge doors for my family and the Johnsons to move here recently and now we want to see Him work again in this situation.
The Radford’s have been on this journey with us from the very beginning. When I was dragging my feet and not sure how things would work out Perry was there pushing me along. In the challenges of our move they were here to bring food and help with installing sinks and plumbing. We have prayed together, cooked meals together, and watched God work in our lives. We see them moving here as a huge blessing to this new church. Pray that God would provide a house for them!
Vlog #2 is here! Watch the Clouse kids answer questions about G-Town and the latest from Restore Church.
To our email subscribers: thank you for your continued support week after week! Your care, interest, and prayer for our little church is a blessing to each of us. Please continue to pray that the Lord would use us to help Goffstown find and follow Him.
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I am going to keep this update short and simple. As you work through the post take a moment to praise God and pray for His power to be on display for the requests.
Last weeks blog update was our first video version, I received good feedback from most people except my kids. We sat down to pray Monday evening at 9:00pm and started the video when snickering and out loud laughing was heard throughout the living room. Find out why in this week's update!
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