January 9, 2020
We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.
1 Thessalonians 1:2
A new year is a great to take stock in life and look ahead to the things you’d like to change or continue to do well in your life and the lives of those around you. It’s also a good time to be grateful for the previous year (or decade in this case).
At Restoration, we have a lot to be thankful for in 2020. For starters, we overcame a $30,000 deficit in just one month in order to, not only end 2019 in the black by $8,000, but to make up for the budget shortfall that made our giving exceed our expenses. Can we take a moment to recognize how huge that is? You all did that. Your generosity to our church made that happen (in a month’s time, no less) and we are grateful and also praise God for His work in our finances.
In addition to the generous monetary giving, so many of you also gave generously of your time serving within our church community and our community at large. Statistics show that people are “healthier” when they bless others with their time and talents. So, here’s to a great start to the new year for our church. We asked Sunday Funday attendees to write about their appreciation to all our volunteers (see below) and wanted to share their gratitude with you and encourage your continued generosity in 2020 to kick of a new year and a new decade in the ways that glorify God and bless others. Please know how much you’re appreciated:
- Thank you! 🙂
- Thank you volunteers for making everything happen behind the scenes!
- Your time and energy does not go unnoticed. May it fill you with joy and peace as you serve. Thank you!
- A huge high five to all our setup and teardown volunteers!
- Thank you volunteers for making everything more fun!
- Thank you for all you do! A Church is just a building without those who are there to be the hands and feet of Jesus and give of their time.
- Thank you volunteers! You all are the cogs in the church wheel and keep things moving!
- Thank you volunteers! We appreciate you greatly!
- Thank you for all the work you do to make worship happen!
- You are impacting the world with every bit of work you do.
Our new message series using Dave Ramsey’s spiritual and Biblical principles towards finances continues Sunday. It’s another great way to kickstart your year.
God Bless,
Lacey
Current Message Series – Life, Money, Legacy
“Money management” is a phrase that makes some of us cringe. To some, it seems an impossible task. To others, it might feel constricting or negative. Taking practical steps to manage your money can actually be both freeing and healing. In this five-part message series, we will learn practical, biblical advice on topics like budgeting, money myths, and more based on wisdom from trusted financial expert Dave Ramsey. No matter your situation, the principles learned here can help with getting out of debt, making better financial solutions, and ultimately finding peace and creating a legacy that lasts.
*NEW*
Football Sunday – February 2
We’re amping up Football Sunday this year with a tailgating experience you won’t want to miss! Join us during our regular worship time for food, games, and fun you don’t have to be a football fan to enjoy. In fact, Football Sunday is actually a celebration of how God is in the middle of all aspects of life, even the NFL. Be blown away by how God can make even the biggest, strongest professional football player rely on His strength. Football Sunday is a great opportunity for you to invite a friend or a sports fan to church to hear players share their faith stories before the big game. If you’re not a fan or don’t have a team in the game, Football Sunday might actually even make you cheer for the Christian players you’ll hear from.
*NEW*
Feed my Starving Children – February 8
Looking for an amazing opportunity to serve kids in need with your friends and family? Join us for Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) to pack meals for hungry kids worldwide on Saturday, February 8 from 4:30-6:30pm. We will meet at 4:15pm at 990 Lone Oak Road, Suite 136, Eagan. There is no cost to participate, but FMSC welcomes donations. Invite your friends and family for this awesome international outreach! Everyone age 5 and up is welcome, but space is limited. Additionally, we will congregate at the Ministry Center directly after for pizza and conversation. Please plan to bring $5/person or $20/family for pizza. Please RSVP first name, last name, and if you are an adult to danielmorgenstern@restorationcov.org.
Sewing & Crafts Workshop
We’re looking at putting together a sewing and crafts workshop in February. If you or your child is interested in participating, please let us know so we can gauge interest. We’ll determine the project and the location based on the responses we receive. If you’d like to participate or help, please contact KerryStok@restorationcov.org.
Vision Update Meeting – January 26
Every January, we invite the friends and members of Restoration to pause with us as we take a pulse on our church’s health and reflect on where we are seeing God at work through our church community. We’re excited to review our church-wide goals, share progress reports from our ministry teams and staff, and report on the 2019-20 budget. Please join us on Sunday, January 26 immediately following our worship service. Child care provided. If you have any questions prior to the meeting, contact leadershipteam@restorationcov.org.
Restoration Small Groups
Small Groups exist to help people be known and grow in their relationships with God, the church, and with others. If you have a question about our next small group season starting up soon, please contact Daniel at groups@restorationcov.org.
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.
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 of Young Kids Play Group
The meeting for January is cancelled but keep February 19 on your calendar. Join us 9:30-11:30am at Chrystine Vilhauer’s home for an informal time of fellowship while the kids play. See you then!
What We’re Learning in January
Preschoolers
It’s time for a Beach Party—sand, sun, and a whole lot of fun! Jesus spent a great deal of time on or near the beach. In fact, He performed MANY miracles near the water. So, the beach is the perfect environment for our preschoolers to learn that Jesus can do anything. Our preschoolers learned that God gave us Jesus in December, and now they will learn that because Jesus is God’s Son, He can do anything! With God all things are possible! Throughout their lives, children will encounter things they can’t do. But, in Jesus, they have a friend who can do it all. There is no better friend than Jesus, and He wants to be our friend forever.
Memory Verse: “With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV
Elementary
God is the author of knowledge. Everything we know to be true about the world is because of God. Knowing God is the most important Person to know. And while we may never know all there is to know about God, God gives us lots of ways we can know Him. We can know Him best through Jesus, who showed us how much God loves us. We can pursue knowing more about God through Jesus, who showed why knowledge is so important. The more we know God, the better we can live His way each day.
Memory Verse: “The Lord gives wisdom. Knowledge and understanding come from His mouth.” Proverbs 2:6 NIrV
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org
Families of Youth Lunch – January 12
We’ve got some fun plans in the works for our Families of Youth lunches in 2020! Because we’re recovering from the holidays and are working on hosts for the next few months, we’re planning to go back to Culver’s in January for our first FOY for the year. 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, January 12 from 12-2pm. If you have any questions or are interested in hosting, please contact KerryStok@restorationcov.org. See you there!
Restoration Students Wednesday Nights
Jan 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
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.