January 23, 2020
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
The heart and soul of our faith is that Jesus came down to open the gates of Heaven, so we could be called sons and daughters of God. God desires for us to have an authentic relationship with Him and with each other. One of the biggest things that gets in the way of having deep relationships with God and others can be our relationship with money. Scripture does not avoid this topic at all, in fact, there are 800 verses dedicated to teaching about it and over 2000 references to money or economic status. Yet, in our culture 80% of people will avoid having deep conversations about money with anyone. This means no budgets, no investment plan and not understanding if our money is doing what we want it to do. If we don’t talk about it, we are missing out on the authentic community God is calling us into, especially as Scripture tells us money is one of the greatest roadblocks to God’s Kingdom.
So, why do we often avoid something that God so frequently discusses in Scripture? In my message on Sunday, I talked about two topics most people like to avoid the most, debt and tithing/investing. We discussed the why behind what Scripture says about these two topics and went over some simple financial rules that are guided by Scripture. The principles can help money, not hinder our relationship, but be used as a tool to help enliven our relationship with God. Hear my message HERE.
Is money impacting your relationship with God or with others? Is money the tool for helping you live into God’s plan and purposes? Join us in the next few weeks as we explore these things together to help us grow in financial wisdom but, more importantly, grow in a proper relationship with God and each other.
God Bless,
Greg
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.
*THIS SUNDAY*
Vision Update Meeting – UPDATED
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. Because we believe the value of the vision and information, we will include these elements in our regularly scheduled worship service on Sunday, January 26. We are excited to welcome new members, share progress on our church-wide goals, and report on the 2019-20 budget. We will also have an audio and video recording for those who are serving during the service or out of town. Leadership team members will be available to chat and answer questions after the service. If you have any questions prior to the meeting, contact leadershipteam@restorationcov.org.
*NEW*
Parking
Just a reminder that this time of year is always a busy sports season at all the buildings surrounding the Senior Center. Due to ever-evolving sports schedules, please build in time for parking and remember that you can always park in Westview’s parking lot if you have a hard time finding a spot. Thank you for your patience and good job getting that extra walking in that you planned for in your new year’s resolution!
*NEW*
Covenant Pines Family Camp
Did you know that several families from Restoration have participated in Covenant Pines Family Camp for the past few years? Covenant Pines family camps are designed to give you quality time with your family. Covenant Pines works hard to provide a loving, exciting, and energizing environment where life-changing moments can happen on a daily basis. They have two programmed Family Camps at CPBC every summer from July 4-7 or August 8-11. Early bird registration discount ends February 1. Covenant Pines also has their Silver Beach Family Area available all summer for families to have a less programmed, but still very intentional stay. You can pick up a brochure at the info table on Sunday or check out their website HERE.
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.
Food on the First: Super Bowl Edition
Based on prior data, the average American family spends about $75 on food, decorations and team apparel for the Super Bowl. This year, our Food on the First non-perishable food collection just so happens to fall on Super Bowl Sunday. When you’re out buying food and supplies for your big game parties, please also consider food and gift card donations for the families of Westview Elementary School. When we provide these donations, we all win (even if our team’s not in the Super Bowl).
Feed my Starving Children AND Families of Youth Dinner – February 8
Looking for an amazing outreach 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. We will meet back at the Ministry Center following FMSC for pizza. Please plan to contribute $5/person with a maximum of $20/family for pizza. Additionally, because this is the day before our normally scheduled Families of Youth lunch, pizza at the Ministry Center will serve as our monthly get-together for Families of Youth so we hope you can join us for FMSC, pizza or both! All are welcome – you don’t have to be a FOY to join us for pizza following FMSC. Please RSVP to DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org.
Sewing & Crafts Workshop – February 16
We’ve set a date for the sewing and crafts workshop on Sunday, February 16 from 2-4pm. If you are interested participating as a learner or a teacher, please let us know by January 26 so we can plan. If you’ve already signed up, we’ll be reaching out to you soon. If you’d like to participate or help, please contact KerryStok@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.
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
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
*NEW*
Homemade Snacks Needed
Every Wednesday, Restoration Students crave snacks. It takes roughly 20,000 homemade snacks for a student group to feel satisfied (according to hungry students). Yet sadly, our students only receive homemade snacks every once in a while and must instead make do with store-bought cookies and crackers.
“They’re just not the same” -Sad Student
“I’m so hungry!” -Literally Every Student
Please help Daniel feed these poor souls. You can make a difference by volunteering to make snacks. Contact Janae Barriuso at rjbarriuso@gmail.com to volunteer or sign up directly on Signup Genius.
Restoration Students Wednesday Nights
Jan 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 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.
