February 6, 2020
I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called – His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance.
Ephesians 1:16-18
On January 26th, we had our annual Vision Update Meeting. You can listen to the audio recording by going to the Sunday Messages page on Restoration’s website or watch a video of the service by going HERE. This particular meeting was full of statistics and great information about how Restoration is living out our vision and mission. Numbers can be a very powerful illustration of progress and impact. And Restoration is definitely making an impact.
One of Restoration’s statistics is that, in the last year, we had 15 new members join the church. That’s the largest number in one year since 2013. Now, Restoration is not just all about the numbers. We’re about being a community of people who are being restored by Jesus. And He doesn’t require that you belong to a church to have a saving relationship with Him. But, there’s strength in numbers, as they say. We are better together than we can be individually. I believe each member of Restoration would say that taking that step was like putting down roots to grow deeper in that relationship with Jesus and with the other believers at Restoration. I know it was for me back in 2013.
We are called God’s holy people and we have a glorious inheritance from Him that shines like a light from a lighthouse. It’s a beacon that shows the way for others searching for a safe harbor and it lights the way for us as we rescue those who are so burdened that they can’t look up to see the light. Having the light of many brothers and sisters in Christ joined together is a powerful and joyful thing!
That’s why I consider it such a privilege to introduce new members like we did at the opening of the Update meeting. It’s a time of joy and celebration. You could even say it’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys. In fact, we have our own little barrel of monkeys ceremony to commemorate the milestone. That’s where the new member takes two monkeys from our monkey inventory and puts one in Restoration’s big, glass barrel and keeps the other one to remind them that they’re not alone on this journey. In fact, it’s practically impossible to pull one monkey from the jar without hooking arms with one or two or more brother- and sister-monkeys who will be there to encourage you in your faith walk.
Becoming a member at Restoration has some structured steps to the process but it’s not hard. It involves participating in a class, signing an application, and sharing your faith story either in a conversation or in writing. We hope to conduct at least two membership classes this year. The next one is a two-night class currently scheduled for March 16 and 23 from 7-9pm. If you’d like to participate, but these dates don’t work for you, please contact me. If you would like more information about membership, visit the Membership page on Restoration’s website HERE.
Yes, Restoration is working hard to bring hope to our community and God has a purpose for each of us whether we are an official member or not. I pray that you find joy as we share in God’s mission through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Your sister in Christ,
Christa
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 SATURDAY*
Feed my Starving Children AND Families of Youth Dinner – February 8
We still have spots available if you are 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.
Women’s Sip & Social – February 28
Women of Restoration – winter is long in Minnesota, can I get an Amen? Please join us for a break in the long winter season to socialize with Restoration ladies at Jo Jo’s Rise & Wine, 12501 Nicollet Ave #100, Burnsville. We’ve reserved a room from 6:30-8pm at Jo Jo’s and food and beverages are available for purchase there. RSVP by Feb 23 to kerrystok@restorationcov.org.
Men’s Movie and Games Night – February 29
Men of all ages are invited to enjoy an afternoon/evening of games and a movie at the ministry center February 29 from 4-7pm. We’ll be watching Black Panther. If you don’t want to watch the movie, come for the food and hang out and play games. RSVP by Feb 23 to DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org so we can get enough food.
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. 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.
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.
SUNDAY
Second Stage Group
Every other Sunday, 6-8pm in host homes
Studying the sermon series
Led by Dick & Patte Klatt
Families of Youth Lunch
2nd Sundays, Noon-2pm
Eating together and fellowship
Led by Kerry Stok
Women’s Small Group
Every other Sunday, 6-7:15pm in host homes
Studying the sermon series
Led by Teresa Slepicka
Family Small Group
Every other Sunday, 5:30-7:30pm in host homes
Studying the sermon series
Led by Nick and Andrea Youngberg
TUESDAY
Prayer Group
Every Tuesday, 7-9pm at the Ministry Center
Led by Mary Beshara and Michael Nybakken
WEDNESDAY
Parents with Young Children Play Date Group
3rd Wednesdays, 9:30am-11:30am in host homes
Informal time of fellowship while kids play
Led by Chrystine Vilhauer
SATURDAY
Men’s Bible Study Group
Saturdays, 7-8am at the Ministry Center
Studying the book of Revelation
Led by Chad White
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 February
Preschoolers
All Aboard! Jesus loves everyone, and He wants everyone to come aboard and be His friend forever. When we look at the kind of friend Jesus was while He was on earth, we can see that Jesus truly does love everyone. Throughout the Bible, we find accounts of the times that Jesus loved those considered unworthy and wanted to be their friend—no matter what.
At some point, even our precious preschoolers will all find themselves in the shoes of these “unworthy” people. Like Zacchaeus, they will have friends mad at them for a wrong choice. Or, they may not feel like they fit in because of where they’re from much like the woman at the well. But, Jesus loves them anyway—no matter what. That is what we want them to know. That will help them choose grace and to love everyone the way Jesus loves them. So let’s get ready for an amazing ride together. All Aboard!
Memory Verse: “Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12, NIV
Elementary
All throughout the Bible, the writers of Scripture remind us that God is love. From the creation of the world to God’s relentless pursuit of us, God has shown time and again that love is most important. Even though we’ve all sinned, God loved us enough to make a way for us to have a forever relationship with Him. The Gospels are full of moments where Jesus prioritized love above all else, especially when He summed up the greatest commandment with: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus made this real when He showed us how much God loves us by sacrificing His life for our sins.
Memory Verse: “Here is what love is. It is not that we loved God. It is that he loved us and sent His son to give His life to pay for our sins.” 1 John 4:10, NIRV
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: DanielMorgenstern@restorationcov.org
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
Feb 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
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.
