January 10, 2019
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does.
Ephesians 6:7-8
We all desire to do work that is meaningful and satisfying. God often grants us just that, but not always. Sometimes it’s thorns and thistles. But at the core of the Christian work ethic is not what we do, but who we serve. When we see our work, whatever it may be, as serving the Lord and not men, our work takes on a holy dignity and an eternal significance.
Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:7-8, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does." The word "wholeheartedly" comes from a Greek word that means "well-minded." The idea is to have an attitude that is born of a good heart and an active mind. We must have good intentions about what we do, because whether anybody else realizes it or not, we are doing God's will.
When a Christian does his or her work as the will of God, it changes from simple work to sacred good. Your place of work compensates you with salary and benefits. God compensates your good with His good. Galatians 5:7 tells us, “A man reaps what he sows.” I've found that God is endlessly creative with the good that He gives in repayment for the good we do for Him. It might be a life-changing relationship. It might be greater influence. It might be the trust of your employer, or a raise in salary. It might be a growing reputation or surprising new opportunities. One thing it will certainly mean is a more Christ-like character within you.
Emma Daniel Gray died on June 8, 2009, at the age of 95. At her workplace, her position was listed as "charwoman." Nevertheless, there was a front-page story about her in the Washington Post when she died. For 24 years she served six different U.S. presidents. Each day she dusted the Oval Office. But what made the story of Emma Gray most remarkable was her testimony as a devout Christian. Every morning, with her dusting cloth in one hand and her other hand on the chair of the President of the United States, she would pray for blessings and wisdom and safety. That is what turned her simple work to sacred good. That is what earned her God's good gifts in compensation. At her funeral, her pastor said that Emma "saw life through the eyes of promise." That is how Christians work. That is what makes our work matter. Let it be so for all of us.
Grace and Peace,
Greg Fondell
*NEW*
Eli Jeffrey Erickson
We celebrate the birth of Eli Jeffrey Erickson, 8lbs 11oz 22in long, born to Ryan and Allison Erickson on January 5, 2019 at 3:50pm! Eli is also welcomed home by big sister Autumn. Everyone is doing well and is so in love with their newest addition. Please keep the Erickson family in your prayers during this busy time and praise God for a healthy mom and baby. We welcome the Restoration family to support and bless them by providing meals. A Meal Train site has been set-up between the dates of January 10-31. Please sign-up through this link: MEAL TRAIN.
*NEW*
Piper Mae Mueller
We celebrate the birth of Piper Mae Mueller, 6lbs 12oz, 21.5in long, born to Joe Mueller & Caresse Christensen on January 5, 2019 at 11:15pm! Piper is also welcomed home by big sister Riley and big brother Jack. Please keep Joe, Caresse, and the family in your prayers during this busy time and praise God for a healthy mom and baby. We welcome the Restoration family to support and bless them by providing meals. A Meal Train site has been set-up between the dates of January 10-31. Please sign-up through this link: MEAL TRAIN.
*NEW*
January Fellowship Dinner
Fellowship dinners are a wonderful way to meet and connect with others from Restoration outside of Sunday morning. Join us this month for a fun informal evening of food and fellowship. Saturday, January 19 5:30pm-7:30pm at Kirk and Chrystine Vilhauer’s home. For questions, the address, or to RSVP contact events@restorationcov.org.
*NEW*
Men's Bowling Night – February 8th
Restoration Men, bring a friend and join us on Friday, February 8th from 7-9pm at Apple Place Bowl (14917 Garrett Ave, Apple Valley) for a fun night of bowling with the guys. Costs are $5 per game and $3 for shoes. Please RSVP to Kirk Vilhauer at events@restorationcov.org.
*NEW*
Feed My Starving Children – March 16
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, March 16 from 2-4pm. We will meet at 1:45pm 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. Please RSVP first name, last name, and if you are an adult to communications@restorationcov.org.
*THIS SATURDAY*
Membership Class – January 12
Becoming a member of Restoration is about joining with fellow believers and making a commitment to the local church by recognizing that we are better together. Through this commitment, we put down roots for strong spiritual growth and join Christ in declaring our love for the Church that He gave his life for. A one-day Restoration membership class will be offered on Saturday, January 12 from 10am-1pm at the Ministry Center with lunch included. More information can be found HERE. If you're interested in membership but this day doesn't work for you, we'd love to talk with you. For questions of any kind regarding membership, contact ChristaYoung@restorationcov.org or KaraRasmussen@restorationcov.org.
Live Fearless – Current Message Series
Each new year, people make resolutions to change, improve, and try to live the life they desire. By the end of each year, few people actually possess what they desired. Sometimes it’s a matter of willpower, but often it’s something bigger, as if something or someone is holding them back. What holds you back from the life you really want? The one you used to dream about but now silently sits smashed between a few pages of a notebook or journal. The life that laughs at anxiety because it holds no power. The life that lets go of what you lack because you don’t need it anyway. And the life that is blind to comparison because it’s the wrong battle. The most repeated command in the Bible is, “Do not fear.” Imagine what could happen in your life if it was possible to actually obey that command. Are you ready to believe that you actually can? Join us in January as we learn to Live Fearless.
Vision Update Meeting – January 27
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 2018-19 budget. Please join us from 11:15-11:45am on Sunday, January 27 in the Yosemite Auditorium at the Hayes Senior Center immediately following our worship service. Child care provided. If you have any questions prior to the meeting, contact leadershipteam@restorationcov.org.
Sip and Social Baby Shower – February 2
At Restoration we value living life in community and part of living in community includes celebrating major milestones with one another. We are excited to be welcoming several babies at the end of this year and beginning of next. To celebrate these new little ones and to simply gather as women of Restoration of all ages and life stages, we will be having a Sip & Social Baby Shower on February 2 from 1-3pm at the Ministry Center. It'll be a fun-filled afternoon of connection, cake and punch, games, a devotional, and time of prayer. If you have have recently had a baby or will be soon, please come as our guest of honor. Each new mama will leave with one meaningful gift. If you would like to provide a gift, find out how you can help, have any questions or would like to RSVP, please contact kararasmussen@restorationcov.org
Football Sunday – February 3
We hope you'll join us again this year for Football Sunday during our normal worship time on Sunday, February 3. "Football Sunday" will feature exclusive video interviews with professional football players, some who'll be playing in the upcoming Super Bowl as they share how Jesus has made a difference in their lives. Football Sunday is a great opportunity for you to invite a friend or a sports fan to church to hear players share how God shaped their story.
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
Resumes January 6
Studying the current sermon series
Led by Kara Rasmussen
Family Life Group (children welcome)
Every other Sunday, 5:30-7:30pm in various homes
Resumes January 13
Studying the current sermon series
Led by Matt & Mallory Allinder
Second Stage Life Group
Every other Sunday, 6:00-8:00pm at the Klatts' home
Resumes January 6
Studying the current sermon 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
WEDNESDAY
*NEW*
Moms with Young Kids Play Group
2nd Wednesday of the month, January through April, 9:30am in various homes
Informal time of connection and prayer with other moms while our kids play
Led by Chrystine Vilhauer
All Ages Life Group (children welcome)
Every other Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm at the Zaffkes' home
Resumes January 9
Studying the current sermon series
Led by Garrett & Amy Zaffke
SATURDAY
Men's Bible Study Group
Saturdays at 7am at the Ministry Center
Resumes January 12
Studying the Book of Isaiah
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
What We're Learning in January
Toddlers & Preschoolers
One of the wonderful things about preschoolers is they know they have needs and they are not afraid to let you know. That’s a good thing and something we want to use to help preschoolers see another need they have – a need we all have – and that is Jesus. “I need Jesus” is the focus this month. We know from experience that the older preschoolers get, the more they will need Jesus. Life can be tough. Having a friend like Jesus who knows us, loves us, and has the power to help us can truly change our lives. After all, that’s what friends do. They help one another when they need it. And there is no better friend than Jesus.
Memory Verse: “You are everything I need.” Psalm 119:57, NIrV
Elementary
This month we will be discussing the connection between self-control and God’s character, as shown through God’s big story. We will be looking at Solomon to help us see examples of self-control in difficult situations and how God can help lead us through those times.
As we follow Jesus, His love transforms us. His Spirit gives us the power to show self-control. We can follow His example and choose to do what we should do—instead of what we want to do.
Memory Verse: “God’s power has given us everything we need to lead a godly life.” 2 Peter 1:3A, NIrV
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: students@restorationcov.org
New Restoration Students Director
The Restoration Students Director interview team is excited to announce Aiden Gosiak as the Interim Restoration Students Director. The interview team is excited about how Aiden senses God’s call to student ministry and that his experiences and education align with this calling. Aiden embodies Restoration’s values of Christ Centered, Authentic People, Accepting Community and Serving Humbly. He is thrilled to get to know our students and their families. Please introduce yourself to Aiden and join us in welcoming him at church this Sunday.
Restoration Students Wednesday Nights
Upcoming Dates: Jan 16, 23, 30, Feb 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! Contact students@restorationcov.org
Middle School Group
Upcoming Dates: Jan 20, Feb 3, 17
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.
