February 28, 2019
If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes.”
Jeremiah 29:13-14
In April 2016, I lost my job of 30+ years. I had started working for this company as a summer intern during college; it was the only “real” job I had ever known. The loss was devastating to me. For two weeks I cried each morning as my husband left for work. We had carpooled to work together for years and it was painful to see him leave without me. I didn’t know what to do. I hadn’t written a resume or interviewed for a job in more than 30 years. I was lost and felt so alone in those first weeks. It was truly one of the most difficult times of my life but it was also one of the most faith-building times as well. During this time, I clung to God’s promises found in one of my life verses, Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” As Pastor Rob shared, it was written from a place of captivity, in the midst of rubble. But even there, especially there, God is with us. He is working in the difficulties, changing us, transforming us, bringing about His dreams for our lives.
God is always with us, but when we’re in the ruins and the rubble of our lives, we can become so focused on our situation that we have a difficult time seeing Him. And that’s where our faith comes into play. That’s when we have to look for God in His promises and the people around us. During that summer I was out of work, God showed up in the people that surrounded me, offering help and encouragement, reminding me that out of all the muck and mire, something good was waiting for me. And they were right! When the dust settled and the world righted itself, I landed my perfect job, one that challenges me, stretches me, and gives me many opportunities to share how faithful God truly is. God’s promises are true for all of us – yesterday, today, and tomorrow!
Peace,
DeeAnn
*THIS SUNDAY*
Food on the First
Even though February felt like THE longest month ever this winter, it's actually still the shortest month which means Sunday is already Food on the First. Thanks in advance for your food and gift card donations for Westview Elementary School.
*UPDATED*
Feed My Starving Children – March 16
Looking for an amazing opportunity to serve kids in need with your friends and family? We are only a few weeks out from our Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) event to pack meals for hungry kids worldwide on Saturday, March 16 from 2-4pm. We have 65 spots reserved and still need about 45 people to sign up! We will meet at 1:45pm at 990 Lone Oak Road, Suite 136, Eagan. There is no cost to participate, but FMSC welcomes donations. We'll meet at the Ministry Center after packing to have pizza and socialize after the event. Please bring $5/person or $20/family to help cover pizza costs. Everyone age 5 and up is welcome, but we need to know who's attending so we can make sure we cover all the spots we reserved. Please RSVP first name, last name, and if you are an adult to communications@restorationcov.org.
Restoring What's Broken
Complainers, haters, self-proclaimed experts, and armchair quarterbacks fill our screens and our world. They all theorize, analyze, and criticize the problems in the world, but what is most needed are people who don’t simply just talk about a situation but who will take action on it! The Bible tells of a person who saw a problem, felt the pain, and then did something about it. This person believed God could use his talents to get the job done. Very little went smoothly, both externally and internally, but we can learn much from this story for our lives today. Do you have dreams for a better future? Join us to discover what happens when we combine our dreams with dedication and God’s leading in Restoring What’s Broken, a series about Ezra, Nehemiah, and all of us starting on February 24.
Gavin Frey
We celebrate the birth of Gavin Guthrie Frey, 8lbs 13oz 21in long, born to Evan and Vinesha Frey on February 11, 2019! Big sister Avaline is so happy to have a baby brother to kiss and cuddle and share blankets and stuffed animals with! Please keep the Frey family in your prayers during this busy time and praise God for a healthy mom and baby.
Serve in Church
Interested in serving within our church community? Great! We need you and your God-given gifts. Serving on Sundays is a great opportunity to get to know other people within the Restoration community by serving alongside them. Click HERE for a list of some of the volunteer opportunities. Please feel free to contact the person in charge of the area in which you’re most gifted or interested.
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.
P3 Retreat – April 6
P3 = Pray, Play, Plan
Every spring, Restoration’s staff, ministry team leaders and members of the Leadership Team meet to pray, play and plan for the year ahead. We reflect and listen to how God has been working and leading us and then we play and plan how we can best respond as a church towards the vision God is calling us to. These plans are then shared and reviewed for approval at our annual Vision Meeting in June. This year's P3 retreat will be held on Saturday, April 6 from 8:30am-3:30pm at the Ministry Center. First and foremost, we ask for your prayers for this important day. If you have specific prayers, input, ideas, or revelation from God for our church or for a particular ministry, we highly encourage you to share them with a Ministry Team Leader or with the Leadership Team before March 25. Contact John Schroeder with any questions: JohnSchroeder@restorationcov.org.
Small Groups
Did you know it's not too late to join a Restoration Small Group? Many of our groups discuss Sunday's message which makes it easy to join in at anytime. If you've considered joining a group but never quite got around to it, there’s still time! For questions or to join a Small Group, please contact kararasmussen@restorationcov.org.
*New Small Group*
Do you have a heart for the orphaned and vulnerable but feel overwhelmed with how to help? Jacob Sturges is starting an 8-week long small group study reading and discussing the book Everyone Can Do Something by Jason Johnson. Beginning Tuesday, March 5 and ending Tuesday April 30, 7-9pm at the Ministry Center.
SUNDAY
Women's Life Group
Every other Sunday, 6:30-8:30pm in various homes
Studying the current sermon series
Led by Kara Rasmussen
Family Life Group (children welcome)
Every other Sunday, 5:30-7:30pm in various homes
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
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
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 Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm at the Zaffkes' home
Studying the current sermon series
Led by Garrett & Amy Zaffke
SATURDAY
Men's Bible Study Group
Saturdays at 7am at the Ministry Center
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
*NEW*
VBS 2019
Get ready to Power Up! Are you ready to raise your game? Get ready to change the world because God’s power gives us everything we need to do just that. Mark your calendars and invite your friends to join us June 24-28 from 9-11:30am at Apple Valley Baptist, 964 Garden View Drive, Apple Valley.
What We're Learning in March
Preschoolers
This month, we will begin laying the foundation for some very important future conversations around the subject of sexual integrity. Before we ever talk with kids and teens about what to do and not do with their bodies, we need to start with who made their body and why that makes them so valuable. And a great place to start is now, in the preschool years, with this simple but powerful truth—God made me. Preschoolers need to learn now that they are wonderfully made by God, in His image. This makes them very important and motivates them to respect themselves and others.
Elementary
In March, we will be talking about the connection between individuality and God’s character. God is one of a kind. He has no beginning and no end. Everything He has created is unique and one of a kind, including people created in His image. Every person is an original reflection of God in how they love, care for others, imagine, create, and solve problems. Jesus lived this out in the way He loved all people, and helped people feel like they had value no matter who they were or what they had done. We can reflect this in the way we live out how God created us.
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: students@restorationcov.org
*NEW*
Move Conference – April 5-6
Are you a high school student who wants to see change in your community? Want the opportunity to see your ideas become a reality? MOVE 2019 is the place for you! This two-day immersive conference is held Friday and Saturday, April 5-6 and the theme is NO EXCUSES. MOVE will challenge the way students view their own community by helping them recognize and fulfill a need. Students will have the opportunity to serve in a local community, see how God works through envisioning change, gain their own perspective, and meet others their age with the same passion. Cost is only $30. Meals and accommodations will be provided. Info packet with itinerary is available, signups due March 22. Email aidengosiak@restorationcov.org with any questions.
Restoration Students Wednesday Nights
Upcoming Dates: Mar 6, 13, 20, Apr 3, 10, 17, 24
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: Mar 3, 17, Apr 7
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.
