February 14, 2019
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Proverbs 121:1-2
When I think about how my faith wavers, it's because I have times when I’m closer to or further from Him because of my situation in life. I know Jesus is never far from me no matter where my heart is. I need a constant reminder of the fact that God is always there with me and loves me no matter what. When are we close to God? I’d like to say "always" but personally that isn’t always true. I know that He is always close to me, but I am not always in the right frame of mind to be aware of his presence.
I have spent month upon month of my life isolated from my family on military deployments. In these times, I've done my best to run towards Jesus and put my life in His hands. I recently came home from a different sort of military adventure – instructor school. This trip challenged me in so many different ways. I was in Arkansas, without my family, for what was supposed to be two months but ended up taking three. I was a full-time student, which I hadn’t been for more than a decade (another Air Force school) and then a decade before that (college and pilot training). Even worse, the concept of this particular course was to make me a good airplane instructor by sending me flying with a bunch of people pretending to be really bad performing crew members which equated to each flight being stressful in its own unique way.
Not only did the military challenge me while I was gone, but my personal life did too. My wife temporarily became a single mom, dealing with the kids’ bad days, on top of hers, without me. She also had to do this while limping around after tearing her ACL. Because of bad weather, plane maintenance and multiple scheduling issues, what should've taken me two weeks took well over a month. God showed up in many ways during that time: our church family cared for my family, people prayed for me, I was able to be home for my wife's surgery, and I learned to let go after multiple delays, stress and setbacks continually tried my patience. There was lots of reliance on the power of our family’s faith during the time I was at school.
I’ve said many times that the hardest thing about being deployed to any remote part of the world isn’t it’s effect on me but how it affects my family. When I’m gone for long amounts of time they have to adjust to a life that isn’t the way we intended for it to be. They have to live as if I wasn't there, even though I am there and supporting them, just from far away. This is all the same when we think about our relationship with Jesus. It doesn’t matter where we are in the world or in our walk with Him because he’s right there beside us – caring for us, loving us – even if we don’t see him. Even in the trying times when we don't feel Him right there beside us, He's always there.
Grace and Peace,
Marc
*THIS SATURDAY*
Ukraine Mission Trip Report – February 16
Join Jacob Sturges to celebrate and hear stories about all God did during his time visiting the orphanages and ministries in the Ukraine. He’ll have a short program and dessert February 16 from 6:30-7:30 at the Ministry Center (7707 147th St W, Apple Valley). Please RSVP to jacobsturges@restorationcov.org so he can plan accordingly. See you there!
Prayer Meeting – February 25
As a church, we gather together to lift up needs within our church and around the world, believing God is going to move in mighty ways. Join us as we pray with faith that the Lord will help us in every area of our lives! We will meet the last Monday of each month from 7-8pm at the Ministry Center. We would love to see you there! Contact MaryBeshara@restorationcov.org with questions.
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.
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
What We're Learning in February
Toddlers & Preschoolers
We can’t think of a better time to teach preschoolers about how much Jesus loves them than February— the month of love! And how much does Jesus love preschoolers? Well, the same as He loves you and me—A LOT! In fact, there is nothing wider or longer or higher or deeper than the love Jesus has for you and the preschoolers in your life. This month, our goal is for preschoolers to know Jesus loves them and that nothing will ever change that. To do that, we’ve planned some super fun, hands-on-activities and are ready to tell amazing Bible stories in ways that will engage young minds. We also have some colorful, little love bugs joining us!
Memory Verse: “How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:18, NIV
Elementary
In February, we will be talking about the connection between service and God’s character, as shown through God’s big story. Jesus demonstrated what serving really means by washing His disciples’ feet and even laying down His life for the sins of the world. We reflect His character to the people around us when we lend a hand and serve.
Memory Verse: “Jesus sat down and called for the 12 disciples to come to him. Then he said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last. They must be the servant of everyone.’” Mark 9:35, NIrV
RESTORATION STUDENTS
Contact: students@restorationcov.org
*NEW*
Restoration Students Sledding Event – February 23
Students Grades 6-12 – Invite a friend and join us for a fun day of sledding! Meet us at Trapp Farm Park, 841 Wilderness Run Rd in Eagan on Saturday, February 23 from 10am-1pm. We will be at the Ministry Center afterwards for lunch. Cost is $5 for lunch but feel free to bring your own lunch. Pick up is at 1pm at the Ministry Center. You'll need to bring your own sled or tube as Trapp Farm is closed for the season so we should have the hill all to ourselves. Please RSVP to AidenGosiak@restorationcov.org before Wednesday, February 20 so we have enough food and transportation.
Restoration Students Wednesday Nights
Upcoming Dates: Feb 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: Feb 17, Mar 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.
