From: Mark McCormick
Restoration School at Little Sioux, IA THIS WEEKEND
Greetings Saints of the Restoration!
There are plenty of cabins available. If you'd like to have a "last getaway" with a church camp experience, this is it! The Lord is blessing us with very moderate weather (upper 70°'s and sunny!) We will also have a hay-rack ride Saturday late afternoon. Schedule is at the bottom of this notice.
For any RSVP's send me an email at: mrmrldsmember@yahoo.com
or call/text me at 402-639-2952
You are cordially invited to come to “A Holy Place” at our reunion grounds the weekend of September 30th through October 1st, 2022. This year for our ministry, we have Elders Gary Wilson and Shaun Turner sharing with us from Zion’s Hope and Missionary Restoration Branches, respectfully. For years, Brother Francis Harper led and organized the Restoration School for our area and would write a letter such as this. I have a few talents to offer the Lord, but one of them is not writing invitation letters such as this. In this particular instance, I have felt the need to write to you to encourage you and your family to attend.
Initially, the Restoration School was 10 days long, and was set aside for Priesthood members only. I do not know how the men that attended back in though years did it, as many of them were still in the workforce, but I indeed admire their dedication! Currently we only meet for a short weekend! My first year was 2009 and I remember staying with Mark and Laura Westermeyer. It was a blessing to stay with them and to fellowship with the brethren of the priesthood. I was so discouraged to see so few in attendance though! Brother Francis had asked Brian Turner to lead, and in the coming years I would be asked to lead the effort. We made a change in opening it up to all families to encourage better attendance, which helped some. In recent years, I’ve noticed the attendance again dwindling – so I write to you here, encouraging you to set aside September 30th and October 1st for the Lord and His work. Lay down your day to day activities and come meet Him at our “Holy Place” Come this weekend to set aside to ask ourselves the question, “Where is our Faith?” and “Do I still believe in the Fullness of the Gospel, the Restored Message?”
An unexpected effect of COVID was how many of us resorted to live-streaming or uploading messages. In that, I’ve been able to take some time to listen to others throughout the week. In that, I have found that there are a surprising number of saints and Priesthood that have become weakened in their faith in the Fullness of the Gospel. Like Paul, I’ve thought the same as his words to the saints at Galatia, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel;” (Galatians 1:6). Brother Francis repeatedly reminded me (and others) of the warning given in II Thessalonians 1:9 “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they may be saved.” Do you have a love for the Truth of Christ? John the Beloved warned the same to the church at Ephesus, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” (Revelation 2:4) I could share with you many more, but I think the point is made. Who is your first love, Jesus… or the world?
This weekend we will have Brothers Gary and Shaun to share with us. Gary is a longtime servant of the Lord in His Church. Gary is a teacher by trade so he will bring those skills to the table this weekend. Brother Shaun is relatively a “new guy on the block” he is a convert from Michigan that has gathered into the Land of Zion. He currently serves as the Presiding Elder of Missionary Branch and has a strong faith and will to serve the Lord! Come hear their experiences and what the Lord has prepared them to bring to us! I do believe this weekend, if you come, will experience this scripture below!
I Thessalonians 1:5 “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”
Remember, Romans 10:16 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” So come to our “Holy Place” and have your faith strengthened by hearing!
Your Brother in Christ,
Mark McCormick
Campground Location:
1106 Larpenteur Memorial Road
Little Sioux, IA 51545
Friday, September 30th, 2022
(AT REUNION GROUNDS)
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Soup & Sandwich Meal in the Kitchen.
7:30 – 8:45 p.m. Faith Discussion
10:30 p.m. LIGHTS OUT
Saturday, October 1st, 2022 (AT REUNION GROUNDS)
6:30 a.m. WAKE UP
7:00 to 7:25 a.m. Breakfast
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Prayer and Testimony
8:45 to 10:00 a.m. Class #1 – Faith Comes by STUDYING THE WORD
10:15 to 11:30 p.m. Class #2 – Faith Comes by PRAYER
11:30 to 12:15 p.m. BBQ Fellowship (Pulled Pork / Hot Dogs)
12:15 to 1:30 p.m. Class #3 – Faith Comes by FASTING
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Rest / Open / Recreation
3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Class #4 – Nourishing Our Faith in Jesus
5:00 to 5:30 p.m. Spaghetti Feed & Fellowship
After Dinner Hayrack Ride “Campfire” – Lead: Hamblen Family
7:00 to 7:20 p.m. Song Service
7:20 to 8:30 p.m. Worship Preaching Service
10:30 p.m. LIGHTS OUT
Sunday, October 2nd, 2022
6:30 a.m. WAKE UP
7:00 a.m. “TO GO” Breakfast
7:15 to 8:00 a.m. Travel to WRB:
Woodbine Followers of Christ Restoration Branch
77 5th St, Woodbine, IA 51579
8:15 to 9:00 a.m. Priesthood Prayer Service
9:15 to 9:30 a.m. Early Morning Worship
9:30 to 10:20 a.m. Prayer Service
10:30 a.m. Sacrament Service –
Fellowship Dinner after Worship Service
Classes and Recreation for the youth will be held on Saturday, October 1st, 2022 Ages 13 and up attend adult classes!
MINISTRY RESPONSIBILITIES
Classes
Adult Class
Youth Class: Ages 5-12
Class I (8:45-10:00)
Elder Gary Wilson
Keoki Waipa
Class II (10:15-11:30)
Elder Gary Wilson
Shelly Hartstack
Class III (12:15-1:30)
Elder Shaun Turner
Sherry Waipa
Class IV (3:30-4:45)
Elder Shaun Turner
Chris Coolman
Your Brother in Christ,
Mark McCormick
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding!"
