Advent prayer services starting soon
Advent. ‘Tis the season for all kinds of wonderful trappings of Christmas: family gatherings, trimming the tree, shopping, baking, anticipating. These are all great family traditions, memory makers, seasonal highlights. However, sometimes in efforts to make a meaningful family Christmas, we finish these tasks and forget to prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior.
As we attempt to prepare our hearts for Advent as a church family, we will be doing a couple of things this season. First, join us on Thursday mornings at 6:30 for our Advent prayer services. These prayer services will provide a reflective experience, encouraging us to center our hearts in anticipation of Christ’s birth.
Second, look for a special edition of the DailyLife email during Advent. These daily reflections will offer us some additional opportunities to prepare our hearts for what matters most on Christmas morning.
Manger Build event for dads and kids returns to Five Oaks
Dads and granddads, grab your kids and come build a life-sized manger together. $20 fee includes a manger kit, expert assistance, devotional guide, and snacks and refreshments. Wood will be pre-cut, ready to go. Saturday, December 12, 9 am. If a male figure is unavailable, we’ll have “adopt-a-dads” available to work with your child. For more info, or to register, visit www.jm5oaks.com.
Congregational meeting DATE CHANGE
Please note: The annual congregational meeting has been changed from November 22 to December 6, at 4 pm. Please note the change on your calendar.
Parent workshop this Sunday: A Christ-Centered Legacy
As full as the holidays are with wonderfultraditions, sometimes we find we come up short of ways to celebrate our newborn king. Join Tree House Ministry in the gym November 22, 9:15 or 11:00 service for a free parent workshop on establishing Christ-centered holiday traditions in your family.
Extra coats? Hats? Mittens? Wintery whatnot?
Coats of Kindness is an organization focused on helping facilitate coat drives to gather new and gently used winter clothing to be donated to those in need within our community. A simple act, such as donating a coat, can change someone’s life. Our goal is to collect as many new or gently used winter wear items: coats, hats, mittens, gloves and scarves, to donate to local shelters. These items are given at no cost to those in need. Five Oaks Church will collect your donated items between November 21 through December 20. Look for the Coats of Kindess box in the Commons. For further information contact Jerry Meras, jmeras@fiveoakschurch.org.
December Book Club meeting: start reading now
Our new book club had a successful first book discussion in November. We are gearing up for our next meeting on December 8, 6:45 pm in the Fireside Commons at church. We’ll be dicussing A Higher Call by Adam Makos with Larry Alexander. Questions? Email Dawn Goenner, go.dmge@gmail.com. We’d love to have you join us.
This just in ...
Just a reminder — the church office will be closed on Thursday & Friday, November 26 & 27 for Thanksgiving.
Church directory update due in January
It’s time once again to update the church online directory. If you have any changes to your contact info since last January, please either email changes to office@fiveoakschurch.org.
New member candidate
Peter Kim
Community Events
New Life Academy hosts blood drive
The American Red Cross will be onsite at New Life Academy (6758 Bailey Rd., Woodbury) on Monday, December 7, 2:45 - 7:45 pm. Donating blood is simple, and it may save someone else’s life. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ups are welcome. Contact Anna Lehn, annahlehn@gmail.com with questions.
Looking for a volunteer opportunity for your small group or family?
Store-to-Door is a non-profit grocery ordering and delivery service for seniors. During the winter months, their volunteer needs increase as more seniors don’t want to venture out in the snow for groceries. They are currently recruiting volunteer Order Takers. This involves use of your phone and a computer or tablet device with reliable internet access. For more info, please contact Carolyn at carolyn@storetodoor.org.
