Lent Prayer Services approaching: Journey to Easter
Easter is best valued when we take time along the journey of Lent to prepare our hearts through prayer and reflection. Some traditionally choose to sacrifice some aspect of their lives during Lent in effort to sharpen their prayer lives: some give up coffee, others chocolate, others perhaps a favorite TV show, and spend time in prayer instead of engaged in that activity. Another door to our hearts, aside from sacrifice, is opened through adding something good during Lent. Something nourishing, something that will sweeten this journey toward Easter. Join us on Thursday mornings during Lent, starting February 11 at 6:30 am, for our Lent prayer services. Here you will sweeten that journey to Easter by enriching your prayer life and weaving a richer understanding of how the story of Easter unfolds.
Story of God registration closing
Learn how the Bible fits together. Read it with greater understanding. Take your faith deeper. Great for beginning and experienced Bible readers. New nine-week session begins Tuesday, February 9, 6:30-8 pm. Registration: $30. Register at fiveoaks.church/story-of-god.
Small Group sign-ups continue this weekend
We are a church of small groups. Our small groups foster discipleship, friendship, church family. If you haven’t already done so, now is a great time to join a small group. Visit the Small Groups Ministry Cart at the Ministry Wall after weekend services to peruse the catalog and find a group that fits your schedule and life stage.
Tree House needs you!
It takes a lot of hands and hearts to create a successful weekend in our Tree House Children’s Ministry. We have a few more places that need yours! We are looking for extra help in these areas: 2’s & 3’s at 11:00, every other week; pre-K & kindergarten at 11:00 every other week; nursery at 9:15; 1st grade at 11:00; Welcome on Saturdays. Please email Cindy at cyarrington@fiveoakschurch.org to sign up and serve.
Kids Hope USA: Making a difference in our community
Five Oaks is committed to changing lives by partnering with Woodbury Elementary to assist in meeting emotional, social and academic needs of students. Your commitment as a volunteer? One child - one hour a week. We are always looking for volunteers. For more information write KHUSA on your communication card, or email KHUSA@fiveoakschurch.org.
Discovery for newcomers
New to Five Oaks? You likely have questions about who we are and about our mission. We have answers and we’d love to meet you! Please sign up for Discovery, held on February 7, 11 am -1 pm. A free catered lunch is included for your family. To sign up, check the Discovery box on the communication card or email Pam Hawley, phawley@fiveoakschurch.org.
Love to read? Never too late to join our book club!
The Five Oaks book club will meet again on February 9 to discuss “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn. This book is long, so we will cover Part 1 at our February meeting. 6:45 pm; Fireside Commons. It’s never too late to join us! Contact Dawn Goenner at go.dmge@gmail.com with any questions. Hope you can make it!
Overeaters Anonymous/H.O.W.
Our church hosts an ongoing OA/H.O.W. group on Tuesdays from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. This meeting is always open to new members looking to free themselves from the burden of compulsive overeating.
Rush Hour/Fusion Super BowLLL Party!
February 7: 5:00pm-9:00pm
Five Oaks Church
Cost: $7 (pizza, soda/pop, and prizes provided)
Come watch the Big Game and hang out with us! Don’t care for football??? We will also have other fun activities, prizes, and games! Hope to see you there!•6th grade: Bring something salty to share
•7th & 8th grades: Bring something sweet to share
•9th & 10th grades: Bring something healthy to share
•11th & 12th grades: Bring whatever to share
Upcoming parent workshop: Tough conversations
In Tree House Children’s Ministry, we know that sometimes our kids ask questions we aren’t quite sure how to answer. We are offering a workshop for parents on February 14 during the 9:15 or the 11:00 services that will help equip you to talk with them about how to connect the Word of God with the tough questions they may be dealing with. Email Rhiannon, rrutledge@fiveoakschurch.org, to sign up for this free workshop.
Shine tickets now available
Women, you won’t want to miss Shine 2016! Shine is an event dedicated to encouraging women to define their beauty inside and out, according to the word of God. Invite your friends for February 26, 6-9:30 pm at Five Oaks, and plan to listen to keynote speakers Rhiannon Rutledge and her mother Terri Hopman, with worship led by Legend Rutledge. This cross-generation of ladies will be talking about what it looks like to craft ‘A Beautiful Legacy.’ Tickets available at shinewomen.org or at the Ministry Cart in the Commons after weekend services.
Bucharest short-term mission opportunity
Impact Ministries is partnering with the Ruth-Project School in Bucharest, Romania for a short-term mission opportunity. We will work with the 400+ Roma children at the school and surrounding neighborhood. The Roma are among the poorest people group in Romania and throughout Europe. We will serve during the government mandated Field Trip Week. We will travel from April 16 through April 25, 2016. Cost is $2,200 per person. To sign up or for further info, email Jerry Meras, jmeras@fiveoakschurch.org.
High schoolers: Plan now for Cultivate retreat
High schoolers, do you ever feel like your relationship with God has turned impersonal and dry, but you don’t how to change it? Ever wonder if it’s even possible to have a “close, best -friend relationship” with Jesus? If you’ve ever wrestled with these ideas, now is the time to do something about it! Restore the fire in your relationship with the King of Kings at our winter retreat on February 12-14 at Camp Lebanon. Our core focus will be on determining how each of us can CULTIVATE and PRESERVE a close, long-lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. Cost: $140. More info to come.
Five Oaks family support
Caleb Maaske Spaghetti Dinner Benefit
Five year-old Caleb Maaske, a regular face at Five Oaks Church, is partnering with 4 Paws for Ability to help further his fight against Chiari Malformation, an incurable brain disorder. 4 Paws trains and places service dogs to give veterans and children like Caleb the assistance and independence they need. Caleb’s service dog will give him an additional life line by assisting him with issues such as pain, seizures and countless doctor visits. Join Caleb’s family at their spaghetti dinner benefit February 21, 12-4 pm, at the Red Barn VFW, 9260 E. Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove. The proceeds will help defray the $15,000 that the Maaske family must raise to secure this new friend for Caleb. Questions? Please contact Rachael Maaske, rmaaske@hotmail.com.