These one-time serve options are what you’re looking for
With extra services over Easter weekend, we need individuals or groups who can fit a one-time serve into their schedule. It’s an easy way to scratch that serving itch OR test out a new place to serve. To pitch in and help, click here for roles in Five Oaks Kids. Or, click here for roles in Connections (ushering, greeting, etc.). All of our visitors and extra family thank you for serving on such an important weekend at Five Oaks! Sound intriguing, but you have a few more questions? Contact Pam Hawley, phawley@fiveoakschurch.org with Connections questions. Kelly Bauman, kbauman@fiveoakschurch.org, is your contact for Five Oaks Kids.
Good Friday and Easter services
Join us for our Good Friday services on Friday, April 10, at 5:30 and 7:00 pm. Our Easter services will be on Saturday, April 11 at 4:30 pm, and Sunday, April 12 at 8:00, 9:30, and 11 am. Good Friday and Easter are both great opportunities to reach out to new neighbors or friends who are not connected to a church. Help others in your life discover or rediscover the life-changing story of the cross and resurrection. People are often more willing to come to church when invited by others, so take this opportunity to help plant a seed for a friend. For more info on when our children’s programming is offered, go to www.fiveoaks.church/easter.
Ladies: Last call for IF:Gathering at Five Oaks
Sometimes it’s hard to know how to do the things God calls us to. The IF: Gathering, an event for women, will help you find greater freedom, peace, and reliance on our amazing God. Come join other women as they look to some of the best Bible teachers and speakers to help you in your journey. The event will be hosted at church on March 28. For more info, go to www.fiveoaks.church/IF-gathering. The final day to register is March 23.
Two ways to get involved with VBS!
At Mystery Island Vacation Bible School (VBS), we’ll uncover the truth about our Creator God! Join us June 15-18! Get involved by registering your kids here: www.fiveoaks.church/vbs. Another way to get involved is to impact many young lives by serving at VBS! (Parents who volunteer also get a $10 refund on the days they serve!) Interested in serving? Click here to find a role that fits your interests.
Know someone who’s getting married?
We know how important marriage is. Did you know that we have mentor couples who provide premarital mentoring? We want to help future husbands and wives enter marriage well-equipped. For more info on our pre-marriage mentoring process, go to fiveoaks.church/premarriage. Or, maybe you have a passion for mentoring? Please email Jonathan Haage, jhaage@fiveoakschurch.org, to learn how you might get involved.
Women: Join us at our April TABLE gathering
We’ll share a meal and some guided conversation and fellowship at our TABLE gathering on April 1, 9:15-11:30. Come hungry for God’s truth and discussion with other women as we take time to share about what God is saying in our lives. Childcare is available for a $5/child. Please register by March 26. Click here for more info and to register.
Loving vulnerable children...
During the Baby Items Drive, we collected over 5,000 diapers and 10,000 wipes, baby clothes, and other items. Thank you! We have several next steps to help these families: join a group that’s helping a mom avoid foster care (Safe Families), join a meal team to support a foster family (meals@fiveoakschurch.org), or mentor a student at Woodbury Elementary (Kids Hope USA). Questions? Email impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Are you in the loop with Five Oaks Students?
Our goal in Five Oaks Students is to help you and your family in your discipleship journey. Between youth group each week, age group event, small groups, and summer camps/mission trips, we know it’s a lot for you to keep track of. If you aren’t receiving our weekly communication from Five Oaks Students, please contact Peg Benson at pbenson@fiveoakschurch.org with your email and the current grade(s) of your student(s).
A simple way to help Chinese students (Impact Passport “set” opportunity)
Ever wondered how you can impact China? Through our partnership with the Hospitality Center for Chinese you can invite students and scholars to your home for Easter. This provides them a rare and coveted opportunity: time inside an American home. A typical guest is likely unfamiliar with what Easter is and may be interested in attending church with you. Interested? Email impact@fiveoakschurch.org for more info.
Calling all usher-types
Do you love to make sure your guests have what they need when visiting your house? If so, we have a spot on our usher team for you. We currently have several openings for a once-monthly serve on our 11 am team, and a few on Saturdays and Sundays at 9. Want more info? Email Pam Hawley at phawley@fiveoakschurch.org, or message Pam on Realm.
Lent services: join us Thursday evenings
Ever wondered what Lent is really all about? Check out our Thursday evening Lent Services called Prone to Wander: Lessons in the Wilderness, running now through April 2, 7-8 pm. We’ll begin in the worship center, then move to the Fireside Commons for conversations and connection surrounding how growth and blessings can come in the most unexpected places. Lent Journals, coffee and tea provided. (Not able to make the service in person? Listen online, and for additional content, join our “Lent 2020” Facebook group.)
Middle school District Blitz is coming fast
Time to get plugged in by going to District Blitz 2020: Plug In in Duluth, April 17-19. Middle schoolers will create memorable experiences as a group and get plugged in to God’s Word deeper than ever before. You can expect awesome worship and great speakers who will challenge us to live out our faith in all areas of life. Register in Realm soon, as spots are limited! Questions? Email Kyler at kalbert@fiveoakschurch.org.
Middle schoolers: Invite your friends to Camp Getaway this summer!
Middle schoolers: time to start dreaming of summer camp! Middle school Summer Getaway, June 23-28, is for current 6-8th graders and is what camp should be: great food, friends, tons of games, and the lake! We’ll also have amazing speakers and worship. Invite your friends! Click here for more info and to register. Questions? Email Henry Michael at henrymw@fiveoakschurch.org
High schoolers: Don’t miss Challenge 2020!
This summer, our high schoolers will travel to Kansas City for a life-changing once-every-two-years conference called Challenge. Five Oaks has taken students to Challenge for over 25 years, and we’ve seen its effect on students’ lives and faith journey many times over. Our travel dates are July 13-17. Click here for more info and to register for Challenge. Questions about Challenge? Please email Henry Michael at henrymw@fiveoakschurch.org.
Got a special hobby? Service? Cabin to share?
To help fund the high school trip to the Challenge conference this summer, Five Oaks Students is hosting an online auction during the month of April. Stay tuned for details (and the link to bid, of course)! If you have a particular experience or service you’d like to donate to the auction, (think of things such as Twins tickets, a photo shoot, a round of golf or lessons, lawn mowing service, a weekend at your lake place, etc.) please contact Henry Michael at henrymw@fiveoakschurch.org.
Calling all adoptive and foster moms! Note March date change
Welcome to Embrace-Woodbury South! At Embrace, you’ll meet other moms who are on a similar adoption/foster journey. You’ll experience spiritual, emotional, and practical support for adoptive, foster, and ‘waiting’ moms. We will also make time to learn more about caring for our vulnerable children, along with learning to better care for ourselves and our families. Our next meeting is March 19 in room 105, 6:30-8 pm. (We’ll be back to our usual second Thursday of the month in April.) Questions? Please email Tammy Placzek at the_plaz@comcast.net.
Baby news!
Congratulations to Brian and Jennifer Cretzmeyer, whose baby girl, Megan Elizabeth, was born on February 19. Megan weighed 7 lbs., 8 oz. and was 21 inches long. Baby Megan and Mom are both healthy. Megan had some initial in-home treatments for jaundice, but she’s doing well now. Thank you for praying!
New member candidates
David & Margo Niebling
COMMUNITY NEWS
Volunteer for Meals on Wheels
Help keep seniors independent in their own homes! Deliver meals once a week or once a month, on your own timeline. Volunteer on your own or with a friend! Delivery usually takes less than an hour. We accommodate your schedule for your convenience, but you have to provide your own car. Our most urgent volunteer needs are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, but we also have multiple open routes on Mondays and Fridays. Interested? Contact Larissa Little at 651-287-2092 or llittle@merrickcs.org for more information!
Help English Language Learners practice their conversational skills
People who recently moved to the US have many “new” things to navigate. One of the building blocks of their success is learning conversational English. Do you have an hour once per month to help someone learn to speak more comfortably? Consider volunteering to help them learn to converse. Conversation questions and topics are provided; you just show up and be friendly. Volunteers should be at least 13. April 21 or May 19, 7-8 pm at the ISD 833 District Program Center in Cottage Grove. Questions? Email Five Oaker Kristen Bieber at kristenmbieber@gmail.com.