Lent 2021: Invited-encounters with Jesus
Have you had an encounter with someone that changed your life? The gospels are filled with life-changing encounters with Jesus. These encounters are more than just stories. They point us to the divine nature of Jesus, and they teach who he is and who we are in the story of God. God’s Word is living and active. His Word is life changing. His Word is an invitation for us to encounter the living God again and again.
You are invited. Gather your family, small group or friends and join us for Lent services on Thursdays from 7-8 pm, February 18-March 25, in-person or online. Each week we’ll look to scripture and dive into an encounter with Jesus, followed by coffee/tea and guided conversation around the fire in the Acorn Commons. Conversation cards and Lent journals included. Childcare provided, but registration on Realm for childcare is required. Click here to register your kids.
Wacky Winter Wonderland: Note date change!
We’re wrapping up our Five Oaks Four Weeks of Fun with an outdoor celebration of all things winter-in-Minnesota! Since we’re currently in a classic Minnesota cold snap, we've moved this event to Saturday, February 27, 12-2:30 pm. Join us for pond skating, a bonfire, a photo scavenger hunt, snowman building, snowball toss, playground fun, a snowshoe trail, broomball, sledding, and more. Bonus: we’re providing a pizza lunch from The Little Oven. Please click here to register ahead of time to help us plan.
If you previously registered for this event before we changed the date, and you still are able to attend, you don’t need to do anything else. If you no longer can attend, please either cancel your registration in Realm, or email Pam Hawley at phawley@fiveoakschurch.org.
What every family wants
All parents desire to have a positive influence in their family. To do that, we need rhythms that create opportunities for discipleship, important conversations, relationship, connection, and fun. Without a plan, these great intentions are at the mercy of the daily grind. If your family is like most families, the past year has thrown your family off track in one way or another. Instead of intentional moments, you’ve ended up just trying to make it through each day. Join us on Monday, February 22 at 7:30 pm, for our our next Parenting Event. You’ll be equipped with a plan for developing rhythms that will help your family win. This event will be available in-person and via livestream. If you plan to attend in person, please click here to register in Realm. Questions? Please email John Eiselt, jeiselt@fiveoakschurch.org.
Serving our online congregation
Many Five Oakers access our worship services via our livestream, as do many first-time visitors. Our livestream is in many ways the “front door” of our church. It’s what helps people want to be part of our church family. You can help serve our online congregation by joining us in our “online HQ” to either help host the online chat or help run sound. We’ll provide training and support. For more info, please email Jonathan Haage, jhaage@fiveoakschurch.org.
How can we strengthen the tie between church and home?
Parents, you are the primary spiritual leaders in your family. The church plays a vital role as additional voices and influencers in the lives of families and kids. We all need help putting these two together. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, married, single, the Greater Impact Conference will help you better understand and maximize your role. This conference takes place at Berean Baptist Church, March 5+6. (Don’t confuse this with the IF:Gathering, also March 5+6.) For more info, please email Kelly Bauman, kbauman@fiveoakschurch.org. Find more information about the speakers, schedule, promotional materials, and registration at bereanmn.com/greater-impact. Space is limited, so register soon!
Ladies: join us for IF:Gathering
In a time when so many things seem unknown, upside down, even hopeless, we know that our God has a plan for the “even if.” Even if our hopes are deferred, or the very worst thing happens, our God is secure and our hope is sure. At IF:Gathering, 2021, we’ll hear from some amazing speakers who will shed light on this and how we respond as women. High school-aged young women and up are welcome. March 5+6; details to follow. Interested? Please email Jonathan Haage, jhaage@fiveoakschurch.org.
Get-out-of-the-house events for students in February
We have some great special events planned for middle and high schoolers in February! As we move toward summer camp and missions, we are taking steps together to deepen community and a heart of serving with your students. Middle schoolers: Join us February 19, 6:30-9 pm, for a dodgeball tournament/movie night at Five Oaks. (You pick!) High schoolers (and their parents they want to): Join us February 20, 8:45-11 am, as we pack meals together at Feed My Starving Children.
Click here to register for the dodgeball tourney/movie night (Middle School)
Click here to register for Feed My Starving Children (High School)
Middle school: Camp Getaway June 8-13
It’s never too early to think about summer camp! Our goal is to have a blast this summer, and we don’t want you to miss out! At camp, you’ll learn about Jesus, his gospel and how it impacts your story. We’ll have loads of fun, create lasting memories, make and deepen friendships, and have an action-packed week for six days at Camp Arrowhead! Sign up and watch last camp’s highlight video on Realm! Questions? Please email Kyler Albert, kalbert@fiveoakschurch.org.
Do you have a child interested in communion or baptism?
These are two significant parts of the faith journey in families, but both concepts can feel intimidating to teach to your kids. For now, in lieu of a class on communion or baptism, we’re meeting with individuals and families who are interested in learning more about these faith components. If you or one of your children have questions or simply want to learn more, please email Kelly Bauman, kbauman@fiveoakschurch.org.
We’d love to see your smile!
As we move toward “near-normal” in Five Oaks Kids (yay for 3 worship services again!), we are looking for a few friendly faces to greet new and existing families with Five Oaks and help them get checked in when they arrive. We always need more people in classrooms, but we also would love more people willing to greet as well. If that idea feels appealing to you, please write “Greeting with Five Oaks Kids” on your communication card. Questions about serving? Please email Kelly Bauman, kbauman@fiveoakschurch.org.
Have a Heart - Volunteer in February
Looking for an easy way to share God's love? Sign up to serve this month! It's a great way to connect, meet new friends and be the warm welcome to our church family. Ushers, Greeters & Acorn Café are looking for people to volunteer. Interested? Please email Pam Hawley at phawley@fiveoakschurch.org.
Do you love photography?
We’re looking for a few volunteers who are willing to take shots of people in action at our Wacky Winter Wonderland event on Saturday, February 27. If you love to take pics of people having fun, and you don’t mind Minnesota winter weather, bundle up to join us! (If you’re planning to come anyway, just toss in your camera as you’re heading out! Phones work well, too!) This is a great opportunity to add to your photography portfolio or get some material for a class project. Interested? Please email Pam Hawley, phawley@fiveoakschurch.org.
What is the “missions incubator” – ?
We know that 2-3 billion people in the world have only a slim chance of meeting a Christ-follower. Five Oaks started a Missions Incubator initiative to help address this issue. It includes offering missions opportunities in high school, connecting college students to discipleship and mission opportunities, providing internships, partial scholarships to students going on short-term mission trips, and connecting them with resources for careers in global ministry. You’ll learn more next weekend! For more info, email impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
In Sympathy
This week our church family lost one of its own. Please join us as we pray for Nathan Nourse, who is mourning the loss of his beloved wife, Sarena. Sarena also leaves behind their three children, Kaitlyn, Kellan and Rowan. We will have a memorial service for Sarena at Five Oaks on Monday, February 15, 5:30 pm. In-person attendance is by family invitation only, but you may watch it on the livestream by clicking here.