Weekend of January 8+9

Financial Peace University starts next Sunday

The new year is a great time for evaluating our finances and making a plan to use them wisely and intentionally. Financial Peace University has helped millions handle their finances biblically and in turn has helped them decrease debt, create an emergency fund, and live like no one else in the future. This six-week class starts January 16 at Five Oaks. Register here.


Fun with our youngest Five Oakers
In Five Oaks Kids we mix learning and fun for every age as we partner with parents in doing ministry together. Each service includes a time of worship, lesson, discussion, prayer and fellowship. Our staff does the prep work ahead of time to help our volunteers to focus on connecting with kids! If you’d like to make friends with our youngest Five Oakers in the new year, our greatest need is with our elementary kids at the 10:45 am service. Once a month is incredibly helpful. Interested? Email Kelly Bauman.

Invest in your marriage on February 19
Mark your calendar for a morning marriage workshop called Real Connection, led by Steve Lutz of Counseling Care and his wife, Michelle. During this workshop couples will learn how to listen effectively and resolve conflict in a healthy way, plus understand the importance of making time for fun and growing together emotionally and spiritually. More details to come! Registration info available here. Questions? Email Jonathan Haage.

Serve your neighbors in need at Dorothy Day
If you’d like to make a difference during this bitterly cold season to our neighbors in St. Paul, join us to prepare and serve a meal at the Dorothy Day Center on Saturday, January 15,  9:30 am-1:15 pm. (Please note this is a change of date.) Interested? Please put “Dorothy Day” on your connect card, or email Cindy and Tim Wiant. Tim and Cindy will get back to you with confirmation of your spot on our team for this date. Volunteers need to be at least 13 years old.

Students Grade 5 and up: Let’s go tubing!
Hey, middle and high schoolers!! Dig out your winter gear and invite your friends for snow tubing with other Five Oaks Students at Green Acres in Lake Elmo. Middle school: Friday, January 14, 4:30-7 pm. Fifth graders are invited to join the middle schoolers as well. High school: Saturday, January 29,
2:30-5 pm.
Cost: $13 per student plus a signed waiver. Register and pay in Realm. Middle School registration here. High school registration here. Questions? Email Kyler Albert.

Get connected to Five Oaks Students in 2022
Our middle and high school student ministry offers a place on Wednesday evenings for your students to connect with friends, hang out, play games, worship, listen to some great teaching, and process that teaching in small groups with adult leaders who are invested in your teenagers. We have many exciting ministry opportunities up our sleeve in 2022.

Middle schoolers: Register now for Middle School Meltdown, February 18-20 at Camp Forest Springs. Students can look forward to snow tubing, downhill and cross-country skiing, plus some solid Bible teaching and time hanging out with friends old and new. High schoolers: Time to register for Challenge! Challenge is part conference, part camp and part mission trip. We’ll stay in an urban farm Airbnb in Kansas City, July 3-8, and we’ll serve, learn and be challenged together. Also in January: Snow tubing for both age groups. Dates coming soon! Parents: Two ways to stay connected to all communications for Students: 1. Weekly emails. (If you don’t already receive these, and you want to be connected to our events and news, email Peg Benson.) 2. Join our parents-only Facebook group called “Parents of Five Oaks Students.” 

Let’s un-deck those halls!
If you have a knack for decorating, or a keen eye for de-frocking, we’d love your help as we tear down the Christmas finery at Five Oaks. We need to put away the Christmas frockery until next year. Join us on January 8 starting at 9 am. We’ll have donuts and coffee to fuel the fun! Questions? Email Stephanie Kiel.

Story of God: Register now!
Understanding the Bible can be difficult, but we believe understanding the Bible doesn’t have to be a mystery. Join one of our 6-week Story of God classes starting in 2022 and understand the one story the Bible is telling. Whether you are new to the Bible or seminary-trained, this class will bring new insight and more importantly more confidence as you approach reading the Bible. Register here. Questions? Email Peg Benson.

Open gym time is BACK!
If your kids (or you) are going a little stir crazy during the winter, sign up for a time to use the Five Oaks gym! Pickleball and basketball equipment is provided, but feel free to bring any other activity equipment you want. Please limit to 1 hour per group, per day. You MUST bring dry athletic shoes (non-scuffing) to wear, as NO street shoes are allowed on the gym floor. Sign-up here.

Looking for a summer internship?
Now is the time to be thinking and planning for a summer internship! If you’re a senior in high school or a college student, please consider applying to be our Impact intern this summer. It’s a great opportunity to get hands-on experience working in various ministry opportunities, connecting with resources for careers in global ministry, and experiencing a short term mission trip (scholarship included!). If you’re interested, or just want to get more information, email Dave Baar at impact@fiveoakschurch.org.


Men: Mark your calendar for our annual summit
Guys, we all need time away to recharge and reflect on what’s most important. Join our annual men’s summit on January 21-23 for a chance to recharge and refuel your relationship with God. There will be time for rest and recreation, outside and inside fun! And you won’t want to miss our Polish Pong tradition, either! Register here.

Global job opportunities among the unreached
Do you want to go into all the world – and take your job with you? Here are some global opportunities from one of our partners: Pediatrician, Head of Department (United Arab Emirates); Chief Financial Officer (UAE); Ob-Gyn Physician (Viet Nam); Process Hazard Facilitator (Arabian Peninsula). Interested? Email impact@fiveoakschurch.org for more details.