two ways to help neighbors in need this christmas
Kids Hope USA helps to bridge the gap for families at Woodbury Elementary who are unable to provide Christmas gifts, as well as taking donations to assist students whose families are borderline free-and-reduced lunch. Starting this weekend, stop by the KHUSA Giving Tree in the commons to pick up a gift tag for this family-friendly serving opportunity. Return contributions or gifts with their tags to church by December 11.
We’re also partnering with the local nonprofit, Good in the Hood, with their Shoe Away Hunger program to collect new or used shoes in the commons through December 18. For every pair of new or gently-used footwear donated, they can feed one person with up to seven days of essential groceries. Questions? Email Dave at impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Mark your calendar for our Advent services
Staying focused on Jesus during the chaotic Christmas season can be challenging. Join us as we shine his light this season at our Advent services on December 4, 11, and 18 – all at 4:30 pm. Every service is family-friendly and each week we’ll have interactive activities for families following the service. See you there!
Join us for our Christmas services!
As you make plans for celebrating Christmas with friends and family, we hope to see you for worship at one of our five Christmas services. We’ll gather on December 23 at 4 and 5:30 pm, and on December 24 at 2:30, 4, and 5:30 pm. We will have programing available for kids in the nursery and preschool. Kids ages kindergarten and up will worship with their families. Questions? Email Kelly Bauman, kbauman@fiveoakschurch.org.
It’s fun to give back with your family at Christmas time!
Looking for a way to give back and serve this Christmas season – possibly with your family or small group? We’d love your help at any of our five Christmas services — (see announcement above for dates and times) — to help welcome visitors, serve refreshments, help take care of our youngest Five Oakers, and more. We have many easy ways to get involved and help make Five Oaks a welcoming place for all. Five Oaks Kids volunteer options are here. Connections volunteer options are here.
Reindeer Games: Last call to register!
Ladies, are you feeling the stress of the holiday season? You do so much to make Christmas special for others. Recapture that carefree spirit and fill up your Merry Meter with friends, food and fun at Reindeer Games on December 8, 7-9 pm. Please bring a wrapped $10 gift for one of the games. Details and registration info available here , or stop at the ministry cart between services this weekend. Registration closes December 4. Questions? Email women@fiveoakschurch.org.
Guys, you deserve a break today…
Men, we know that as dads, husbands, employees, grandpas, and uncles, you need a break to recharge and renew with other guys. Our annual men’s summit is a winter weekend with fellowship, games, learning, and relaxation at Ironwood Springs Ranch, January 27-29, 2023. You can look forward to learning from MN Football Hall of Fame Coach, Steve Johnson, our guest speaker for the weekend. Don’t miss the chance to re-engage with your faith and be equipped for everyday life with God. Register by December 31 for the early bird discount here. Questions? Email Jonathan Haage.
Pickleball for all
Have you wanted to try out this new pickleball craze but feel intimidated because it sounds like everyone you know is already super good at it? Or maybe you've been playing, but everyone around you is just way better and you need a place to just work on your skills without so much pressure. Then Pickleball for Everyone would be a great thing to try! Starting November 7, we will host an open pickleball gym time each Monday from 12 pm-3 pm. We have two guides, Jim and Deb Propes, to help show you the ropes (get it?) and increase your skill in a no-pressure environment! If you are interested, go to www.fiveoaks.church/pickleball today!
Join Pastor Henry in Israel October 2023
Join pastor Henry and Five Oakers for a study trip to Israel next October 7-20. First informational meeting on December 4, 12:30 pm at Five Oaks in Room 101. Questions in the meantime? Email our office here.
Host an International Student (Feb-Mar 2023)
The St. Paul Intercultural Institute (SPII) at Bethel University is hosting a three-week program, February 18 - March 13, 2023, that introduces Japanese students to life in the United States. They are looking for families to host these college-aged students from Japan. The students will be in class on weekdays and living and learning with their host families in the evenings and weekends. Several Five Oakers have participated in this program in the past and found it to be a very impactful experience for their families. More details about hosting can be found at the SPII site here. Please contact Dave Baar (dbaar@fiveoakschurch.org) or Lisa Bekemeyer from SPII (Lbekemeyer@me.com) for more information or to apply to be a host.
Serve a meal at Dorothy Day
If you’d like to make a difference to our neighbors in St. Paul, join us to prepare and serve a meal at the Dorothy Day Center on January 7, 9:30 am-1:15 pm. Interested? Please email Cindy and Tim Wiant, wiynts4@sbcglobal.net. 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.