One simple way to help women in crisis
Women and families facing an unplanned pregnancy can often feel overwhelmed, alone, and frightened. We partner with two organizations who help navigate this journey with those who find themselves in this spot. Each year in January, we host a baby items drive in partnership with New Life Family Services, and this year, we’re adding a second partner organization, Woodbury Options for Women, to this donation drive. YOu’ll learn more in services this weekend, but meantime, click here for the complete list of items needed. Sometime in the next two weeks, please pick up a few items from the list and return them to church by January 29. Whether you donate or not, please also pray for both these partner organizations and for the families they help each year.
Coffeehoue at Five Oaks is next weekend!
Join our Five Oaks family for a fun night of espresso and live music! (Don’t worry! Decaf will be available too!) This is a great opportunity to meet other folks at Five Oaks and enjoy an evening out. You can also look forward to treats, games, and puzzles. And it’s all free right here at the church. This event is adults only and will be held in our Acorn Commons on January 20, 6:30 -9 pm. Start looking for your sitter now! All the details and registration here.
Three ways to connect at Five Oaks in the new year
Being part of a church is always more fulfilling when we know people. To help simplify options to connect with others, here are three ways:
1. Visit a small group or two in January and stay with the best fit until summer. No long term commitment, just meeting new people! Go to www.fiveoaks.church/small-groups for more info and to get started.
2. Try our women’s ministry. You can do a once-a-month event or an every week study. Enjoy food, fellowship, and great discussion that really matters. Go to www.fiveoaks.church/women to check it out.
3. Try our men’s ministry. Weekly meeting on Wednesday evening or Saturday morning. Or, meet some new people at our Men’s Summit weekend, January 27-29. Legendary football coach, Steve Johnson, will be sharing at that event! Go to www.fiveoaks.church/men for more information! Spots are limited!
Students: Let’s help refill the food shelf!
Many food food shelves are being tapped extra hard this year due to inflation. Five Oaks Students comes alongside Open Cupboard in their unrelenting focus is to provide nutritious food to neighbors in a respectful manner while engaging the community in the fight against hunger. Let’s be generous difference makers for our community! Dig through your pantry, take your student shopping, and bring those nonperishable food items to youth group during the month of January! Questions? Please email students@fiveoakchurch.org.
5th-12th grade students: Let’s go snow tubing this weekend!
What’s more fun than flying down a snowy hill on a tube under lights? Doing exactly that with a bunch of friends! If your student is in grades 5-12, they’re invited to join us on Saturday, January 14, 7-9 pm at Green Acres in Lake Elmo. All details and registration available here. Questions? Email students@fiveoakschurch.org.
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 on Saturdays, but we have other openings, too. Once a month is so helpful. Interested? Please email Kelly Bauman.
Looking for a summer internship?
Now is the time to be thinking and planning for a summer internship! If you’re a junior 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.
Middle School Meltdown: Spots are filling fast!
Need to get your middle schooler out of the house over President’s Day weekend!? Your middle schooler is invited to a weekend at Camp Forest Springs in Westboro, WI, February 17-19, 2023. 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. Register here. Only 50 spots are available! Questions? Email us at students@fiveoakschurch.org.
Are you at least 5 years old? This one’s for you.
Feed My Starving Children is one way to get your whole family involved in providing nutrient-rich meals to some of the most impoverished parts of the world. Join your Five Oaks family at FMSC in Eagan on February 11, at 11:30 am, to pack meals together. We have 110 spots reserved for our church, and kids as young as 5 years old are welcome to serve with their parents! Details and registration here.