outdoor baptisms: register now
Make plans to join us for our Outdoor Summer Baptism celebration at University of Northwestern on July 30, 1 pm. We'll baptize all who are meeting that important faith milestone that day in Lake Johanna. Plan to stay for refreshments and fellowship following! Register here so we can plan for each person in your family. Want to be baptized? Email Kelly Bauman. Two important notes: 1. Due to the parking lot resurfacing, all in-person services will be canceled at Five Oaks on July 29+30. You can look for an online devotional from Pastor Henry that weekend at www.fiveoaks.church/sermons. 2. Our baptism celebration will be celebration of baptisms only, not a full worship service. Questions? Email Jonathan Haage.
Learn more about missions in the Middle East & North Africa this Sunday!
Alaa Qsasfa, one of our ministry partners in the Middle East, will be with us at Five Oaks on Sunday, July 9. Join Alaa and Kevin Johnson to hear more about all that God is doing through the Reach Global Middle East & North Africa team. 10:15 am, room 102. Walk-ups are welcome! If you are unable to join us at 10:15, Alaa will be available for conversation in the Commons this weekend.
It's Panama week! Please pray!
Our team of 14 high schoolers and four adult leaders leave early Friday morning for Panama. Please pray for their effectiveness on mission, humility to serve Jesus first, and for them to grow as a team and as young adult believers this week. Please also pray for good health and safety while on mission!
…And please pray for VBS and FCA this week!
This coming Monday through Thursday, about 180 kids will show up for Stellar VBS in the mornings at Five Oaks. In the afternoons, about 120 kids will return for FCA Sports Camp. Please join us in praying for how God will move in the hearts of our youngest that week. Please pray for safety, good health, and important seeds of faith to take root.
Young professionals: Join our new small group
Are you looking to experience personal growth and authentic connections? Join us at our new Five Oaks Small Group for Young Professionals. We recently started a community of young professionals, ages 24 and older, through which your faith is nurtured and your unique gifts are celebrated. Don’t miss this opportunity to belong, thrive, and make a significant impact alongside a group in your same season of life. Interested? Email Peg Benson for more info.
Kids Hope USA: 2 new ways to get involved
Aside from our important roles of mentoring students and prayer partnering, we're also looking for a few folks to help coordinate larger events (such as a pizza party) and for one more person to help steer the ministry on our leadership team. Email Rebekah Laudermilch, khusa@fiveoakschurch.org, for more info.
Undie Sunday (or Saturday) coming next week!
Starting the weekend of July 15+16, we’re hosting a sock and underwear drive in the commons. We are partnering with a non-profit called “The Drawer” who seek to provide clean socks and underwear to those experiencing homelessness or a season of financial strain. The mission of The Drawer is to help provide these essential needs to those who need them the most. Be sure to drop them off in the commons anytime in the month of July. Questions? Email Dave Baar at impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Important note about our parking lot (and dates for your calendar)
The long-awaited parking lot resurfacing project is scheduled to begin July 24. Please note that the parking lot, and in turn the building, will be inaccessible July 24-August 4. All ministry activities will need to move offsite for those dates. Please email Brian Burquest with any questions.
Ladies, would you like a mentor?
As women, we know you get pulled in many different directions, often leaving your own needs unchecked. If you’d like to grow deeper in your faith and in turn become more engaged, with intent, in all areas of your life, consider checking out our Five Oaks Women Radical Mentoring program. This program strives to create an environment for women to be real, share their stories, and find encouragement in their spiritual lives. Deep relationships are formed among small group members through monthly meetings covering different themes relating to our walk with Jesus. Mentors and mentees will grow in their faith through accountability, prayer, and discussions related to each month’s theme. Interested? More info here.
Men, would you like a mentor?
Guys, do you ever feel like you could be a more effective leader in your family or at work if you had more time to put down deep roots in your faith? Ever feel like your life is dotted with too many “extras” and not enough margin for what matters most? If so, check out the Five Oaks Men Radical Mentoring program. This program pairs small groups of younger men with more mature men for a nine-month dive into discipleship through regular monthly meetings, reading and discussion. More info here.
Mark your calendar for summer youth group
We want our students to stay connected this summer! With all of our big camps and our mission trip to Panama in the first half of summer, we’re planning to start our summer youth group on July 19, 7-9 pm. Mark your calendar now! We’ll meet weekly through August 23 for games and some Bible study. If you have any questions, please email students@fiveoakschurch.org.
Want to get involved in student ministry?
If you love the energy of middle and high school students, consider joining our leadership team to help us make our youth group events happen on Wednesday nights. We have a variety of ways to get involved, from small group leaders to supper team, to set-up and take down, to name a few. Whether you want to work directly with students or support in the background, we have opportunities for you to help in many important ways. For more info, please put “students” on your connect card, or email students@fiveoakschurch.org.
In sympathy
Please join us in praying for the family of Jeff and Dawn Rankin as they mourn the passing of Dawn's father, Stanley.