What an impactful year!
We have so much to celebrate from 2023 in IMPACT ministry! Thanks to your generosity, we were able to bless countless individuals and families both locally and across the globe. Here are just a few ways we spread the love of Jesus by the numbers: 6000 diapers, 180 packs of wipes, and 30 bags of clothing donated to women in crisis pregnancies. 230 people received clean water FOR LIFE thanks to your Global 6K efforts. You packed over 36,000 meals to be shipped across the world for Feed My Starving Children, and our high school students learned an estimated 306 new Spanish vocabulary words while in Panama. THANK YOU, Five Oaks, for all the ways you responded to the call to love our neighbors, following in the footsteps of Jesus.
Children’s Christmas Choir: Next-Level cuteness at Advent
If you’ve not ever seen our adorable children’s choir before, join us at our final Advent service, December 17, 4:30 pm to enjoy extreme cuteness as our youngest Five Oakers sing onstage. Our all-ages Advent service will help you pause and prepare your heart for the arrival of Jesus, our perfect Savior, who showed up in a broken world and changed it forever. Hope to see you there!
Important winter dates for your Students calendar
December is zooming by, and it’s almost time for winter break! As a reminder... December 20: Christmas with Five Oaks Students. December 27, January 3, January 10: Winter break; no FO Students. January 6: FO Students Tubing Night. Questions? Email students@fiveoakschurch.org.
We’d love your help during Christmas services
Looking for a way to give back and serve this Christmas season – possibly with your family or small group? We would love to have you join us in serving either in Five Oaks Kids or in Connections at any of our five Christmas services. We have many options, including usher, greeter, hot chocolate bar, serving with preschoolers or in the nursery, etc. Details for opportunities in Five Oaks Kids here. Details for opportunities in Connections here.
Need to run off some steam?
With the weather turning colder, it can be hard to find ways to burn energy as a family. Consider signing up for Family Gym Hours at Five Oaks during the holiday season, December 18-January 5. We have select hours available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays for our Five Oaks families. Families may sign up for an hour of time to play together – you pick the activity. Interested or have questions? Email Laura-Paige Albert to sign up.
Last call for shoes to donate!
Bring your new or gently-used shoes to donate — final call is this Sunday, December 17! We’re partnering with Shoe Away Hunger who uses your donations to help feed hungry neighbors. For every pair of new or gently-used footwear received, they can feed one person with up to seven days of essential groceries through their Feeding The Future programs. For more information, email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Thinking about a summer internship?
Now is the time to be thinking and planning for a summer internship! If you’re a junior or 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 roles, connecting with resources for careers in global ministry. This internship also offers the possibility of experiencing a short-term mission trip (scholarship included!). Interested? Email Dave Baar at impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Are you a pray-er? Want to serve your church from home?
Did you know that we receive upwards of 30 prayer requests each weekend? From trials to triumphs, we are honored to lift up these requests week in and out. The Prayer Card Team is currently looking for more help in sending handwritten cards to those in our church body who are in need of prayer. Commitment is twice a month, all from the comfort of your own home. For more info, email Kelsey Vang at kvang@fiveoakschurch.org.
Do you have one hour a week to spend with a child?
Over 50 Five Oakers are engaged serving students and staff at Woodbury Elementary through Kids Hope USA. Our service to this community is making a difference AND bringing new opportunities. We currently have three students waiting for new mentors. This is an opportunity to shine the light of Jesus into the life of a student in need. Interested to learn more about how you can help? Email the Five Oaks Kids Hope leadership team at khusa@fiveoakschurch.org.
Could your career reach the unreached?
Did you know that almost all people who have never heard the Gospel are in countries that are closed to missionaries? But all these countries are wide open for business. Email impact@fiveoakschurch.org to learn how you can pursue a career with businesses that are making disciples among the least-reached people in the world. Careers such as e-Commerce, IT, Hospitality, Engineering, Healthcare, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Education, Fitness, and other areas are all possibilities!
Help with healing from divorce or separation
DivorceCare is a safe place where caring people come alongside you as you find healing from the pain of separation or divorce. At this 13-week Christ-centered support group program, you’ll find helpful counsel to manage the emotional turmoil and practical tools for decision-making. The group meets at Five Oaks Church at 7 pm on Monday evenings. Find our group on www.divorcecare.org to sign up.
Want to grow as a leader?
In the workplace, the church, and home? Join Pastor Henry for an 8-week biblically grounded leadership course designed for transformation, not just gaining information. Sundays at 7:00-8:20 am staring in January. For more information, email office@fiveoakschurch.org.
Family Mission Trip - SUMMER 2024!
Our summer Family Mission Trip is scheduled for July 20-28, 2024. We’re planning to travel to Panama to partner with Word of LIfe Panama and Filter of Hope to serve and share the gospel with families and students in Panama. It’s not too late to get in on this - BUT DON’T WAIT! We need to have a solid idea of who will be going by December 20, so we can get started on all the critical logistics. To get connected, email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
New Member Candidates
Tyler Clare
Karen & Moses Cooper
Dan & Tina Eggum
Blake & Annika Olinyk
Troy & Lori Mower
Blake & Madison Trygestad
Michael & Jasmine Wessner
Ryan & Deb Wyss