Weekend of May 4+5

Let’s celebrate our seniors!

This weekend, we honor our Five Oaks Class of 2024 as they prepare for graduation and the adventures that await them beyond the doors of high school. Please join us in praying for these young people in the months ahead with all the transitions, both exciting and daunting, they are facing. We’re proud of you, Class of 2024! As these seniors move to the next chapter in their lives, they also should make plans to check out our young adult small group. This group is geared toward college-aged folks and young adults in their 20’s. Students may join for the summer or more permanently if they’re going to be in town next fall. More info available here.


Global 6k: Your participation counts twice!

In some parts of the world, women and children must walk an average of 6 km each day to access any water source at all, often dirty, disease-ridden water. The first way you can help is by joining our fourth annual Team World Vision Global 6K for Water at Colby Lake Park on May 18, as your registration fee provides clean water for one person for life. (Wow!) The second way you can help is by inviting a neighbor, co-worker, teammate or classmate to join you. Events like the Global 6K are a great “front door” to church for people who may not otherwise seek a church home. More info and a discount code are available here.

Need a date night?
Of course you do! On Friday, May 10, from 5:30-8:30 pm, drop off your kids at church and enjoy some time together. Five Oaks Students is raising money for the Challenge conference. $15/child. Donations are also welcome! We will have pizza and plenty of games for your kids. Details and registration are available here. Please register by May 6.

Are your kids asking questions about baptism?
If you have a child or student interested in learning more about baptism or communion, we encourage you to attend our class on May 19 at 9 am. Our next baptism will take place in Lake Johanna at the University of Northwestern on August 18. Even if your child or student isn’t ready for that step but is still asking questions about baptism, attending the class may help answer some of their questions. Email Kelly Bauman to register for the class.

Adults: Is your next step baptism?
Baptism is an important faith milestone in your journey of following Jesus. Jesus was baptized! He called his disciples to go into the world to make disciples and baptize them. If you have made the choice to follow Jesus and haven’t been baptized, we invite you to take that step. Join us for our adult baptism class on June 9 to gain an understanding of baptism, get a framework for sharing your story, and prepare for our outdoor baptism service on August 18 at Lake Johanna! Email Jonathan Haage to register for the class.

Bless Your City Grants: We’ll help your small group reach others
Bless Your City Grants are designed to help small groups step into the lives of those in our city who need help with a project or an ongoing need. These grants help defray the cost of the project or ministry and make it possible for our small groups to develop an ongoing relationship with the group, family, or community they have identified as needing help. Does your small group have a project in mind? Or would you like help getting started? Email Dave Baar at impact@fiveoakschurch.org.

VBS and FCA: Spots are filling fast!

In the summer, something huge takes place here at Five Oaks! The whole church is transformed into a place where kids of all ages come to engage and encounter God and his community in a life-changing way at Vacation Bible School (VBS) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) camp, July 15-18. VBS is open to current ages 3 years old through 3rd grade. FCA sports camp is open to current 4th - 7th grades. Volunteers are needed for both of these back-to-back events. Details and registration are available here.

Register now for middle school Camp Getaway
The fun-packed and deep discipleship event for your middle school student is right around the corner at Camp Getaway, June 9-14. All programming throughout the year builds to this week-long getaway with outdoor activities, time in worship, teaching, waterfront play, cabin discussions, and time with friends, new and old. Transportation to and from camp is included this year! Register now here. Questions? Email students@fiveoakschurch.org.

Do you have a creative eye for social media?
If you love to post, scroll, or experiment across social media platforms, and you love Five Oaks, consider joining our Five Oaks social media team. In this volunteer role, we’ll provide you with training, resources, and collaboration opportunities. You can fill this role from anywhere, anytime, and social media is a lesser-known discipleship tool that helps us reach more people than ever before. Interested? Email Stephanie Kiel.

Serve your neighbor in need 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 Saturday, May 4, 9:30 am-1:15 pm. Interested? Please email Cindy and Tim Wiant, wiynts4riverfalls@gmail.com.  Tim and Cindy will get back to you with confirmation of your spot on our team and instructions on how to get signed up. Volunteers need to be at least 14 years old.

Ever wish you understood the Bible more readily?
Our Story of God course is designed to help you read the Bible with greater understanding and experience scripture coming alive in your life. You’ll learn how the Bible fits together to tell one story and discover a relational approach to growing spiritually. This six-week course will help you see how this story of the Bible is relevant to your daily life. Our next class starts on June 2 at 9 am. Details and registration are available here.

Your chance to visit Hope Academy and meet our student!

Remember Hope Academy in Minneapolis? They are carrying hope to the city by providing a remarkable education to inner-city students. A portion of BLESS campaign contributions provides tuition for one Hope Academy student. You have the opportunity to visit Hope Academy and meet that student on Partner Day, Thursday, May 9, 11 am-1 pm. Interested? Email impact@fiveoakschurch.org.

Want in on the Global 6k fun without the 6k part?

As the Global 6K for Clean Water approaches on May 18, we need your help to make this event a success for both the communities across the world in need of clean water, and for all of the families who are participating in the event. We’re expecting lots of non-Five Oakers to walk, run, and stroll that day, some of whom have no idea how amazing the people of Five Oaks are. Let’s welcome all who show up that day! We’d love your help with set-up, tear-down, snack table, to name a few. Interested in helping out? (By the way, YES! You can volunteer to help AND walk or run the 6K!) More info at www.fiveoaks.church/global-6k.

Support Five Oakers serving in Panama this summer
Praise God! We have a team of 36 Five Oakers traveling to Panama this summer.  Our multi-generational team (21 adults and 15 students) will serve the people of Panama alongside missionaries from Word of Life Panama and Filter of Hope. The primary way you can support this team as we send them out to serve and to experience the greatness of our God in another culture: Prayer! If you’d like to join the prayer team that supports this group, please contact Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.