how does a weekend to refresh sound?
We know you work hard for all the people in your life who count on you each day. Whether you’re a husband or a wife, a grandparent or a college student, your path to spiritual growth isn’t always a straight line, and sometimes it can feel like you need a few days away to clear your mind and focus on God. Our Men’s Ministry (Journeymen) and our Women’s Ministry each host a winter weekend retreat that includes a keynote speaker, time for discussion in small groups, plenty of free time to relax by yourself or socialize with others, and the opportunity to connect with God. Both retreats are hosted at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch. Men’s Summit is January 31-February 2, and the Women’s Retreat is February 21-23, 2025. Interested? Info for the Men’s Summit is here, and info for the Women’s Retreat is here.
Serve our hungry neighbors in St. Paul
If you’d like to make a difference for our neighbors in St. Paul, join us to prepare and serve a meal at the Dorothy Day Center on Saturday, November 2, 9:30 am-1:15 pm. Interested? 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 sign up. Volunteers need to be at least 14 years old.
Ladies, come to the TABLE in November
Are you looking to connect with other women through real conversation? Invite your neighbor and join us at TABLE on November 6 at 9:30 am. You can look forward to a potluck-style brunch, a short message, and guided conversation with other ladies around your table. Childcare is available for kids from birth up through pre-K. Details and registration here.
DailyLife Team: writing for spiritual growth
Are you someone who likes writing and helping others grow in their faith? If so, we have a couple of opportunities you could engage in through our DailyLife Team. This team writes, edits, and publishes daily devotionals via email based on the Scripture from our weekend sermons. If you want to explore these two different opportunities, put “DL Writer” on your connect card, or email Peg Benson, pbenson@fiveoakschurch.org. We will provide you with resources, tools, and training to get you started.
Serve, eat, and worship!
When we added a second Saturday worship service, we knew that one of the perks is that it would allow people to attend one service and serve at the other service on the same day. This offers the chance to enjoy a full day of Sabbath. If your family enjoys worshiping together on Saturdays, please also consider serving in some way at the other service. We have room for you in a classroom role, a greeting role, or even on our sub list – and dinner for those who serve on Saturdays! Email Kelly Bauman for more info.
Drive Season is Cruising Along: Return those UGM Thanksgiving Bags!
We’re looking forward to partnering again this year with Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities to provide Thanksgiving meals to those who cannot afford to purchase the staples for a holiday meal. Shopping lists are available here. Please return filled bags to church by November 10. This is a great way to give back in our community with your kids, family, or small group; make it a grocery shopping outing together! Questions? Email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Important dates to note in Student Ministry
It was a warm fall week outside, but the holidays are right around the corner! With that comes some shifts in our schedule that you’ll want to capture on your calendar: We won’t meet on Wednesday, November 27. Happy Thanksgiving! Our youth group winter celebration will take place on December 18, and then we’ll take off for the holidays and resume on January 15. Our snow tubing night (all 6-12th graders are welcome) will be on January 11. Look for all dates and any registrations on our website or your Church Center app!
Thanks for being the hands and feet of Jesus!
Twenty-eight Five Oakers helped to pack 18,144 meals at our Feed My Starving Children event on October 26! It was fun to see so many faces and ages spanning from our younger to more seasoned church family! It was a great day serving together and praying over the meals we packed that are being sent to Haiti. Be on the lookout for our next event in February. Thank you to all who offered their time to help out that day.
Congregational Meeting — Save the date!
Mark your calendar and join us for our annual congregational meeting on November 10 at 4 pm. Stick around afterward for fellowship and food. Childcare is available for kids from birth up through fifth grade. Info about proposed constitutional changes, governing board elections, new members, agenda, etc. available for your review here. Questions? Email Brian Burquest, bburquest@fiveoakschurch.org.
Host an international student for Thanksgiving
American holidays can be a very lonely time for international students who are living on campus here in the US. Many of these students have heard about Thanksgiving but don’t really know what it’s all about. You have the opportunity to change that by hosting an international student for Thanksgiving. The Hospitality Center is ready to help you make that happen. If you’re interested to learn more, you can contact jonathan@thehospitalitycenter.org. Or send your questions to Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.