Try a small group this winter
We all need people to walk through life with us and help us follow Jesus. Small groups help our big church feel smaller and more connected, and each small group meeting consists of discussion around the most recent sermon, prayer, fellowship time, and of course, food. We have groups meeting every day of the week as well as groups at every age/stage of life. And – bonus – it’s OK to try more than one group to find one that fits you! Interested? Get started here. Questions? Email Steve Johnson, sjohnson@fiveoakschurch.org.
…Or jump into women’s or men’s ministry!
Five Oaks women — You can do a once-a-month brunch, or an every-week study. Enjoy food, fellowship, and great discussion that really matters. We have some new Bible studies starting in January!
Journeymen (men’s) — Weekly meetings on Wednesday evening or Saturday morning, starting up again on Saturday, January 4 and Wednesday, January 8. Or, meet some new people at our Men’s Summit weekend, January 31-February 2. Details and registration for the Summit can be found here.
Last call for snow tubing!
Hey, all 5th-12th graders! Join us on Saturday, January 11, 7-9 pm, for some snow tubing under the lights at Green Acres. (Yes – 5th graders are welcome!) Details and registration here. But hurry! Spots are filling fast! Questions? Email students@fiveoakschurch.org.
Five Oaks Students is recruiting volunteers…
We’re looking for Small Group Leaders to help our students understand the Bible and discover their place in God’s story. You’ll make Scripture come alive, guide honest conversations, and help students connect God’s Word to their everyday lives. If you're excited to walk alongside the next generation, foster spiritual growth, and equip them to live out their purpose in God’s plan, we’d love for you to join our team! Email students@fiveoakschurch.org to get started.
Five Oaks Kids volunteer lunch and training
If you (or your student) serve or sub in Five Oaks Kids, please join us on Saturday, January 18, 12 to 1:30 pm, for lunch and a time to connect with others who serve. We’ll also have some training and time for questions. Details and registration here. If you’re interested in serving in Five Oaks Kids, join us at our lunch and training to learn more!
Final leg of drive season – Baby Items Drive
In January, our focus shifts to ways we can help serve women and families facing crisis pregnancy. Several local organizations, New Life Family Services, Woodbury Options for Women, and Esther Home, all provide these services, with the love of Jesus as their primary motivator. We’ll share more about each organization throughout this month, so grab a shopping list of their most needed items at the chalkboard in the commons. Please return donations to church by Sunday, January 26.
Register now for the newly-revised Story of God course
Do you ever find the Bible confusing? Ever wondered how you fit into God’s plans for you? If so, consider registering for Story of God, an eight-week guided journey through the Bible. Whether you’re brand new to the Bible or have been reading it for many, many years, this course will help you feel like the Bible is less of a mystery. It will also help you see how the whole Bible fits together to tell one big story. The newly-revised course contains all the important highlights and topics of the previous course, but it is stretched over eight weeks to make the daily pacing more manageable. We have four Story of God classes launching this winter and two next spring. Go to www.storyofgod.church for more info and to register. Questions? Email Jonathan Haage, jhaage@fiveoakschurch.org.
Do you have questions about your faith?
When friends or family ask important spiritual questions, it can be so exciting – and a bit daunting. What if we don’t have the “right” answers? We have a three-week class for people who are searching or exploring their faith. Hope Explored presents the full life of Jesus and helps participants discover how Jesus fulfills our longing for hope, peace, and purpose. Sessions start January 11 (details and registration here) and January 12 (details and registration here).
Men’s Summit: Step away to move forward
It can be helpful to step away from normal rhythms for a few days so we can step back into them with greater intentionality. You could take that step back during our Men’s Summit weekend, January 31-February 2, 2025. We’ll hear from speaker Dr. Ron Archer and enjoy many fun activities, from pickleball to snowshoeing, with plenty of free time to explore outside or read a book by the fire. Come get recharged! Details and registration here.
Want to have more capacity to be generous?
Most of us want to be generous and more intentional about our finances but get caught in the whirlwind of all the other things of life. What if a short nine-week course could give you the space and rhythm you need to increase your financial intentionality and your capacity to be generous with others? We have two different classes for Financial Peace University starting in February. Details for the class starting on Sunday, February 9, can be found here, and for the one starting on Tuesday, February 11 can be found here.
Thinking about a summer internship in missions?
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, we have a few options to expand your perspective on missions. There’s the potential for a Josiah Ventures summer internship, an APEX global mission trip, or even a mission engagement that God has put on your heart. We would love to talk with you more about the options and help get you connected with the one that would be best for you. Scholarships are available to help cover a portion of the cost. Interested? Email Dave Baar at impact@fiveoakschurch.org.