We’re celebrating faith milestones this weekend
Our worship service will look and feel a little different this weekend. You may notice we have more visitors and more elementary-aged kids present in worship. This is because we’re celebrating the important faith milestones of family dedications and baptism this weekend. We love to watch God work in the hearts of our Five Oakers who are ready to publicly proclaim their salvation in Jesus by being baptized. We also love to watch our church grow as our families grow, and we are honored to join with families in dedicating babies and children to our local church and to Christ’s church. Join us as we promise to come alongside these families in these important faith milestones. We praise God for the seeds he sows in our church family!
Help us welcome visitors well at Easter
We look forward to worshipping with you at Easter. With six worship services at Easter this year, it’s also a great opportunity to jump in and try a new serve role, whether it’s in Five Oaks Kids or in Connections.
Friday, April 18, 4:15, 5:30 & 6:45 pm – Good Friday service (no children’s programming)
Saturday, April 19, 3, 4:15, & 5:30 pm – Easter service
Sunday, April 20, 8:45, 10, & 11:15 am – Easter service
Children’s programming is available at all services on Saturday and Sunday.
To find a role in Five Oaks Kids, click here. If you’d like to find a role in Connections, email Lyndsey Baader.
Easter Family Fun Night: Bring your neighbors
Looking for a family event that won’t get snowed or rained out and won’t break the bank? Invite your neighbors and join us for our Easter Family Fun Night on April 11, 6:30-8:30 pm. Look forward to bingo and other games, Easter-themed activities, snacks, a family-friendly presentation of the Easter story, bounce houses, and more. Space is limited, and registration is required. All the info and sign-up here. This is a great “first step” for visitors to pave the way for a return visit on a weekend.
Host an international student for Easter
God brings the world to our doorstep at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. The Hospitality Center at the U of M exists to connect churches with opportunities to serve international students in the name of Jesus. One of those opportunities is to invite an international student into your home to celebrate Easter. This is truly an amazing opportunity to influence the life of a student from another part of the world as your family celebrates the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. More info here.
Lent services: A season of lament
It’s no secret that most of us run a somewhat frenetic pace each day and each week. Sometimes that pace is a thinly veiled balm for the unspoken grief we shoulder, grief that seems easier to hide or bury than to face. Consider what might happen if, instead of numbing that grief, we laid it at the feet of God. Lent is a season that offers us the opportunity to do just that. Join us on Thursday evenings during Lent for a different kind of worship service, through April 10, 6 pm. More info at www.fiveoaks.church/lent.
Story of God: Two classes remain in spring and summer
Understanding the Bible and how it all fits together can be a hurdle to engaging with it meaningfully. Our Story of God course is an 8-week cohort that takes you through the framework of the entire Bible to help you see the larger narrative. We have two courses starting soon: one on May 4 and one on June 1. Details and registration for both are available here.
Global 6K for clean water: World Water Day discount now available
Did you know that over 1000 kids die each day across the globe due to contaminated water? One way you can help is to join our annual Team World Vision Global 6K for Water at Colby Lake Park on May 17. Register now to bike, run, or walk with your family and friends, and in doing so, provide clean water where it’s needed most. THIS WEEKEND you can use the promo code ‘CLEANWATER’ (in honor of World Water Day) and get a $15 discount per registration. Details and registration here.
Summer camps: God at work + lifelong memories
Registrations for our Youth Summer Camps are now open! Middle school students can join the Camp Getaway adventure from June 9-13, while high schoolers will have their turn from June 15-20 at a Wood Lake-programmed camp experience. This is an incredible opportunity for students to make lasting memories through fun activities, meaningful discussions, and exciting outdoor experiences. Spots are limited, so sign up early to secure your place for an unforgettable summer! Transportation to and from camp is provided. Visit www.fiveoaks.church/students for all the details and registration info.
FCA sports camp: Register now!
Mark your calendar and register now for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Sports Camp on July 14-17 from 1-4 pm right here at church. It’s four action-packed days of helping kids connect to their faith using sports. Registration is now open for current 4th-6th grade students, and a waitlist is available for 7th graders. Register for camp or to volunteer here. Questions? Email mwissink@fiveoakschurch.org.
VBS is now open for registration!
Vacation Bible School changes the walls of our church into a place where kids come to engage and encounter God and his community in a life-changing way. VBS will take place July 14-17, 9:15 to noon and is open to children aged 3 (by 9/1/24) up through finishing third grade. Volunteers are needed in a variety of ways. This is an amazing and fun week where many kids cross the line of faith, and we get to be a part of that transformation. Space is limited, so register soon! To volunteer, click here. To register your child(ren), click here.
Please pray for the future of our church
As we walk through the Together Campaign, God calls us to put our needs and desires at his feet. If you would like to continue praying for Five Oaks’ future and for the Together Campaign now that our weekly prayer gatherings are ending, you can access our Together Prayer Guides, updated weekly, by clicking here. (You can also pick up a hard copy in the commons at church every week during the month of March.)
Community News
Free seminar: Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or PTSD
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and caring for someone with a mental illness or PTSD can be challenging. You don’t have to do it alone.
Join us for a FREE community event where you can fill your own cup with:
Expert Insights and Q&A– Presentations by clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Sherman, advocate DeAnne Sherman, and Board President of NAMI-Washington County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Dan Parnell
Resources & Skills – Practical tools to support your loved ones and yourself such as how to set limits and keep self-care a priority
Hope & Connection – Resource fair featuring local mental health agencies
Coffee & Community – Because you deserve care, too
All are welcome—come as you are and leave with hope. May 3, 9:30-11:30 am at Woodbury Lutheran Church. *In order for us to know how many refreshments to have for the event, registration is requested but not required. Please email the presenters with your name and number of attendees in your party. Your email address will not be shared or used in any capacity.
Toastmasters Open House
The Toastmasters Club at King of Kings Church is hosting an open house for anyone interested in becoming a more confident and self-assured public speaker. Join us Thursday, April 10, 7 pm at King of Kings Church. Questions? Email Laura Griffith, tmlg@live.com.