Food trucks are coming for Father's Day

Throw away your low-carb diet for Father's Day and come indulge your taste buds.  We will have two of the Twin Cities finest food trucks right here at Five Oaks on June 19 for both services.  The Five Oaks FUN Team will have the picnic tables setup outside so Dad (and the whole family) can enjoy some relaxing time with a delicious meal.  Check out the menus below for the Tot Boss and r.a.MacSammy's.  Make your plans and come hungry!

http://www.ramacsammys.com/menu.html

http://www.totboss.com/Menu.html

Summer in Student Ministries

Summer is officially upon us and we as a Student Ministries Team are super excited about all of our upcoming events, trips, and programming that will be happening over the next several months. Here are a few of the highlights:

The primary focus of our youth group this summer is to provide and create opportunities for our students to CONNECT relationally with each other and with our adult leaders so that they remain connected to God. Opportunities for our Middle School students include BroFest 2k16 which is a lock in for our Middle School guys on June 21-22 and our various gym/game nights on June 8th and August 9th. Connecting events for our High School students include the Fusion Lock In on June 24-25 and our Fusion Pie/Cake Fight at Carver Lake on July 20th. Lastly, we also have some awesome events for both our Middle School and High School students together such as Valley Fair (July 28th) and our end of the summer event called the COLOR Wars (Aug. 17th).

This summer we are giving our students plenty of opportunities to DEEPEN their relationship with Christ through our Rush Hour Bible Studies on Monday Night's for our incoming 6th and graduating 8th graders. And Summer Fusion for our 9th-12th graders. Both groups will be going through portions of the Gospel of Mark.

It's our heart's desire that while our students will be taking a break from school this summer that they won't be taking a break from growing in their walk with God and their call to IMPACT their world for Christ. That is why we are strongly encouraging our Middle School students to attend Project Serve (July 31st-Aug. 5th) and our 7th-12th grade students to attend Challenge (July 2nd-9th).  There is still some space in both of these trips  of which we believe will be spiritual catalysts for our students that will equip and empower them to be able to bring the Story of God to life. 

For a complete look at all of our summer happenings please view our Student Ministries Summer Calendar. Lastly, mark your calendars for Camp Getaway for both our Middle School and High School students on Sept. 30th-Oct. 2nd at Camp Shamineau. Registration will open soon. We are truly excited to see what God does these next few months!

Capture the moment

Downpours of the heart

Downpours of the heart

My instinct was to say; "No! Play in the rain? Are you kidding me? You are going to get wet and cold... and I know you'll just pile the wet clothes on the bathroom floor. I don't even know that I have clean towels for you to dry off!" All the thoughts of how this activity could go ran through my head, but my mouth spoke the word, "Sure!" 

Watching out the window I realized that my busy thoughts almost missed this moment! That moment that I looked out and saw the child like smiles on the faces of her and her best friend. All the heaviness of the world they carry on their shoulders melted away and they, for a few brief moments in time, became carefree kids again; And I almost missed it.

How often, as parents, do we clutter our minds with how a scenario could go and then let the word "no", slip from our mouths, instead of taking a chance on the moment? 

Sunday, May 22nd, we held a parent workshop. During this time, our new Family and Discipleship Pastor John and I, shared ideas on how to embrace the moments that impact the hearts of our children. Many times we feel like the gestures for our kids hearts need to be grand to be an impact, but it's the small moments that earn their trust and the ability to speak in to their hearts for a lifetime. 

On your way down to the children's wing, there is a table in the hallway that is filled with some of the tangible, hands on ideas that were shared. There are also some printed ideas for you to take home with you. Please stop by and gather some ideas on some quick ways to capture the hearts of your kids in the simple moments. 

The girls came in, soaking wet and a little chilly. I managed to find two clean, dry towels for them and the clothes magically did not end up on the floor in a wet heap. The moment was well worth the smiles that it created for them and for their hearts, as well as mine! And, thankfully, the moment was not lost to me. 

We interrupt this regularly scheduled programming!

Every once in a while at Five Oaks, we have what we call, "Family Worship Weekends". During these weekends, we close our regularly scheduled programming for the 1st-5th graders and ask them to join their families in the Worship Center.  This weekend,  we will be holding these services.

Now, I know the habit that says, "my kids have to come to church with me? I won't get anything out of service. Let's just stay home!" I know, because I've been there. I have chosen to miss out on the experience and opportunity to share the service I attend, with my kids.  I want to take a minute to encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and to also give you a few ideas on how to maximize this time with your kids. 

First, talk about it before hand with them. Let them know they will be joining you and what the expectations of that time will be. Be sure to set expectations that are realistic to your child's specific age and needs. Give them an order of service so they know what to expect and when. We have this available to them on the back of the sermon notes provided. It will allow them to check off where we are at in the service time. 

Next, make a game plan. If you have little ones who may need a snack, or something to color, be ready with needed supplies. One idea I have found successful with my 7 year old, is that the night before service, I have her pack a bag that contains her Bible, a pencil, paper and a small snack. She is within the age that service might become a little long for her and having just these few items will help keep her occupied and engaged a bit longer. Also, if you have a 1st-4th grader, during the worship time, have them listen for the song that they have been learning in their classroom and have them sing it out loudly! 

Lastly, we have provided for your kids special sermon notes just for them! Have them bring their favorite set of colored pencils and grab a sermon notes sheet from the worship center. Take a moment before service starts to read over the questions with them so they know what they need to be listening for. Also, help them find the book of 1st Corinthians and mark it so they can easily find it when the time to listen has begun. After service, they can bring their filled out sermon notes to the Welcome Desk in The Tree House Children's Wing, show us their notes, and receive a small prize. They will get to take their notes home with them, and be sure to go over the notes with them. There are specific questions to discuss at home together as a family. 

We look forward to having the families in service together and we pray that you will find this time  fruitful for your family. This is such a great time to model the response stations to your children, to take communion together and light a candle to pray for the light of Christ to shine in someone else's life. 

Next week we will resume our normal scheduled programming!

See you in service!  *Rhiannon*

The hope that blooms...

Per our normal tradition, my family took me to the greenhouse to pick out a new hanging plant for Mother's Day. This event tends to kick off my spring flower collection.  A collection of which, by mid-summer, shows the true nature of the fact that I don't really have a "green thumb," even though I tend to convince myself that, "this year is different!"

As I walked around the greenhouse, unable to find the perfect plant, I finally choose a beautiful purplish-red  flowering plant, (that I will research what to actually call and how to care for it), and I found myself hopeful for this season of growing and the blooms that would spring forth from this plant!

I have had the honor of working in the children's ministry here at Five Oaks for almost 2 years now, and I love having the privilege to watch the kids grow and watch their hopes bloom. I love watching them in the classroom sing the songs and read the scripture. I love hearing them answer the questions that their leader has asked and I love watching their excitement grow. 

This weekend and next, we will have sign-up sheets available for summer help in the children's ministry.  I hope that you will take time to pray about how you can be part of the hope that blooms in the hearts of the kids  in the Tree House Children's Ministry.  

Just as I find myself hopeful for this growing season for my plants, I am also hopeful for this season of growing this ministry! 

~Rhiannon

 

Five Oaks FUN Team celebrates moms

She's part chef, part cruise director, part doctor, part psychologist and ALL mom.  You've got to have a special day to honor someone like that, so the Five Oaks FUN Team got together to thank moms in a special way this past weekend.  The FUN Team worked with Children's and Youth Ministry leaders to have kids fill out "You Are Special Because..." cards prior to this weekend.  The team took the completed cards and posted them on a display for the weekend.  Many kids also just filled out a card on the spot to give to mom or a motherly figure in their life.   

 

Additionally, the FUN Team got together and baked 800 cupcakes for all Five Oakers.  We hope you had a chance to enjoy these delicious treats while you were here.  Thank you to the following FUN Team members and helpers:

Pam Hawley
Jenna Freidman
Peg Benson
Shawn Grams
Aimee Thornton
Meleah Miller
Liz Andretta
Kristen Bryant
Kristin Sellers
Jennifer Clemens
Deb Johnson

Make Summer Count: Parent Workshop!

Hands on ideas to make the most of your summer!

Hands on ideas to make the most of your summer!

Parents! You are invited to join us for our spring parent workshop: "Making Summer Count", on May 22nd during either the 9:15 or the 11:00 service in the gym! Rhiannon Rutledge will be sharing fresh and fun idea's on how to make the most of your summer with hands on ideas and activities. Everything from rainy days to fun in the sun... from family activities to date night... even road trips to stay-cations! 

We will also be joined by Five Oaks new Family & Discipleship Pastor, John Eiselt, for a time of teaching and sharing his heart for families! 

We hope you will join us for this exciting workshop and time of learning with John & Rhiannon. 

*No need to RSVP* Just show up!