don't let Advent happen to your family
As we’re making our lists and checking them twice, it's easy to get lost in the bustle of Christmas preparations and completely miss the main attraction: the birth of our Savior. In the midst of this busy season, we’d like to offer something that will also prepare our hearts for Christmas.
Our Prepare-Advent services offer a meaningful, interactive, visitor- and family-friendly way for each of us to ready our hearts for the birth of our Savior. Join us December 3, 10 & 17 at 4:30 pm for worship, followed by Advent traditions and activities, fellowship and some great takeaways -- including free cider and a hot cocoa bar! This is an easy ask for inviting neighbors and friends. All ages are welcome as we anticipate the coming of the true light, the light to everyone!
As part of our Prepare-Advent services, we will be hosting a Shoe Away Hunger drive. Please bring along some gently used footwear, including sneakers, sports shoes, casual shoes, boots, flip flops, ice skates, etc.This footwear is turned around by "Good in the Hood" to obtain food that is provided to the needy. Look in your closets for any new or gently used footwear to bring along when you come to our December Advent services on Sunday afternoons. Click here for more info on this Impact project.
Are you crazy busy?
Your heart is in the right place. You want to give back and serve at Five Oaks in some way, but you are in a crazy season of life. You maybe feel like the only time you could serve would be 10 pm on Tuesdays, right? What you need is a serve opportunity to fit that crazy season of life, an opportunity to try something once to see how it goes. Consider the ideas in the Christmas SERVE handout from last weekend, also found at the Ministry Cart in the Commons this weekend. These are easy, one-time ways to serve at Five Oaks this Christmas. Best of all, your one-time efforts will make a big impact. You may fill out the info in the SERVE handout, and our Connections Director, Jennifer Clemens, will reach out to you personally to help you find a good fit.
One impactful way to help in Five Oaks Kids
We are still looking for help in the Retreat, our ministry for differently-abled children in our church family. This ministry blesses many children in our church with different physical and learning challenges, and it blesses their parents by allowing them to worship each week with great peace of mind. If you are able to volunteer even once each month at our 9 am service, please contact Laura at retreat@fiveoakschurch.org.
Want to decorate at Five Oaks this Sunday? We need you!
One of the best ways to get in the Christmas spirit is to decorate for Christmas Help us celebrate Christmas early by coming in to help us transform the Commons and the Worship Center after church on November 26, 1-4 pm or so. We'll have hot apple cider and snacks, followed by a meal to enjoy when all is done in the newly-decorated space.
We need about 20 people to help, so rally your small group and friends to make it an afternoon of fun. Interested? Please email Harold Ennulat, hennulat@fiveoakschurch.org with your name, email and cell number, so we can plan for food and decorating needs.
Coffeehouse Jr. is back!
Hey, first through fifth graders! Join us at Five Oaks on December 1, 6:30 — 8 pm, for a night of Christmas fun! Live music, cookie decorating, a hot cocoa bar, and other fun activities await! Parents, please register up your students with Rhiannon at rrutledge@fiveoakschurch.org.
Help your girlfriends experience Christ this Christmas season
“For Unto Us,” our Women’s Christmas event, will be an evening of fellowship, Christmas foods and desserts, and carols. This is a great opportunity to invite a neighbor, coworker, or girlfriend who doesn’t have a church home for Advent fellowship. Women, join us December 14 at 6 pm for the FREE event. Please RSVP or send questions to Kristin, kristin@thesellersfamily.com.
New here? Explore Five Oaks December 10
Come check out our all-new Explore Five Oaks class on December 10 at 11 am in room 101. This class offers the chance to learn who we are as a church & what we believe, plus connect with other people who are new. Pizza lunch included following the class, plus an opportunity to meet with staff. Please register at fiveoaks.church/explore.
Five Oaks book club
When: Second Tuesday of every month
Time: 6:45 pm - discussion at 7 pm
Where: Five Oaks Church, Fireside Commons
New members are welcome throughout the year. Join anytime. Call or email Dawn Goenner, go.dmge@gmail.com, or (651) 238-1605, to find out what our upcoming titles will be.
New member candidates
John & Jill Eiselt
Nathan & Kathryn Schroeder
In sympathy
Please join us as we pray for Troy Thielen and family. Troy is grieving the passing of his mother.
Please pray for Liz Snow and her son, Arthur, as they mourn the loss of Arthur’s dad, Max Snow.
Community News
WANTED: Your home!
Want to make a difference from the comfort of your own home? Invite a Japanese college student studying at Bethel University this winter (February 17th - March 13th) to be a part of your family! Share your love and faith with your student, and you'll plant a seed. Your student takes classes during the day and spends the evenings with you. Transportation help to/from Bethel is provided as well as a stipend. For information contact Lisa Bekemeyer, lbekemeyer@me.com or 651-253-9498.