Kermit the Frog was wrong: it IS easy being green.
See the difference all around you.
You’ll see lots of people wearing green Five Oaks SERVE t-shirts this weekend. These green-clad folks are just a few of those who serve all of us week in and week out. The t-shirts are a visual reminder that serving at Five Oaks means you serve everyone who walks through our doors. They also remind those wearing them that God is stretching them spiritually every time they serve. For more information on how you might serve, either write ‘serve’ and your email on your Communication Card this weekend at church, fill out a Serve brochure at the Ministry Cart this weekend, or email Jennifer Clemens at jclemens@fiveoakschurch.org.
Baptism class this weekend
On May 21 (this Sunday), Children’s Ministry will be hosting a baptism class during the 9 am service, and Students and Adults will be having a class during the 11 am service. Both classes take place in room 101. Attending the class will help you learn more about this important milestone in your faith journey, but does not commit you to baptism immediately. This class will provide a great chance to ask questions. Please come to gather information and start to pray about this milestone.
VBS registration closes Sunday, May 21, 11:59 pm…
Last call for all VBS registrations! Don’t miss the chance for your kids to play, learn, create, sing and be moved by God this summer at our Maker Fun Factory Vacation Bible School. June 19-23; 9:15 — noon. To register and for more info, go to www.fiveoaks.church. But hurry, as our registration closes in just a few short days. Tick tock…!
Pssst. Hey you. Wanna help with VBS?
Parents and teens, Vacation Bible Schoolis coming up on June 19-23. We need 125 volunteers to make this week a blast for kids! “Maker Fun Factory,” our curriculum this year, yields a high-energy environment with 200+ kids who are excited to learn about Jesus. You can choose either a high-impact volunteer spot, or a behind-the-scenes spot. Either way, we needyour help! If interested, please click here to register: www.fiveoaks.church/vbs Questions? Contact Cindy Yarrington, cyarrington@fiveoakschurch.org.
The Lost & Found runneth over…and will be emptied May 28!
Bibles, jackets, water bottles, t-shirts, gloves, shorts, jewelry…even some keys and a ring! So far we haven’t found any lions, tigers, or bears, but the Lost & Found needs to be cleared out. Please stop by the Info Center between now and May 28 to “find” your lost items. All unclaimed items will be donated May 28. Thank you for helping keep America beautiful by claiming what’s yours!
Tree House summer serve opportunities
Did you know it takes 50 hearts and hands to make our Tree House hum each weekend? Each summer we give our regular volunteers a well-deserved break. This is an opportunity for you to step in an serve for a weekend or three this summer — and try out a new serving area. A great chance to build relationships and engage with kids! Lessons and activities are provided — and you can serve with your family or small group if you choose! If interested, please email Cindy Yarrington, cyarrington@fiveoakschurch.org.
Worship Arts tech volunteers needed
Join the weekend Worship Arts Team by serving with us in a tech role. Help us present our weekend worship services so the sermon and the music is as meaningful and worshipful as possible. We have a training program that will prepare you for your chosen role. After the initial training another volunteer or staff person will sit with you until you are ready. Several positions are available: Sound, Media, Lighting, Service Production, Communion Prep, Podcasting, as well as special projects. We'll have more detailed info at the Ministry Cart in the Commons this weekend. If you have more questions in the meantime, please contact Harold Ennulat at hennulat@fiveokschurch.org, or call or text 651-442-5691.
Students: Still time to register for our YouthWorks mission trip
Hey students —- join us July 9-14 for a mission trip to Minneapolis (high schoolers) and St. Paul (middle schoolers). You’ll grow through service projects, evening fun activities, worship and time with God. Opportunities to work with kids, serve the homeless and elderly, and see some great breakdancing! $375 covers meals, lodging, and entertainment. Register online or email Justin Talk, jtalk@fiveoakschurch.org, with questions.
Student Ministry year-end BBQ May 31; more summer fun ahead
Let’s celebrate the end of school and the start of summer at our year-end BBQ! Join us for food, fun, hang time, and a message. Also join us for fun events on Wednesdays in June!
June 7 — no youth group (last week of school for many)
June 14 — Movie night — yes, with popcorn!
June 21 — BYOS (Bring Your Own S’mores) Night — campfire outside
June 28 — Gaga Ball/2v2 Basketball tournament/Board games in Commons Questions? Please email students@fiveoakschurch.org.
Do you love babies?
As you consider serving in the Tree House this summer, we are also in immediate need of help in the nursery. The number of babies needing caring arms has grown significantly during this school year! It’s a great “problem” -- so please consider joining us to rock babies while their parents attend worship. Please write “baby nursery” on your Communication Card this weekend if you are interested.
Got an old fan or two?
Our VBS curriculum this year, Maker Fun Factory, will have a set constructed largely from repurposed items. Odds are, you may have some of the items we need for our set in your basement already! Even better, this may be a chance for you to set some of your “treasures” free! Stop by the Ministry Cart in the Commons this weekend between services to see the entire list of items we’re hoping to have donated. If you have any questions, please email Rhiannon Rutledge, rrutledge@fiveoakschurch.org.
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.
Global Leadership Summit August 10-11
This year Five Oaks will partner with Eagle Brook Church, Woodbury Campus, for GLS. We are not hosting, but instead we will attend at Eagle Brook. As partners and attenders of Five Oaks Church, we receive the special rate of $99 until June 26, when it increases to $129. Register now at fiveoaks.church/gls. You’ll need a promo code at registration to secure our special group rate. You can find that code at the Ministry Cart this weekend, or you may email Deb Johnson, djohnson@fiveoakschurch.org.
Overeaters Anonymous/H.O.W.
Our church hosts an ongoing OA/H.O.W. group on Tuesdays from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. This meeting is always open to new members looking to free themselves from the burden of compulsive overeating.
Community News
Share your life by opening your home short-term to a Japanese university student
Be a seed planter & experience something amazingly powerful! Loving hosts needed for Japanese students studying at Bethel University August 1-22. Transportation help & stipend provided. Hosts can be singles, couples, or families! Interested? Please contact Deb Anderson, 763-522-5051 djamwa@aol.com.
FamilyMeans Caregiver Support Program looking for volunteer help
Do you have 4-8 hours a month to offer relief to a caregiver? Those who provide continual care for a loved one occasionally need a break but cannot leave their loved one home alone. Volunteers are needed to step in for companionship and supervision — not for medical cares of any kind. This role involves talking with the patient, watching TV with them, playing cards or doing a puzzle with them, looking at photos with them, tinkering in the garage with them, going for a ride with them, etc. Help is needed in the following cities at this time: Cottage Grove, Woodbury, Oakdale, Stillwater, Oak Park Heights, Marine on St. Croix, and Forest Lake. Day, evening, weekend hours needed for children, adults and seniors. For more info, please contact Dianne Vierling, dvierling@familymeans.org, or call 651-789-4055.