prepare your heart for christmas at our family advent services
Join us this Advent as we slow down and refocus on the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christmas. Our first service on November 30 is a family-friendly Christmas kickoff with games, the Christmas story, and plenty of treats—an easy invitation for friends. On December 7, we’ll gather for a quieter, reflective service designed to help you breathe deeply and remember what matters most in the holiday rush. Then on December 14, come enjoy the joy (and adorable unpredictability!) of our kids’ choir leading us in worship. Each Sunday afternoon offers a unique way to prepare your heart for Christmas. All Advent services are at 4:30 pm. We can’t wait to celebrate Advent with you at Five Oaks.
IMPACT Partner Prayer this weekend
Prayer is the most powerful tool we have to support our IMPACT partners. Join us this Sunday, November 23, at 10:15am in Room 102 to put that tool to work by bringing the prayer requests of our IMPACT partners to our God.
Connection starts with serving
If you’ve been looking for a way to feel more connected at Five Oaks, serving is a great place to start. When you join a ministry team, you don’t just help out; you build friendships, discover your purpose, and become part of the story God is writing through our church. At Serve Central, we’ll help you find your best fit, whether that’s welcoming guests, mentoring kids, leading a group, or helping behind the scenes. Stop by the Serve Central table this weekend to explore opportunities and take your next step toward deeper connection and greater impact.
Drive Season continues!
Our next project kicks off soon—the Kids Hope Giving Tree launches in the commons the weekend of November 29+30 followed by Shoe Away Hunger during Advent. We’re thrilled about what God has already done through the first three drives with The Dwelling Place, Hope for the Brave, and Union Gospel Mission. Because of your generosity, hundreds of supplies have gone out to bless our neighbors—and we’ll keep praying for each partner as they serve our community. Questions? Email Dave Baar at impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
We’d love your help at Christmas!
We always see extra visitors at Christmas time. One of the greatest gifts we can give to new families is a warm welcome and seamless transition for their kids in our classrooms. If you’d like to help us welcome the new faces well this Christmas, please consider serving at one of our five Christmas services. Interested in helping out? Start by emailing Kelly Bauman.
Students: For your calendar
As we head into a full holiday season, here’s what’s coming up in Student Ministries. No youth group on Wednesday, November 26…Happy Thanksgiving! On December 17, we’ll have our annual Christmas Party. We’ll take a 3-week Christmas break (no youth group on December 24, 31, or January 7), but don’t miss out on Tubing Night - Saturday, January 10, for all students and their friends in grades 5-12. Questions? Email Mindy Wissink, mwissink@fiveoakschurch.org.
Ladies, pause the holiday hubbub to reflect and be still|
We invite you to step away from the holiday rush and join us for an evening to “behold and be still.” Enjoy a time of open mingling and refreshments with other women, then join us in re-centering our hearts on Jesus through music, scripture, and reflection. December 11, 6:30-8 pm at Five Oaks Church. Take this opportunity to invite your neighbor or co-worker to join you! Details and registration here.
Build a family culture of honest conversations
Want to build a family culture where conversations about healthy sexuality feel natural and ongoing? Join our 12-week course, Raising Sexually Healthy Kids, created by Pure Desire Ministries for parents of toddlers through high schoolers. You’ll learn how to create a safe, open space for honest conversations. Two classes to choose from starting on Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11. Visit
www.fiveoaks.church/family to sign up. Questions? Email Mindy Wissink at mwissink@fiveoakschurch.org.
Family Mission Trip - SUMMER 2026!
Our summer Family Mission Trip is scheduled for July 18-25, 2026. We’re planning to travel to Panama to partner with Word of Life Panama and Filter of Hope to serve and share the gospel with families and students in Panama. Summer 2026 may seem a long way off right now, but planning is already underway, and we’d love to know if you’re interested in learning more about being part of this trip. The trip is for everyone 18+ and students 13+ with a parent. To get connected, email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Be part of the story—help care for moms-to-be through Esther Homes
As the government shutdown continues, food assistance programs will pause and resources/food shelves across our communities will begin to thin. We want to ensure that our ESTHER families are cared for during this time. Together, we can spark collective action that ensures no family is left behind in this moment of need. Three ways to help: 1.) Food drive collection: canned food, dry cereals, boxed food, fruits and vegetables, proteins, snacks for kids. 2.) Make a meal and drop it off at ESTHER Homes. Or, 3.) Provide grocery store gift cards from Cub Foods, Target, or Walmart (any amount helps!) Email amber@estherhomesmn.org for the address or more info. Or, you may call Amber at (423) 284-1809.
Help make a student’s holiday less lonely
International students who are here in the Twin Cities often don’t have places to go for a holiday meal as they’re here for school and don’t have family nearby. The Hospitality Center partners with churches to connect international students with host families who open their homes for a Thanksgiving meal. Many students experience this holiday for the first time — and the hospitality shared often leads to lasting friendships and gospel conversations. Interested? Email impact@fiveoakschurch.org or sign up here: https://www.thehospitalitycenter.org/vol-thanksgiving-hosting.html
Find your people this Christmas
Are you in your 20s and 30s and looking for a fun way to connect with others your age at church? Our Young Professionals group hosts quarterly events to gather together and have fun! Coming up next is an evening out at the European Christmas Market in St. Paul! Join us on December 5 from 6-9 pm. To learn more and register, click here: https://fiveoakschurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3260205
Lend a car to a Five Oaks Mmssionary
Do you have an extra car, or is your car sitting in the garage all winter while you’re somewhere warm? One of our missionary families from the Middle East will be in our area from early January 2026 to early February 2026, and they’re in need of a car to visit their supporters in the area. They’re estimating they’ll drive around 2500 miles over the course of that month. If you’d be willing to serve a missionary family in this way, or if you have more questions, email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.