Get connected in the new year
It’s no secret that we’re better together than we are on our own. If you’re looking to move the needle on your faith and make stronger, deeper friendships, here are three ways to jump in now:
1. Visit a small group or two in January and stay with the best fit until summer. No long-term commitment, just meeting new people! Get started here.
2. Try our women’s ministry. You can do a once-a-month event or an every-week study. Enjoy food, fellowship, and meaningful discussions. We have some new Bible studies starting in January!
3. Try our men’s ministry. Weekly meetings on Wednesday evening or Saturday morning, starting up again on Saturday, January 3 and Wednesday, January 7. Or, meet some new people at our Men’s Summit weekend, January 30-February 1. Details and registration for the Summit can be found here.
Adjusted worship schedule
During this very busy Christmas season, we have an adjusted worship schedule this weekend. Saturday, December 27 - 4 pm service ONLY. Sunday worship times remain the same.
Impact partner prayer this weekend
Prayer is the most powerful tool we have to support our IMPACT partners. Join us this Sunday, December 28, at 10:15am in Room 102 to put that tool to work by bringing the prayer requests of our IMPACT partners to our God.
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 our website for details and to register. Questions? Email Mindy Wissink at mwissink@fiveoakschurch.org.
Young Adults: Join us for a winter retreat
Are you a young adult looking to deepen your faith, build meaningful connections, and enjoy a refreshing retreat experience? This event, for those in their early 20s to mid-30s, offers winter activities, games, group discussions, worship, and enough downtime to recharge. Join us January 2-4 at Wood Lake Bible Camp in Grantsburg, WI. Interested? Go to www.fiveoaks.church/young-adults to register. Scholarships are available. Questions? Email Kyler Albert, kalbert@fiveoakshurch.org.
Do you have questions about faith?
Few emotions are more powerful than hope, yet it can feel hard to find. Hope Explored is a 3-week class for anyone exploring faith, curious about the Bible, or feeling disconnected from church. Through videos, Scripture, and discussion, it explores the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and how he fulfills our longing for hope, peace, and purpose. Two classes starting in January: January 3, 4 pm, and January 4, at 10:45 am. Questions? Email office@fiveoakschurch.org.
Last call for your gently used shoes!
Contribute to the pile of blessings in the commons by bringing your new or gently used shoes to donate through December 28. We’re partnering with Shoe Away Hunger who uses your donations to help feed hungry neighbors. For every pair of new or gently-used footwear received, they can feed one person with up to seven days of essential groceries through their hunger relief programs. For more information, email Dave Baar at impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Run off some steam in our gym over winter break
‘Tis the season to get your family out and moving! Our gym has select winter break times for you and your family to reserve a one-hour slot for one-third of the gym. Available dates to reserve are December 29, 30, and January 2. On Monday and Tuesday, open times are from 11:30-2:30 pm; Friday is open from 9:30-11:30 am. To reserve your spot, call our office, or email us at office@fiveoakschurch.org.
Beat the winter break blahs (students grades 5-12)
Winter break is here, and while Wednesday Nights are taking a short pause, the fun isn’t stopping. Before we jump back into youth group on January 14, we’re heading out for a night of tubing under the lights at Green Acres Recreation on January 10—and all 5th–12th graders are invited! Spots are limited, so register your student at www.fiveoaks.church/students. Questions? Email Brooke Ramsey, bramsey@fiveoakschurch.org.
Love our neighbors by donating blood
Because he first loved us, we have the joy of loving others in real, life-giving ways. We invite you to join us in a simple but powerful act of love: Donating blood to help those in need. Your one donation could be the answer to someone’s prayer. A stranger you will never meet will be blessed through your generosity. January 8, at Five Oaks, between 10 am-2 pm. Sign up for a donation time slot here. Questions? Email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Meltdown Middle School Camp: Registration is now open
Meltdown is an impactful winter weekend retreat held February 13-15, 2026 at Camp Forest Springs in Westboro, WI. Students can look forward to solid biblical teaching sandwiched in between exciting winter activities such as snow tubing, downhill and cross-country skiing. It’s also a great weekend for building friendships and deepening community. Signups are here: www.fiveoaks.church/students. Questions? Email Brooke Ramsey, bramsey@fiveoakschurch.org.
Story of God: Winter classes now open for registration
Do you ever find the Bible confusing? Ever wondered how you fit into God’s plans for you? Join Story of God, a six-week guided journey through the Bible. Those who have taken the class have found greater understanding of how the Bible fits together to tell one big story. Learn how you fit into the bigger story that God has for your life. You’ll meet with a cohort once a week and can expect about 20 minutes of outside work each day. Winter classes are now open! Details and registration available here.
You can help shape the next generation
The new year is a great time to reflect on all that has happened and look ahead to how God might work through you. Serving with Five Oaks Kids is an amazing way to pour into the next generation. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, we invite you to observe in a classroom to find the right fit for you. We have many different roles available, from teaching to helping behind the scenes, and you can choose to serve once a month or sub when you can. Email Kelly Bauman to get started.
Serve your neighbor in need at Dorothy Day
|f you’d like to make a difference to our neighbors in St. Paul, join us to prepare and serve a meal at the Dorothy Day Center on Saturday, January 3, 9:30 am-1:15 pm. Interested? Pleaseemail Tim Wiant, wiynts4riverfalls@gmail.com. Tim will get back to you with confirmation of your spot on our team and instructions on how to get signed up. Volunteers need to be at least 14 years old.
Wanted: Interim Connections Director
Are you a people person who loves making others feel at home? We’re looking for an Interim Connections Director to lead the charge this spring (Feb–June 2026)! In this part-time role, you’ll support our amazing volunteers—from greeters to Acorn café hosts—creating a warm environment where everyone feels seen and welcome. If you’re ready to champion connections and serve our church family, we’d love to talk with you. Interested? Contact Danny Martin at dmartin@fiveoakschurch.org.
Ladies, find support for chronic pain
Chronic pain and anxiety can feel very isolating. We don't want you to go it alone. A few leaders who have experienced this in their life invite you to journey with them. Whether you struggle with chronic illness, anxiety and/or depression, this group looks to be helpful in your journey. The intention is that the women in this group will experience community, feel seen, feel belonging, feel safe and be encouraged. The group will meet once a month beginning in January 2026. Email office@fiveoakschurch.org for more info.
One simple way to help women and families in crisis
Women and families facing an unplanned pregnancy can often feel overwhelmed, alone, and frightened. We partner with two organizations who help navigate this journey with women and families who find themselves in this spot. Each year in January, we host a baby items drive in partnership with New Life Family Services, and this year, we’re adding a second partner organization, Esther Homes, to this donation drive. Be on the lookout in the commons for a shopping list in January. Please return items to church by January 29. Whether you donate or not, please also pray for both these partner organizations and for the families they help each year. Questions? Email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Thinking about a summer internship?
Now is the time to be thinking and planning for a 2026 summer internship! If you’re a junior or senior in high school or a college student, please consider applying to be one of our IMPACT interns this summer. This internship is a great way to explore local and global missions by serving in our community, helping Five Oakers to serve in our community, and serving and supporting our vocational missionaries around the world. This internship also offers the possibility of experiencing a short-term mission trip (scholarship included!). Interested? Email Dave Baar at impact@fiveoakschurch.org.