easter at Five Oaks: Hope in brokenness, sorrow, failure...
Life’s darkest moments can leave us feeling unseen and alone. But the story of Easter shows that hope is very real, even in sorrow, relational brokenness, uncertainty, addiction, and failure. On that first resurrection morning, Jesus called Mary by name. He met her in her grief. He welcomed her into a new family. This Easter, discover how the risen Christ does the same for us today, calling us by name and taking us in as his own. Join us at Five Oaks and experience hope. Consider which neighbors, friends, or co-workers may respond well to an invitation from you to experience that same hope. Our Easter weekend worship is as follows: Good Friday, April 3: 4 and 5:30 pm (no kids’ programming). Easter worship, Saturday, April 4: 4 and 5:30 pm; Sunday, April 5, 8:45, 10, and 11:15 am. Kids’ programming available at all Easter services.
Let’s stock the freezer
Foster and adoptive families carry unique demands and often little margin for everyday needs, such as meal planning. We have the opportunity to step in with simple, tangible support. Our Foster & Adopt Ministry is filling a dedicated freezer at church with ready-to-go meals, soups, and pantry staples to bless families when they need it most. Join our meal prep event on March 7 (before the 4:00 service!) to help stock the freezer. All the details and registration for this event can be found here. Questions? Email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Making generosity simpler
We’re moving our church giving to a new platform housed in the Church Center app, the same app many of you already use to stay connected through groups, events, and serving. This update makes it easier to access your giving history and set up or manage recurring gifts—all in one place. You received a card today with your worship guide that outlines the steps to move your giving to the new platform. If you currently have a recurring gift set up, you’ll just need to take a minute to transfer it from our old platform to the new one in Church Center. Get started by going to our on the website. Questions or want help? Email Liza Halverson, lhalverson@fiveoakschurch.org.
Please share your feedback
On Sunday afternoon at about 5 pm, you’ll receive a short email survey from Five Oaks Church. We conduct this survey annually to help us serve you well across all our ministry areas. You should be able to complete it in about 15 minutes or less, and your responses will provide us with real-time data to help us maximize our efforts both within our church and our community. The survey is anonymous and will remain open for your one-time response through March 15. Questions? Email Jonathan Haage, jhaage@fiveoakschurch.org.
Summer camps now open for registration
Summer camps offer students the opportunity to make lasting memories through big fun, meaningful discussions, and outdoor experiences. Registrations for summer camps are now open! Middle schoolers: join the Camp Getaway adventure from June 14-19. High schoolers: join Wood Lake Camp for their high school week, July 12-17. Spots are limited, so sign up early to secure your spot for an unforgettable summer! Transportation is provided. Visit our website for all the details and registration info.
New men’s study: what does God see in your heart?
The men of the Old Testament were warriors, leaders, and kings—yet deeply flawed. Their stories don’t hide failure; they reveal it, challenging us to examine who we are beneath the surface and what kind of men we’re becoming. Journeymen is launching a 10-session video study through 1 Samuel. Join us to grow as a leader and pursue the kind of heart God honors. Begins Wednesday, March 4 at Oltman Middle or Saturday, March 7 at Five Oaks. Questions? Email Matt Karasek at mathewade77@gmail.com.
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erving kids in our community - Kids Hope USA Director Role
Are you looking to use your gift of leadership in a new and challenging and impactful way? Five Oaks is looking for a new Director of our Kids Hope USA partnership with Woodbury Elementary School. As the director of this program you will impact the lives of 25-30 students, build up and encourage the staff at Woodbury Elementary, and empower 50+ Five Oakers to demonstrate the love of Jesus in the lives of these students and their families. This is a strong program with a strong leadership team in need of a new director, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Rebekah Laudermilch is leading the team today, and she will be available to mentor the new director to ensure a smooth transition. If God is nudging you to explore this further please reach out. You can email Rebekah at rblauder@gmail.com, or Dave Baar at dbaar@fiveoakschurch.org.
Help others say yes to Jesus
Do you love talking to others who are exploring Christianity or saying yes to Jesus for the first time in their lives? Consider joining the Gospel Response Team. This new team will be made up of volunteers who will be available for 10-15 minutes after a worship service to meet and pray with anyone who responds to Jesus. We will provide training, and you can serve at the service you attend! Interested or want more info? Email Michael Bryant.
Wanted: Connections Director
Are you a people person who loves making others feel at home? We’re looking for a Connections Director to lead the charge! 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.
The Bible reading plan you’ll actually finish
No more confusion when reading the Bible. Just clarity. Listen to the Bible in 10 minutes a day, starting March 2. This 40-day plan is for you if you don’t have time yet for the Story of God class, want a refresher (it’s like a mini-Story of God), or to do with a friend who is searching. Watch or listen while you drive, get ready for the day, or wind down in the evening. Bring the Story of God to life. Join the launch on March 2 by signing up here.
Serve your neighbor in need at Dorothy Day
If 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, March 7, 9:30 am-1:15 pm. Interested? Please put “Dorothy Day” on your connect card, or email 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.
Serving together - global impact. Thank you!
On Valentine’s Day, 50 Five Oakers gathered to serve at Feed My Starving Children, packing meals that will be sent to Cuba. Families, students, small groups, and members of every generation worked side by side—living out our calling to love our neighbors in tangible ways. Thank you for giving your time, your energy, and your heart. Your willingness to serve is helping meet real needs around the world. Watch for details about our next opportunity to serve together in February of next year.
What is ‘Secret Church’?
What if following Jesus were illegal where you live, and you had to walk miles to find other believers? You’d likely spend hours together praying, worshiping, and studying God’s Word. Secret Church simulates this reality for persecuted Christians. Join the national simulcast on Friday, April 17, 5pm-1am, as we worship, study, and pray for the persecuted church. This year’s theme is “Who Am I?” Interested? Email Dave Baar at impact@fiveoakschurch.org.