We’re celebrating faith milestones this weekend
Our worship service will look and feel a little different this weekend. You may notice we have more visitors and more elementary-aged kids present in worship. This is because we’re celebrating the important faith milestones of family dedications and baptisms this weekend. We love to watch God work in the hearts of our Five Oakers who are ready to publicly proclaim their salvation in Jesus by being baptized. We also love to watch our church grow as our families grow, and we are honored to join with families in dedicating babies and children to our local church and to Christ’s church. Join us as we promise to come alongside these families in these important faith milestones. We praise God for the seeds he sows in our church family!
Make space for new people
Most new visitors to our church naturally come on Sunday mornings—and lately, those services have been getting pretty full. One simple way to help create space for them is to join our Saturday service at 5:30 pm. Moving from Sunday to Saturday is a simple shift that can make a big difference for someone trying to find a church home. Consider trying it for six weeks—maybe even with your small group—and see how it fits your family’s rhythm. You might find it not only blesses others, but also creates a welcome change to your weekend.
Worship night with Wood Lake Camp on March 25
One of the highlights at youth group is our time of worship. Students share that they appreciate how powerfully the Holy Spirit moves through music, and worshiping God shoulder-to-shoulder with their friends and leaders is a key aspect of growth and community. Your students won’t want to miss our worship night on March 25, featuring worship led by Dan Hartke, the director at Wood Lake Camp. Our schedule will stay the same (MS 6-8 pm; HS 7-9 pm), but worship will include that special Wood Lake Camp flavor.
Do you ask good questions?
Our Sermon Application Guide (SAG) is the heartbeat of our small groups, turning the weekend message into Monday’s action. We are looking for writers and editors to help craft the very questions that spark breakthrough and discipleship across our church! If you have a knack for asking “the right question” or a love for deep diving into scripture, we need your insight. Help us bridge the gap between hearing the Word and living it out together. Interested? Contact Liza Halverson, lhalverson@fiveoakschurch.org.
Celebrate the Easter season with your family
We want to help your family experience the real meaning of Easter. Join us for Easter Family Fun Night on March 27 from 6:30–8:30 pm. Designed for families with preschool and elementary kids, this event includes games, activities, snacks, and a telling of the Easter story. Then join our Palm Sunday kids choir (March 28+29) as our cutest Five Oakers help open each worship service. If your child would like to participate, arrive 10 minutes early and check them in at Room 101 before the service begins.
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.
Help us welcome others well at Easter
Easter is a vital time to welcome our neighbors to our church. With extra services across Easter weekend, we need your help! Join our Connections team as a greeter, usher, concierge, or in the Acorn Cafe. Or, consider helping out in one of our Kids classrooms. Your warm welcome helps create an environment where everyone feels at home. Email Danny Martin to find a spot in Connections, or click here to find a spot in FO Kids.
Global 6K for Clean Water: World Water Day discount now available
Did you know that over 1000 kids die each day across the globe due to contaminated water? One way you can help is to join our annual Team World Vision Global 6K for Water at Colby Lake Park on May 16. Register now to bike, run, or walk with your family and friends, and in doing so, provide clean water where it’s needed most. THIS WEEKEND you can use the promo code ‘CLEANWATER’ (in honor of World Water Day) and get a $15 discount per registration. Details and registration here.
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.
Share the Story of God with DailyLife
Do you have a passion for words or a heart for creative storytelling? DailyLife devotions is looking for fresh voices! This is a unique opportunity to serve our church family by crafting short, weekly devotionals that inspire and encourage. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, your unique perspective can help others connect with God in their everyday moments. We also have opportunities for editors to join our team. Ready to use your gift? Email Peg Benson for more info.
Family Mission Trips - SUMMER 2026 & January 2027
Our summer Family Mission Trip is scheduled for July 18-25, 2026. We’ll 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. Planning is already underway for both this trip and for our next trip in January 2027. Both trips are for everyone 18+ and students 13+ with a parent. Interested in learning more about either of these trips? Put “mission trips” on your connect card, or email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Impact Rally — did you miss it?
Thank you, Five Oaks, for making the Impact Rally such a meaningful time of connection. If you missed it —or if there wasn’t time to visit every ministry—there’s still an easy way to explore where to get involved. Our Impact Ministry Catalog highlights the many ways Five Oakers are serving locally and globally, along with contact information for each opportunity. Take a look and discover where your gifts and passions could make a difference: <IMPACT Catalog>. Questions? Email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Feed hungry kids - mobile pack events in our neighborhood
Two churches in our neighborhood are hosting Feed My Starving Children mobile pack events over the next couple of weeks. Their goal is to pack 270,000 meals during these events. Woodbury Lutheran Woodbury is hosting an event (March 19-21) - sign up here: Mobile Pack (Mar 17-19). Woodbury Lutheron Wakota Ridge is hosting a similar event (March 26-28) - sign up here: Mobile Pack (Mar 26-28).
Host an International Student for Easter
God brings the world to our doorstep at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. The Hospitality Center at the U of M connects churches with opportunities to serve international students in the name of Jesus. One of those opportunities is to invite an international student into your home to celebrate Easter. This is truly an amazing opportunity to influence the life of a student from another part of the world as your family celebrates the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You can get more information and get signed up here.
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 study is a deep dive into the life of “Elijah”, and what his story tells us about trusting God and standing strong in our faith. If you’re interested but cannot make April 17 work, sign up anyway - you can watch the recording anytime. Contact Dave Baar to learn more: impact@fiveoakschurch.org.