Trunk or treat!
Looking for a simple way to enjoy a fall afternoon together? Join us for our first-ever Five Oaks Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 25, 4–5:30 pm. Bring the kids for candy, games, and time together with friends from Five Oaks. Want to help make the afternoon fun? Gather your small group, family, or a few friends and decorate a church-friendly trunk. Bonus points for a creative Christian theme! Sign up to host a trunk here. Questions? Email Kelly Bauman.
Hearts and Hammers this weekend: A few spots remain!
A home in need of repair can feel overwhelming. On September 26, we’ll partner with Hearts & Hammers to help a local homeowner restore their home’s exterior. One project, many hands, and great fellowship. The workday runs 7:45 am–2:30 pm with lunch provided. Open to adults and kids 12+ with and adult; no special skills required. Come for the whole day or whatever time you can give. All the details and registration can be found here.
KIdsHope USA: Making a difference in Woodbury
For more than 15 years, we have partnered with Kids Hope USA to provide the gift of mentorship to students at Woodbury Elementary School. A KHUSA mentor offers one hour each week to one student in need of emotional, social, and academic support beyond what s/he normally receives in the classroom and at home. Staff and parents repeatedly share that the 1:1 attention and investment of a caring adult improves attitude, focus, performance, and confidence. One hour from you each week can change the trajectory of a student’s life right here in our community! We’re currently recruiting mentors, prayer partners, and help with special events. Is God nudging you? Email KHUSA@fiveoakschurch.org.
Serving kids in our community - KidsHope USA Director Role
Are you looking to use your gift of Leadership in a new, challenging, and impactful way? Five Oaks is looking for a new Director for 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 2027-2028 school year. Dave Baar is leading the team for the 2026-2027 school year, and he 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 Dave Baar at dbaar@fiveoakschurch.org, or just put Kids Hope Director on your connect card this weekend.
Are you a word nerd?
Our church has a devotional called DailyLIfe, written and edited entirely by volunteers. We currently have openings on our writing team! If you love to write and want to help shepherd our readership in their walk with Jesus, please email Liza Halverson. This is a great way to serve from home — or from the cabin!
Last call for the Belize trip!
What would it look like to spend a week visiting families in Belize, providing life-changing water filters, and sharing the hope we’ve found in Jesus? We’re recruiting for a short-term mission trip to Belize with Filter of Hope, January 9–15, 2027. This trip is open to singles, couples, parents, kids (middle school or older), and seniors. Deadline to sign up is October 1. Email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org, to get started.
Fifth graders: invite your friends for a night of fun
Fifth graders, join us Friday, October 2, from 6:30–8:00 pm at church for a fall night of games, snacks, and hanging out. Bring a friend from school, sports, or the neighborhood! Next year means a big step for fifth graders as they join Student Ministry. Building friendships now can make that transition a whole lot easier—and more fun. Sign up here.
Students: It’s fall, Y’all is back!
Looking for a fun fall event that’s easy to invite your friends to? Join us for It’s Fall Ya’ll—an offsite event at
Crazy Legs Farm & Pumpkin for all middle and high schoolers. Look forward to hayrides, a corn maze, pumpkin cannon launches, a bonfire, and more. Friday, October 23, 4:15-9 pm. Transportation included. Details and registration are available by following the QR code below. Questions? Email Mindy Wissink.
Build a family culture of healthy conversation
Talking with kids about sex and sexuality can feel awkward, but healthy conversations don’t have to be a one-time, cumbersome effort. Raising Sexually Healthy Kids is a video course from PureDesire Ministries designed to help parents create a safe, open environment where these conversations can happen naturally and continue as kids grow. Designed for parents of toddlers through high school and beyond, the course features experts, speakers, and other parents offering practical guidance. Thursdays, October 29–November 19 at 6 pm. Visit our website to learn more and register. Questions? Email Mindy at mwissink@fiveoakschurch.org.
Recovery can start today
Guys, are you struggling with sexual brokenness in your life? Has it impacted your marriage, job, or relationships? You can begin your recovery with a trusted group of men on the same journey. Weekly homework assignments will allow you to dig deep and make sense of how your life experiences have brought you to where you are now. You will develop the tools necessary to come to a place where real change is possible. The group meets weekly for approximately nine months. Next group starts Mondays at 7 pm in late September or early October. Please email puredesiremen@fiveoaks.church to receive a confidential call from one of our leaders and learn how to sign up.
Save the date: Annual congregational meeting
Mark your calendar now to join us on Sunday, November 15, at 4 pm, for our annual congregational meeting. We’ll have a short business meeting followed by a time of fellowship and food. Child care will be provided. More details to follow.
New member candidates
Tom & Pam Bravo
Joy Engberg
Julie Johnson
Travis & Ariel Koning
Eunsil Kang
Steve Lambrides
Chris & Christina Rogan
Justin & Lily Strain