Haiti Child Sponsorship Drive a HUGE Success!

I want to take a moment to send out a gigantic "Thank you!" to all who felt God's calling to care for the orphans of Haiti! These kids truly are the least of these. For the past two weekends we displayed photos of the orphans from the GVCM All God's Children Orphanage just outside Mirebalais, Haiti. We asked our congregation to select an orphans photo and story and to make a financial commitment of $35 a month to provide them with food, clothing, medicine and an education.

So many of you came through in a HUGE way to help provide a future for children growing up in our hemisphere's poorest country. Over the past two weekends we saw 19 orphans gain sponsors! That brings the Five Oaks total to 35 sponsored orphans. We more than doubled the number of kids we are supporting monthly.

These are the things that make a tangible difference in our world. I am so proud to be part of a church that is truly concerned with being the hands and feet of Christ to a hurting world. I am so proud to call Five Oaks my church home!

I want to thank Ron & Lesley Schlegel, our Haiti Impact Coordinators, and Sarah Bowers, who has an incredible hearth for these kids. Sarah provided us with the photos and stories and tracks our GVCM ChildVision sponsorships.

The opportunity to sponsor an orphan in Haiti is always open. Contact Sarah Bowers,  sarah@gvcm.org, and she will answer all your questions, introduce you to your child and set-up your sponsorship.  

Below are some photos of our newest sponsors. We were not able to get pics of all of our sponsors. If I left you out I sincerely apologize. You are all heroes to me.

Psalm 82:3 (NIV) - Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

- Jerry Meras, Director of Outreach

  

Psalm 1


Keep these words as a reminder with you this season.
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Listen to the audio from our morning Lent prayer service on iTunes.


The Psalms are a prayerbook meant to help us, God’s sons and daughters, learn prayer. And, as we pray with the Psalms we find ourselves not only praying Scripture — God’s Word (Jesus is the word made flesh) — but also praying with Jesus, the same prayers he learned from. 

Look to the Lord

Look to the Lord and keep your eyes on him. He has shown you what is good and what he requires of you. Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
— based on Micah 6:8
 
 

Keep this as a reminder with you all week.
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Psalm 23


Keep these words as a reminder with you this season.
Click the button below to download a lock screen for your phone.


Listen to the audio from our morning Lent prayer service on iTunes.


The Psalms are a prayerbook meant to help us, God’s sons and daughters, learn prayer. And, as we pray with the Psalms we find ourselves not only praying Scripture — God’s Word (Jesus is the word made flesh) — but also praying with Jesus, the same prayers he learned from. 

Join us Thursday mornings from 6:30-7:10 am for our Lent prayer services.

Thank You from Woodbury Elementary

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who brought in school supplies during our Fill the MINI Event in support of Woodbury Elementary. I also would like to share what I experienced when I made the delivery. First some background: On the weekend of February 27 & 28 the KHUSA Team held the Fill the MINI Event. Nichole Zacharias decorated my MINI and we asked our congregation to bring in school supplies and drop them off in the MINI. 

The office staff maintains a supply closet for underprivileged kids who show up to school without the necessary items they need to be successful. There is no budget for these supplies. They depend on donations to keep their closet stocked.  

Mary at W.E. asked me what time on Monday I would be dropping off the donated supplies. I simply thought she had a busy day planned and needed to carve out a specific time to help me unload the car. When I pulled up, I was completely surprised by 24 kids running out of the school with carts to help me unload. Mary had also arranged for Madeleine Rush, Communications Specialists with South Washington County Schools, to photograph and write about our event and donation. She supplied the photos in this blog.

Everyone at the school was so grateful it completely warmed my heart and I only wished we could have done more. Below is a note given to our KHUSA Director, Judy Visness, from Principal Connha Classon: 

Dear Kids Hope and members of Five Oaks Church--

We at Woodbury Elementary want to thank you for "maxing the mini" and donating school supplies to our students in need. We truly value our partnership with you and thank you for your contributions!

Connha Classon, Principal, WES

   

Stand Firm in Christ

Stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
— 2 Corinthians 1
 
 

Keep this as a reminder with you all week.
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Psalm 95


Keep these words as a reminder with you this season.
Click the button below to download a lock screen for your phone.


Listen to the audio from our morning Lent prayer service on iTunes.


The Psalms are a prayerbook meant to help us, God’s sons and daughters, learn prayer. And, as we pray with the Psalms we find ourselves not only praying Scripture — God’s Word (Jesus is the word made flesh) — but also praying with Jesus, the same prayers he learned from. 

Join us Thursday mornings from 6:30-7:10 am for our Lent prayer services.

VBS Reunion

Everest Reunion Party Last Sunday

This last weekend our Tree House kids were able to "relive" some of games, songs and stories from last years Everest themed VBS. They also were given a glimpse of this years Cave Quest theme. What a fun time of celebration the kids had!  Last year we had 125 volunteers helping and leading the 203 kids that attended VBS, with 36 of those kids crossing the line of faith and accepting Jesus in their hearts!  

Registration has begun for this years VBS which will be June 13th- June 17th, 2016.  If you would like to register or help with VBS this year, follow this link to do so... http://www.fiveoaks.church/vbs-2016 

As we were  reminded of the wonderful  time we had last year, we look forward to what this year holds for us and the kids as well. 

The Journey to Easter

The colors, the flowers, the yummy cream filled chocolate eggs..the glimpse of spring just around the corner... These are reasons I adore the Easter season, but the remembrance of the hope of eternal life, that God gave all generations through His son Jesus Christ, is what makes me LOVE the reason for Easter! 

On Easter weekend, we, in The Tree House Children's Ministry, will be offering the kids a unique experience in hearing the message of the cross and we will be giving them the opportunity to cross the line of faith. 

As we journey towards Easter with the kids , we ask that you pray for their tender hearts to understand the Story of God through His one and only son. 

One of the ways that you can help prepare your children's hearts fro Easter is through the Journey to Easter Countdown chain. If you have not recieved your count down chain, please contact me at Rutledge@fiveoakschurch.org and I would love to get one to you.

We pray that you adore and love this season with your children! 

 

Psalm 13


Keep these words as a reminder with you this season.
Click the button below to download a lock screen for your phone.


Listen to the audio from our morning Lent prayer service on iTunes.


The Psalms are a prayerbook meant to help us, God’s sons and daughters, learn prayer. And, as we pray with the Psalms we find ourselves not only praying Scripture — God’s Word (Jesus is the word made flesh) — but also praying with Jesus, the same prayers he learned from. 

Join us Thursday mornings from 6:30-7:10 am for our Lent prayer services.

What is Your Bag of Hope Story?

We want to hear your Bag of Hope Story

Back in October 2015 we handed out over 200 Union Gospel Mission Bags of Hope. The bags contained a Bible, water bottle, toiletries, cold weather gear and information on UGM services for the homeless. We distributed these bags to our congregation at no charge and simply asked for three things:

  • That you would keep the bag in your car and give it to a homeless person when you felt led.
  • That you would explain to them that you are commanded by Christ to care for your neighbors.
  • And to ask, "How can I pray for you?"  

Have you had the opportunity to give your Bag of Hope away? What happened when you did? Email Jerry Meras, jmeras@fiveoakschurch.org,  with your story.




He is for you!

He is for you! You belong to him. The victory is already yours because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
— 1 John 4
 
 

Keep this as a reminder with you all week.
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Psalm 131

 
LockScreen-Ps131-w3.jpg
 

Keep these words as a reminder with you this season.
Click the button below to download a lock screen for your phone.


Listen to the audio from our morning Lent prayer service on iTunes.


The Psalms are a prayerbook meant to help us, God’s sons and daughters, learn prayer. And, as we pray with the Psalms we find ourselves not only praying Scripture — God’s Word (Jesus is the word made flesh) — but also praying with Jesus, the same prayers he learned from. 

Join us Thursday mornings from 6:30-7:10 am for our Lent prayer services.