praise god for panama wins!
Remember when we asked you to pray for our high school students traveling to Panama? Thank you! God showed up in their lives while on mission in July. During their 10-day trip, our students worked alongside the Word of Life missionaries to boldly share the gospel of Jesus to elementary school children in their schools. Our students were challenged to present the gospel using stories & puppets, music & dance and spoken words (Spanish words!), and they wholeheartedly responded! This weekend we’re celebrating God’s faithfulness to each of our students on this trip. Our students were instrumental in planting the seed of the gospel in the lives of hundreds of Panamanian students, and they each grew in unexpected ways through this mission. God is good!
Five Oaks Kids: Please help us help you help us :)
Summer is hot hot hot! But we’re planning on some exciting additions and changes in Five Oaks Kids for the fall. In order to put these things in place, we will need a few extra hands. Our needs range from organizing during the week to being a lead teacher and many options in-between. It is such a blessing to give back! We encourage everyone, middle school and up, to check out our survey here and see where you might be willing to serve in the next ministry year! Please email Kelly Bauman with questions. We are so excited to serve with you!
Interested in hosting an international student short-term?
Each year The Hospitality Center at the U of M welcomes hundreds of international students to campus. Many of these students need short-term housing while they wait for their permanent housing. Would you be willing to open your home to one of these students for 1-2 weeks? Help is needed at the end of August - so act now! Email Dave Baar to take the next step,
Last call for undies (and socks)!
Did you know that some of the most often-requested items among people experiencing homelessness are clean underwear and socks? If you’d like a straightforward way to help unhoused neighbors in St. Paul, please drop off clean socks and underwear for men, women, and children at Five Oaks this weekend! (Our deadline is now extended to August 13.) We’re partnering with a non-profit called The Drawer, and their mission is to help furnish these essentials to those in need in an effort to offer them dignity. If you prefer to provide a financial donation, you can do so here. Questions about The Drawer or this collection drive? Email Dave Baar.
Summer invite to incoming sixth graders!
Got a student entering sixth grade this fall? Your student (and their friends) are invited to join us on Wednesdays, August 16 and 23, for our summer combined middle and high school youth group at church, 7-9 pm. This is a time for them to meet and be a part of youth group before the fall kick-off on September 13. Questions? Email Kyler Albert.
Five Oaks Kids Leader Training
Everyone who serves (or plans on serving in Five Oaks Kids) is invited to a fun training event on Saturday, August 26 at 9 am. This includes middle and high school students. You will meet others who serve in your area and feel prepared for the upcoming year. Breakfast is included, so we are asking everyone to register. You can email Kelly Bauman any questions at kbauman@fiveoakschurch.org or register online here.
Want to get involved in student ministry?
If you love the energy of middle and high school students, consider joining our leadership team to help us make our youth group events happen on Wednesday nights. We have a variety of ways to get involved, from small group leaders to supper team, to set-up and take down, to name a few. Whether you want to work directly with students or support in the background, we have opportunities for you to help in many important ways. For more info, please put “students” on your connect card, or email students@fiveoakschurch.org.
Interested in leading a small group this fall?
If you love people and want to provide a regular space for new folks to get connected, consider leading a small group this fall. We provide training and resources to get you going and ongoing connection and coaching as you lead a group. We have a fall training coming up at the end of August. Try it out for a season! Interested? Email Jonathan Haage.
Save the date: share a meal and learn more about Impact ministry
If God is stirring your heart for ways to impact our community and world for Jesus, please join us for our next Impact Cohort gathering. This cohort is an opportunity for Five Oakers who are leaning in on Impact to pray, share a meal, share updates, stories, plans and ideas - and brainstorm together on how we can do more for Jesus outside the walls of our church. The next cohort meeting will be on September 18, 6-9 pm at church. Interested? Email Dave Baar.
Community News
Employment opportunity
Salem Lutheran Preschool, in Woodbury just north of Jerry’s Foods, is hiring! We are looking for some loving, energetic, kind helpers in our Preschool. Multiple positions are available. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Darci Shoemaker at director@salemofwoodbury.com.