Tuesday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I’ve got SEVEN things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Tim Bubar was sharing stories today from Camp Getaway (our yearly fall retreat for jr. and sr. high students). An amazing weekend all around. About 150 youth and adults. God is at work in these students. I see some stories developing right now that we’ll be able to tell later this year in a video or another venue. One unchurched student, a seventh grader who has not attended Rush Hour but came with a friend whose family attends Five Oaks, asked Tim, “Do we really have to wait another year to do this again?” When Tim talked to him about Rush Hour (the weekly junior high program) he turned to the friend who invited him (but doesn’t attend Rush Hour) and invited him to come so they could go together. Pray for these students. So many come from families that are really hurting and our students are reaching out to them.

#2 – We’ve got about 25 folks in Story of God! It’s going great and one of the reasons is because I have a great team around me. If you’d like to help with the next round of Story of God (leading a group, co-leading or helping behind the scenes), let me know.

#3 – We have a new part-time Tech Director. He’s Jordan Slominski. Going part-time with this is new for us, and it is only possible because of a great crew of highly dedicated volunteers. Any of you who attended our Hudson campus will remember Jordan as the keyboard player and sound guy. He and his wife were uber-volunteers. I remember Keith Miraldi asking them to take a week off once per month and Jordan’s response was, “If I’m here, I’d just like to be serving.” It’s great to have Jordan on our staff team.  

#4 – We’re getting great reports from our small group leaders regarding their Bible study discussions for the FOR series. Lots of excitement in the air. I think it’s because we all want to be a part of something that is making a difference for God’s Kingdom.

#5 – Would you like to help collect box tops for our Kids Hope partner school, Woodbury Elementary. Just email me and I’ll connect you with Cindy Yarington.

#6 – This weekend is our first ever seminar for parents who are dedicating their kids. I am very excited about this initiative because of what can be accomplished in that hour. This is a huge milestone in the lives of these families and we want to speak into it as a church. Susan Somers will be teaching and leading this particular milestone seminar. We will be developing other seminars for other milestones in the lives of  kids and families, so stay tuned.

#7 – Jerry Meras just came back from Peru where he met with the Turvey’s to plan the June mission trip. We also have our first Haiti team meeting coming up for the trip in February. Is God nudging you in any of these directions?

Love you all. I’m proud of you for your dedication to God and his glory.

Blessings, Pastor Henry

Monday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have a few things I want share with you today:

Here’s the video from the weekend. Mike was ushering the first service on Sunday. I told him he made me cry three times (once for my preview and then for the two services). Yes, I cried again the last service. Mike and Stephanie were in the youth group when Lois and I came to Five Oaks. They’ve been a great blessing to me over the years.

[FOR] - Mike Selbitschka from Five Oaks on Vimeo.

Here are most of your comments, observations and questions from the weekend Communication Cards.

• Our family misses Five Oaks so much more than anything else in MN. It’s so great to come back.  Kristen Whitley [You are missed as well!]
• Amazing opening song. Awesome songs. [I agree! Great job worship team. I could tell Brooke was singing her heart out on Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) because she always came back to the green room wiping her eyes. Lois and I usually attend the second service on Sunday (Lois teaches Kids Rock on Saturdays) and that song was especially poignant because the Curtis family was sitting behind us. I know many of you are praying for Alyssa. It was great having her in worship with us for the first time since her surgery. I couldn’t help thinking of them during every song we sang.]
• We thank you Pastor for another message to strengthen our hearts and devotion to Christ alone. 
• We love hearing the TRUTH! Thank you Pastor Henry.
• Stage looks much brighter. Well done Harold and others that helped. [Harold Ennulat gets volunteer of the year! And, yes, he had a lot of help. He even had to pull an all-nighter to get the lights all back up in time for our services after taking them all down for repairs and better placement! And it does look fantastic. Thank you Harold and all those who helped.]
• Beautiful worship. The soul was an amazing worship song. She did a beautiful job. Loved the ending prayer, made me reflect on when I gave my life over and how my life changed and I feel new! 
• Loved the drums on “Our God Reigns” – he was having fun and did a great job. Thanks for the great vocals, keyboards and guitars always amazingly solid, so good. I’ve been Haley’d a few times by Henry. Appreciated you sharing the stories of the other churches. Great messages Henry.
• Can we get an update on when the new worship arts leader is starting? [Jeremy joined our team of worship leaders in September. The team also include Dan Lukas (our Creative Arts Director) and Libby Johnson (who is a volunteer in our ministry). Thanks for asking.]
• Great message and worship. Thanks!
• Dan is the man! Great leading.
• I really like how the group life and sermon notes are on shared paper. Helps keep it all together and avoids that awkward “I forgot to grab an outline” moment that I usually do. 

Thanks for all your comments and questions.

Blessings,

Pastor Henry