Wednesday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

We had a great kick-off to the campaign. I hope you’re all using the FOR devotional. I’d love to hear how your small group discussions are going. I received this from one of our small group leaders:

"Henry, we were out of town this weekend so missed your message.  I was at a disadvantage leading small group not hearing your message.  I caught 15 minutes of it online before small group, but it didn’t matter because my group was so excited to share the message with my wife and I and one another—great discussion! …Keep challenging us, it’s needed and inspiring and motivating behavior."

Here's the sermon in 10 tweets: "FOR [ God so loved ] – God’s Mission, our Mission (multiple Scriptures):

1. God’s love compels us to love the world he so loves.
2. Why did my younger son become a Packer fan? For Leah so loved the Green Bay Packers. It’s funny how love works.
3. 2 Corinthians 5:14 – For Christ’s love compels us… His love is our motivation… tugs on our hearts… propels us…
4. He gave us the ministry of reconciliation and entrusted us the message of reconciliation.
5. We are ambassadors for Christ and he makes his appeal through us.
6. Our mission is to love our children, our neighbor & the world by reaching and equipping them for Christ.
7. Who are your kids emulating and admiring? What patterns are you setting from a young age to get them around people that point them to Christ.
8. “Christ didn’t call us to make Deciders; he called us to make Disciples.” And we’re relentless about it.
9. Our church is a mission outpost. It’s about reaching others with the lover of God, compelled by the love of God.
10. Above all else, God wants to work in your heart so you can represent his heart to a lost and broken world.

Looking forward to seeing you on the weekend!

Blessings, Pastor Henry

Tuesday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

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

#1 – We’ve got a thriving young adult ministry. One group meets for supper and study on Thursdays and another small group is starting.

#2 – Do you know that we’ve had a pre-marriage mentoring ministry? Thought I’d mention it because we just added another couple to the mentoring team. Everyone who gets married by one of our pastors has to complete the mentoring process with one of the couples from that ministry. Some life-long relationships between mentor and mentee couples have been started through that ministry.

#3 – Youth small groups are starting up for fall. These are like our adult small groups. Even the Jr. High groups that meet on Sunday morning and Saturday night are not drop-in Sunday School classes. Kids have to determine what group they will be in so that they and the relationships in the group can thrive.

#4 – Distracticon’s favorite weekend of the year, when he was in high school, approaches: Camp Getaway. It’s a retreat for junior and senior highers and what a great time and tradition it’s been throughout the years.  

#5 – Did you know we have a mission team opportunity this ministry year to Peru, to work with the Turvey’s (a Five Oaks family that is on mission there now)?

#6 – Ten people are already registered for the Israel trip! That’s a year in advance. A Five Oaks record for early registration.

#7 – The big all-church survey I mentioned in the summer is actually coming soon. We delayed it for several reasons, but when you get it, please take the time to fill it out. It will help make us better at making more and better disciples.

#8 – You guys are doing a great job of encouraging new folks to come down to 10-Minute Connect. That conversation up front is crucial for a guest. It gives us a chance to answer questions, but we also give them a Five Oaks cup and other goodies to remember us, and, most importantly, I am able to share some of our vision for what we do and why we do it the way we do it. It’s SO important and effective. So thanks for all you’re doing to make that a success.

Love you all. Thanks for being such a great church.

Blessings, Pastor Henry