Behind the Scenes

Hi Five Oakers: Here are some of the things going on behind the scenes at Five Oaks:

// Kids Praying/Playing: Two Mondays a month, that what kids (9-12) gather to do, praying for the prayer requests of other kids from the weekends, and having some fun together. It's the brainchild of one of the kids themselves.

// North Woods: That's where a group of current 6th-7th graders will go this summer as a new "Milestones" experience. Signups are going on right now for that and for two youth mission trips.

// Personal Notes: The "Written Word" Invite team starts writing personal notes to first-time Five Oaks guests starting next week.

// Twenty-seven: That's how many people are participating in chronological Bible reading plan with me. It's an experiment of sorts. Invitation were only for people who have done the SOG class with me. Next year we'll consider going bigger on this. One of the best parts is the Facebook group interaction that goes along with this. If this interests you, be looking to join us in 2016.

// Twenty-eight: That's how many are already signed up for the winter Story of God session. That's the most we've ever had at this point in the registration process.

// Tru Coming: To our church for the Twin Cities Tru gathering (that's the curriculum we use with our kids in Sunday school).

Monday Memo

Hi Five Oakers, Here are most of the comments and questions from the weekend Communication Cards:

// Could we find a Sunday to do a traditional hymnal service – I loved our acoustic services. [I love them too. Thanks for the idea/feedback.]

// OMGosh! Thank you Five Oaks. I was SO MOVED from beginning to end today! The absolutely beautiful songs and worship Henry’s POWERFUL message! I am so thankful that the Lord is moving in Five Oaks and within me.

// New Netflix release: Living on $1 a Day. (My friend’s son helped produce it in Guatemala!) Watch and review or use in a future message. Lots of rich people need to see it. Ties in to Ted Talk mess!

// Your sermon touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you!

// Thank you for such an awesome reminder of our many blessings! It was such a great message to begin the year.

// Steve on guitar – hoorah!

// Great message – thank you!

// Jeremy - fun than beautiful opening set. Love it when Tim does opening with reading. He and Dan really have a sense of fun/poignancy. Henry, awesome, challenging message. You used silence so well, so uncomfortably well. I applaud you. I really appreciate the prod, really the jolt you gave us. Loved the story to introduce communion. Do more of it!

// I so appreciate having a Saturday service. What a lovely way of showing Christian responsibility – something and then God appreciating also health, time, ability to do whatever – multiply it.

// I’d like to hear a sermon on Peter. Maybe sermons on all the disciples. [That would be an interesting series. Can't say it will happen anytime soon, but I like it for a future possibility.]

// Thank you for today’s sermon. I got to be part of something that fit this exactly over Christmas – and it truly blessed me more than the family who was helped. God is so good.

// Where in LaCrosse area is Tim from? I’m from Houston! [Wisconsin]

// Does giving financially to people who are in need of financial help or material help quantify as an act of financial obedience? We have always found joy in giving this way, but it’s hard to dedicate a percentage to that since those opportunities aren’t always know about. Advice? [Give regularly to your local church and other missional organizations from your "first fruits" and set some aside for these kinds giving opportunities would be my advice.]