Mid-Week Memo

in

Hey Five Oakers,

There are a few things I want to share with you:

#1- This last weekend was the high point of the EVERYTHING series. We looked at Luke 12:35-48, where Jesus talks about life as a trust. We talked about giving an account to God for how we manage his stuff and the consequences of mismanagement. But the reward is quite amazing: he will serve us. As Tim Keller puts it:

“Jesus is saying, ‘…I’m going to gather up all my infinities and all the immensities of my being, all of my omnipotent power, and I’m going to bring it to bear on one thing when I meet you…. I’m going to inflict so much honor, so much joy, so much love, so much glory on you as I can.’

#2- The response time of worship was precious. It was very moving.

#3- We're thrilled that Stephen Kendrick, the co-writer and producer of Courageous, Fireproof and Facing the Giants, will be speaking at a men's event at Five Oaks on April 14 and then preach on Sunday morning the 15th (this is the weekend after Easter). It's going to be quite a weekend!

#4- Two of our staff are a little out of their minds. Tim Bubar (Student Ministries) will go to the youth district conference in Rochester BY FOOT in April...from his house in Cottage Grove...in THREE days! Jerry Meras (Impact Ministries) and a group of fellow nuts are planning to ride their bikes from CA to MN in August to raise money for next years Feed My Starving Children event...in three weeks...100 miles per day! I got so inspired that I went to my first spinning class at the gym this morning at 5:30am and survived. Maybe I'll get in good enough shape to ride my bike all the way across Woodbury some day! By the way, let Jerry know if you're interested in joining his team.

#5- I met my Kids Hope USA student on Monday, and we had our first weekly session! He's in kindergarten and we had a great start. I feel like I'm cheating, but Lois just brought home some materials for me to use with him in our mentor sessions (she's a Reading Specialist). One of the great aspects of this ministry is that every mentor and child has a prayer partner and I'm very thankful for mine.

#6- We received one card back this week from a guest saying, "I really enjoyed the worship music and am planning to bring my wife the next time I come.  Thank you!"

#7 - Have you registered for the Feed Event? Lois has 24 people coming from her school! Is there a group you can invite? Neighbors? Work associates? Register here.

#8- This weekend's message concludes the EVERYTHING series and focuses on our work: our work belongs to God. My hope is that you'll go to work (or school) on Monday with a deeper sense of its meaning and your purpose. The following week we start a three-week series on prayer based on Luke 11.

#9- Worship songs for this weekend include:

  • "Glorious"
  • "Jesus Paid it All"
  • "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)"
  • "Strong"
  • "Glory to God Forever"

Looking forward to seeing you this weekend, and many blessing to you,

Pastor Henry