...to everyday life

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the Easter service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Our worship leader search is completed! See the previous posting on this blog.

#3 – We tried something new last weekend. Jake Eyler, our Care Ministry Director, preached the message at the Saturday service and Tim preached on Sunday. Both messages were on the same passage and in our Mission of God series. Jake is student at Bethel Seminary and previously served in a church about the size of Five Oaks in Manhattan Kansas, so he has a little more preaching experience than your average seminarian. The plan is to have Jake preach his next message a few months from now in one of the Sunday services. This gives all of us a stake in his development as a pastor and preacher.

#4 – Tim’s sermon on Sunday was powerful. If you missed it, you can listen to it or watch it here.

#5 – Hey Saturday nighters, we'll be offering free snacks and coffee before and after the Saturday service during the summer. Food, Fun and Fellowship! If you would like some information on how you can help with this ministry during the summer, email me. And don't forget: service time changes to 6:00pm starting June 1.

#6 – Here’s comment from the cards we send to first-time guests:

4/9  Great experience thus far.  One suggestion would be to have Pastor Henry greet folks as they’re leaving the sanctuary each Sunday.

#7 – Here’s a ministry opportunity for an individual, family or small group. This is from Pastor Larry Willman of Payne Avenue Free Church, an urban church in St. Paul. Please prayerfully consider this request. If you can help or you want more information, let me know.

I have an opportunity for some mature believers to use their gifts in a city neighborhood setting this summer.

For a number of reasons, we’re looking for some temporary help in worship leading, adult Sunday School teaching, & summer Wed night Bible Study leading (for a Men’s Group & a Women’s Group). 

Would you pray about it & see if God has anyone come to your mind that is mature & has some good things to teach/share in those above areas and who would be open to a “cross-cultural” experience where they could serve this summer.

We are open to creative options as well.

#8 – Here are your comments/questions from the Communication Cards:

Saturday Comments:

• Thanks for the worship. Terrific message, testifying to what’s real. Great closing set folks. Thanks.  [I agree. Jake did a great job.]
• Nice to see/hear Daniel back on stage. Great job Jake! Loved the “closet” illustration. Illustrations, such as dramas, help cement the sermon in the mind. BRING BACK DRAMA’S.
• I love child dedications. Dan the Piano-man! We want more piano! [He chose to do all piano on Sunday. Maybe he read your comment.]

Sunday Comments:

• Thanks Tim for sharing your vulnerable heart. Your story will bring hope to many. [Absolutely. You could have heard a pin drop.]
• Thanks for your courage to share your story, Tim! 
• Thank you for the testimony. Wow!
• Thank you for sharing, Tim. This was a powerful message. God is speaking to me. 
• It seems like we’re in a time of double standards with tolerance. We are expected to tolerate the lifestyles of others, but it’s not tolerated to share our belief. It’s frightening to know what to do. 
• Tim, thank you for making yourself vulnerable to model for all of us about taking the real personal stuff we deal with and allowing God to work in spite of us. I appreciate it. God works thru humbleness. Thanks. 
• Tim, thanks for being REAL! 
• Thank you Tim. 
• Thank you, Tim, for trusting God as you witnessed and shared with the church God’s powerful grace in your life.
• Thank you for sharing Tim. God is sooo good! He has prepared you to reach so many lives for Him! 
• Tim, thank you for sharing and opening yourself to us. God is using you to impact lives and draw people to him. God bless you and your family. Great job worship team! Sounded great. 
• Tim, thank you so much for sharing such a personal struggle. May God use it in mighty ways. You are a wonderful witness!
• Thanks for sharing your personal experiences Tim! It can be hard, but can also help others. 

#9 – We have a great video faith story for this weekend’s message. You won’t want to miss it.  

Blessings, Pastor Henry

Worship Leader Search Completed!

Here's an email message we sent to our church family earlier today.

Dear Five Oaks Family,

I’m very happy to inform you that we have completed the search for a worship leader! The result is different than we expected when we first set out, but we are confident God is leading us in this direction. It will be a good fit for Five Oaks, and I am excited to see it unfold.

First, we have decided to move forward with a Worship Leader team approach. Joining our team is Jeremy Sanoski. As you may remember, Jeremy led worship three weekends ago and in February. Or you may remember him from this year’s Coffee House. He will begin his new role at Five Oaks starting in September and will lead worship approximately half of the weekends throughout the year. Jeremy loves what we are doing at Five Oaks and is eager to help us accomplish our mission through our worship services. In addition to his service at Five Oaks, Jeremy already has an active music ministry in the Twin Cities and on a national stage with Go Fish.

Second, Dan Lukas will move to the front lines of our worship ministry, leading our worship band members and vocalists and leading worship approximately half of the weekends. Dan will continue to serve on our staff executive team and as the overall director of the Worship Arts staff and ministry, as he has since the fall of 2011.

Third, we are on a search for a Fusion worship leader who will not only lead the high school band but will also disciple and develop the students who serve on that team. This will be a paid, part-time position and we appreciate any leads you can send us.

Lastly, I want to offer special thanks to the folks who served on our search team for their time, the intensity of their prayers, their love for the church and the feedback they gave us as we pondered this decision. Thanks also to all of you who joined us in prayer during this search.

There’s a lot more I could say, but I’ll give you a chance to ask your questions and address the more frequent ones on my blog. So email me your comments or questions.

Blessings,

Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Our staff leadership team just came back from three days of planning for our next ministry year beginning in September. My favorite things from our retreat:

• An extended time of prayer thanking God for what he has done over the last three years as we’ve been working on what we call the Transformation Agenda.
• Just being together. I think we all enjoy each other’s company a lot.
• Playing Catan every evening and making fun of the non-Cataners as they played cards without keeping score. Playing cards is great, but not keeping score?
• Getting Jerry to play his first game of Catan and watching him win big and get hooked.Beginners luck, Jerry.
• Having some vigorous, passionate discussions and knowing we’re still friends.

#2 – I’m so thankful for MN Adult and Teen Challenge.Transformed lives!

#3 – Seemed like about half of the folks at Teen Challenge need mentors, judging by the hands I saw go up on Saturday evening. Here’s information about mentoring.

#4 – Here’s the powerful story of Five Oakers Dan and Heather Hanson from Fox 9. Don't miss this! And pass it on to others. (If you get this via email, you may need to go to my blog site to see the video. Click on the title above.)

KMSP-TV

#5 – Here are your comments/questions from the Communication Cards:

• Thank you for today’s service. Our son is a graduate of Teen Challenge and is doing great. It’s a wonderful faith based program, the only one that worked.
• Wow. Can’t tell you how much it means to me to be here, witnessing Teen Challenge. God saved me from my addictions. This hit so close to home. Thank you.
• Thank you for having MN Adult and Teen Challenge here today. So powerful. I never grow tired of hearing God’s story of redemption in the lives of others.
• God Bless MN Adult & Teen Challenge. 
• Thank you for this impactful day! May God bless MNTC!  
• Does Teen Challenge use drama as therapy or for performances? Curious. [I don’t know. Check it out online.]
• Thank you, MN Adult & Teen Challenge. 
• Inspiring stories – God has custom made their missions to impact others. 
• Awesome – real moving! 
• Thank you to the men of Teen Challenge for being so free to share the love of the Lord to us today. (We are free at last) because of Christ.  [This is from a Saturday night attendee. I think it was all men or, at least, all men who shared.]
• Thank you to all the people who came today – it takes great courage to stand up in front of a group of people and showcase your sins and shortcomings! This is such a great example of how powerful God’s love and strength is. When we come before him and accept his grace, we can withstand anything this world places in our path!
• Great event! Thanks for reminding us how challenging life can be – and that all things are possible with Christ! 
• Very moving hearing the testimonies from the people from Adult and Teen Challenge. Jesus can and will help us to overcome! Amen! 
• Thank you for bringing MNTC! Awesome. 
• Wow! Thank you Henry for this – it was amazing! 
• Darn you guys, no Kleenex…thanks for the special heartwarming service.

#6 – This week’s message takes an interesting approach on what it means to share your faith with others, as we continue our Mission of God series. All I can say is it has something to do with a wardrobe.

Blessings, Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the Easter service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – From everything I’m hearing, the Sunday morning parenting workshop was a big success. 274 parents and children attended.

Here are some of the “aha moments” listed on the evaluation forms:

• I'm an intense mom raising an intense child!!!!
• Control is not developing Godly behavior
• Seeing how my children saw themselves in God's eyes
• There are ways to discipline without controlling
• Conflict=my sin running into someone else's sin
• How do you calm yourself down.  James 1:19,20
• Not focus on compliance but development
• The “You Are Commandments”
• Making me aware of the message I send my kids, my own selfish or maybe time/agenda gets in the way
• Distinguishing behaviors and beliefs so that we can put the thumbprint of God in their lives

#3 – This coming weekend is all about personal stories of lives changed by God as MN Adult & Teen Challenge comes to Five for all three services. Who can you invite to this event? Remember, think of families who are struggling with drugs, alcohol or other addictions.

#4 – Here are your comments/questions from the Communication Cards:

• Love Jeremy! Very spirit filled worship today. [I agree. Thank you Jeremy for guest leading again this past weekend. You’re a joy up front and behind the scenes. And great job to the band and vocalists. You led us well.]
• Enjoyed praise and worship – thanks. A sermon that spoke directly to us – Kansas misses you, Henry! [Great having our friends from Kansas visiting. Threw me off part way into the message when I saw them.]
• Love the series, Henry! Thanks! 
• What a great worship set. Really felt lead in song and word – thanks. Loved the message and worship.
• Henry, thank you so much for your message and for helping me to see God’s will for my life so clearly. 
• Loved the worship.
• Great worship.
• Henry – great presentation of the character of God! Touching message.
• For what it’s worth, the worship leader this weekend was awesome. We hope to see him again!
• Really like the young man doing the music.
• Jeremy! Can we hire him? He is awesome….
• Awesome job today bandleader! 
• Pastor Henry – while in NYC last week, I was able to make it to the WTC Memorial and am happy to report that the “Survivor Tree” is alive and well. [Very cool!!!]
• Fantastic worship music today! 
• Hire this guy.
• The guest worship leader is great.
• I am continually impressed – when someone brings it like Jeremy brought it, how do people stand still? 
• Loved the worship set. 
• Another awesome message and sermon. I get so much of what I need spiritually, from our church every week. For direction, and guidance, to face my life of sobriety and overcoming my addictions. God’s grace is so wonderful, and it all starts here – for me – every week.
• Can we please have him as our worship leader? 
• Really enjoyed music this week!
• I like the worship leader! 
• Awesome praise leader today – Jeremy! 

#5 – Our Staff Leadership Team is off to our annual planning retreat Sunday afternoon through Wednesday. Pray for wisdom and discernment for us.

#6 - Here’s the sermon in 10 Tweets, “Fashion Statement,” Jeremiah 13:1-11, Week 4 of Mission of God series:

1. God wants to make a fashion statement and you are big part of that statement.
2. According to Jeremiah 13, "God wants to wear his people" (Chris Wright)
3. God's people will help turn the world to him when they admire what God has done for them and in them.
4. God wants to wear his people & for the nations to notice and say, "You look great!"
5. Are you making God look good?
6. You make God look good when you live like he calls you & designed you to live.
7. You won't be perfect but do people look at you & think, "There's someone whose faith makes a difference in how he lives."
8. You make God look good by doing good. “…let ur light shine before others so see ur good works and give glory…” (Jesus)
9. Christians response to 2^nd & 3^rd century plagues major catalyst for growth of Christianity. Made God look good by doing good.
10. Tripp: "This weekend u took a step into darkness… I'm pleading with u, live in the light." Son: "I want to. It's so hard. Will u help me?

I’m thankful for all of you and pray for you. Hope to see you on the weekend.

Blessings, Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the Easter service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Big weekend coming on Saturday and Sunday. Parents of K-6^th graders RSVP here for the family workshop in the Community Life Center. Go to first or second hour and worship as a family for the other hour. We've planned a couple of kid friendly stations and other family friendly elements for all the services. Saturday nighters, this is worth coming back for, but please come to Saturday night. We need you there.

#3 – Another big weekend coming next week. Incredibly powerful stories of deep transformation as MN Adult & Teen Challenge comes to Five Oaks on May 4/5 for all three services. This will be powerful, and you really need to pray right now about who to bring to this event. Think families who are struggling with drugs, alcohol or other addictions.

#4 – Here are your comments/questions from the Communication Cards:

• Agents of redemption – thank you for such a personal, specific message! A big piece of my life’s puzzle was put in place today – you are a gift!
• Thank you Pastor Henry for revealing to us and reminding me of my roll in “redeeming” other people! Thank you for helping me want to be bold despite the rejection that I might/(will) receive from this world. It is worth it! 
• Great message Henry! Inspiring! Nice closing set. 
• First songs timing hard for group singing/worship. Rescued, Ransomed, Restored by the grace of God. Praise God! Thank you Henry for the message! [Yeah, we moved it to the prelude on Sunday.]
• Come Thou Fount – odd rhythm – kind of hard to sing with the counter melody. Next two David Crowder songs – great! Ending music was wonderful. 
• Keyboard sounded funny first song (synthesizer?). Come Thou Fount – strange rhythm if people were to participate.
• Please sing the standard version when singing old hymns so we can sing along! First song – really a bummer! Where are we at with search for praise leader? 
• Not sure if I just missed it, but I couldn’t find the verses for today’s message on the worship guide. [I didn’t make the deadline. I do recommend you pick up an outline each week.]

#5 - Here’s the sermon in 10 Tweets, “Signposts of Redemption,” Exodus 6:2-9; Romans 10:13-15:

1. Survivor Tree Video as a metaphor of redemption.
2. If you are redeemed, you are a signpost of redemption.
3. God has rescued you. The primary symbol of redemption for the rest of the Bible is this Exodus story of God’s rescue.
4. When the New Testament speaks of redemption, it has the completion of the Exodus story In mind.
5. We've been rescued from darkness (Col 1:13-14, awful things we've done (Titus 2:14) & from emptiness (1 Pet 1:18).
6. God has ransomed you. What did it cost God to rescue Israel from bondage? Nothing…until his Son becomes the Lamb who takes away our sin.
7. God uses redeemed people to redeem people. Invest in people far from God. It will cost you.
8. When Jesus spoke of redeeming lost people, his own already-redeemed people scoffed and rejected him.
9. When the Survivor Tree was planted, believe it or not, some people complained that it didn’t fit.
10. “I could crawl into this little pen & die right here. If you could say you worked for 9 years for something special, that's it.”

Looking forward to the weekend (and better weather)!

Blessings, Pastor Henry

Off the Cutting Room Floor

As I mentioned during my message, I had to leave some sermon material on the cutting room floor for time's sake. Basically, I would have liked to talk more about redemption as restoration. Here's what I cut from my manuscript:

Redemption always involves restoration.

The goal of redemption is to recover what’s been lost, to restore what’s been ruined, and to return what’s been taken captive.

The Survivor Tree was restored—it not only lived, it was replanted where it once stood, at the site of the Twin Towers. At one time it was buried under the concrete, steel and glass of the two towers that fell on it. It was lost and ruined and held down. And there it is today again. It was restored.

And that’s what Christ did. Look at what Paul says in Galatians.

⁴ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (Galatians 4:4-7)

Look what shaped his language and understanding.

²² Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, ²³ and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” [Purposely ambiguous term meaning service or worship.] (Exodus 4:22-23a)

We are restored into a personal relationship with God. And the restoration of our relationship is only the beginning. We are restored for service and worship. We are being restored for doing good.

Titus 2:14 (NIV) – [Christ] gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

When God gives the law to Israel he says that by keeping it they will show the world how good and wise God is.

⁵ See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. ⁶ Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ ⁷ For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? ⁸ And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the weekend service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – On Sunday, April 28, we’re doing something very different and very special. There will be no Sunday school on Sunday morning for K - 6th grade. Instead, parents are invited to join the kids for a parenting and family workshop in the Community Life Center. And K - 6th graders are invited to join their families in the worship center. Choose either hour for the workshop (two identical back-to-back sessions are offered) and attend the service the other hour. We’re keeping all those kids in mind as we plan our worship for that week. This is one of the ways we partner with parents in the discipleship of their kids.

#3 – Don’t forget the detour this weekend. You can’t get to us from the north on Radio Drive. You have to come up from the south. I already know it will take me a few days to remember, and I go to the building daily! Good luck to you on remembering.

#4 – Here are your comments/questions from the Communication Cards:

• Thank you for sending the book on Christian spirituality. I’m reading it through the second time.
• Awesome! 
• Can you give us an update on the search for the new worship leader? [The search team is still plugging away at it and interviewing two individuals this week.]
• Tim, fantastic sermon, so practical! Thank you for the encouragement to continue in the “trenches” for God. I am blessed as God uses me as His nation! 
• Loved to see a women lead in prayer! 
• I feel so blessed to worship with Five Oaks today after nearly a year away. God is clearly at work here. The church just continues to flourish and honor God and bless this community. 
• Ken, nice job with announcements! Good job on “Glory to God”. Tim an excellent message. I really like it when week to week we reinforce the theme for the series. God does not custom make his mission for us, we are custom made for God’s mission. That gal soloist can really sing! 
• Appreciate the singableness of most of worship today. 
• Tim, feel free to lead us in a Sunday School song. The truths from a young age are so relevant! There is power in voices raised.
• Thanks Tim for preaching important truths – about Prosperity gospel message and that the U.S. is not God’s chosen nation – but God’s people, Christians, are. 
• Love worshiping with Oh God song. Great job band. 
• Great singing ladies! 
• Awesome job Libby! Loved hearing your passion and leadership! 
• Thank you for the Bible and the book “Purpose Driven Life”. 
• What a gift the two female singers are today! 
• Great service Tim! Henry I am loving this series! 
• Beautiful song Kara! 
• Is there an update on our worship leader search? 
• Loved that we got to “meet” one of our elders on stage. Great job Libby and all worship team. Amazing teaching Tim! Thank you! 

#5 – $7,127 raised through the auction! Amazing! Thank you to all the businesses and individuals who donated items. Thanks to all the Five Oakers who bid high and often. This money helps send our youth to one of the most transformational experiences you can imagine—the Challenge conference with over 5000 other youth from around the nation. We’re not the largest church represented by far, but we usually have one of the largest of groups represented because this auction makes it affordable. Thank you and God bless you all. And by the way, the Cuban meal went for the highest bid ever thanks to two very determined people. This food better be really good!   

#6 – Here’s the comment we received back from the cards we send first-time guests:

4/3 - I truly felt welcomed – it is a very kind and warm atmosphere.  I will be coming back!  I have attended my church for 20 years and never felt the sense of community that I did at Five Oaks.  Thank you. [Wow! Way to go Five Oaks!!! That doesn’t happen by accident.]

3/10 - Appreciated intentionality of worship service to pull each listener into intimacy with our GOD, with its 4 ‘phases’ and stations.  Loved.  Refreshed by worship music, felt refreshed by Pastor Henry’s Bible teaching.  Kept engaged whole time by his content and style.  Very pleasantly greeted MULTIPLE times.  Really enjoyed the service.  Fruitcake Alert: Only thing that I really detest, hate, don’t like, dread is the Greet Your Neighbor part.  No matter that we’re given an ‘opener’, Greet Your Neighbor is awkward.  Especially for kids (and I really want my 13 year old to not feel awkward), it’s awkward for my sister to the extent she wouldn’t attend with us til A) it was over or B)it was a wedding or funeral.  I’m ridiculously distracted by dislike of it; I’m ridiculously tempted to choose seating accordingly.  Seemingly unnecessarily since we are well-welcomed and couldn’t be invisible.  Yea for the lovely greeters!  Of course I can make myself buck up, reach out, jump through the hoop of Greet Your Neighbor, and my kids will do the same.  But it is a discipline and downside that seems unnecessary given the profuse and warm greetings upon arrival – no one could feel invisible or left out.  It’s EASY to feel left out in a Greet Your Neighbor, wondering if you’re the only stranger.  I’ve come across the No Toucher (awkward) the I-just-blew-my-nose-now-I’m-shaking-your-hand, There’s awkward waiting and fake smiling if no one’s available.  I feel pressure to not neglect anyone, especially kids.  Not to mention the days I came as a sheer act of will, and now I have to paste on fake friendly.  Eek.  I will do the right thing and quit being me, me, me and reach out to my neighbor.  But if that neighbor is anything like me they’d wish there was one more worship song in its place.  Hope there is something constructive here amidst my personal fruitcakeyness. [I love the way you put this and I feel your pain. Okay, I don’t actually feel your pain because for me, something like a greeting time is easy. But I know of others that feel like you do and the anxiety you suffer over this is real. The reality is that our greeting time is the reason why so many people greeted you outside of the greeting time. We know this because we’ve experimented with no greeting time and the comments from guests take a very dark turn. I think it's because we’re only human and turn inward without the constant, real, tangible reminder not to. That’s what greeting does. If we could find another way of creating this atmosphere we would drop the greeting time and end the misery for a few of you who hate it and experience a lot of anxiety over it. And, yes, we know some of our guests hate to be noticed. But we live in a day where the majority of people looking for God or a church home want connection. The old philosophy of letting guests be totally anonymous is being dropped to reach the new seeker. So we are choosing to err on this side of the equation. I truly thank you for sharing this, it makes me think and re-think what we’re doing, and maybe we’ll have a breakthrough some day on how be a welcoming community without a formal greeting time. If you know of a church that has succeeded at that, let me know.]

# 7 – Check out the online version of a recent Pioneer Press article on our own Melissa Borner, ‘Cottage Grove breast cancer survivor brings humor to blog, humaneness to work.'

#8 – I’ve got some great memories of the Father/Son retreats my boys and I attended. They do too. In our first year they were recognizing fathers and sons who had the longest track records of attending and my oldest turned to me and said, “Dad, lets do this every year and be one of the longest.” Well, we did it several years until high school wrestling made it impossible. Our Journey Men’s ministry is participating in a Father/Son retreat on the weekend of May 3-5, so check it out here.

Lois and I were in Minnetonka over last weekend and attended a wonderful church in Hopkins. But we missed you. And we love you and are looking forward to worshipping with you this weekend.

Blessings, Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the Easter service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Some of you noticed the signs last weekend about Radio Drive closing soon. We’ll be sending out information about that very soon. We knew work was coming and that the plan was to only close the road when a new tunnel was built and Hargis Parkway would serve as a detour. The plans changed on both fronts and no one informed us. They admit it was an oversight and have agreed to put up a sign or two south of us informing traffic that the road is open up to the church. It’s very disappointing and troublesome for us that the road coming from the north is going to be closed for 8 weeks, but the city’s reasoning is sound. We will have to make due. The detour is Woodlane to Military to Radio. We will post maps on our website and inform people on our phone message.

#3 – Here are your comments/questions from the Communication Cards:

• Thanks Dan and folks for a really nice worship set. Loved talk about Jesus being at the center of our lives. Henry this series in Luke has been fantastic and transformative for my family. Thanks for the great message prayer card idea. Thanks also for challenging and exciting us about this next series. Great closing song!
• Savior King – powerful truth in the lyrics.
• Great opening set! We love you Dan. Great response set! Concert quality! 
• Music good. Solo great. Last song. Started a little rough rhythm, hard to follow at first. 
• My Savior King – beautiful. Thanks for great leadership of worship, Dan! So moving! Loved it!
• I miss Justin. 
• Liked last song. Okay Henry, will do! 
• Great message Henry! Thank you! 
• Just wanted to thank you for the Men’s Ministry. It is a wonderful ministry!
• Henry, thank you for the way you bring the scriptures alive in my life!
• What are we doing when the road is closed! That message was so great!
• With the blocking off of Radio Dr. will there be an alternate route to get to Five Oaks? [See #2 above.]
• You missed an important part of our mission – vs. 24:49. We are indeed with power from the Holy Spirit. [You must have been writing this note while I was talking about it. Ha, ha. Actually, I only called attention to it but did not expound.]
• As a visitor, I was sad there were no musical notes to read as we sang, so I didn’t sing. No hymnals?!
• I had a light bulb moment today… realizing that I’ve always known I’m custom-made and not cookie-cutter made! It will help me go forth better today!
• What a wonderful custom-designed personal message and challenge. In search of a mission. A great small group study topic, too – which is coming! 

#4 – In case you weren’t here when we played this in the service, this is a video that will be featured in our new website and you can use to introduce people to Five Oaks.

#5 – It’s the last weekend for the silent auction! Some great stuff there and a great cause. Don’t miss it.

#6 – Sign-ups for small groups continue this weekend.

#7 – Loving our new Story of God group. Great discussion last night. I keep learning something new each time I do this. And it was so great to hear from some of the folks what had motivated them to do it. One person shared that I had said SOG is a great thing to do if you’re searching for hope and she’s needing some hope right now. God’s story, a better understanding of his character and a better understanding of his Word brings joy. No doubt about it!

#8 - Here’s the sermon in 10 Tweets, week one of “The Mission of God” series, “It’s all Part of the Plan” (Luke 24:13-52):

1. God doesn't custom-make a mission for you like you do for your kids when they're bored. He does something infinitely better.
2. 2 disciples headed out of Jerusalem on the day he was to rise in Jerusalem. Even after hearing he's alive! They're walking away from hope
3. Jesus gives them room to talk. We’re surrounded by people walking away from hope. Walk with them. Give them room to talk.
4. Jesus shows them from the Bible that the whole Bible points to him, his death and his resurrection.
5. He reveals to the disciples through the Word & breaking of bread.
6. There's no better way to introduce people to Christ than getting them into the story of God in his Word.
7. Chester: Their eyes are opened around the table because the Scriptures were opened to them on the road.
8. Jesus adds one more element in the upper room. The whole Bible is not just about  him; it's also about the continuing mission through us.
9. The apostles never repeat the Great Commission from Jesus but they continually recall the Great Commission from the OT.
10. Your mission isn’t custom-made for you; you are custom-made for God’s mission.

#9 – Here’s the comment we received back from the cards we send first-time guests:

3/31 - Easter – it was a very nice service.  Enjoyed meeting all of you.  Thank you.

See you all on the weekend!

God bless you, Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the Easter service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – What a great weekend of worship and the proclamation of the gospel story through our Good Friday and Easter services! It was all an incredible spiritual meal for my soul.

#3 – Here are your comments/questions from the Communication Cards:

• Thanks for the reminder, despair and worry need not and should not consume me – I have hope! 
• Wonderful message of hope, Henry!
• Loved Sarah’s faith story.
• Thanks for a beautiful service! 
• Really like the new program!
• Good service, thanks Pastor Henry. Happy Easter! 
• Who am I to think my sins are any worse, I am forgiven!
• Henry, I appreciate the personal antidotes especially the story of Russ and Lynn [from last week]– wow!
• I really needed to hear that my failures don’t determine my destiny. I like Dan’s Mr. Roger's sweater too!
• Great music – How Great Thou Art – wonderful worship. Moving and motivating – faith story. praise God for His goodness, forgiveness, salvation, power and love. 
• Powerful music! Beautiful.
• Sarah, you are a beautiful woman. A beautiful Godly woman. Pastor Henry, thank you for this message. 
• Great choices on worship sets! Thanks for energy and joy in song. Henry, eight words led to difficult destiny – I love it! Thanks God. 
• New program format is great, really like seeing the songs we are going to sing. The map of worship stations is good addition.
• Thanks for the terrific, beautiful opening. Thanks Jesus!
• Great message, Henry. Thank you so much for sharing God’s great news for us with us! Powerful testimony from Sarah Bower – thank you. 
• Happy Easter!
• He is Risen, Indeed! 
• Alleluia! 
• Thank you for the nice service! 
• Pastor, I understood intent of analogy of Pope and beggar, but am not sure if some may have misunderstood it thinking you may be ascribing credit to Pope’s authority, otherwise I can only thank God for all your preaching and teaching. God bless. [Just need to say that I didn’t tell that story in every service because of time issues, in case some of you are wondering.]
• Great service – loved the songs, message and faith story.
• Willing to give it ALL for Him.
• Great time of worship.  Thanks for sharing the faith story!
• Wonderful service.  Thank you.
• Great service! 
• Great service – music and message were perfect.
• Beautiful service Henry – BUT still appreciate the ‘Dark’ service 6 years ago that kept us here.  Worship team was fabulous – I had chills! 
• Really needed the message today.  Thank you Pastor Henry!  Sara’s message was so touching and a great reminder/example that there is ALWAYS hope!
• Thanks for the great service!
• Thank you Henry, and nice Dan L.  Loved story of beggar and Pope.  Sara B’s story, too – choked me up, reminded me to never lose hope.  Have missed church w/all of you! 

#4 – Here’s the Easter Faith Story video. 

#5 – About 17 adults and children indicated a first-time decision to receive Christ and almost as many adults indicated a desire to learn more about beginning a relationship with Christ!   

#6 – Lois and I launched another Story of God small group last night with an orientation and fellowship time. I always look forward to the insights the group members bring from their reading. We discuss our first week of readings next week.

#7 - Here’s the Easter sermon in 10 Tweets, “Risen” (Luke 24:1-12):

1. We deny death’s inevitability; God denies death its power.
2. They came thinking death had defeated but learned that he had defeated death.
3. You can cheat death once or twice, but eventually death catches on and beats you.
4. “…then all who belong to Christ will be raised…” (1 Corinthians 15:23)
5. Our hope trumps our troubles.
6. Neuhaus: The times may be bad, but they are the only times we are given. Remember, hope is still a virtue, & despair is still a sin.
7. Our hope trumps our troubles because it’s based on God’s Word.
8. Your failures don’t determine your destiny. This truth is captured in 8 simple words: But Peter rose and ran to the tomb... 
9. Apart from the resurrection, what do you think would have determined Peter’s destiny.
10. If you're life feels stuck, meaningless, the product of your mistakes, be/ of the resurrection, your failures don't determine ur destiny.

#8 – I feel very sad that we’re wrapping up Luke this weekend. In some ways, though, this next series, “The Mission of God,” is a commentary on Luke 24:47 and we're launching the series this weekend by focusing on last passage in Luke. I’ll explain how so this week. It’s an incredible but often overlooked verse that will send us on a search of God’s mission from the entire Bible and of our role in that mission.  

#9 – Here’s the comment we received back from the cards we send first-time guests:

3/24 We loved the sermon and will come back for Easter. We are new in town from IL.  My church from there (Willow Creek Community Church) emailed me a list of churches and yours was one of them.

See you all on the weekend!

God bless you, Pastor Henry

Financial Peace U Results

Here's a note I received from Will Stanfest. Will taught the course with CarrieAnn, his wife.

Hey Henry,

Figured I'd give you a recap of this year's Financial Peace class. Palm Sunday was our graduation party and final lesson. This year we used the new 9 week class format, and it was a hit. The new videos are very well done, with interesting in-class 'case studies' that help apply the principles learned in real world situations.

FPU for January of 2013 by the numbers:
61 people signed up for the class
8 families attended (at least a few lessons) from outside our church

Over the 9 weeks of the class, the 17 families in attendance at graduation were able to pay off just over $165,000 in non-mortgage debt, and were able to put over $167,000 into savings! That's a total improvement of over $332,000!

Absolutely incredible!

These families were all amazing, and deserve a ton of credit for the hard work put in to make the changes needed to secure their financial future.

I really love this class because it teaches the tools each of us need to manage the money God has entrusted us with. With these tools we can use it in a way that honors Him, and blesses those around us.

Thanks again for supporting FPU at Five Oaks, and have a blessed week!

-Will

Congratulations to all who attended and made this kind of dent in their finances! Thank you Will and CarrieAnn.

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Loved the worship leader this week!
• Great worship – thanks! Thanks for sharing the story about your sister-in-law and Russ! Thanks be to God!
• Love the new worship program. Love the worship time. Awesome and powerful message Henry. 
• Love the bulletin format. User friendly for guests. [Thank you for your concern about guests! In fact, the feedback we received from member is to continue to explain the movements every week and use this only as a supplement for the sake of our guests. I love that. And that’s our plan. Also, we think there is value in driving home the movements to our regulars and mapping it on paper for reflection every week.]
• Enjoyed the teaching today. Music was good too! 
• Henry – thanks for sharing story of Russ. Thank God for people and our God who never gives up! 
• Awesome worship program revamp. Worship leader sounded great today. [Now we only have to train ourselves to use the new name: Worship Guide. I know I’m going to slip a million times.]
• Really enjoyed the energy and singing of today’s new worshiper. 
• Enjoyed worship leader’s voice. Great talent. Reached deep into my heart.
• Love the new worship program! I think it will help visitors.
• Music – great! I love the authentic passion! 
• Awesome, moving message today Henry. Thank you for blessing us!
• I’d like to hear a sermon addressing people who doubt that the Bible is true – vs. a lot of stories by humans (who aren’t God) and with a salvation message. Give warning if you do so, I can invite my friends. [You can get one in the archives on the Media link at our website. Go to 5/1/11, “What if…the Bible is Trustworthy.” Another suggestion is that you bring one of those friends to The Story of God small group. If they’re searching, it will appeal to them. In SOG we deal with the trustworthiness of the Bible and the strongest evidence is that it tells this one story from start to finish and the way it tells it. Other than that, I’ll try to remember to give a heads up when a message like that is coming up.]
• Thank you, Henry, for the story of Russ and Lynn! Such a true example of Lynn’s undying belief in the power of prayer, and one man’s humble surrender to the gift of grace.
• FYI – Pastor Henry, I love you to pieces. I work with lots of funny sounding syndromes, and to mention a funny one is funny, but to keep going kind of takes it too far and set an example for bullying to occur with kiddos. Just a thought to consider for future. I missed you while you were gone! I hope you and Lois came back refreshed. Love the new bulletin! Kind of miss (2^nd year in a row for me) Palm Sunday not focusing on the triumphal entry and preparation for Easter. We at least briefly mentioned it this year more than last year. [GREAT feedback on what I said about that syndrome. I agree. Thank you. And who can’t listen to correction that begins with “I love you to pieces”?!!!]
• I never before realized how important Barabbas and the other two criminals that were crucified with Jesus are to the Story of God. All three of those people represent me and what I deserve. Thank you for today’s message!
• Loved worship. Thank you.
• Awesome message. Awesome worship!
• Great worship – awesome energy! Great message. 
• Excellent worship leader – great energy! Very passionate. 
• Good sermon; thanks for sharing story about brother-in-law.
• Great singing worship time.
• Moved by our worship today. 
• Love the explanation pamphlet! Maps it all out – great for newbie’s. 
• Soon to be member, yeah! 
• Worship leader was awesome! Loved his prayer, could hear his heart. Love the fact he is a “little rough around the edge and comfortable in who he is in God. Great voice.
• Please hire Ryan! He’s great – lots of energy and feeling!
• Wow! Amazing teaching today, both intellectually and from you heart! Thank you. 
• I like the program layout. Also, can the worship leader ask people to stand as they are able? 
• Love the worship guide. Fantastic! Room was made for God’s simple truth. I can’t, he can. I think I will let Him. He is God, I’m not. Humility.
• Book title correction:  “Stories of Lost Israel in Folklore” by Rev. James B. Haggart (explains Brothers Grim stories). “Sea to Shining Sea” – Peter Marshells and David Manuel (Revival in USA).
• The screen is more frustrating then it is worth when there is such fast changes, you can’t write. You need to have the person in the booth write what is up there before they change the frame vs. pictures. [Email me. I need to know if you’re using the outlines or trying to write down the quotes that are in the outlines before we make any changes.]
• I’m concerned that the wording for the prayer station may be misunderstood – “trained ministers”, otherwise great worship folder! [Duly noted and changed.]

#3 – Congratulations to Five Oaker Brad Frost, head coach of the Gopher women’s hockey national championship team! What an amazing season.

#4 – We wrapped up our Story of God group on Sunday evening. Great and amazing group! We did a Bible content quiz at the first and last sessions. Quiz 1: Two-thirds of the folks got 3 or less questions right on a ten-question quiz. Quiz 2 (different but equivalent in difficulty): Nearly 90% got four or more questions right! It was an amazing reversal.

#5 – New Story of God session starts next Wednesday. Email me if you’re interested (you can do it from my blog site).

#6 – I will post the Financial Peace University results tomorrow on the blog. Prepare to be amazed.

#7 – One of the highlights of the year for me is the Good Friday service. It's at 7pm.

#8 – Three new small group leader teams have been trained for the start of our next trimester about three weeks after Easter. More have shown interest in receiving training.

#9 – One of the couples in Story of God were there for the second time and testified that it helps them immensely to do it a second time. Here’s an idea: Come again some time but bring a seeker with you. It’s a great evangelistic tool you can use.

#10 – Student ministry annual auction will take place the first two weekends of April. Four Disney park hopper tickets will be available, courtesy of Disney. Come and bid high and often.

#11 – The staff will be doing a taste test of City Kids Java coffee next week. It’s one of the companies/ministries we’re looking at for the Acorn Café.

#12 – The theme for the Woodbury Prayer Breakfast this year (May 7) is "Truth in Motion" and will feature keynote speaker, Chris Wright, President of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Five Oakers Caleb and Stephanie Brunz are chairing the planning committee this year. This is a consistently great event and wonderful opportunity to invite your seeking friends. Register here.

#13 - Here’s last weekend’s sermon is 10 Tweets, “Our Biggest Problem; God’s Only Solution” (Luke 23:26-49):

1. Everything the Bible says about our big problems is irrelevant until we accept what it says about the problem behind all problems: our sin.
2. Sin is your biggest problem and the cross is God’s only solution.
3. On the cross Jesus takes what only we deserve so that we can receive what only Jesus deserves.
4. Jesus is the only person in history who suffered and can say, “I don’t deserve to suffer. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
5. Like the first criminal we get focused on right here and now and demand relief right here and now.
6. Jesus' primary mission thru his 1^st Coming is to make sure you can enjoy the blessings of the New Creation at his 2^nd Coming.
7. Their biggest problem isn’t passing from this life; it’s perishing in the life to come.
8. The 2nd criminal faces same exact problem as the 1st but focuses on his eternity & the overwhelming love of God shown on the cross.
9. The second criminal simply repents and trusts Jesus. Religious Christians don’t like this
10. You apply God's only solution to your greatest problem the same way it's always been done in Scripture: repent and trust God.

See you this weekend as we celebrate the Resurrection!

God bless you, Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Loved the songs after sermon. Heart on fire. 
• Thank you Dan Lukas for always choosing amazing songs and your awesome voice. Your words of praise and prayer are great.
• Really nice worship set. Dan you are doing such a great job with announcements and intro. Your story was so funny – great ice-breaker. Tim we are so blessed to have you here at our church. Thanks for letting God use you here. Tim your stories are hysterical. That was a great, great, great message and thanks for taking time in the closing prayer to let in sink in. beautiful closing song.
• POWERFUL message Tim, thank you! [I listened to it when I returned from vacation and I agree!]
  
• Great message Tim! Great worship leader, very nice tone! 
• God always speaks to me through the preaching here. Grace to you all, keep the faith!
• Thanks for the great message Tim – I honestly don’t think we can hear this message too often. 
• Music – slow. Tim – awesome! Thank you for breaking it down for us. I’m free because the judge said I am free.
• I really liked the worship director.
• Nice job by the young man leading worship!
• I’ve heard the story of Pilot and Jesus many times, yet never like that and I didn’t connect the dots. Thank you – I get it now. 
• Wow, Tim! This was an incredible sermon! The picture of Barabbas in shackles wailing down the hallway and coming out in the sunshine as shackles falling off was so vivid and personally touching to my heart. Thank you and thanks to God as he has worked through you.
• I met a woman named…during introductions who recently moved to Woodbury and is church shopping. She is searching and I feel led to suggest an in person contact for her, if she gives her contact info on these cards. 
• Happy St. Patty’s day! May the luck of the Irish and the love of the Lord be with you!
• Looking forward to summer and hope they’ll be dinner after the Saturday services again! [I guess you didn’t hear the announcement. No summer this year! No spring either. Winter will be followed by fall this year. We still need to discuss whether or not we will offer meals during the months formally known as summer.]

#3 – Our new Care Ministry is really taking shape. There are three branches to it. First is Befrienders, a ministry of people to come alongside others in times of transition or trouble. Our Befrienders have gone through 20 hours of training and are now doing an “internship” of sorts as part of their training. They will also participate continuing education and support meetings throughout the year. Second is the Help Fund. We’re working on the details of that right now, but this will be a team of people that do much more than hand out money to Five Oakers in need. Third is a up-to-date referral system for our folks, from counseling to recovery to financial assistance.

#4 – Speaking of Care Ministry, Jake Eyler has agreed to be our Care Ministry Director. Jake is a member of Five Oaks and a student at Bethel Seminary. His wife, Andrea, is a veterinarian. Some of you may remember Jake from his internship here at Five Oaks back in the summer 2006. Jake served on the staff of University Christian Church in Manhattan, KS, as College Minister and Facility Manager for three years before coming to Bethel.

#5 – The Kindle version of the Jesus Storybook Bible: Everywhere whispers his name by Sally Lloyd-Jones is on sale right now for $1.99. This is a great book for families. It tells the story of God so well, always pointing to Jesus. It’s enhanced to work really well with my Kindle iPad app.

#6 – We were in the Minneapolis Tribune recently. You can read the article here, "Eagle Brook Church is Just One of Woodbury's Megachurches." Here's the part about Five Oaks:

Five Oaks Church, also in south Woodbury, lies in the heart of a massive housing development that will start taking shape this spring. The board that runs the church is well aware of the challenge and opportunity, said the Rev. Henry Williams. “We’re trying to get ourselves ready.”

About 1,000 people worship weekly at Five Oaks, which has expanded its building in phases over the past decade. The church is right across the road from East Ridge High School. When Eagle Brook arrived, its officials discussed their plans with their church neighbors, Williams said. Like other pastors, he said Eagle Brook is a welcome addition to the worship community.

“With Eagle Brook coming, my feeling is it raises the water for everybody,” Williams said. “Eagle Brook is an amazing church that gets everybody talking, and our church very much has the same mind-set.”

#7 – This weekend, in our Commons, you can buy a voucher to a movie called Home Run that will be shown at Woodbury Theater. Part of the idea is to drum up enough sales to bring the movie to Woodbury. Here’s what one Christian leader has said about it: “What Courageous was for fatherhood, and Fireproof for marriages, Home Run is for battling addictions, bad habit, and hang-ups.  This story says that no hurt is beyond healing, no habit is beyond help, and no hang-up is beyond hope.” Go to the website here, or watch the movie trailer below.

#8 – Here’s a comment we received back from the cards we send first-time guests:

2/24 - Attended as a visitor with a family member who belongs – will return anytime as a visitor.  Contemporary, inviting, engaging service and friendly people at your church.  Coming from a more traditional background, I did miss not having The Lord’s Prayer as a part of the service.  I have and will continue to follow Five Oaks online, and shared my experience with my Pastor…

#9 – This weekend’s message is the last in our Killing Jesus series and focuses on the crucifixion. Hope to see you.

God bless you, Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Loved the opening worship set.  Thanks folks for being led by God.  Henry, thank you for reminding us that God is good for us by remembering he empathized for our suffering by experiencing it himself on the cross.  Very intimate worship time.  Thanks.
• I really miss Justin and his upbeat music.  He really did a great job celebrating God.
• Can Dan be our Worship Leader?  Again it was great worship time.  Loved the message.
• Wanted to say thank you to Pastor Henry for being so available and willing to talk in between services. 
• Wow- great message.  So anointed.  Thank you Henry for preaching that truth.
• We are so happy to say we are having another baby!  Everything is going great.  So excited! [Congratulations!!!]
• Loved the worship today! 

#3 – Here’s the sermon in 10 tweets, Luke 22:63-23:12, “God on Trial”:

1. The great God is good and his good is great for you.
2. The only evidence produced in his trial was evidence of human brutality and hard hearts.
3. Pilate: "YOU are the king of the Jews." Jesus looks weak, beaten and pathetic.
4. This isn't a good man being victimized by powerful men. This is God being brutalized by human evil & he is allowing it for a greater purpose
5. As they hit him and rip him apart, they're fulfilling prophecy.
6. If Jesus is not God the Son (divinity), this would be a good moment to declare it.
7. We question God’s goodness, but the only reason we know what good and justice are is because of God.
8. He wants us to judge him. He's not interested in overpowering us…want us to find him good…to love him deeply.
9. His goodness is seen in his desire to empathize with our suffering by experiencing it firsthand.
10. McKinley: When a Christian thinks about Jesus…enduring taunts...we see proof that Jesus is the heroic King we've always wanted.

God bless you, Pastor Henry

Celebrate Impact!

Well you and many others joined in and the results were incredible. And here's Jerry Meras' report:

Sunday night, at just past 9:00 pm, Five Oaks Church achieved its goal of packing 500,000 meals for hungry kids world-wide through our Feed My Starving Children MobilePack Event.
 
This moment was significant because it was the culmination of nearly a year of planning, fundraising, gathering volunteers and hard work that even included a small group of us cycling 2,200 miles through the desert in August!
 
Through the generous giving of our congregation and community, we were able to keep packing until we used up every bit of the ingredients we had on location. In the end, we packed 520,992 meals. That is an impressive number, but what is more important to know is that we all came together to feed 1,427 starving children, every day, for a full year!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this event.  We could not have done it without you!

Thursday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Great time today as our staff served at the Feed My Starving Children event. So much fun to see 17 people come from the Hartford to serve at the 11:30 time slot. Their company gives them time off this sort of thing.

#3 – Over the last two weekends, 13 Five Oakers went through 20 hours of training for our Care Ministry Befriender ministry! It was a marathon, and it will yield great results. You’ll be hearing more about this ministry in the coming weeks. But thank you to all of you who went through the training and for the leadership of Jake Eyler, Dan and Betty Juntune and Kent O’Grady in launching this ministry.

#4 – Last weekend we had a film crew shooting for a new 60-second video we’ll post prominently on our website. The idea is to give a little snapshot of our church. Not informational. More an impression. By the way, here’s a screen shot sneak peak into our new website that is still in development.

#5 – The worship leader search continues, but it's incredible how many people who have told me we haven’t skipped a beat. We are so blessed by the hard work and excellence of our volunteers in Worship Arts and Dan Lukas’ leadership. Thank you to all of you.

#6 – Kingdom Rock VBS online registration will be opening soon and a decorating team is dreaming up a Throne Room plan for the worship center.

#7 – The Student Ministry team that will be going to Jersey City this summer is learning the Kingdom Rock program to lead at Woodbury and then on the following week in Jersey City for their short-term mission!

#8 – The city had a public meeting for our new street sign and everything went well. We’re getting closer to getting permission to build it on the same location as our current sign.

#9 – I mentioned it last weekend, but in case you missed it, I think Bill O’Reilly has been watching our podcasts: "Bill O'Reilly's next blockbuster: 'Killing Jesus'." Actually, after hearing him talk a bit about it, I'm not so sure.

#10 – Here are the comments from the cards we send to first-time attendees:

• 1/28 – It was different than what we were used to but so nice, and welcoming.  The kids loved the band.
• 2/10 – People were welcoming as soon as we walked in the door!  We are looking for a new place to worship on Saturdays – we’ll be back!

#11 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• It’s amazing to see God working in this church and my life over the last year. Beautiful growth.
• Awesome praise leader last week. 
• First song set the tone for the wonderful service.  [That Prelude song was incredible!]
• What a blessing to hear Revelation song. Please pray it more often. 
• Great opening worship set!
• Beautiful singing ladies! Worship and service, again awesome! Thank you all. 
• Pre-service song – very nice, beautiful lyrics. Loved the cup and kiss part Henry.
• Dan rocks! 
• Pastor Henry, thank you for the suggested book! “A Praying Life”. It was written as if it were personally for me. It’s helped greatly. God bless you. [SO glad it impacted you. My absolute favorite book on prayer.]
• Beautiful opening song (though a bit too loud) in the middle. Henry – I love how you look deeper into the specific words and historical context in Bible passages. 
• I liked the lower more reflective music this week. But ready for some stand-up, clap-your hand, feel the Holy Spirit down deep in here – music – just saying.
• Awesome worship set this morning Dan and worship band. Excellent message Henry. I am blessed! 
• Beautiful, beautiful opening duet. Alex you wailed on the second song on the drums – awesome. That worship set was absolutely an awesome selection and performed set – thanks. I felt ushered into the presence of God. Great worship! 

#12 – Here’s the sermon in 10 tweets, Luke 22:39-53, “When you are Desperate & God is Silent”:

1. God’s silence is serious stuff. But silence is exactly what Jesus experiences while he prayed desperately in the Garden of Gethsemane.
2. Hearing from God in a crisis takes more time if you weren't listening to God before the crisis.
3. “Devote yourself to prayer” (Col. 4:2). You don’t have to devote yourself to what comes easy.
4. Focus on the relationship, not the ritual.
5. Take every opportunity to pray that you already have. Don’t waste your opportunities during worship, meals, small group prayer times...
6. If you’ve been building your life on sand and the storm is washing it away, find a rock and start rebuilding.
7. God speaks even when he is silent. Seven Orfield: "The quieter the room, the more things you hear."
8. Jesus endured God’s silence so you can experience God’s presence.
9. Jesus drinks the cup because of our kiss. Cup = God’s wrath. Kiss = Independence, separation.
10. This is the gospel. And it’s to the gospel that we need to return when God is silent.

#13 – Remember, no worship services this weekend. We’ll be worshiping through service all weekend.

God bless you, Pastor Henry

Off the Cutting Room Floor

Here's part of the sermon that ended up on the cutting room floor for the sake of time and to allow me to go deeper in some other areas. But it resulted in not covering these verses, so here are my notes.

³⁵ And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” ³⁶ He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. Luke 22:35-36)

Jesus is recalling the last time he sent them out on a mission. On there last mission they were, by and large, welcomed with open arms. They were not persecuted. Now the conditions have changed. It’s in keeping with the way Jesus often spoke that he’s speaking figuratively here. Like walking into a meeting a work and your team leader says, "They're going to fight this, so keep your guns locked and loaded." That's consistent with other uses of sword in the New Testament. But it's in keeping with the way the disciples heard him that they missed it. One commentator notes that when Jesus spoke literally, they took him metaphorically. When he spoke metaphorically, they took him literally. And that’s what you see in the following verses.

³⁷ For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” ³⁸ And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” (Luke 22:37-38)

It’s possible Jesus is saying bring a literal sword for your self-defense. The fact that they already had two with them suggests they may have routinely carried swords—and these are really more like daggers. But even if Jesus meant a literal sword, it’s obvious from everything else he taught and from his response when one of them uses it at his arrest that his bidding is not to be done with a sword. There have been movements in history where people thought they were doing God’s bidding by evangelizing with a sword. It can’t mean this in the context of Jesus' teaching. And when you look at Luke's second volume, the book of Acts, there is no mention of disciples using swords are force in their mission. 

Not only that, the fact that Jesus says, “It is enough (singular),” suggests they have missed the point once again. If he meant literal swords, he would have more likely said, "They are enough. It's more likely he’s had enough. Enough talk. The lesson on violence will come later.

Wednesday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – A half million meals for Feed My Starving Children means we need you to sign up if you haven't already! And it means we need to fill up our slots on Thursday and Friday. Those are tough times to fill, and there are still many openings, so can you bring a group from work to one of those days?

#3 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• The new “guest” music leader today was great! Bring him back for more sometime! [I’m sure we will.]
• Henry, thanks. some of the best messages from Luke have been when you (and Tim) have tackled the “familiar” stories. You’ve passed along truths from a new perspective or drive home again the old story unapologetically.
• Worshipful worship, genuine. Nice to have some ‘older, familiar’ songs. 
• In the midst of my alcoholism I sat down to do a Bible study as I lost my battle again and was drinking a glass of wine, the first verse I read was Luke 22:31-32. I wept to know it wasn’t’ “if” I turned back, but “when”. Really spoke to me again today as I haven’t been here in a while.
• Worship was great! 
• Henry, thank you for your encouraging words. Jeremy, you did a wonderful job, thank you.
• Really like the worship leader. [I really enjoyed Jeremy too.]
• New worship/music director??  [Nope. A friend of Dan Lukas and has led here one other time.]
• Loved the music today, especially “Let God Arise”. Thanks! 
• Loved the worship leader this morning! 
• Great sermon Henry.
• I really like the worship leader today.
• Amazing worship today! Thanks!
• Jeremy was fantastic! Lots of energy, great voice! Would be a great replacement for Justin. 
• The worship leader was tremendous. Thanks for leading.
• Loved the message! I needed this today. Had been feeling guilty about my own weakness and vulnerability! (I thought it was funny Peter argued w/Jesus – then realized I am absolutely the same.) 
• Henry, your message was sent by God to me tonight. Every word that you spoke pierced my heart and was exactly what I needed to mend my relationship with [a relative of mine].
• This Jeremy guy who filled in for worship, he’s awesome! Keep him if it’s possible.
• Great overall sound in the music. 
• Thank you for the great worship set! Nice job. Great message again Henry. Great worship!!
• I so appreciate Jeni and how composed she is in all situations! She is such a joy to me and I love seeing her each week. Consider you spoke directly to me -  and I heard you.  Well, a very relevant message today!! I leave with hope again. 
• Awesome lead vocals!
• Beautiful worship today! 
• Music was great tonight!
• Really enjoyed the worship leader today! Great energy – good volume.
• Worship leader – nice voice, seems at home; plays well. We like him! Would Peter have had to tell or the Holy Spirit could have inspired the writer, possibly?? [Yes, it’s possible, but given the fact that the gospel writers all depended on sources (as Luke tells us explicitly in Luke 1), more likely Peter reported it, not that the Spirit “ratted” on him. Haha.]
• Every once in awhile you show financials on the worship program – would love to see this – once a month maybe – to see if we are + or – each week. Thanks. Great message and rocking worship. Thanks. [I’m sure Brian read this and will consider it.]

#4 – The worship leader search team is working away and doing some preliminary interviews. Keep praying for God to make the match! 

#5 - Several projects are making great progress:

• Redesign of the look of our children's areas and children's Sunday school in the CLC. We received the first draft from the designer this week.
• Total redesign of our web site. Working on content.
• The development of a new weekly Worship Guide.
• New Street sign: After a delay of more than two years because of possible expansion of Radio Drive in front of our building, we are moving much closer to getting approval to put it in this spring of fall.

#6 – Here’s a comment from the first-time guest cards:

• 2/3 - Not sure about ‘casual’ attitude with coffee in sanctuary.  Liked stations, but enjoy communion given to me by pastor.  Really enjoyed music/band.

#7 –You might notice a videographer here this weekend. He's shooting footage for a new feature for our website that will give a quick view of Five Oaks in one minute.

#8 - Here’s the sermon in 10 tweets, Luke 22:31-34, 54-62, “Your Failures & Your Future”:

1. How you face your failures will determine how your failures will shape your future.
2. Peter disagrees with Jesus. He seems to have made a habit of disagreeing with Jesus.
3. There’s a direct correlation between the possibility of failure and the awareness of our propensity to fail.
4. What if Peter had admitted his own weakness and vulnerability instead of confidently vowing to stick by Jesus no matter what?
5. Paul Tripp prayer: I am a man in desperate need of help. Send help today. Help me accept it.
6. True repentance begins when you say, “Yes, I was mistreated or duped or disadvantaged, but I own my own reaction.”
7.  “Worldly grief” is self-defeating, devalues God’s sacrifice and is self-centered.
8. Jn 21, Jesus never refers to his denial, lies or breaking his vow. He lifts the lid of the sin. He asks, “Do you love me more than these?”
9. Story: “I can’t forgive because my career is more important to me than Jesus.”
10. Peter didn’t lick his tendency to cave under pressure (see Gal 2; but also 2 Pet 3:15-17). Repentance is a way of life for those in Christ.

#9 – Powerful passage this coming weekend: Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Hope to see you this weekend.

God bless you, Pastor Henry

Wednesday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Loved the service of repentance this morning. Simple and simply beautiful time with God. Thanks to Nathan Stocker and Dan Lukas for leading us. Now looking forward to Encounter. Great day focused on launching the season of Lent in a new way for us at Five Oaks.

#3 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Beautiful solo on the “You Are Faithful” song. Wonderful job on the first solo, also.
• Thanks for the worship set. Welcome back Ashley! Henry, terrific, paced, set-up to the message today and prayer to ready us for God’s word. Darn you Henry, beautiful message and closing story. I’m a grown man and it made me cry. We have hope!!! Fantastic closing worship set!
• Amazing music this week!
• God is faithful, even when I am not. Praise God!
• The opening song was fantastic. What is the title? 
• Thank you for telling that story, it made me cry! We know boys without much hope, we try to serve them in our home. God bless! 
• Really enjoyed “Never Walk Alone” solo. What a blessing to me this morning and to everyone else in attendance. Thank you.
• This service restores my hope! I so needed this today! 
• Loved Ashley’s passion while worship time, very inspirational, worship was awesome! So glad I’m a true Minnesotan and braved the weather, it was a great sermon and beautiful story.
• Beautiful job Ashley; could feel your awe of God! Welcome back. [Unfortunately for us (and especially for her family) she’s back to Australia at the end of the week.]
• Thank you for the Spirit led setting for a wonderful start to worship, (Opening songs, the reading and quiet time.) followed by a message encouraged me to go to God for – forgiveness, love, hope and a challenge to live for Him. 
• Thank you for letting Ash be part of the worship team this weekend. It will be helpful sending her back – being able to see she is learning! So thanks.
• Sound with feedback/reverb or whatever to loud is during sermon today – usually always for music. 
• Thank you for this message about hope today. I was losing hope in the hardship I have been dealt. 

#4 – Here’s the sermon in 10 tweets, Luke 22:1-6, 24-30, “Up Close and Impersonal”:

1. We sin at the most inappropriate times.
2. You can be really up close to God without really loving God.
3. Judas betrayed the location where the leaders could find Jesus when he was away from the crowd.
4. "Judas the Scariest." Chosen as a disciple, mentored for 3 years by Jesus, performed miracles, saw Christ's miracles, and still...
5. What motivated Judas? Greed. And Satan capitalized on it. That’s all the Bible gives us, but it's sufficient explanation for most sins.
6. Failure isn’t final, except when it is.
7. Someone has said “the hand of him who betrayed Jesus has 12 names.” But actually it has many more…
8. Even your epic failure isn’t final until you die apart from God or your heart is permanently hardened to God.
9. Faithfulness is marked by humility, hardship and hope.
10. Stanley: “What do you do when it dawns on you that you’re the most powerful person in the room?”

#5 – Here’s a link to the ESPN magazine story.

This weekend we look at Peter's denial. I love the direction this message is going as I prepare it.

God bless you, Pastor Henry

Prayers for Impact

I love praying through the requests you share on your Communication Cards each week. As I was praying today I noticed how many prayers were for Impact--evangelism, compassion and missions. Here are a few:

• Three family members are going on a short-term missions trip with a college group of athletes.
• The need for someone to lead GriefShare with kids.
• The desire to be a strong witness for Christ.
• The desire to be faithful in leading people to Christ is a prison ministry.

If you were at the Leadership Summit last summer you heard a very moving faith story by Carly Fiorina. It's seven minutes long. If you have more time, the story is followed by an interview with Bill Hybels regarding how to effectively coach influential leaders in their faith journey. The interview part is not from the Summit. It's from the monthly leadership podcast called Defining Moments put out by the Willow Creek Association.

 

Thursday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here. 

#2 - Remember, Coffee House is on Friday, 7-9pm. Great fellowship, fun, food, beverages and live acoustic music. Here's this year's crazy Coffee House video.

 

#3 - Here's the Coffee House song from two years ago.

#4 - Here are the comments from the Communication Cards:

• Thank you for today’s message. The worship team was exceptional today!
• Pastor Henry, thanks for your passionate teaching on the Lord’s Supper – answered a ton of questions I had about “rules” of it at different churches. 
• Most freeing communion message ever.
• Pastor Henry, thank you for delivering such a sound message. PREACH IT! 
• Praise God for His church; this church. Keep trusting God, He, through you, is doing great things! 
• Awesome service! And worship. 
• ...This was a pivotal message for me. I have a desperate need for forgiveness; therefore I am worthy.
• That was very good! … it was such freedom when I understood communion the correct way. Thank you for explaining it by God’s word!
• Thankful today for my husbands birthday yesterday and having the opportunity to share another birthday with him!
• Kara, you rock – what a great clear voice for Hosanna. Great music this week.
• The worship set was so nice. Loved the vocals on Hosanna, great lead and harmony. Musical arrangements for all the songs were terrific. Tim, you are so relaxed, fun and thorough in doing announcements. You represent our church so well. Henry, you continued that. We are so blessed to have you guys! What a beautiful touching message. I learned so much from you. The Holy Spirit helps you/directs you in those messages. Thanks for submitting to the Spirit. Great close.
• WOW! A totally new way to look at celebrating communion – and the progression from Passover to Last Supper – an aha moment for me.
• I really missed upbeat music today and needed some. 
• Add paper recycling in the commons. 
• Thanks for AWESOME message and worship. Much needed for me.

#4 – Here’s the sermon in 10 tweets, Luke 22:7-23, “Savoring the Lord’s Supper”:

1. Communion is known by many names: the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, the Mass. This was Jesus' 1st and last Communion.
2. The Lord’s Supper is more than an important ritual; it’s an opportunity for reflection.
3. The original Lord’s Supper took place during the Passover meal. It was a Passover meal.
4. The L.S. is the completion of the Passover. Christ's death on the cross is the completion of the entire sacrificial system.
5. It was God's plan all along. He designed Passover and sacrifices to point to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
6. Jesus’ ministry on earth was about our exodus from our captivity under sin’s power to freedom in Christ.
7. “Now I come here instead, and I finish the evening with the body of Christ on my tongue, and I wash it down with the blood of Christ.”
8. The Lord’s Supper represents redemption embodied in a meal for a meal with God.
9. Tim Chester: “It’s the real thing begun in a partial way.”
10. Campolo’s father: “Take it, girl! It was meant for you. Do you understand me?”

#5 - Here are some of the Impact activities our small groups, our staff team and some families did this last quarter:

• Prepared and serving breakfast at Dorothy Day.
• Holiday bake sale raised $3K for World Vision.
• Volunteered with the Salvation Army in Somerset, WI, to bag and distribute Christmas gifts.
• Gathered donations for Operation Christmas Child, rang bells for Salvation Army, supported one of their members for the Haiti team.
• Sponsored 11 kids for Christmas through the Friends in Need food shelf serving Cottage Grove, Newport and St. Paul Park.
• Adopted a couple of families through Friends In Need food shelf in St Paul Park.
• Assisted at the Families Helping Each Other Christmas Party and distribution of toys for Toys for Tots.
• Went to the Woodbury Retirement Center and did activities with the elderly.

I'm blessed by you, your love and your service. Pastor Henry

Weekend Message Q&A

Here are the questions I received from this weekend's message.

Q – I really appreciated your sermon on this topic this week! As a former Catholic, I often have felt we EFree folks forget how significant communion should be in our faith journey, even if we are just "remembering" and it isn't for salvation purposes (only Jesus saves, not something we do). How would you suggest we take this a step further to our time OUTSIDE of these church walls? Often times, I still think of communion as something I do at church. Clearly, in Jesus' day, it wasn't a church function only.....it was with your family, at your home, and together as well as corporate worship times. It is also more than symbolic ideals, as you shared, so it should be something more long-lasting in my thoughts and my faith journey. It shouldn't become a ritual I do every week, or once per month only at Church. How could we go further with this do you think?

A – I think you may have answered the question. The early church celebrated the Lord’s Supper as part of community meals. I know of some churches that celebrate it in their small groups. A church I visited a few weeks ago only celebrated it at a monthly meal of their church community until recently. I think we (that includes me) need to deepen our experience of this meal. And I think it has as much to do with our experience of anticipating Christ’s return and eagerly anticipating his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. But it also has to do with the depth of our community life as a church. I know I have a long way to do on this.

Q – Awesome message! When talking about one’s often twisted history of communion in the church, were you calling out [any particular kind of] church? I grew up for many years with the strict rules, regulations, and “being worthy enough” to receive communion. Please clarify. I certainly have lived through it. 

A – I wasn’t calling out any particular church denomination. In fact, I had churches like the ones in our own particular tradition in mind. Damaging religiosity is everywhere, in every church tradition.

Q – I just wanted to make a slight note to you about a part of your message today that I found very confusing. It was towards the later part of the message when you were talking about the verse in 1 Cor about not taking communion in an "unworthy manner".

I felt like you were very passionate about it but I had a hard time following what you were trying to say. [My husband] made the comment that might be assuming people understood the traditional or "high church" interpretation of that passage. I felt like you laid out very well why you disagreed with that interpretation, but I didn't understand what you were necessarily disagreeing with….

Maybe I wasn't following along as well as I could have been, but it would have been very helpful if you could have given a quick "This is what churches have mistakenly taught about this passage" and "This is what I believe scripture actually saying" then laid out the reasons why.

A – I’m guessing you were not alone. I could have been much clearer. I should have focused in more on that point. I tried to take on way too much with too little time.

My basic point is that churches too often put unnecessary barriers to people at Communion. And I’m not even talking about requiring membership in their church. I'm talking about the idea I’ve heard throughout my life that if you have any “sin in your life” or if you have relational conflict with anyone you should pass on Communion. I can’t find that teaching in the Bible, and my concern is that when people hear things like this they begin to put up even more personal barriers to taking Communion. And then, when they take it, I’m afraid they’ve become arrogant enough to believe they no longer have “sin in their life” or they are relationally whole. Everyone who takes Communion is unworthy apart from Christ, and we can’t add anything to what Christ has done.

What complicates it is that people misinterpret the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 11 by ignoring the context of those words (i.e., the problem he clearly describes and he is addressing). The problem was that the rich people were going ahead and eating before the poorer folks arrived. The poorer folks would go hungry. And some of the rich folks would even drink too much. So all of Paul’s words have to do with this particular relational injustice and sin, not whether or not the Corinthians had unconfessed sin or relational conflicts in their lives.

Q – Why didn’t Pharaoh die during the 10^th plague? Wouldn’t he have been the firstborn?

A – I can only assume he was not the firstborn. Maybe he had an older brother who had died.

Thursday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – We’re doing something new this weekend in our Children’s Ministry for 1st - 6th graders and their parents (if they want to participate). Pete Mades, Director from Camp Lebanon, will be presenting at all weekend services.  He'll lead worship, teach a lesson, and share about why camp is so foundational in a child's faith experience.  We'll also have a brochure to pass out, highlighting seven attention-worthy camps in MN and WI. Jeni Carlson (our Director of Family Ministries) has written a great post on the value of going to a Christian camp here.

#2 – Financial Peace University is going strong with 52 individuals involved. Thirty-one folks are working on week 2 of their Story of God reading. Forty guys are registered so far for the big men’s event this weekend. Village Schools of the Bible is running strong with 12 people. And over 70% of our average attendance is in small group. One told me it’s fascinating. This is all foundational stuff.

#3 – Get ready for another great Coffee House videos this weekend. Coffee House will be on Friday night, February 8 (7-8pm) at Five Oaks featuring live acoustic music, specialty coffees (we’ll have two baristas making delicious creations), a movie and bounce house for the kids and more (all for $6 per person; 12 and under is free). Hang out, play board games, enjoy the music. Here’s the original Coffee House video.

#4 – A team of Five Oakers is in Haiti working at and around the orphanage we built and financed in partnership with GVCM. They’re leading VBS, but they’re also helping at the orphanage so that some of the women who are there 24/7 can get a break.

#5 – One of the most powerful services we do every year is our Good Friday service. This year we’re adding another wrinkle to the season leading to Resurrection Sunday. On Wednesday, February 13, we’ll have an early morning service from 6:30-7:15am and an evening Encounter worship service from 7-8:15pm. All this launches the 40 days of repentance and renewal traditionally known as Lent. I think it’s going to be a great day and may be the start of a new tradition for our church family.

#6 – We received this comment from the cards we sent first-time guests:

1/14 Wish there were more options for elementary aged children to make connections rather than just 1x a week.

We are blessed. Let’s be a blessing, Pastor Henry

Wednesday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Here’s the baptism video. We’re doing our baptism differently this week. Should be a great celebration. Not too late to sign up. Just call the church office.

#3 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards last weekend:

• I want to thank my Five Oaks family for your care, concern, prayers and generosity during the last month as we are working through the losses as a result of our house fire. God bless you all.
• Instruments were too loud for me – hard to have a worshipful heart.
• Thank you Dan and Worship Team for sharing your gifts with us! Henry, great guidance for living our lives. Thank you.
• When I picked it up, my pew Bible fell open to Luke 18-20 (p. 751). Guess that means people have been using it during all the Luke messages. [A pastor friend of mine who was visiting recently was impressed that people all around him were digging into their Bible’s during the sermon.]
• Just feeling very blessed today. Thank you for your worship. Glad to be part of it and God’s kingdom.
• The “Killing Jesus” slogan is so sad  to our hearts (each time we hold or see this program). We understand the meaning and intention behind it – but how many more weeks of it? [I really do appreciate how badly this makes you feel. Eight more weeks. Sorry. I wish we all had this kind of sensitivity when we think about this.]
• Thank you for the inspiring music! Best interpretation of Christ coming I have ever heard. Very encouraging to keep us focused on what is truly important (our relationship with Christ).
• Thank you for the “silence” at the beginning of response – beautiful. [Yes!!! I loved it.]
• Rock of Ages – wonderful – great steel guitar – wow. 
• Dan, super job leading the worship team! Such a nice job, we appreciate you. Wonderful, wonderful message. Steve Johnson thanks for adding the humorous story! I do want to get lost in the wonder of God; I’ve been there many times. Dan thanks for building in the musical, no words, prayer/reflection time. “Deep and Wide” great song! [Yes, Dan and the team did a wonderful job of leading us in worship. Great, great service. And Steve is a story factory. I’ve got others to tell but I might not always mention his name. When you hear, “A friend of mine told me about a time…,” good chance it’s one of his stories.]
• Wonderful worship! Thanks Dan and group. Extremely powerful, wonderful message Henry. Thank you for standing by who you are. We love you. [I love you guys too!]
• Henry, great passion in the sermon today, keep it up!
• I like how our small group is following Group Life – we do the study M-F and hear the Saturday message and then meet Sunday – it helps me. [Completely unsolicited testimony…I think. I should probably make sure Kent didn’t put him up to it. Actually, our Adult Ministries Director, Kent O’Grady, notes that the best way a small group leader can put discipleship front and center in their ministry is to constantly encourage their small group members to reflect on the Bible daily. And the best way to encourage that is to use our daily Group Life for their small group. I agree.]
• Can the scripture verses for the sermon be published in the worship program e-mail? It would help to read through the entire passage prior to the message in order to gain context to the message. [Deb Carr is on it.]
• It would help people participate in the prayer web station if we have some cards on the web. It’s empty so it’s hard to be the First or Only person putting up a prayer request. It’s also hard to be anonymous.  [I’ll talk to Dan Lukas about it.]
• Naomi and myself just want to give the church thanks for all you’ve done for us. The luncheon was great. Love you.  Tom & Naomi Brown [Tom and Naomi have been caring for our facility for years now but they are retiring. They have not only done a wonderful job, they are a blessing to be around. Our staff had a going away luncheon for them and prayer. We’ll miss having them here every day. We have hired one of our members, Dave Casmer, to be our Facilities Director. Dave has served as our assistant treasurer for years, one of the more demanding volunteer roles in our church. The facility is in good hands.]

#4 – Here’s the sermon in 10 tweets, Luke 21:5-38, “An Unconventional Guide to the Apocalypse”:

1. The return of Christ & the New Creation are about as important & foundational as anything else in the Bible.
2. Goal: To cut through the complexity and confusion so you can experience the comfort and the challenge of anticipating the Second Coming.
3. When it comes to all the speculation on the Second Coming, I prefer to focus on what Christians have believed in all places through the ages
4. I’m profoundly self-centered, so I’m suspicious of any teaching that puts my country, my time, my self at the center of the God’s plans.
5. Jesus implies it’s okay to be cynical about end time predictions. After all, he didn’t even know the timing.
6. There is no suffering at the end of time that could top what Christians have already suffered.
7. Urgency created by Christ’s return any moment is the same as the possibility of dying any moment. Either way, we'll be accountable to God.
8. Jesus experienced the end time terrors on cross: bore witness, sky darkened, earth shook, God turned his face away in judgment for our sins.
9. “Don’t be obsessed with getting healed, Ed. You’ll lose your focus. Get lost in the wonder of God, and who knows what he will do for you.”
10. If the bottom has fallen out, you already greatly anticipate his return & you'll be like Steve's aunt saying, "Where have you been!"

#5 – This coming weekend we take a deep dive into Luke’s account of the Last Supper.

Blessings to you, Pastor Henry

Thursday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Guys, remember the Courageous event? Were you inspired and equipped? There’s another great event coming to Five Oaks on Saturday, the day before the Super Bowl (that’s February 2). Take a look at this video and then get the details here.

#2 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#3 - One of my favorite parts of our services is the final movement--Sending. You can make it a prayer for the week by going to the service recap page and scrolling down to the benediction.

#4 – How about a "recap" of last year’s finances. We finished in the black by about $100,000! You responded to God’s grace by giving generously, which resulted in a year of great ministry at Five Oaks and over $150,000 going to global and local missions work. You were blessed and you became a blessing. Thank you for your faithfulness in giving.

#5 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards last weekend:

• Great message, Tim! Loved worship, Dan! Especially “Come Thou Fount”!, beautiful! 
• Beautiful worship. 
• Enjoyed listening to the gentleman sing “Come Thou Fount”. Thank you. 
• Thanks for the hymns! Powerful! 
• Tim, thank you for your message today. It was very impactful, thank you for speaking the truth authoritatively and with conviction. I’ll be hoping for pinkeye for you! LOL. Dan, thanks for leading worship, great! [If you missed the message and what Tim said about pinkeye, check it out here.]
• Tim, thanks for telling us what we need to hear, not just what we want to hear. Keep bringing the truth my brother.
• Wonderful sermon Tim – so much to think about. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. Loved the music! 
• Wow, Tim, your preaching just keeps getting better and better since I first heard you years ago. You seldom refer to notes, spoke with passion and authority, and the message was very well organized and easy to follow. Great job! [It's so great to take a weekend off and see comments like this. I love Tim's preaching and I agree, he just keeps getting better and better as a communicator. We are so blessed to have Tim at Five Oaks. Lois and I enjoyed worshiping with the congregation at Redeemer Bible Church in Minnetonka.]
• Wonderful – soloists – wow! Great job! 
• Great new opening song! Great preparatory “Before the Throne of God”. 
• Terrific worship sets, loved the songs! Nice job Dan and gang! Tim nice job explaining stations. Tim loved the message, especially the intro. I too love to pick (scabs, skin, etc.). Don’t know that I ever wished for pink eye crust! Tim that was an inspiring message – thank you. Thanks worship team for another great week. Fantastic crescendo to closing prayer on “Lord of All”. 
• We miss Justin but Lukas knocks it out of the park! The worship band tonight is outstanding! Could be louder. 
• Great worship. Thank you! 
• Thanks for the hymn – reminds us we are free from sin, but not yet freed from sinning. That will be a great day! 
• Thanks for playing “Come Thou Fount” – love it. 
• Welcome to worship team, Mark Visness. Nice job!

#6 – This week’s passage in Luke is on the second coming. Every wonder why people who predict the date of the coming of Christ always predict it within their own lifetime? We’ll consider that and a whole lot more.

Blessings to you, Pastor Henry

Thursday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.

#1 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Big weekend coming up with the launch of new Story of God and Financial Peace University sessions. We have over 65 people participating in both combined!

#3 – Here are the stats from our quarterly survey. The percentage number in parentheses refers to the same quarter last year.

• Volunteer at Five Oaks: 69% (67%)
• Volunteer outside of Five Oaks: 41% (31%*)
• Invited someone to Five Oaks in the last 3 months: 58% (55%)
• Daily Bible reading (5x/wk): 61% (61%)
• Participation in an Impact activity in last 3 months: 74% (63%)

*Number from last quarter due. December is usually very low, but this year we took it in January, so it seems to have skewed things higher. But 41% is the highest we’ve ever scored on volunteering outside of Five Oaks! I am very much encouraged because we’ve been trying to communicate that when you serve outside of Five Oaks, it counts for God, his church and his Kingdom! I know that should be a basic idea, but sometimes we seem to miss it.  

#4 – We will be taking the REVEAL survey again soon. Our Staff Leadership Team will  be attending a training event in May called the Transformation Intensive put on by the Willow Creek Association and building on the REVEAL work. So the fresh data will be essential as we plan our ministry priorities. This is a chance for everyone to give us feedback and for us to take the spiritual temperature of our congregation. REVEAL is your chance to give tell us what is working and what is not for helping you grow spiritually.

#5 – We received one comment back from the cards we send first-time attenders:

1/6: I really enjoyed your church.  I’ve been attending [a church in St. Paul] for the past several years and wanted to find something closer to home and where I knew people.  After my best friend’s passing, I’ve felt lost.  It’s time to find a group and get plugged in and hopefully someday call Five Oaks my home church. 

#6 – I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we have not had one negative comment from a guest about being welcomed at Five Oaks since we became more intentional about our greeting time in the service. Our streak will surely end at some time as someone is bound to fall through the inevitable cracks, but you are doing a great job of welcoming newcomers!

#7 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards last weekend:

• I left a prayer request on the Web-prayer [station] last week, and I wanted to say “thank you” to whoever picked it up and prayed for us. Prayers have been answered and I know it is in part due to the prayers of whomever got my card. Praise God! Also, I am sorry to see Justin leave. He was, is, a great leader.
• We’ll miss you Justin! Thanks for all you’ve done! Praying for you and Erinn on your new journey! [Yes, we will miss Justin and Erinn!]
• Nothing can separate us from God’s love vs. urgency to start the relationship? Opportunity cost. This age is our opportunity. 
• Justin, you really made a difference here and in my life! Many blessings.
• We are so thankful for and blessed by our small group. We encourage all to join and connect with others at Five Oaks. 
• Overcome by sadness that Justin is leaving. He will be missed! Filled with joy knowing God has great plans for Justin! Thank you, Justin! Thank you for the message, Henry! Funny that my daughter and I were talking about the afterlife on our way to church today.
• Great analysis of scripture today – deep thinking as always. 
• Thank you so much Justin for your spirit led worship. Thank you.
• Beautiful worship set. Justin you have been such a blessing to Five Oaks, my family and me personally, your transparency and heart for worship have encouraged and challenged me to be honest and real in my worship. God lead and guide you and Erinn as you begin the journey. God has called you to begin. Love you both so much!
• Thanks Justin! We’re gonna miss you!
• Could there be a comment about not shaking hands during this severe flu season? [Actually, we did that on Sunday morning and will continue during the flu season. Thanks. Sorry we missed that on Saturday afternoon.]
• “The Great I Am” – awesome! Maybe we could do fist bumps rather than shake hands during flu season.
• Beautiful music!
• Nice moment of silence – refreshing aspect. Active more than reflective. Great music and vocals today. [Yes, we need to do silence more often. It is one of our goals.]
• Nice worship set, loved the female echoes, thanks. Really fantastic message Henry – thank you. Justin we love you; you will be missed! Thank you for serving Him here. Great closing, new chapter!
• Prayers for Justin and Erinn on their new journey in God’s world!
• Music volume great this week. Thank you.
• Henry, for colds drink hot lemonade with honey! Works great! [Yes, I’ve used that remedy before. Love it.]

#8 – Q&A

Quesiton: Is there a book you would recommend about what it’s like to be in heaven?

One of more popular and very thorough books is written by Randy Alcorn and it’s called Heaven (500+ pages). He also wrote a daily devotional that is much shorter called 50 Days of Heaven: Reflections That Bring Eternity to Light (175 pages). And there is a much shorter booklet as well. Our GriefShare support group also spends a session on this topic and it is one of the highlights of the experience. I read a novel on the topic that I loved and often recommend called Room of Marvels by James Bryan Smith.

Question: What’s the recipe for heart attack potatoes?

Here it is, but you have to promise to eat it in moderation!

CHEESY HASH BROWN POTATO CASSEROLE

2 lbs. hash browns, defrosted 1/2 c. melted butter 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 1/2 c. chopped onion 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 c. milk 1 c. sour cream 2 c. grated sharp cheese (Colby or cheddar) Mix above ingredients and put in a 9"x13" pan. TOPPING: 2 c. crushed corn flakes (can use Ritz crackers) 1/2 c. melted butter Melt butter and add corn flakes to mix. Sprinkle topping over potatoes and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

#9 – In this coming weekend’s passage in Luke we are reminded again of the attentiveness of Jesus to the smallest things in our lives. He notices what you do for him!

Blessings to you, Pastor Henry

Friday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are several things I want to share with you today.  

#1 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.  

#2 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards last weekend:

• We will miss you Justin! [Yes, we will!]
• Great message for the New Year! Thanks!
• We will greatly miss Justin and his energy! 
• So sad to hear Justin is leaving. Hopefully someone equally as fantastic is located.
• Thanks for the Dave Ramsey DVD. It revitalizes my desire to get out of debt – persevere!
• So sad to hear the news about Justin and Erinn. Justin was a person that helped learn a whole new way of worship through music. His passion is so inspiring. I pray for their adventures, and may he go along inspiring more people.
• Justin we will really miss you – so much! God bless you and your family. Continue to serve Him faithfully. He has given you great talent. To Him much is given, much is required. You served Him and us well here. “Majesty” brought me to tears. Thanks for bringing so much to it. Loved the video. Amazing closing worship set. Thank you!
• I don’t want to be selfish. I want to pass the word. Where can I find Dave Ramsey video to five to people I know in need? 
• Music is too loud (also too much base). Please look into this – just not enjoyable. Thanks.

#3 – Here are the comments we’ve received from the cards we send to first-time guests:

• 12/16 – We have been going to church at Wooddale but since moving to Woodbury have been looking for a church we could really connect with people our age.  We’ll come back to visit again.  Thanks!
• 12/16 – Thanks for having me.  I really had a good time in an unfamiliar place!
• 12/23-24: We are currently members of another church.  Our daughter and her family are members of your church.
• 12/23-24: Our daughter and husband and children are members and we love your church.
• 12/23-24: Loved the friendliness!  Very welcoming.

#4 – We’re back to Luke this weekend. The series will take us right up to Easter. It’s an in-depth exploration of the final days of Jesus in Jerusalem presented in Luke's gospel—his last teachings, the plot to kill him, his betrayal, his arrest and trial, his agony in the garden and on the cross. It’s called “Killing Jesus,” and it also explores our own guilt in his death.

Blessings, Pastor Henry

A Great Outreach Opportunity

I know that in most people's minds, the Story of God small group experience we offer three times a year is for believers. But I want you to think about how impactful this can be to the not-yet-Christians you know who have some curiosity about the Bible and are searching for something to fill the spiritual void in their lives.The Alpha Course, for example, is mostly about discipleship topics (e.g., how to pray, basic theology, how to read the Bible) and goes longer than our Story of God experience, but it is one most effective evangelistic programs in the church worldwide. It works because Christians bring their not-yet-Christian friends. The Story of God can have the same impact. Think also of the intensity of study required to participate in Bible Study Fellowship. Again, tons of people from non-evangelical churches participate and discover God's grace through BSF. One friend told me she leads in that ministry so she can evangelize.

I'll be leading a new Story of God small group experience this January. Is there someone far from God you can invite to join you in the experience? Would it be worth doing it again if you could see your friend come to faith in Christ?

Friday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are TEN things I want to share with you today.  

#1 – As I’m sure all of you have heard by now, Justin Schaap’s last weekend leading worship for Five Oaks as our Worship Leader will be on the weekend of January 12/13. The announcement was made in an email that went out to the entire congregation on Wednesday. I love Justin and love being led by him in worship, so I’m going to miss having him here.

#2 – I know one of Justin’s concerns is to communicate his love for Five Oaks. He has expressed to many of us how appreciative he is of his time here, how much he has learned (it was his first full-time employment as a worship leader) and how much he has loved being here.

#3 - We’ll be celebrating the Schaap’s time with us on Sunday, January 13, at 12:30pm in the Commons. Pray for Justin and Erinn, and come celebrate with us. In the meantime, Justin will be leading worship this weekend and next.

#4 – We have once again contracted with Slingshot Group to help us search for a new worship leader. Monty Kelso (of Slingshot) brought us Justin, and Slingshot works around the country helping churches find quality staff. In addition to the folks in their vast network, we can also run anyone in our network through them. So if you know of a good candidate, let us know and we will get him or her in touch with Slingshot.

#5 – Monty came for our weekend services a couple of weeks ago. We wanted Monty to experience our worship services so he can be fully informed about what we need. It's hard to explain what we do. I reflected with him on all the changes since the first time he came to Five Oaks as a consultant for a weekend about three years ago. We were one week away from our first-ever Response service that weekend! A lot of other changes have followed. Several of the changes were in response to Monty’s consultation on that weekend. When I asked him for some feedback he commented on how much he loves what we are doing with the entire service and the four intentional movements in our service. He said he couldn’t wait to see our Response time and was very moved by it. When I asked him for suggestions to improve things he said, “I tried hard to find something, but I have nothing.” (Can you even imagine a consultant saying that?!) I see that as a testament to all of our volunteers and staff who put in so much heart and effort into our weekends! And I’m very excited to see who God brings to us next. (And Monty recovered and offered a couple of suggestions before lunch was over. There is always room for improvement.)

#6 – One of the things I’ve most appreciated about Justin’s ministry with us is his work with the high school students. It has been nothing short of amazing as he built on the excellent foundation provided by Jason Kramer over the last few years. Justin didn’t just lead worship for Fusion or just lead the student band, he intentionally built into their lives spiritually and developed them as musicians. Last weekend was a great example of how we don’t miss a beat when the band is made up mostly of current and former (newly graduated) Fusion band members and singers (see the comments below). Justin always talks about how the worship leader at him home church took him under his wing when he was in high school and the impact that had on him in pursuing vocational ministry. That experience was his inspiration for starting a summer internship program in Worship Arts for high school students here at Five Oaks. That’s a tough act to follow, but I want you all to know that the ability and heart for leading our youth band will be front and center as we search for our new worship leader.

#7 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards last weekend:

• Henry, it was great to come back and feel so at home.
• I wrote my prayer request before the sermon today (how appropriate). Seeking peace and joy in the God given gift of celebrating marriage. 
• I needed this message today!
• I am so glad I didn’t miss this service when it was scheduled for 2 – 3 weeks ago and I happened to be out of town for our son’s hockey tournament. Anxiety is a major problem in my life and I’m on meds to help control it. What a blessing to hear this sermon today.
• Love the Fusion Band. 
• Awesome message!
• All the vocalists are amazing! I could listen to them all night! thank you musicians.
• Love to see/hear the Fusion Band back!
• I loved having the Fusion alumni back to lead us in worship. Thank you Justin!
• So fun to see the Fusion Band up there! Great job!
• Henry, this was a message I so needed to hear this morning. I am blessed to have you as a pastor and my teacher.
• Wonderful music – female vocalist was great for me to medicate in.
• Loved worship team/band today! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thanks, Henry, for showing a little of the behind the scenes for how you prepare your message. I love how you show that when you have questions and need to understand, you turn to the Bible – read more – read deeper and find the answers!
• Great job worship team! Very poignant sermon Henry. Thank you!
• Nice to see the old Fusion band back together! 
• Great music this morning with our youth singing. What a gift! 
• Henry, I would love to have an “unplugged Henry” sermon sometime. Just you sitting on a stool sharing your heart, testimony, what God is teaching you and what you want to see us grow in. focus on God, but not with lofty words. Just an idea… [Gulp!]
• Great music! When is the next choir going to be? Looking forward to more awesome songs like the last time. 
• Great young people leading worship – amen. Justin was not “lighted” properly to see him.
• Thank you for a traditional Christmas service (songs/worship). I enjoyed the worship music led by the church youth today – wow what talent!
• Excellent message Henry. I’m going to miss your messages while we’re out of town.
• Thanks for continuing the opening song to allow for prayer! Loved Dan leading us in “Hosanna!” Tim you are so funny. Thanks for the great message Henry. Hannah and youth, thanks for leading us in worship – great job ushering us into the presence of God. “Let God Arise!” He reigns now and forever.

#8 – Here is the sermon in 10 tweets:

1. Peace with God (reconciliation) is the fountain for the peace of God (inner peace).
2. The road to personal peace (the peace of God) passes through the valley of worry, anxiety & fear.
3. God will lead us through the valley because it reveals our idols and leads to deeper repentance.
4. The problem is the anxiety is so uncomfortable we'll do almost anything to rid ourselves of it. We'll take shortcuts and rabbit trails.
5. “Urban Meyer will be Home for Dinner"
6. Idols hide so well God takes us to the valley repeatedly to expose them. Don't waste those walks by wallowing or failing to look.
7. The valley reveals our dependence on God and leads to deeper faith & prayer.
8. In the valley you learn you are not in control. You can learn to trust the God who is in control & who loves you.
9. Sarah Young in Jesus Calling: Anxiety is the result of envisioning the future without [Jesus]
10. Reveals brokenness. You can experience perfect peace with God now, but you will not experience the peace of God perfectly in this life.

#9 – Our message this weekend will be by Dave Ramsey on Video. I don’t know of anyone who inspires more people to get out of debt and live in financial peace than Ramsey. Nor anyone who is as funny and engaging. You won’t want to miss it.

God bless you all, Pastor Henry

Friday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I hope you had a blessed Christmas. Here is a post-Christmas service edition of the Memo.  

#1 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – 17 people indicated they were making first-time decisions to follow Christ as Lord and Savior!!!

#3 – Here are your comments from the Christmas services:

• This service was amazing! I always think that the true magic of Christmas is the church service and Christ himself. I love God so much! 
• Never felt so touched. 
• Great sermon, great video. 
• Great videos and music. The church looked wonderful. 
• Merry Christmas! 
• His death on the cross is an act of love I do not understand. [I sent some material that hopefully will help.]
• Thank you Jesus for being a part of our lives! 
• God has always been in my life. 
• Amazing sermon, Henry! Thank you for blessing us with your study and prayer. 
• Awesome message! God bless! 
• Powerful message today. The end video was very moving. Thank you. Merry Christmas! 
• Glory to God. 
• He is my Savior! 
• I’m so grateful to call Five Oaks my church. 
• Praise God! 
• Thank you for the amazing service, music, message details and for each of you who served for us. Sweet Christmas Blessings! 
• Thank you all for a great worship. Praise God! 
• Great opening worship set! Henry, you do such a great job explaining the movement – thank you. Loved discussion/dedication of lighting station. What a wonderful Christmas message! The only difference between an “X” and a “†” is that it is fallen and needs to be put right by Christ. 
• Great service – loved the traditional music. 
• Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Merry Christmas! 
• I trust in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. 
• Great service – music and message.
• Dan, nice job.
• Loved the traditional Christmas songs. 
• Awesome message! 
• Jesus is my Savior. He loves me and I love Him. My life is great because of Him. 
• Praise the Lord, Jesus is Lord.
• Jesus is my Savior.
• God bless, Merry Christmas to the church staff! 
• What is my purpose? Great words to hear tonight. Thanks. 
• Thank you, Pastor Henry. You are amazing! I feel God’s presence here today! 
• Jesus rocks my world! 
• Thank you, 1000 x’s better than last year! Blessings to all of you! 
• Thank you for a beautiful, wonderful and spectacular message. The “will you follow me” video was amazing. I loved watching my twelve year olds reactions while he watched it. Very powerful! 
• Amazing video. 
• Beautiful service, great video to close message. Great job! 
• Thank you! 
• Jesus is my Savior! Praise and glory to Him. 
• Thank you for addressing the “valley of the shadow of death”. 
• Thank you for your message. 
• Today you spoke of hurt by Christians and it was my family that was hurt by the church. As a result my family is so distrustful of any organized religion. It is a slow process, but I’m starting to feel His love more and more as I let Him in. 
• Christ has been my Savior for almost 35 years. Praise His name forever. Beautiful service! 

#4 – Here is the sermon in 10 tweets:

1. Most people never get beyond the story of the baby in a manger. ...they fail to connect the Savior dot with the dot that is their lives.
2. One reason some never get beyond the story of the baby is because they’re put off by Christians.
3. Confession Booth story: We’re not going accept their confessions. We are going to confess to THEM. We've misrepresented Jesus on campus.”
4. Jesus' mission was to seek & save the lost. When they responded, they weren’t transformed overnight, & they still don’t change that quickly.
5. Background video: Joshua Bell playing $3.5 M violin in subway. Ignored. Beauty often doesn't transcend the noise in  our lives.
6. God has entire universe to capture his interest but Christmas says, “You matter. I care about you. I am for you.” God doesn’t ignore us.
7. If you’re thin & get a diet book for Xmas, not going to take it out of the box. Maybe you feel you don’t need a Savior from your sins.
8. Scientist: “I’m realizing that I’m not in control over things that matter most to me. Maybe I rejected him be/ I thought I didn’t need him.”
9. Record of everything you say other people should do and compare to your life. You would be condemned for breaking your own standards.
10. Falling Plates video…

God bless you all, Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have FOUR VERY IMPORTANT things I want to share with you today.  

#1 – The sermon is ready for our Christmas services. It’s no hype when I say that the message and the service will be a highly compelling presentation of the gospel and reflection on the meaning of Christmas. Please don’t neglect inviting someone who is far from God.  

#2 – When I ask everyone to respond to the message on their Communication Cards (or some other response card), please do so. People who need to indicate a first-time response are more likely to do that if everyone is doing something.  

#3 – The greeting time is vitally important on a weekend like this. Please reach out to anyone that is new. A lot of new people might be sitting next to new people, so look around and see if you can spot someone you don’t know. Right after the service reconnect with them and then encourage them to come up to 10-Minute Connect and get their free Christmas CD.

#4 – Pray for the services and for hearts to be receptive to the gospel.

If we’re all prayerfully working together on this, great things can happen!

I love you and hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Pastor Henry

Wednesday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have a few things I want to share with you.

#1 – One Snowy Starry Night was a great success. Half of the 900 plus registrants made it in spite of the snowstorm. That’s a lot of folks. I loved all the enhancements to the experience. It just keeps getting better. The carpenter’s workshop with real, working carpenters was impressive. And if Mike and Stephanie can keep having babies in time for this event each year, they can be our permanent Mary and Joseph family! Great, great work by so many people, and lots of fun. Great learning experience, too. I scared a bunch of kids with the rabbi costume, but only one cried. I'm going to have to be meaner next year or wear a scary clown costume. :-)

#2 – Our One Starry Night Miracle story: The people who were bringing the animals canceled because of the weather. The live animals are a big part of this event. Jeni or Cindy were sharing this with the Rick and Melissa Borner. Lo and behold, Rick and Melissa own three pygmy goats! Goat-herding Five Oakers!!! Thank you Rick and Melissa for bringing the goats. What are the chances of something like that happening?

#3 – The Story of God on steroids is what I call the Cover to Cover course Warren Coe will be teaching at Five Oaks starting Tuesday evening, January 8. Registration for the first trimester begins this weekend. The entire course of study spans 3 semesters. What a great chance to go in depth on the whole Bible story. Email me if you’d like more information

#4 – Get a recap of the weekend service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#5 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Bulletin Error – Dorothy Day, T & C Wiant phone. O Come All Ye Faithful – very powerful! Awesome! [I don’t feel good about putting their number on the web, so email me if you’d like it forwarded to them.]
• Thank you Pastor Henry, for this message. It can be so timely for me because family drama makes the Holidays so tough! Fear makes me hold everything in that I need to share with them during this time. thanks for preaching the truth in love to me. You’re a blessing. 
• The decorations look great! 
• Nice guitar rif at start! [That was Clint and he’s moving back to Maryland. Graduated from McNally School of Music. He’ll be missed.]
• Okay, I know, we as humans are naturally resistant to change, but my communion “packet” today reminds me of a Keurig coffee K-cup! Huh? Loved the traditional Christmas carols! [We had the packets only at the 9:15 because of a snafu. Sorry about that.]
• Thank you for the beautiful songs and bringing my heart to worship Lord Jesus Christ.
• Thank you for today’s message! I’ve been wanting to lead a team again at work and now that it is upon me I become fearfully failing at it – especially because I asked for it. I lost sight of living a life of fearlessness and the reason I became scared was because I alone can’t do it. But with God I can.
• Just feeling the power of the Christmas Season – thank you Five Oaks for embracing and enhancing my experience.
• Love the music. Any opportunity to play the music a little softer?  Music is a bit loud, otherwise great. By the way, the Christmas CD is awesome.
• Great worship music. Base drums and bass guitar, provided a nice bottom end. Great arrangements of the music.
• Nice job on the pre-song and solo. It’s good to see/hear men on backing vocals lately. [I’m loving the preludes this month. All from our Christmas CD.]

#6 – We received another great comment on the card we send visitors. We have been batting a thousand on positive comments lately.

11/4  Looking for a new church in our area and this was a great first impression.  We will likely continue to attend and make this our new church home.

#7 – Here’s the sermon in 10 Tweets: Luke 2:8-21 on “Fear”

1. Coulrophobia = Fear of clowns. Not as limiting or debilitating as some fears can be.
2. The No. 1 Enemy of Creativity: Fear of Failure… Harvard Business Review Blog Post
3. “Fear of Me” – I can’t do what God wants me to do. There’s also fear of people and circumstances.
4. Until you see the role of good fear, you can’t be free of fear. Good fear is a healthy respect that motivates me to go beyond myself.
5. Good fear drives me to learn new skills, prepare for contingencies, call in professionals and turn to God for help
6. The Bible says that the only way ultimately to keep fear from robbing your life is found in facing the ultimate fear of all.
7. The ultimate fear comes in a burst of light one starry night: “The glory of the Lord shone around them and they were filled with great fear.”
8. When people shrink in fear at God's glory, he often tells them not to fear & points to his mercy & grace.
9. The ultimate fear leads you to your Savior.
10. Face your fears by beholding the gospel: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news [= the gospel]”

#8 – Volunteer Central will be up and running in room 101 for all Christmas services. If you haven’t volunteered yet, let us know you’d like to help for one of the services.

#7 – 16 people went through the membership class last week. Our membership is at an all-time high in the history of our church. If you want join our team and you participated in the Story of God small group study this trimester, we have a one-hour membership class coming up in February. Don’t miss it.

#8 – Thanks to Eric Fraser for the cookies we enjoyed between services this last weekend. Eric does this on his own, after clearing it with us, because he knows a lot of people visit churches in December and he wants to create a place for conversations to happen. I love that!

#9 – We’ll be offering two opportunities in January for those interested in finding out more about serving in the Befriender Care Ministry (January 6 and 13, times and location forthcoming).

#10 – This week’s message is on peace in the midst of anxiety and worry.

Don't forget to pray hard and invite someone to the Christmas services. It could change their eternal destiny!

I love you all, Pastor Henry

Off the Cutting Room Floor

Here's the article that inspired the section I cut after Saturday night. And if you want to see the scary clown, go here.

10 WAYS FEAR ROBS ME
Hilary Tompkins

I’m afraid of you.

No, really.

I believe that people have power over me. Power to wound, expose, shame, injure, and expect something I’ll never be able to deliver. The thought of disappointing you all makes me want to run and hide. I am caught between the rock of their approval and the hard place of their rejection.

I’ve sought refuge under the radar. My fear robs me daily. Here are 10 ways it does so.

1. FEAR ROBS ME OF EXPERIENCING GOD’S FAVOR
I’m way more concerned about what people think of me. Pleasing people is my goal and although it’s an ever-moving target, I keep trying to hit the bull’s-eye of their approval. If people compliment me, I exhaust myself making sure I never disappoint people—or I give up entirely. I must know what they think.

2. FEAR ROBS ME OF HEARING GOD’S VOICE
When things go well, when I receive accolades, I miss God’s kind and tender, “Well done,” believing that it simply can’t be true. My ears are tuned to their thoughts and opinions—they’ve become my standard. When God lovingly rebukes me, I run back to their latest compliments and feed on them for a while.

3. FEAR ROBS ME OF HONORING AND OBEYING GOD’S LEADING
When I receive direction in prayer or conviction through a sermon or sense the Holy Spirit while reading my Bible, I feel a momentary call, a renewed vision, a rush of freedom that encourages me to step out in faith. But if I do that, people will judge me, so I wait, rethink, and conclude that what I heard was probably just my own thoughts and ideas anyway.

4. FEAR ROBS MY TRUST IN GOD
I take great measures to ensure that I am safe from what people can do to me. My family’s health and behavior, my job, daily inconveniences, schedules, unpredictable relationships, even my pain—these must all be managed. It is all within my power to control. I am risk-averse. Circumstances are better determined by a spin doctor than the great physician, Jesus.

5. FEAR ROBS ME OF PURSUING CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Relationships wither as I refuse to address sin and allow its consequences to flourish. Prickly sinful patterns go unchallenged and I only hang out with those who “get” me. I’m certain that people won’t respond lovingly so I avoid building intimacy.

6. FEAR ROBS ME OF RECEIVING CORRECTION
I don’t trust people because I’m sure their words will hurt me. I miss the comfort of familiar lies. I internalize the worst interpretation possible and focus on my perception of reality. I prefer my own exaggerated version of events. What will they think of me if I’m wrong? Admitting I don’t know or saying I’m sorry just looks weak.

7. FEAR ROBS ME OF BEING FULLY KNOWN IN COMMUNITY
Exposure threatens my carefully crafted exterior. If I let people get close to me they’ll hurt me. Self-protection ensures my identity stays intact. Intimacy and deeper relationships are for other people. Opportunities to serve people should leave them in my debt. Isolation is my friend.

8. FEAR ROBS ME OF GRATITUDE AND JOY
If I focus on resentment, I can remain entitled. If I’m too grateful for something it will be taken away. Childlike joy isn’t very dignified and my dignity is fragile.

9. FEAR ROBS ME OF MY VOICE
I doubt that God could speak through the Holy Spirit in me. I cease to encourage or exhort others in case it’s not well received. I neglect opportunities to speak out in faith because I fear their evaluation, their disagreement, or their mockery.

10. FEAR ROBS ME OF REST AND PEACE
I’m so consumed with self-recrimination that my daytimes and my dreams are filled with mental tossing. I re-evaluate and reassess my words and actions. I’m defensive and irritable, under pressure to succeed.

I am convicted of how often I have found comfort in their commendation instead of the Holy Spirit’s conviction and I wonder, How can God stand to know that I have chosen to worship you instead of him? How can I be in his presence and confess that I’ve loved your approval more than his? That your words are louder than his voice? Oh Lord, forgive me for my unfaithfulness.

HOW HAS FEAR ROBBED YOU?
You may feel exposed just talking about it. We hate to admit our idolatry, but our fear has cost us, and the wages of our sin is death. We chose slavery and condemnation when we chose to please man—all the while God offers the free gift of life in Christ (Rom. 6:23).As Paul says to the Galatians, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Those who fear man are described in Jeremiah 17 as parched wasteland, a picture of spiritual poverty and in John 12 the fearful authorities loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. We are glory thieves, and the struggle to escape this deception is not new.

HERE IS MERCY
But here is mercy: “the fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” True comfort is found in the kind discipline of my heavenly Father, who I can trust completely. I worship him because, like David, I would rather fall into the hands of the living God than into the hands of man (2 Sam. 24:14). I love his correction, his approval, his guidance, and his voice. In learning to worship him, I have found freedom from the demands of man. He takes all my sin and fear and replaces it with holy fear of him. People, whom my flesh fears, exert power over me no longer.

Joyfully, the gospel tells us that for those who are in Christ, there is no condemnation—we’ve been set free in Jesus from the law of sin and death. All who are led by the Spirit of God are no longer slaves but sons. As it says in Romans, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry ‘Abba! Father!’”

No longer in bondage to each other, we are liberated to serve a kind Father who has made it possible in Jesus for us to do so: fearlessly.

Thursday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have a few things I want to share with you.

#1 – I’m looking for a great faith story that will have an impact on people far from God during our Christmas services. I have a great message percolating and a great faith story will be the finishing touch, but only if it fits. So, email me the name of someone you think has that story. Here’s the gist: someone who had little or no time for God in their lives and then came up against something they couldn’t do/face on their own so they began to explore faith. Really, you can have a huge impact on people eternally by giving me a good name to pursue. Think of all the people who come to that one service a year. Think of the friend or family member you are inviting. This could be the Christmas that begins everything for them.

#2 – Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#3 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Love “Age to Age” but hard to hear Justin! 
• Thank you for an outstanding message! 
• Very powerful message, Henry. So many people going through “storms” in life right now. Great reminder that God is in control, not us! Need a map of MN, WI, and IA at map station. 
• I love “Never Let Go” – great song reminding us of a great promise! Thank you for your words of wisdom Pastor Henry!
• Thank you for preaching stewardship! 
• “The Great I Am”, awesome! 
• That worship was simply – awesome. Great harmonies and riffs. Thanks! I love it when we take the time to explain the stations as we do week-in and week-out. Thanks Henry for another convicting, beautifully – contrasted and touching message. The sanctuary is decorated beautifully. Fantastic closing set! [That’s Tech Director Shawn Hunt and his team’s work on the worship center decorations. I love what he did with the stars.]
• The Christmas trees look phenomenal! 
• I would like to learn more about the “Orphan Branch”. I work in the adoption field and have also started my own adoption process in South Africa. I wonder how I could support this group and/or be supported.  [Done.]
•  Beautiful and moving opening worship, Justin! Henry, you have a fantastic way of delivering the message of how we are so broken and then just when I’m feeling so sorry for my sinning, selfish way, you remind me that God still loves me and call me His and I feel washed clean and thankful! Wow! Preaching is your gift! 
• Owner = sinful pride. 
• ??MLR or MIR music. [R2D2, I think. Maybe C3PO. Actually, I also have no idea what you’re talking about, but I’m pretty sure you already talked to Dan about it. ]
• When do you think you will be bringing back the lighting of the candles station? Our whole family loves this! Lighting a candle to have Jesus in their life! [How about this weekend!]
• I have such appreciation and admiration for the music program.

#4 – I’m so happy to share this comment from a first-time guest. They included it when they returned the survey we send first-time attenders.

11/25 Very, very inviting and warm service at a personal level.  It definitely was a breath of fresh air.

#5 – Here’s the sermon in 10 Tweets: Luke 20:1-19 on the Wicked Tenants.

1. Underlying their actions is greed that drives tenants to act like owners. They’re not thieving  murderers who just happen to be greedy.
2. They are possessed by a greed that drives them to fight the owner and take for themselves what rightfully belongs to him.
3. Tenants acting like owners are disappointed when the sermon is about stewardship. Generous givers look forward to being affirmed.
4. Giving-why wouldn't I talk about something I do that blesses me & is at the core of my growth in discipleship?
5. Rejecting God’s messengers: e.g., his Word by minimizing its authority or complicating it.
6. “You can make the Bible say anything you want?” “You mean you can’t!” “Not what I mean?” “So you’re clear when you speak but God isn’t.”
7. Keller: “What are the messengers of God ascending into your life that you’re kicking and beating and treating shamefully.”
8. The story: We sin & make mess. God does nothing wrong. Sends his Son to us out of love. We abuse/kill him. God gets angry...
9. …He LOVES the Son/servants/vineyard. So how twisted do we have to be to think God’s judgment is a divine overreaction to sin
10. When God warns you of judgment, be sure of this: he will carry it out if you don’t turn. But also know that he warns you for your sake.

#6 – I'm absolutely crazy about our new Christmas CD. I can’t believe we’ve produced another great product like this again. It should be on the radio across America. I’m not exaggerating. Get it for yourself. Get it for gifts. You absolutely will not be disappointed. Preview the whole thing here. Buy it on iTunes here. Get a hard copy at the Registrations & Resources table on the weekend.

#7 – We are performing songs from the CD each week of Advent for the Prelude. The Prelude starts 5 minutes early. Be early!

Hey, don’t forget to send me the name of someone for the faith story.

Blessings to you, Pastor Henry

Weekend Message Q&A

Here is the question I received based from the weekend message.

Q – You talked about people not being honest when they twist the words if the Bible. Is this why some people are suspicious of Christians due to negative Christians who spread hate (ie westboro church)? Do we have an inner sense of truth even if we don't believe and that's why we don't believe the twisted messages? Why do people believe those hateful views?

A – I think it’s important for people to realize, first, that the Westboro church is basically a two or three dozen people all related to each other. As far as I can tell they are a group akin to the KKK and skinhead groups that use the Bible for their own purposes. They are not people of the Word—shaped by it or concerned one bit to really understand it. And I do believe they know they are twisting and using the Bible for their own purposes. They are haters, first and foremost. And, yes, their use of the Bible adds to the impression that you can make the Bible say anything you want it to say, so why bother with it.

I don’t understand it. I’m not sure anybody does. They are the stuff genocidal groups throughout history are made of. Except, in this case, this group doesn’t seem to have the evil genius of the ones who start movements.

As for people citing groups like this to discredit Christianity: I also believe that deep down that people who do this are well aware that this is unfair. Every philosophical, religious and political movement has people like this related to it. The person citing Westboro or other evil so-called Christian groups knows this. In fact, they have some people like this in their own families. They would not want to be discredited in everything they do because of their crazy uncle or evil great grandfather, but they discredit others by taking this kind of cheap shot. Just another way of suppressing the truth.

But they’re not alone in doing this. We, as believers, do the same thing in our daily life when we want to discredit others’ perspectives. I do this. It’s partly why I can see through it! And it’s only one more reason we as believers should be the humblest people on earth. We know better. We have the Bible’s witness to us that we are prone to suppress the truth, yet we still do it. We don’t need to win arguments or defame or look good because we have everything we need in Christ. Yet we use anger (aggressive and passive aggressive), cheap shots and bad logic to make our points in personal conflicts all the time. To win. We need God’s grace daily. We need to be people who offer God’s grace to people who hate us or try to discredit us. We can do it from the position of strength and acceptance we have in Christ.

Q – How do you share the message without sounding judgmental? I've been told that calling people (including myself) sinners is judging. Any insights would be helpful.

A – Aside from what I already said above, some people will think what they want to think no matter what we say or do. And when someone accuses us of being judgmental for calling ourselves and others sinners, we can thank them for proving our point—they just judged us (which, apparently, they think is a sin) and we can admit they are right about us (we are indeed judgmental).

Wednesday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have a few things I want to share with you.

#1 - Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Tim, you helped me so much with your stories relating to today’s scripture. I feel this was one of your best sermons that I heard from you. Thank you. 
• Good job Tim! 
• We should do more dramas! 
• Ice Breaker question actually let’s me talk with less people. [I’m not sure if you think this is good or bad. If you think this is bad, take our advice: don’t use the icebreaker question. It’s only an option, not a requirement. But if you talk to one person and move beyond a simple “good morning,” that’s exactly what we need to do as a church. See #6 below.]
• The music was too loud today. 
• Suggestion for an occasional change during “response time”. Instead of singing music, have readers reading scripture passages that might fit the message and theme of the service. Background music could be used too. Could be individual reading, choral reading and climax with congregational reading – maybe transitions into sung verses. [Thanks for the ideas!]

#3 - Some Impact news (makes me so proud of you all):

• Five Oaks sent $1000 to Salem Church in Staten Island, where Keith Miraldi serves, and another $1,000 to our denomination’s relief efforts in NY.
• We collected 438 Thanksgiving bags for hungry families throughout the metro! That’s the most we’ve ever done.
• The Women’s Ministry small groups took a week off from study to assemble 125 care packages for women and kids that will need the services of the Tubman Family Center in the upcoming months. It was a huge influx of packages for that ministry.

#4 - We have 71% of our adults in small groups (i.e., small group participants as a percentage of our average attendance in October)! That’s an increase over against the last couple of years, and it’s a great number compared to other churches. We are hoping to increase that, and more groups is a key. More groups means more leaders. Are you ready to explore leading a small group? Let me know.

#5 - The audio version of A Praying Life is on sale here for $7.49.

#6 - I want you to notice something. Thom Rainer has done more research on churches than just about anyone out there. He recently published an article on the top eight things people positively hate when first visiting a church. Look at seven of the eight that led mystery guests to describe the visit as horrible and say they would never return:

1. I was asked to introduce myself in the worship service.

2. I had to walk fifty yards in the rain. “No one offered me an umbrella. Apparently the members got there early so they could get the best parking spaces in the inclement weather.”

3. The preschool area was dirty and not secure.

4. Everyone talked in code.

5. Someone told me I was sitting where their family sits.

7. The preacher screamed the whole time.

8. They had a business meeting during the worship service.

I don't see us doing most of these...ever! Actually, speaking in code can be a problem sometimes. But here’s the one that we fail on sometimes according to the cards we get from first-time guests.

6. No one spoke to me.

Most people hate that. Here’s the good news. That comment has been rare lately. Actually, I can’t think of one such comment in weeks.

Here’s the gist of what I shared at the congregational meeting: Whether or not you use the icebreaker question in the service doesn’t matter. What does matter is connecting with more than an obligatory “good morning.” And after you connect in the greeting time with a first-time guest or someone who’s new to Five Oaks, re-connect as soon as the service is over. Ask them if they’ve been to 10-Minute Connect or offer to answer any questions they might have about the church. Do this even if it’s their third or fourth time. They may have been sitting by another guest or by a Five Oaker who didn’t reach out on previous visits. It’s so important because so many of these guests are people exploring faith or looking for a church to grow in. Thanks for all you've been doing to make sure no one falls through the cracks over the last few months! You've been doing great.

#7 - The Women’s Ministry Christmas event is on December 3: "The Centerpiece of Christmas: Preparing your heart and home." For more information or to register go here.

#8 - If you're like me, you overate a bit over Thanksgiving. A couple college students from Norway joined our meal. They ate a lot, but they were in great shape. Partly because they're college soccer players. But they explained that most people in Norway are thin like them. Their explanation? Not many fast-food joints. I would add quick foods that are high in calories. I'm sure there are more reasons. But it's not too early to start thinking about New Year's resolutions. So if you want to get a healthy perspective on living and eating, as well as some support in starting new habits, check out our First Place for Health small group by emailing health@fiveoakschurch.org.

I missed you last week since we were in Louisville for Thanksgiving. I can't wait for the weekend to see all of you.

Blessing to you! Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have a few things I want to share with you.

#1 - Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Thanks for the message today Henry. Awesome. 
• I love the pre-service song. I no longer freak out that I’m late but rejoice and feel welcomed to worship. Sorry I’m missing today’s meeting due to work but thank you for the letter this week as a reminder and I feel good about the by-law changes. 
• Apropos message for me – I just had a show as a tightrope performer. 
• Loved Henry’s, Mr. Roger’s sweater.  [Just bought another one for my collection from my collection--the Henry Williams Collection at Banana Republic!]
• Henry, love the car analogy! Thanks for another great and impactful message. Your gift is explaining complex things in a simple meaningful practical way – thanks for sharing this gift with me. Looking forward to the lighting station returning. 
• Great service! 
• Henry, thank you for the message today! I thought I understood this parable, but you brought a clarity and depth to it that totally opened my eyes! Fantastic message. 
• Great worship set. Loved the Twinkie transition to our question of the week. Wow, what a fantastic message – thanks Henry. Loved the soloist after the message – praise God. Loved the closing – “Oh Happy Day”. 
• Loved the explanations of the way our service is set up – it was very clear for new people, (I think). And I love the new tables that communion is on.  [I’m particularly happy with the explanation this week. I’m building it on the feedback from people at 10-Minute Connect and our members.]
• I loved your message, Henry.
• Great music! 
• I miss the drama skits! 
• Everyone who adopts a child goes through a decision making process accessing the kind of risk you discussed this morning; the God risk.
• Served at “Good in the Hood”, partner of Union Gospel, with my family serving needy families with groceries and serving a meal. Stomachs were filled, larders prepared for a holiday and smiles given freely. God  was glorified and His love shared. 
• Henry, you preach to the (your) right and make comments to your left. Try reviewing it – I notice it. [That’s because those people on the right need preachin’ at. Actually, good catch. I’ve been thinking about mixing it up a bit by putting my table on the right side. I wonder if that will make a difference. Not sure how else I could catch myself in the act or retrain myself. I haven’t looked yet, but I’m guessing you’re right.]

#3 - Here’s the message in 10 Tweets—Luke 19:11-27, “Risk Assessment.”

1. This passage is about assessing the risk of investing your life for God & his purposes…& the riskiness of not risking for God.
2. Be careful about what you risk your life on.
3. The citizens who hated him drop from view until the last verse in one quick Columbo move… “one more thing…slaughter them”
4. There is grace in the warning (still have time) & outcome (get what they want, out from under God's grace/rule).
5. There’s nothing safe about playing it safe. We will be held account for how we invest our one life in God’s mission or not.
6. Buchanan-We're well schooled that certain kinds of people don't inherit the K of G: wicked…rage fiends…Less prepared 4 who J adds: cautious
7. Risking for God is not about being a risk-taker. Jesus affirms effort—ANY effort.
8. Buchanan-Our theology determines our destiny…generous/gracious/kind God…do likewise…angry/demanding/miserly…do likewise
9. Gilbert –“My son’s trust was never in his own ability…It was in his father’s promise: “Come on kiddo. Jump. I promise I’ll catch you.”
10. When J says “slaughter them,” it’s metaphorical (points to final judgment). But Jesus was literally slaughtered (the Lamb of God) for us.

#4 – Here’s a question from the sermon:

Q - If people get what they want in judgment, does that mean those who want a wrathful God will get one? 

A – Not sure what you mean, but I think I need to qualify my statement a bit. Maybe that will address your question. When I say people get what they want it needs to be qualified: they want to be free of God’s rule in their lives and that’s what they get. They don’t get everything they want. They don’t get happiness.

Happy Thanksgiving! Pastor Henry

Wednesday Memo & Weekend Message Q&A

Hi Five Oakers,

I have a few things I want to share with you.

#1 - Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Great steel guitar sound of – Moving and Majestic. Love baby dedications. [Me too! Tons of them this weekend. Sorry, 9:15ers, but it’s too full in that service to have all those families that come for dedication fit in, so no dedications for you. I’d love to see some 9:15 folks attend on Saturday or 11am. It would be great. But I’m not asking for that if it means displacing your kids.]
• My family has been coming since last December. We are from WI. I ask God, why so far away. Since the very first time I have come, God gives me a big hug when I come through the church doors, every week. What can I say, I love your church! [Wonderful!!!]
• Henry, thank you for sharing the truth so clearly for us all. Awesome message filled with new insights for me. Dan, great job with worship! Thank you Worship Band! [Loved Dan and the band. My thanks go out to them too. The opening song for response is a Dan original you can listen to here. His new album is available here.]
• Each week is great. But thank you especially for the opening worship songs… and ambiance. It prepared my heart and mind for being here to listen to God. [The first one at the Prelude was a Dan original.]
• Nice, Dan! Thanks for clarification on what repentance really means – hits home. 
• Great music, great message. So many hearts gathered in Praise. Thank you. 
• We praise you for always keeping our family strong by putting You first! 
• Praise God for all the babies being dedicated! Great sermon – awesome worship!
• Great music! After the election I needed God’s people more than ever this week. Confusion, bewilderment, disappointment. But I remembered Jesus doesn’t take sides, he takes over. He didn’t die for America, he died to save the world. We aren’t alive for the moment, we are alive for eternity. My geopolitical footprint changed this week, my heart was freed because I know we are victorious, we know the end. And if that doesn’t give us a sense of urgency (I must share my hope!) for the lost, nothing will. I’m so proud of you for the message Henry and how you transitioned from pleasing seeker to true seekers.
• I really appreciate Dan Lukas’ voice and stage presence in leading us in worship. I love the pins-on-the-map idea. But the map need to be bigger for those of us who live and work farther away from church (St. Paul, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, etc.) [Dan says: “Several of us mentioned the same thing as we don't live in Woodbury. We're updating it for the future.”]
• The way Dan sang “Before the Throne of God” should be on the church CD. Today’s message – I get it. Not sure why I always asked the question why God choose to save us the way He did, through His son, yet I get how. Because we can understand it. [Dan says, “My guess is, when we do a hymns project this will be on it. And probably like this: http://marshill.bandcamp.com/track/before-the-throne.]
• Timely message. Very real and passionate. Thank you! 
• Henry, your passion is so contagious. Thank you! 
• Why are we omitting the third verse in Cornerstone? It’s the most powerful verse of the song?: Then He shall come with trumpet sound. Oh, may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless, stand before the throne. [Dan says, “It wasn't omitted, just wasn't included in the arrangement I chose for the weekend. It's a great lyric, and the song does miss a little something when the lyric is absent. Here is the arrangement we used: link.]
• It would be great to include drama (live drama) again! The services have gotten quite predictable. This would add some sparkle to worship. Please pass on to programming. [Passed it on. Thanks.]
• Why did we start five minutes early? It was awkward coming in on time, but feeling late because music already started. [We always start five minutes early. We’ve been doing this for several months. It’s a bonus for people who get there early. We want people to get their early, so this s a reward. Two-thirds of our folks come in late, and that’s not an exaggeration. It also pulls people in from the Commons so they can be present for the call to worship.]
• It’s chilly today… breezy, in fact. Brrr! [Just trying to get more people to go for coffee at the Acorn Café. You of all people might appreciate that. Just kidding. Duly noted.]

#3 - Here’s the message in 10 Tweets—Luke 19:1-10, “Out on a Limb.”

1. Zacchaeus is a comical figure to most of us who grew up in SS. But he's a man who risks a lot to see J then stakes whole life on Jesus.
2. Z's story, 3 challenges to move: from snacker to seeker, seeker to saved, consumer to contributor to God's mission.
3. Z is willing to be undignified to see Jesus. Urgent. Jesus matches his urgency stride for stride. “Hurry…I must come to you home today.”
4. Crowd's reaction points to obstacle seekers face: the religious, moralistic crowd around Jesus then & today.
5. True seekers aren't derailed that easily; snackers are. Push through & discover J is put off by moralistic more than you are.
6. Too many people who say they’re seekers are really snackers…window shoppers.
7. When I preach I'm not going to waste the true seeker's time by begging for the attention of the snacker.
8. Z's sudden generosity NOT the grounds of his salvation but the fruit of his repentance (not an action but change of mind).
9. How much MUST I give is wrong ?. We should ask, help me reorder my life to give more & more to you, your kingdom & your concerns.
10. Tragic how many spend lifetime in church without experiencing this kind of transformation. Never leave confines of grumbling crowd.

#4 – Only got one question so decided to keep it until today. Here it is: So, did Zacchaeus have to stop being a tax collector? (Since the only “right” amount was what was paid to the government.) 

Answer: Not sure. Actually, collecting more than they paid out is not the issue since the system required a tax collector to collect more than he paid. It’s what capitalism is built on. But the system itself encouraged price gouging of a sort. The perception of being a “collaborator” was most troublesome. It’s a good question, but I don't know if we can know the answer. I don’t think Jesus ever addressed it in the Gospels.

#5 – I’m looking forward to the Visionary Marriage conference this weekend. Hope to see you there. It’s not too late to register.

#6 – Got this in an email regarding one of the lines from this coming week’s passage: “Wow. Have fun w/ this… :o) But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’” Thanks, I will. Come and see.

Blessings, Pastor Henry

 

 

Wednesday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have five things I want to share with you.

#1 – No matter what your political leanings, here’s a word we can all agree on regarding politics and politicians (look closely and don't assume you know what it says):

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. (1 Timothy 2:1-6; NLT)

#2 - Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#3 – Do you think you might be interested in writing Group Life lessons? Come to an information meeting this Sunday morning. Email me for times.

#4 – Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Excellently done, Pastor Henry. Loved it.
• Thank you, Pastor Henry, for the new way of looking at these verses. [Scripture is amazing!]
• Kara rocks. Glorious is glorious. [Loved the part she led and her harmonies.]
• Great message Henry, thank you! 
• Thanks for speaking the truth in love last week (and always). 
• Thanks to all volunteers/staff that make “church” possible and effective! Great job Pastor re: Christian character in voting and not being divisive on the delicate issue! 
• Peace to you all. Love, peace, happiness. 
• I like the subdued worship. Nice change for the opening even though Tim normally a morning, lets-get-going kinda guy. Thanks for the reflective music. Thanks for the sobering message. It corrected, readjusted some of my thinking Henry. 
• Excellent message Henry! Perfect!
• Great list of the 10 commandments – important to remember when voting.
• Thank you Henry for the clarification at the beginning of today’s message and for recognizing there isn’t one way to vote that is the Christian way! Love the education you’ve provided on these issues, last few weeks. So thankful for this church and how it has taught me how to live with God in my heart – everything else works itself out when our foundation is God! My daughter loved fifth grade kid’s church last week! She is learning (and teaching me) the books of the bible. 
• Cornerstone – Christ is Lord of all even elections. I am far less apprehensive about voting Tuesday after today’s message. I will be mindful of the 10 commandments of voting and remember that no matter who is president, Jesus is still (and always will be) the Kings of Kings. 
• Amazing commandments! I pray people remember them and act in them! 
• Is it possible to use the picture in picture feature on the commons TV’s to show the slide during the message?  [I don’t think so with the current technology we have. And if we had the technology, we’d have to have someone run it for every service (I think). Dan Lukas, what do you think?]
• Seriously – can we just say good morning to each other! My least favorite part of the service. [Oh how I wish I could convince you of its importance. We came to the conclusion that the old way of doing greeting was too lame to keep doing it that way. If you missed my post about it, please take some time to read it (here and here. It may not convince you, but that’s why we do it.]
• When can we have communion passed in rows again? It’s been awhile and is nice for those who can’t physically go up and for those who really aren’t comfortable going up who still want to participate at least once in a while. Can we at least do it once a quarter that way? [We are going to come up with a plan to get Communion help for those who have trouble making it to the station. I think that's what you’re asking. That may include doing a quarterly passing of Communion. Thanks for the idea.]
• Hi, you sent us a thank you (thanks!) but it had our names wrong.
• Just wondering why we don’t have dramas during the services anymore, and if they will ever bring them back?  I miss them! [Hard to say exactly. It's been a long time since we did regular dramas as part of the message. I can say that once we stopped using them regularly, it became harder and harder to maintain a team for doing dramas.]

#5 - I love that you guys get so jazzed about me simply teaching the Bible. I treasure that in you. We really can't figure out life on our own. What a privilege to have in our possession God's message to us!

#6 - Here’s the message in 10 Tweets—Luke 20:19-26, “How to Vote on Tuesday”

1. The Bible informs everything we do, including our politics and how we vote.
2. They're not asking about taxes in general but about one particular tax: tribute tax.
3. Jesus asks for a particular coin that has Caesar's image & inscription: Emperor Tiberias Son of the Divine Augustus Chief Priest.
4. When they produce it, incriminates them. No pious Jew would carry that coin into the temple.
5. The contrast between Tiberias & Jesus could not be any clearer. On the cross Jesus gave up all power/riches for you!
6. He was a king without a penny to his name for your sake. He took the rejection...we deserved for pursuing recognition...instead of God.
7. Render=give back. “Whose image? Well then, give that blasphemous coin back to him if he wants it.”
8. "But give to God what is God’s. Whose image is stamped on your life?"
9. Vote (and live) reflecting God’s image stamped on your life.
10. Check out the 10 Commandments for Voting & a great quote from N.T. Wright here.

God bless you all, Pastor Henry

10 Commandments for Voting

These are the 10 Commandments from the message this weekend. They result from my study of the passage and make the most sense in the context of the message. You can listen to when it is posted on iTunes or our website. I've also included the N.T. Wright quote. (I did not use this on Saturday night, so it's not something you missed when you were sleeping, Debbie.)

1. Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind in the voting booth. So you will seek to vote in a way that reflects the stamp of God’s image on your life.
2. Thou shalt love your neighbor as yourself. You will not simply vote for what’s good for you. You will vote for what is good for your neighbor.
3. Thou shalt seek God's glory by promoting his values. Incidentally, everyone goes to the voting booth voting their values. It would be a shame for our country if Christians left their values at home. It is quite obvious from this passage that God is Lord of your life always, even while you're in the voting booth.
4. Thou shalt not idolize a party or candidate.
5. Thou shalt be informed about the issues and candidates. Love demands it. Policies have consequences. And sometimes those consequences are unintended, so don't leave your mind at home.
6. Thou shalt be humble in the voting booth. God has not revealed what to vote for. Only God knows all the consequences of our votes. He is chosen not to give us a particular political philosophy to pursue. Therefore Christians will go into the voting book voting with the same motivations and informed by Scripture, but they will inevitably come out having voted for different candidates and policies.
7. Thou shalt treat those with whom you disagree with honor. Even if you don't respect their positions or their logic, you will treat them with respect.
8. Thou shalt be hopeful. You will pin your hope on a Kingdom that transcends all others. 
9. Thou shalt be joyful. The Spirit’s joy is not dependent on our immediate circumstances.
10. Thou shalt not be cynical. Cynicism is rooted in arrogance or hopelessness.

N.T. Wright from Luke for Everyone:

"Underneath the debate stands a darker theme. The accusers have failed this time; but Jesus knows, and Luke’s readers know, that they will soon succeed…. The leading Jews are going to hand over to Caesar not only the coin that bears his image, and his false title son of God, but the human being who truly bears God’s image, and who truly bears that title. But, in that act, they are unwittingly offering to God the one stamped with the mark of self-giving love. The cross itself is taken up into both Caesar’s purposes and God’s: Caesar’s favorite weapon, the cross, becomes God’s chosen instrument of salvation."

I explain why our church does not promote particular candidates or policy solutions here. We speak to the issues behind the policy solutions. And we would comment on policy if a policy coerces or tries to force people or sin.

Post Sandy Update from Keith Miraldi

I received this email today from Keith Miraldi, a former Five Oaks staff member who now serves in an EFree church on Staten Island, NY.

Hey Henry! 

I just wanted to give you all an update as to how we were as a church and how you can pray for us.  We are in the middle of a pseudo war zone here on Staten Island.  As you have probably seen on the news we had some pretty incredible damage on Staten Island with homes washed into the ocean, massive flooding, an ever growing death toll, and over 10,000 trees down. We have power at the church but almost 75% of the Island doesn't have any power.  For once I don't think the media is overhyping a situation, we actually feel it is way worse than what you see on TV.

Here are few things to pray for us as a church

1.  That we would be the hands of Christ to our church and community. We have multiple families that have lost houses, had their houses completely gutted, or have lost their source of income (we have a truck driver whose whole trucking company with all their trucks was washed into the ocean) from this storm.
2. That we would find that ONE thing we can do for our community. We are thinking right now we can best serve as a hosting and launching point for teams that travel in for rebuilding.  However, this fits into more of a longer term role.  What is something that we can do for the next 2 weeks to make a difference? 
3.  That we would have the sustained focus and energy to run this race. This is not a short-term calling to needs of our community.  We know that this is something that we will be working through for the next 6-12 months (and potentially beyond).  We have a lot of momentum as a church and want to leverage it for the gospel as we touch our community.  We also just have the everyday needs that every urban church deals with.  We can't take our eye off the ball!

Thanks for your prayers. 

Keith

Wednesday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have a few things I want to share with you.

#1 - Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 - Here are the comments we received back from the cards we send first-time guests:

• 9/16 - I plan to return and check out Five Oaks.  I am looking for a Bible-based church where I can grow my faith and understanding and be ‘plugged in’ to help others with their faith.
• 10/22 - It is rare to find a congregation so warm toward visitors.  Thanks for making our family feel so welcome!

#3 - Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Thank you Pastor Henry for that profound message. 
• Beautiful young ladies singing – angel voices. 
• Thank you for this series. Perfect timing. 
• Good message Henry. 
• Great message today! 
• Wow Henry, you did a great job with this tough topic. You clearly spoke the truth in love. Thanks for your passion and your courage to teach the truth in scripture. 
• Great worship, Justin! Loved hearing the girl’s voices – too beautiful! Great message, Henry! Thanks. [I agree the ladies did an incredible job on the songs they led.]
• Nice job today Pastor Henry on a “touchy” subject. One point to say we all have a homosexual person in our lives may overstate the numbers 2-3%? However we all certainly have sexually immoral people in our lives – including ourselves. [I agree with your stats and love your attitude. I still think my point stands. Most people know 200 plus people (relatives, co-workers, friends, neighbors, church associations, etc). That’s 4-6 people who are gay, and let's say less than half have come out. That's 1-2 people. Maybe my math or facts are wrong. I was talking to one of our board members this week and he counted his previous boss, a neighbor couple and a relative. At least that's what most people tell me and it's my experience.]
• Loved the enthusiasm the worship team has this morning!
• Thank you for teaching the truth. Praise God! 
• Thanks for “speaking the truth in love” – Eph. 4:15 
• Great sermon – tough topic. You handled it well. 
• Thanks for the new song and passionate leadership on song. Nice job Hannah, you have grown so much. Love seeing you up there. Great, great message Henry. Thank you. 
• Crank up the volume. Psalm 100:1-2. We need to come before the Lord in joyful worship. 
• We love Justin and we love worship! It seems however, that the music has been really loud. It is distracting for worship. Ear plugs would be equally distracting. Is there a better solution? Also, Henry, thank you for your courage and truth. [See above comment…I think they’re in your small group! :-) We do get some variation depending on the sound tech who’s on duty, and Mark does tend to go a little louder, in my experience. It is an art and not a science. I didn't sense it was too loud this week. But I mean it when I say thank you for the comment, and we’ll keep trying to strike the right balance. Speaking frankly, when we get lots of comments one way or the other, it’s one of the ways we know how we’re doing, so keep them coming.]
• I have many “yeah buts” so I will e-mail you. 
• Henry, thank you for proclaiming the truth in a loving and respectful way. Such a difficult topic at this time. So spot on and it gives us a great foundation to talk to our friends and family about. Well done. 
• I really appreciate the music ministry of the young lady that sang the first song during the response time. What a beautiful gift of her voice.
• Thanks for speaking clearly on a tough subject. 
• Very nice job on a very intense topic! 
• Well done! Loved the series! 
• I’ve been looking forward to this message for a week! Very well, rounded message. 
• Henry, thank you for tackling a difficult issue with God’s word. I am sure you will take some flack – this is to be expected when we stand up for God’s absolute truth. Please know that [we] are encouraged to be in a body, led by a pastor that compassionately speaks the truth. 
• It would be very helpful to be given the starting verse (not the chapter) so the congregation can get there before you start reading. [Duly noted. Now, will I remember?]
• Thank you for another excellent lesson from God’s word! 
• Such an important topic! Well done! 
• Timely message, Henry. Thank you! 
• The worship was really great today! 
• Just over a year ago, I identified as bisexual. …The closer I’ve come to God, the further I move away from my old identity. I no longer identify as bi. Thank you for explaining what happened.

#4- Link here for a good cartoon from the New Yorker that addresses Genesis 2:24 in an interesting and roundabout way.

#5 - Off the cutting room floor.

• We give up the right to speak into the issue of gay marriage from a biblical standpoint if believe for ourselves that God is in the business of making us happy in the way we want to be made happy. In other words, if I were to justify any of my sins on the grounds that I deserve to be happy or God just wants me to be happy, I have no moral authority to speak to any issue.
• Carrying on a dialogue on this issue is so hard because our biblical convictions about gay sex are perceived as a personal attack by those who define their identity by their sexuality. It would be similar, I think, to someone being philosophically convinced that believing in God is stupid and delusional and then trying to convince me that they don’t think I’m worthless. It’s a huge dilemma for communication. I know there are ways to break through this and many do, but I’m not sure most Christians get how complex this is. I know I didn’t until recently.
• I have a cousin who grew up next door to me who was openly gay since the mid-70’s. I was visiting him in the hospital after his violent partner had beat him up pretty severely. This was Miami in the late 1970’s or early 80’s, not sure, but the whole Anita Bryant thing was going on. One of her representatives was on TV debating someone regarding sexual orientation discrimination laws. We stopped to listen in the hospital room and this guy (a supposed Christian) kept calling homosexuals “the crazies.” Not one of the finer moments in this ongoing debate. I was embarrassed as a fellow believer and quite apologetic to my cousin. Fortunately, my cousin and I have a good relationship to this day.
• Being transformed by the Spirit and experiencing healing doesn’t mean a homosexual will become a heterosexual. And since there will be no marriage in heaven, according to Jesus, it seems that heterosexual isn’t the final goal to begin with.
• When someone who is not a Christ-follower asks you what your position is on homosexuality, don’t lead off with a direct answer to the question. It doesn’t work well. I know this through personal experience. I’m still working on finding a better way and haven’t found it.
• Our church has people in it who struggle with same-sex attraction. Some of them have confided in me. The ones I know are married and have kids. They aren’t looking for loopholes on this issue. They stand strong on biblical convictions. They appreciate it when I preach the truth, with compassion. They are warriors in the battle for personal holiness. They have learned some incredible lessons about this battle and approach it with a depth and awareness most believers never dream of. They could teach the church (i.e., God’s people) valuable lessons. But I’m not sure they feel it’s safe to share their journey with most believers because they know how we talk about gay people, same-sex attraction and other related issues when we don’t know someone who struggles with that is in our presence. With a name like Williams and accent-free English, it’s amazing the conversations I “overheard” in high school in a city that was 50% Hispanic at the time.

#6 - Here’s the message in 10 tweets on Genesis 2:18-25 entitled “One Flesh.”

1. Our interpretation isn't perfect. If I’m wrong, show me with the Bible. I'm glad to be corrected if I'm wrong.
2. I don't think I need a sermon introduction to get your attention today. I already said sex and naked. Do I have your attention?
3. Adam was clearly overjoyed to see this naked woman next to him. The Bible isn’t prudish. It’s earthy.
4. The Bible’s positive expressions regarding sexual intimacy are always reserved for sexual union within the context of marriage. Always.
5. The Bible’s positive expressions regarding sexual intimacy are always reserved for sexual union between a man and woman.
6. Gay mar advocate: “Most people against r not bigots. It’s not helpful when our side accuses of them of being bigots for what they believe.”
7. Many proponents of gay mar share many sex boundaries & morals w/ Xtians even if on this they draw the boundaries in a different place.
8. Who doesn’t know someone who is gay that they genuinely like? I mean, genuinely enjoy being with them & like them. BTW, you're allowed to.
9. Studies arguing the Bible is not against all forms of gay sex haven't done well under peer review-even many who r gay/lesbian.
10. We are all sexually broken & in need of grace, healing & deep transformation.

#7- Thanks for your prayers for Shawn and Becky Hunt. The service for Gracia was simply beautiful and uplifting. I was so impressed with Eagle Brook Spring Lake Park pastor Tahni Cullen and the church's ministry to the family.

As many of you noted, this was a tough topic address. Now on to something easier this coming weekend when we look at Luke 20:20-26 and address how Christians should vote. No, I’m not kidding, except about it being easier.

God bless you and thank you for your prayers, Pastor Henry

Weekend Message Q&A

Here are the questions I received based from the weekend message.

Q – You certainly guided us through the biblical guidelines of marriage and sexuality in the last few weeks.  However, how about divorce?  Outside of unfaithfulness and desertion by an unbeliever, is there any grounds for a biblically guided divorce? If so, what/where is it?  I ask mainly for a close family member who is strongly considering divorce, but both are believers and there has not been unfaithfulness.  Thanks.

A – Here’s our Elder’s policy on Divorce and Remarriage Download DivRemarPolAug07. It's a good place to start.

Q – The I Corinthians 6 verse confused me a little bit. I thought by grace we are saved, does this verse mean homosexuals and the others in the verse are not? 

A – Here’s the passage.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

I think you are assuming that Paul is saying Christians don’t do any of those things once they have been washed, sanctified and justified, but he is not. These verses have to be read in the context of the whole letter, of Paul’s writings and even in the context of the entire Bible.

In this letter Paul clearly assumes that Christians still sin—including the sins listed in this passage. In this letter he goes into detail about how Christians will at times live “according to the flesh.” Some translations translate “flesh” (when used in this sense) as “sinful nature.” 

Even in this passage Paul refers to the fact that we are made righteous only through Christ and by the Spirit’s work. So, it’s not about not doing certain things that we are saved.

But if a person’s life is marked by these sins, a person’s heart lacks repentance and change/growth isn’t evident in a person’s life, Paul is saying they can expect the same results as non-Christians at the judgment because that’s what they are, in spite of their association with the church and their verbal profession of Christ. Jesus spoke to this as well in the Gospels (Matthew 13:24-30; also John 10:25-30). Paul’s words are first a warning/exhortation that keeps the good "fear" of God on the forefront of the believer’s mind. It’s one of the ways God helps all his children persevere all the way to the end. It reminds us to stay vigilant. We are at war with sin and evil. Failure to be at war in our lives is a possible sign that we never enlisted! But his words also function as a reminder that there are always wolves among the sheep.

Q – You said we need to examine the policies we are voting on. Can you recommend a good non-biased place to read about the policies and the pros and cons of proposed policies? 

A – I don’t think this (or most topics) can be approached in an unbiased way. So you're going to need to go to your usual trusted sources. I recommend building a good stable of trusted sources for political and worldview issues—people and organizations that deal with a wide variety of issues in a biblical way. Here are some of my favorite organizations for this sort of thing:

• BreakPoint and The Colson Center.
• Christianity Today: Note that Christianity Today has a variety of different publications and blogs to which you can subscribe. Check out their "Media/Culture" and "Politics/Current Affairs" sections.
• Although I haven't used it much recently, World Magazine seeks to consistently bring a biblically informed worldview to today's news and issues.

Starting with these resources will introduce you to a variety of Christianity’s greatest thinkers.

Then, just to keep everyone honest, I recommend exposing yourself to thoughtful sources that don’t claim to be biblical in their orientation. One or two will do, but if you've been around Five Oaks for a while you know I listen a lot to the news on Minnesota Public Radio (including NPR news shows) and programs they carry like "Planet Money," "Marketplace," "Radiolab," and "This American Life." I also read the Pioneer Press, watch both CNN and Fox News and even get a dose of talk radio. None of these sources come from a particularly Christian perspective and you don't have to be an input nut like me to get a variety of perspectives.

Bring the Bible's teaching to bear on what you know learn from these resources and from trusted friends, then I'm pretty sure you'll be an well-informed voter.

Q – (1) For those of us who have decided to vote “yes” on the marriage amendment how do we respond to people who say that in the United States we have a separation of church and state and (2) something so biblical has no place in politics? (3) In my experience that question is always followed up with “how would you like it if non-Christian doctrine was forced onto you”? (4) In your opinion what are the secular reasons for voting “yes”?

A – I’ve taken the liberty to number the questions.

(1) I try to bring up a couple of ideas:

It’s debatable whether what the constitution says about church and state should be interpreted as a "separation of church and state." It’s good to remind folks that the terms “separation of church and state” are not in the constitution and that the phrase is a debatable interpretation of what is the constitution.

But whether or not it's a good interpretation, we know for certain that the framers did not want individual citizens to participate in the public square without their consciences (formed by their faith or lack thereof) engaged. In other words, I like to remind people that no one else leaves their convictions at home when they vote, so why should Christians?

(2) I guess I would point out that until recently every culture from every religion (including atheistic governments) for all recorded history have only sanctioned marriage between men and women. It’s not just a biblical position.

(3) As politely and respectfully as possible, I would ask, “Are you serious?” Tens of thousands of Christians have had their relatives (grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc.) aborted—children that would not otherwise have died except that our government sanctions abortion on demand. Again, this doesn’t settle the issue as to whether or not the gay marriage amendment is a good law. It simply is a reminder that all laws arise out of the biases, ethics, convictions and worldview of those who frame them. There are very few if any unbiased, neutral laws that don't force something on anyone.

(4) This is a very important question. It assumes, quite correctly, that while we vote our consciences and convictions based on Scripture, it’s not profitable to try to convince people who don’t share our convictions about Scripture by appealing to Scripture. While we believe God’s precepts (his commands) are based on the principles he established in his creation, and those principles arise from the person of God (his character), this argument doesn’t fly with the general public. But if what we believe is true, doesn’t it follow that there should be arguments we can make based on reason and common grace? Here’s a BreakPoint commentary the late Chuck Colson wrote a few years ago that can serve as a starting point for making those arguments (link here).

Even so, I think it’s also important to point out the burden of proof actually lies with anyone who is advocating for changing something that has been universally accepted throughout history. What evidence do they have for suggesting “gay marriage” won’t negatively impact society or the institution of marriage? I think their argument would need to be compelling.

Everything I’m saying here assumes that gay marriage is not a good thing because God says it's not a good thing, but it makes no judgment on whether or not the amendment itself is good governmental policy.

Additional Resources on Sexuality, Sexual Brokenness and Healing

This is a tough topic to try to cover in one message, so here are some additional resources. This is not comprehensive. It's only a starting place. I haven't thoroughly vetted all of the resources, and I'm neither an expert on this nor versed on all the ins and outs, so proceed with caution.

On sex/sexuality as a gift from God:

• My absolute favorite book on this topic is Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity by Lauren F. Winner. This is a great book that is both intellectually stimulating and personal.

On biblical interpretation and homosexuality:

• This book is long, detailed and expensive, but it's the most definitive, biblical and thorough study to date of the biblical evidence: The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics by Robert A.J. Gagnon. 
• Here's a resource by the same author that addresses five key issues of interpretation regarding what the Bible says about homosexuality. I think you'll find this very illuminating and helpful: "What the Evidence Really Says about Scripture and Homosexual Practice: Five Issues" by Robert A. J. Gagnon, Ph.D: Download

On a biblical approach to issues regarding homosexuality:

• I found this article very helpful (even though the "current" in the title refers to 1995): Homosexuality: Current Thinking and Biblical Guidelines by Ed Welch.
• I can't recommend enough the chapter on "Homosexual Marriage as a Challenge to the Church: Biblical and Cultural Reflections" in Sex and the Supremacy of Christ, edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor. 
• This book was highly recommended to me by someone I trust who is well informed on this topic: The Complete Christian Guide to Understanding Homosexuality: A Biblical and Compassionate Response to Same-Sex Attraction by Joe Dallas and Nancy Heche.
• One of our staff members found this book very helpful in helping others who are struggling with same-sex attraction issues: Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends by Mark A. Yarhouse.

On parenting issues regarding homosexuality and same-sex attraction: 

• "The Words No Parent Wants to Hear" by Tim Geiger
• "My son is gay. Should I try to make him change or accept him as he is?" Video answer by John Townsend.
• See Yarhouse above.

Ministries that focus on help and healing for sexual brokenness:

• Several men from our church are involved in the local chapter of The Sampson Society. The Samson Society is about more than sexual brokenness, but it's a great place to pursue help and healing for it. Check out what it's all about here.
• Outpost Ministries
• Faithful and True
  

Thursday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have a few things I want to share with you.

#1- This weekend’s message is PG-13 because it’s about sexuality. I will not be talking about how you should vote in the upcoming marriage amendment for the same reason I don’t address other political policies. (For a full explanation, go here.) But I will address the issues behind political policies. I’ve had people on both the “vote no” and “vote yes” sides say that what I’m doing is just a sneaky way of telling people how to vote, and I might as well just come out and be honest about it. I completely disagree! Here’s what I wrote a friend of mine yesterday who is of the “vote no” persuasion.

My overwhelming concern is discipleship. I think this issue is an opportunity to address how we read Scripture, how we live out our faith in the public square, how we love, who we follow, how we allow God to shape our identity, the nature of truth, the relevance of Scripture to everyday life and so much more. …I happen to believe (and our church and denomination believe) that the Bible is clearly and unequivocally for sexual intimacy only the context of the covenant of marriage between a man and woman. If I didn't address the topic right now when it's such a topic of discussion, I think it could be construed as pastoral malpractice or dishonesty. 

Let me just underscore that I am not going to comment on the merits of this particular law or on the merits of legislation (or this type of legislation) in this matter (or matters like this one). And it has absolutely nothing to do with our tax status. Again, my convictions and reasoning are clearly laid out here.

#2- We have over 60 families who have taken the Do You Devo? Challenge and more that are doing it that didn’t sign up. I love seeing whole families committed to hearing from God together regularly.

#3- Hundreds of you are participating in the Story of God study right now. I love hearing about what you’re learning. Several who have done it before are telling me about what they’re noticing this time around that they missed before. Some are passing typos on to me and that is very helpful. I will soon have the manuscript professionally edited, so that will help the editor. This copy was printed while still in the beta stage to meet the deadline. I was way more concerned with getting a flawed product in your hands than a perfect one when it’s too late. Just wait until you get to week 8 and find out I missed an entire day! I was thinking you might want to catch up on that day. Yeah, that's right. That's what I was thinking.

#4- Here’s a great picture of our church building from the sky taken by Five Oaker Gary Chambers.

#5- Tim Bubar is part of the team planning the next national EFree Students Challenge conference. This conference is such a positive spiritual catalyst in the lives of so thousands of students that I’m extremely proud of Tim for serving in this capacity. Here’s the team.

#6- If you’re a member, please read this memo point, even if you’re tempted to by-pass it once you see what it’s about. Okay, it’s about our by-laws. We’re always changing our church by-laws to keep up with our growth and changing circumstances. We’re proposing several key changes we'll vote on at the congregational meeting.

• One is to help protect our pastors and the church from lawsuits for refusing to do weddings that violate our biblical convictions.
• Two are long overdue given the size of our congregation and budget. We can’t continue to ask volunteers to audit our books given the enormity of the task, so we will be looking for outside help to do it. Our elected auditors from the congregation will examine the professional audit and communicate concerns and needed changes to the Board. We also need greater flexibility is choosing a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Larger churches in our denomination all vote for Board members (as we will continue to do), but many let the Board members vote for who will serve as Chair and Secretary. And they often assign a paid staff member as Treasurer because of the difficulties associated with having a volunteer in this position (i.e., timeliness and workload).

If you have any concerns about this, please do not wait until the Congregational Meeting to investigate. Talk to your Board members now and read the supporting materials here.  

#7- Don’t forget: The first service on Sundays will change to 9:15am on November 4 (the end of Daylight Savings Time). We are not adding to the length of our services. We are only trying to add more time for transitions between services. Things get really crazy in the Children’s Ministry check-in are when we have only 15-20 minutes to transition. Send me your questions if you have any about this change. We considered many options and I don’t want to over-communicate by including them here.  

See you on the weekend.

Blessing to you, Pastor Henry

Wednesday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have a few things I want to share with you.

#1 - Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 - Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Love the music! Justin does such an excellent job! 
• Great service on marriage. Thanks for keeping it real. 
• Fantastic message Tim, the clip really brought it home. Great job. Thanks for tag-teaming with Henry so effectively. Really nice worship set all the way through guys. [I’ll include the film below.]
• Great message, Tim. Loving actions lead to loving feelings. 
• Loved the worship set today. God’s love never fails – never has, never will. God’s love for us is SO beautiful. Light of the world FOREVER REIGN! 
• Interesting message. Marriage hasn’t always been about love, but it certainly has for the last century. Knowing your partners love language, it’s easier to show love to them. 
• Nice Tim, did love the “film” – way to set us up. Love – You Are Beautiful” song.
• I thought service started at 11:00. I entered worship at 11:00 on the dot, and the service was already on the third song. Can you either post the time change or start at 11? I miss out on praise and worship. [The service starts at 11am with the first song. But we do a pre-service song five minutes early every week for every service. If you want to take that in, you’ll need to arrive early. I went to the Saturday service, so I can’t speak to how far they were in at 11am, but we have never, ever gotten more than the first song done before 11am. Are you sure you entered at 11am (world clock time)?]
• Next Sunday at 1:30 p.m. I need some help moving stuff from a construction trailer, into my new living quarters. Heavy furniture, boxes of books, etc. things I can’t carry currently. I have three guys helping! I know no one (limited people) so I really, truly need help! Thanks please share/spread the word for me somehow. Everyone possible – ha ha! Kind of kidding sort of.

#3- Here's the film that Tim played this weekend. I've seen it four or five times and it doesn't get old. 

#4- I have some hard news to share with you. Gracia, Shawn (our Tech Director) and Becky Hunt’s baby daughter, went to be with the Lord early on Tuesday morning. Gracia was born in early August with a serious heart condition. She had not yet gone home, but the doctors were hopeful that she would be able to go home soon after undergoing one more surgery. We have no doubt that Gracia is with God, but the hole she will leave in her family's life will not be filled in this lifetime. Please pray for Shawn, Becky and their family--for the incredible hope we have in Christ and his presence to shine brightly in their hurting hearts.

Thank you for your all your prayers and may God bless you today, Pastor Henry

Weekend Message Q&A

Even though I didn't give the message this week I'll try to answer the question we received regarding the passage:

Q – If marriage is so important to God, and he created it, why will there be NO marriage in heaven? Matthew 22:29-30. 

A – I don’t know the answer, but I think God may have given us a little clue in Ephesians 5.

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:31-32)

If marriage always pointed us to Christ it may be that at the consummation of everything, in the new age, the highest purpose for marriage will have been completed so that it will be "unnecessary" in the new bodies we’ll inhabit in the new heaven and new earth. I don’t know why God established marriage in paradise (in the Garden) but not have it endure into the future paradise except for this reason.

Tuesday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have a few things I want to share with you.

#1 - Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 - Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Amazing opening songs! Loved the personal stories. Thank you for sharing, Henry! Great message! [Loved that opening song too.]
• Dan, song – Your Love Never Fails – really sounded good! It was made for your voice.
• If there is a couple that wants to attend the marriage conference, but need childcare I’d be happy to assist. [Jeni will take note of this. Thank you!]
• Your love never fails – never heard it better. Wow! Great vocal clarity and mixing. “Jesus Son of God” Dan and Pam you rock! [I was just telling Pam that today. And Dan did an incredible job leading this week from the selection of the songs to leading the band to singing. I was blessed by it all.]
• I thank you for the book table. I have read more “good” books because of the availability of these books on Sunday! [Music to my ears.]
• Aside a decision for Christ, this is the most important decision on your life. Glad we are taking time to reflect out this topic.
• Very nice message today Henry! Good stories – they related well to the scripture we used. Also, good that we’re in the “marriage Works” series! [Thanks. I try to do a parenting or marriage series every year.]
• New fave song! “Jesus, Son of God”. Thank you.
• It has not been my observation that most married people are happy. I hope you are right! Great message!
• I’ve been attending Hope Community since moving to downtown Minneapolis. Thank you for suggesting it! [Great church.]
• Music really loud this week (I was sitting in last row.) Great songs, but not enjoyable at times. 
• I was an usher this week. Issues with volume level of the music. Second service couple left due to noise level. We received other comments as well. We offered ear protection; they did not want to use it. I would recommend we set a new lower standard db level. I did request noise level reduction second service. Not enough. 
• Um, the music was way too loud. [I usually can tell when we’re going to get comments on loudness but I didn’t see it coming this week. Strange. We had some set-up issues this week so I’m wondering if something was out of whack, causing some harsh sounds. Thanks for letting us know. We're trying to figure out what happened.]

#3 - Here’s a recap of the first message in our “Marriage Works” series on Genesis 2:18-25 in 10 tweets:

1. God's definition of marriage: Genesis 2:24. Repeated by Jesus and Paul. That's where believers get our understanding of marriage.
2. The definition has three parts: leave (this message), hold fast (next) & become one flesh (last wk).
3. Everybody loves a good falling in love story…..even those of you who are rolling your eyes right now.
4. Surveys of Americans consistently show that most people (61-62%) are very happy in their marriages. It was, after all, God's idea.
5. God created us with a need that marriage fulfills better than any other relationship & instituted marriage to fulfill it.
6. "Leaving" means forging a new primary allegiance & establishing new patters/ways of doing things.
7. Lois & I had to "leave" our expectations behind. I don't tinker around the house fixing things & she's not going to pick up after me.
8. So many marital fights are not just about preferences but about trying to recreate our families of origin.
9. Not good the man is alone. It's amazing that God created us to need something more than him. But from day 1 marriage pointed to Christ.
10. God's definition of marriage focuses on a deep connection, a friendship. Deep friendship takes a significant investment of time & attention.

#4 - Off the cutting room floor: I wanted to cover this additional information from a huge, longitudinal study I referred to in the message:

Two out of three unhappily married adults who avoided divorce or separation ended up happily married five years later. Two out of three!

Divorce doesn’t work as well as some people think. Same study found that when people divorce, hoping that it will make them happier, most don’t get happier in comparison with those unhappy people who stayed married. This is not a slam on divorced people or to say that everyone should stay married no matter what. That is simply not true. It does explain why some experts say many people who are unhappily married would do better to deal with their depression (if they’re depressed) than to walk away from their marriage.

#5 - Here's the John Gottman quote from the message:

“The determining factor in whether wives feel satisfied with the sex, romance, and passion in their marriage is, by 70 percent, the quality of the couple’s friendship. For men, the determining factor is, by 70 percent, the quality of the couple’s friendship. So men and women come from the same planet after all.

…”Happy marriages are based on a deep friendship. By this I mean a mutual respect for and enjoyment of each other’s company. These couples tend to know each other intimately—they are well versed in each other’s likes, dislikes, personality quirks, hopes, and dreams. They have an abiding regard for each other and express this fondness not just in the big ways but in little ways day in and day out. . . . Friendship fuels the flames of romance because it offers the best protection against feeling adversarial toward your spouse.”

I've got a lot to share with you tomorrow. Tune in.

Blessings to you, Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have SEVEN things I want to share with you.

#1 - Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 - Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Thank you and God bless!
• Glad I didn’t miss the message today. That really helped with my questions about the marriage vote coming up and you didn’t even have to specify. Made a lot of sense. [I’ll be addressing the subject of gay marriage in the third/last message of the new series we're launching this weekend. I won’t be addressing how to vote since we don’t recommend political policy solutions. But we do speak to the issues behind the political solutions. I'm certain that Christians that agree on a biblical understanding of gay marriage do not agree on whether the amendment is a good policy solution. That doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is when Christians don’t think biblically about the moral issues of our day. We always need clarity on those. And the clarity needs to be built on truth and grace.]
• Jesus reigns!
• Missing the skits and video clips that are sometimes used. Will those come back? [Sorry, no plans at this time, but you never know. We are considering one for our Christmas services but it may be shot for video.]
• God is good! His mercies endure forever! Because His goodness is his nature?
• Loved the songs and the harmony. Tim you always are so welcoming and do a great job with announcements. Henry thanks for your passion for the Bible and ensuring we are literate and love it! Great mini-series. Love the closing song Hillsong.
• Thanks for this series – if only every Christian. 
• Worship program is dated “Sept. 29 & 30” oops! Great energy and teaching.
• Thanks worship team!
• Nice! 

#3 - Here’s a recap of the message in 10 tweets:

• 1/ “Eat This Book” series, part 4 (last message).
• 2/ We slather the Word with ketchup when we intellectualize it. This is where we slather it with expensive ketchup.
• 3/ God's Word is addressed to us personally but always in the context of community. Always. No exceptions.
• 4/ Yes, we get many "how-tos" from this Book, but that's not the intention of most passages in the Bible.
• 5/ The Bible tells the story of our rescue. Jesus, the cross & the resurrection is how he rescued us & will renew the entire creation.
• 6/ Everything written in the Bible is part of a string of comments & a historical moment in time.

• 7/ To ignore context is to disrespect what God is actually saying.
• 8/ Imagine Lois leaves me a to-do list & I don't do it. Instead I spend the time putting it to song & sing it to her when she comes in the door
• 9/ “Listening requires listening to the way it is said (form) as well as to what is said (content).” Eugene Peterson
• 10/ If it seems complicated to you it's only because you haven't thought about what you do every time you read a letter, novel or recipe.

#4 - Off the cutting room floor:

Because this is a very personal Word from God to us, we need to read it carefully. Eugene Peterson addresses this in Eat This Book:

"Because we speak our language so casually, it is easy to fall into the habit of treating it casually. But language is persistently difficult to understand. We spend our early lives learning the language, and just when we think we have it mastered our spouse says, “You don’t understand a thing I’m saying, do you?” We teach our children to talk, and just about the time we think they might be getting it, they quit talking to us; and when we overhear them talking to their friends, we find we can’t understand more than one out of every eight or nine words they say.

"A close relationship doesn’t guarantee understanding. A long affection doesn’t guarantee understanding. In fact, the closer we are to another and the more intimate our relations, the more care we must exercise to hear accurately, to understand thoroughly, to answer appropriately.

"Which is to say, the more “spiritual” we become, the more care we must give to exegesis. The more mature we become in the Christian faith, the more exegetically rigorous we must become. This is not a task from which we graduate."

#5 - Several people told me how much they loved this series. It’s one of my favorite topics. But here’s what I’m thinking. If you geek out on this stuff like I do, maybe you ought to consider joining the Group Life writing team. We also need folks who edit or help in the administration of this ministry. Let me know if you want more information on this.

#6 - A few weeks ago I mentioned our need for auditors and three people responded. Very grateful! We only needed one for this year. We also had the largest group of people ever respond to the Nominating Committee’s search for Governing Board. Probably more than twice as many as we’ve ever had respond. An embarrassment of riches, actually. We also had more respond for Elder than we had spaces to fill. I love that you guys love our church enough to be willing to take on such significant and demanding responsibilities. Thank you for being the church that you are. It reminds me once again how much I love our church.  

#7 - Have you invited anyone to a church service lately? This might be a good time as we launch a 3-week series on marriage focused on God’s definition of marriage. How you define marriage in your mind—what you expect, how you think it works, how much work you think it takes—deeply impacts your experience. Is there someone you know who needs to hear this?  

See you on the weekend.

Blessing to you, Pastor Henry

Weekend Message Q&A

Here are the questions I received based on the weekend message.

Q – Should we keep in mind what was happening when something was written or the events that happened in the time the writing is in? For example, do we read something written now about a past event with the knowledge of the past or the present?

A – I’m not sure I understand the question. I’ll take my best shot at addressing some issues around historical context when reading.

• Historical context can refer to the occasion of a particular writing. For example, Paul writes 1 Corinthians in response to a letter church members wrote to him and he wrote in response to reports he had received by others who were familiar with the situation in Corinth, recent visitors and members of the church there.
• Historical context can also refer to the general historical/cultural situation in which the document was written. For example, in reading 1 Corinthians and the issues Paul faced there it’s good to know some things about life in that city socially, economically, religiously, etc. Even the history of that city. 
• The reader also has a historical/cultural context that impacts understanding. This can help and hinder understanding. It can especially hinder understanding when we are unaware of the extent to which our reading is impacted by our assumptions/worldview. And even if we are aware, we’re never completely aware of our own assumptions or the assumptions of the author. But our own context can also help. For example, American missionaries come from a world that is very skeptical of “miraculous” (even in the church), but sometimes theyserve in worlds that have not been as influenced by the enlightenment, where they still believe in spiritual realities. These missionaries have found, for example, that the new converts can relate to the miracles in Scripture and, in turn, they experience much more of the miraculous in their lives. This then has deeply impacted many of these missionaries who have brought a fuller and more accurate understanding of the Bible to American Christianity. All that said, if you go to another culture and immerse yourself in it long enough you begin to discover the that people are not all that different after all, no matter the culture. Their problems and joys are quite similar. This is true also if you immerse yourself in ancient literature. You are often shocked by how “modern” their thinking is. So the differences should not be overblown.

Q – I've known people who use historical/archaeological information to "prove" that the Bible is false because they can't pin down the people in the Bible to information/documentation in historical records. How do you get historical context in that case?

A – There are thousands of respected and credentialed historians and archaeologists that would say otherwise. Take a look at “probe.org” and enter archaeology into the search box. This would be a good place to start.

Q – Loving the story of God book! Thank you, Henry! Question in Genesis 1, many times it says “let there be,” etc. But when speaking of man it says “Let us make man in our image”. Didn’t google this, thought you shed light on this (if there is anything to share). Great worship set Justin! Praise Him! 

A – Not sure if this addresses your question but here’s what the ESV Study Bible says on that verse:

• Gen. 1:24–31 This is by far the longest section given over to a particular day, indicating that day 6 is the peak of interest for this passage. The final region to be filled is the dry land, or Earth (as it has been designated in v. 10). Here a significant distinction is drawn between all the living creatures that are created to live on the dry land, and human beings. Whereas vv. 24–25 deal with the “living creatures” that the earth is to bring forth, vv. 26–30 concentrate on the special status assigned to humans.
• Gen. 1:26 Let us make man in our image. The text does not specify the identity of the “us” mentioned here. Some have suggested that God may be addressing the members of his court, whom the OT elsewhere calls “sons of God” (e.g., Job 1:6) and the NT calls “angels,” but a significant objection is that man is not made in the image of angels, nor is there any indication that angels participated in the creation of human beings. Many Christians and some Jews have taken “us” to be God speaking to himself, since God alone does the making in Gen. 1:27 (cf. 5:1); this would be the first hint of the Trinity in the Bible (cf. 1:2).

Q – Wondering if there is a Bible App for daily reads – a good recommendation? 

A – Yep. The very best with lots and lots of choices for Bible reading plans is the YouVersion app and the YouVersion website. You get to check off each day you read in whatever plan you choose, and they’ll even send you reminders and encouragement when you fall behind. You can even recorded versions of every text in most of the primary translations.

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

I have NINE things I want to share with you today.

#1 - Warren Coe was our teacher over the weekend. Great message illustrating how the Bible tells one story. By the way, Warren will be teaching the Cover to Cover class at Five Oaks that starts this January. Three semesters of the Story of God on steroids (that’s how I describe it). We’ll get more info out on this in the coming months.

#2 - Get a recap of the service with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs at http://5oaks.info/.

#3 - Here are your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Praise God for this church. May He always be the main focus!
• Very interested in the marriage conference. Can’t wait to hear more. [I’m also starting a short, three-week marriage series in two weekends.]
• Thank you – great message, especially during a time of such uncertainty in the world.
• The acoustic guitar player is really good. [I agree, but in the interest of full disclosure, I know she would say, “Thanks, Mom and Dad.”]
• Tim, you look good in glasses. 
• Still having trouble finding a small group that fits into my life/schedule. [I hope you find one. If it’s just not possible, I suggest you do the Story of God book on your own or with one other person.]
• Thank you Warren! Learned a ton! Yay Justin on the Holy Spirit moment leading us.
• Thank you for the worship set! Loved it guys. Fantastic message and closing set. Loved the Challenge Justin and raise your hands! 
• How Great Thou Art. Scarlett thread of redemption in my live. Love the Hymn!
• Thanks for offering Cover to Cover – great idea! I’m looking forward to it – right up my alley. Praying that I can get my husband to join me! Great worship Justin!
• Thank you for bringing Warren to Five Oaks. Great message. Praise God for His blessings and protection in my life! 

#4 - Here’s a comment from the cards we send first-time guests:

• 9/24 I visited with my fiancé – I am new to the area.  I really enjoyed the biblical foundation of the message and the stations during the worship service.  I’ve never seen that before!

#5 - I think most of your small groups will be kicking off the Story of God study this week. I want to strongly encourage you to stay current, use the two open days each week to catch up if you do fall behind and by all means, finish.

#6 - Parents, take your family through the Story of God using the “Do You Devo?” Resource. You can pick it up each week or download it here.

#7 - On a personal note, my oldest son got engaged to a wonderful young woman last weekend. They’re visiting this coming weekend and so are our youngest and his wife, so Lois and I are pretty stoked about this weekend.

#8 - I’ll be wrapping up the Eat This Book series on the weekend. We’re looking at the last three of five questions we need ask when we read the Bible in order to read it well. No more ketchup on God’s Word. The following week I’m launching a three-week series on marriage. We’ll get back to Luke after that.

#9 - Kent and I are in CA first half of this week for a Small Groups Ministry workshop at North Coast Church. Very valuable time here. Small groups are so central to our ministry discipleship strategy that we're always trying to learn how to do it better. Kent is the best guy we could ever have leading this ministry. We are blessed.

Blessing to you, Pastor Henry