...to everyday life

Tenth Avenue North @ Five Oaks this Sunday, 2:30pm, Free

This just came in. The band Tenth Avenue North will be at Five Oaks this Sunday at 2:30pm. It's free, but you have to 18 and older to come. They needed a venue to record an acoustic set with congregational voices singing along. Their record label requires 18 and older for the recording (legal reasons regarding consent). Sorry. They are playing at the Excel Center on Sunday evening as part of the Rock & Worship Roadshow with MercyMe. Come for this short concert (maybe an hour or so). Bring friends. KTIS will be promoting it on the radio.

Haiti Orphanage Update & Some Amazing Pictures

Jeff Schwartz and Wes Lindburg recently returned from an 8-day mission trip to the GVCM orphanage in Haiti. Last time Jeff was there was during the earthquake! Wes was with me on my first trip so he has seen immense change over the last few years. Here's a portion of their report:

A lot has changed since we were last down there two years ago!  From the perimeter wall, virtual classroom, library, radio station, playground, and food depot, to the school rooms being built right outside the front gate, it was a lot to take in on our first day.  Our mission was to run electric to the generator room, 3 depots, and the guard house. ...God is still working in big ways at the orphanage, not just in buildings, but in the people as well. Yves, Wilfred, and Jude are still going strong running the place and the children are as healthy and happy as I have ever seen them. One thing that stuck out to me was the amount of people who are attending services on Sunday, about 200!  God is good and His church is growing!

Mid-Week Memo

Dear Five Oakers,

I have ELEVEN things I want to share with you today:

#1- I want to strongly encourage you to use the Commitment Cards we passed out this weekend for your personal giving planning. They are not to be turned in. But will you trust God more this year with your resources? Will you seek his leading in this area of your life? God owns it or it owns you.

#2- Loved the opening song for response this weekend. It was written by Dan Lukas, a meditation based on Psalm 139.

#3- We have a choir this coming weekend. You can sing in it if you come to rehearsal on Thursday evening from 7-9pm at our building. Email Justin if you plan on coming (jschaap@fiveoakschurch.org).

#4- We've got about 18 people in our Story of God small group experience at our house! We're going to find creative ways of getting everyone involved in the dialogues, which are so crucial for learning. This is so much fun. And I recently found out that one of our members is leading a Story of God experience at Stonecrest retirement community in Woodbury. More people reading the Bible with greater understanding and deeper impact.

#5- Got a very funny message on my voicemail from a friend of someone who signed up for Story of God. Wanted to ask me to cancel on the Super Bowl weekend so his friend could come to his party! Didn't leave a number. By the way, we're meeting earlier on that Sunday. I guess I'm not spiritual enough to miss the Super Bowl for a small group. :-)

#6- Here are some of the results from our last quarterly survey (the first one we've done online):

• 63% participated in an Impact initiative in the last three months.
• 67% volunteered in ministry at Five Oaks in the last three months.
• 55% invited someone to Five Oaks in the last three months.

#7- Some responses from first-time guests:

• We would have appreciated more information about the stations before the service (maybe on the website?).  Everything else was great.  We will visit again.
• We enjoyed the service.  Very good sermon.

#8- The Diaper Drive for New Life Family Services brought in 4007 diapers + $50 cash donation! Thanks for your generosity. Check out their ministry here.

#9- Matches are being made right now for our Five Oaks trained mentors and the children in our partnership with Woodbury Elementary (Kids Hope USA). Woodbury Elementary identified 10 kids to participate. We had exactly 10 mentors go through training! And as of this past weekend we have exactly 10 prayer partners!! Simply amazing. I can't wait to get started. 

#10- LifeWay Christian Store in Woodbury has a sale going on right now for the ESV Study Bible for $24.49. I've not seen it that cheap anywhere. Go out and get it. Remember, if you buy the hard copy, it gives you access to the whole study Bible online. 

#11- This weekend we're continuing in our "EVERYTHING" series. We'll be looking at how EVERYTHING includes our influence. We're focusing our worship response on Communion with the small group leaders handling the elements. Music for the weekend includes:

• "All Because of Jesus"
• "How Great Thou Art"
• "Here I am to Worship"
• "Awakening"
• "With Everything"
• "Draw Me Close"
• "Awesome is the Lord Most High"

I have a quick update from the orphanage in Haiti posting tomorrow. Some GREAT pictures.

I hope I get to see you on the weekend. Blessings to you,

Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo

Hey Five Oakers,

I'm out of town this week working on getting my uncle's house ready for sale, but I will be back on the weekend for the third message in the EVERYTHING series. I have to keep this short, so I have only THREE things I want to share with you today:

#1- Check out this explanation of the EVERYTHING station. You can go deeper with it if you come prepared.  

Everything Response Station from Five Oaks on Vimeo.

#2- Here's a clip from last weekend's message.  

Everything: Promise & Sacrifice (Pearl) from Five Oaks on Vimeo.

#3- Register for the next trimester for small groups this weekend. And register for Five Oaks Universtity classes here.

Loving the weather here in Miami. We've been able to take some time to enjoy it in spite of working on the house. But we're looking forward to being home again.

Blessings to you,

Pastor Henry

Going Deeper with the Weekend Message

If you want to go deeper regarding the ethics of in vitro fertilization, a good start is an article from Christianity Today called "Souls on Ice."

If you want to go deeper with the whole of idea of God requiring a redemption for the firstborn sons, as well as more material on the Abraham and Isaac story, listen to one of my favorite all-time messages by Tim Keller called "The Story of the Lamb" (much of this material is also found in Counterfeit Gods chapter 1, but I think the message is masterful).

 

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers, I have EIGHT things I want to share with you:

#1- The special Feed My Starving Children offering on Christmas weekend was over $17,000!!! Yes, your generosity blows me away.

#2- We kicked off the new EVERYTHING series. I was super nervous before just before teaching on Saturday night, partly because of my excitement for what I wanted to share and partly because of using the whiteboard (that extra element can be tricky). If you missed the message, I highly recommend getting in online or through iTunes before next weekend. You'll get more from the series and I think the insights we get from the Creation account are stunning. Here are some of the ideas shared, just as a reminder:

• We were designed by God to find peace, joy and our purpose by orienting EVERYTHING in our lives toward him.
• EVERYTHING includes:
  • The BODY you occupy
  • The TIME you inhabit
  • The PLEASURES you relish
  • The INFLUENCE you wield
  • The SUCCESS you’ve achieved
  • The POSSESSIONS you hold
  • The WORK you perform
  • The STRENGTHS you possess
  • The CHILDREN you raise
• God created all so he owns EVERYTHING. Think "go to your room."
• The movement of creation toward God and rest. The frantic, bored or meaningless life we choose when we reverse the flow and turn our backs on God, focusing on what he created instead of on him.

• It's not either God owns it or I own it. It's either God owns it or IT OWNS ME.

#3- Here's a more complete list of what our students did for the second annual Student Service Project Overnight during Christmas break (I'm so proud of our Students and Student Ministries leaders):

• Red Cross Hands Only CPR training.
• Poverty simulation exercise where students were put into "families" with a very limited income and sent around to various stations where they were required to make decisions for their family on housing, transportation, childcare, insurance and more.  This was eye opening for many of the students.
• Served the homeless by making 600 sandwiches that were delivered to two different place in the area for distribution.
• Served the Karen Refugees by making 26 fleece tie blankets to warm them in body and soul.
• Labeled all the new "pew" Bibles.
• Prepared bags for "10 Minute Connect."
• Prepared Group Life to be picked up at the Small Groups table.
• Took down many of the Christmas decorations.
• Cleaned toys in the children's wing.

#4- Here are some of the Impact activities reported by different small groups from the fall:

• 3 Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes.
• 10 grocery bags for Union Gospel Mission and a "change" jar for Christmas donations.
• Donated and made 600 sandwiches for 363days.org. Raked and removed leaves for an elderly neighbor. Pained and cleaned a rental unit for a SG member.
• Helped out at the Gary Reinhardt Benefit and helped a family in need.
• Salvation Army Bell Ringing.
• Catered a lunch/bingo event for 40 residents of St. Christopher's Place. Sponsored two families for Christmas through Adopt-a-Family.
• Helped pack 1000 grocery bags at Union Gospel Mission. Send care package to missionaries in China. Volunteered at One Starry Night.
• Adopted a family in need--repaired car, helped with bills.

#5- Lots of folks commented on how much they liked the whiteboard and the outlines. I'll be using a flip chart this week in a way that I think will be helpful in much the same way. We'll also have outlines for the rest of this series.

#6- We have a new EVERYTHING station for this series where you can lay something at the cross that you want to offer back to God as owner of EVERYTHING. Bring something from home or write it down on a card. 

#7- The worship team did another GREAT job leading us in worship. Love the new song and glad we're singing it this week again. Here are the songs we're planning for worship this weekend:

• "Age to Age"
• "Because of Your Love"
• "Oh Lord You're Beautiful"
• "Holy Holy Holy"
• "Your Grace is Enough"

#8- This week we're looking at what might be the hardest thing on the EVERYTHING list to entrust to God: our kids (or our most prized relationships). I think you'll come away with a clear understanding of why this is crucial for the spiritual development of your kids and for your own relationship with God.

That's it. Love you all and blessing to you, Pastor Henry

 

Creation, Science and Evolution in the Story of God

The biblical story of creation in Genesis raises important questions regarding science and evolution. If you want to delve into this important topic, I want to recommend two introductory resources.

• Creation Evolution and Christian Laypeople by Tim Keller (click to download .pdf) goes deeper but still serves as a great introduction to the topic for those that want to take it to the next level.
• "Is There Conflict Between Christianity and Science?" by Mark Driscoll on Facebook. This is a very quick overview of the topic. Great orientation and about as deep as most of us will want to go.

New Bibles, New Translation

We're making an important change for 2012. After years of using the New Living Translation as our base translation for the weekend messages and Group life, we are switching to the English Standard Translation (ESV).

If you have a NLT or NIV, you'll still use them a lot. Contrasting translations can help lead you deeper. But I'd also suggest adding the ESV to your collection. The NLT (New Living Translation) is still the best translation for reading through large portions of Scripture, in my opinion. If you're doing a "read through the Bible in a year" challenge or reading with your kids, I would not recommend the ESV.

Here's why we're switching:

• For the kind of verse-by-verse study we do on the weekends and in Group Life (for personal and group study), it's hard to beat. It's more "literal" in nature, which affords the opportunity to see more of the dynamics in the original languages. This also makes it a little harder to relate to immediately and requires more digging in for meaning, but this is good. As we have been doing more detailed study, I've become increasingly frustrated with the translation choices the NLT makes and the loss of some of those dynamics. So now, instead of saying, "In a more literal translation it reads...," I'll be saying, "Here's how the NLT (or NIV or Message) translates it." Subtle but important difference.

• The newest NIV revision would have been an equally good choice but the fact that the new NIV is called the NIV and not something like the R(evised)NIV would just lead to a lot of confusion. (Yes, even trying to explain it is confusing!) But other factors favoring the ESV are below.

• It has the best study Bible available by far. I always say that if you're only going to have one Bible resource, get a good study Bible. If you have a million resources, it's still one you'll use all the time. We just purchased and distributed the study Bible to all staff so they can lead the way on this. You can check it out here.

• It has the best study Bible app available for smart phones and tablets. Check it out here for iPad and iPhone (I'm not sure this same app is available outside of the Apple line). You get the whole thing in a very intuitive and easy to use format. And don't be fooled by ESV Study Bible apps that are cheap (under $10). They're just an ebook version of the print version, unless that's all you want. If you use an iPhone or iPad for most of your Bible study, I'd get the app first and then page through someones print version to make sure you find all the content in the app.

• If you buy the Study Bible print version, you have full access to it online. They give you a code. This is a great resource that's free only if you buy the print version. The apps are not included, though.

Mid-Week Memo

Dear Five Oakers, I have SEVEN things I want to share with you (actually EIGHT, with the addendum I added about our Christmas services):

#1- What a great service this last weekend. I loved it!

• The whole Stocker family was represented on the worship team. Todd (dad) was on the piano. You've heard him speak at Five Oaks (he shared the story of losing their 16-year-old daughter a couple of years ago). Kelly (mom) and Maddie (daughter, she led one of the songs) sang. Nathan (son) played bass. Todd is a college chaplain and often preaches in a variety of churches on the weekends. We're always glad to have them with visit with us (they are part of our "close extended church family").
• You may have also noticed our guest guitarist, Ethan Lynn. He's a former guitar student of Justin from Michigan, but he's become a phenom at 13-years of age! Justin is happy to admit that Ethan has surpassed him in guitar skills and is one of the best guitarist's he knows.
• I preached on Philippians 2:12-13 and what it takes to sustain change in our lives: vigilant effort and inner transformation.

#2- I don't know what the final number is, but thanks to your generosity and obedience to God in giving tithes and offerings, we finished the year well in the black! I don't have final numbers yet, but this is such a blessing for ministry. A lot of credit goes to Brian Burquest (our Business Admin) and our staff for keeping expenses well below budget as well. Our Board also does a great job of overseeing the big picture and setting great goals. Way to go team!

#3- I'm very glad to announce that Casey Hayden is coming on staff (part-time) to lead the Jr. High ministry under Tim. Casey's dad, Dana, use to serve as our Outreach Director, and when the Haydens came to Five Oaks, Casey was in 9th grade. Casey has completed two internships with us, most recently this last fall, focusing on The Retreat ministry and Jr. High. Casey is a lot of fun, he has a passion to help hurting people and I love the way he thinks.

#4- The Student Ministry had an overnighter last week where they completed several projects around the church and some for our Impact Ministry outside the church. One of the projects was to label all the new chair Bibles. (I'll write about the translation change tomorrow.) They were also trained in CPR, making it the first 80 in a new push to train hundreds (or is 1000's?) in Woodbury. This was led by Five Oaker J.B. Guiton, the EMS Commander for the City of Woodbury.

#5- Great opportunity to grow your faith: You can download a Christian classic for free for this month, Knowing God by J.I. Packer, at ChristianAudio. This is a great book. I'm pretty sure you'll grow to know and love God better by listenting to it.

#6- We're starting a 6-week series this weekend that I think will have a profound effect on us. It's called "EVERYTHING (A 'Story of God' Series)." It's another run through the whole Story of God, but it's focused on how real peace, joy and purpose come from orienting EVERYTHING in our lives toward God. The Story of God was written not only to make that point but to convince us that it’s true! Basically we're tracing the thread of one of the mega-themes of the Bible through the whole story, starting with Creation and working our way to the New Creation.

#7- Look for the new Five Oaks University Catalog this weekend. We're offering some great classes, including Financial Peace University. I'll talk more about FOU next week.

I just want to add this one thing for those who are interested. I met today with our Programming Team to evaluate our Christmas services. We've received some very constructive feedback in person and via email and Facebook. I'm not exaggerating when I say that many people told us they loved it and, for some, it was the best ever. But there were as many people who went out of their way to tell us that they were disappointed.

We believe we could have done much better. In my opinion, we over-programmed the service (something we tend to do on these special weekends), which just feels disjointed for some people and moves us away from what we do best. We included elements that some people found offensive to one degree or another, and that's just REALLY dumb on our part (thank God he loves people who do dumb things, right?). And we didn't keep little kids in mind when planning a couple of elements that were scary, on a weekend where we offer limited children's programing!

This, I believe, spoiled (for some) all the GREAT elements that were represented in the service. Yes, many of you come to these kinds of services with such diverse and sometimes impossibly high expectations that it is truly impossible to please everyone (you know that, right?), but in this case we deserved many of the criticisms we received.

We are partners together in ministry, therefore you need to know that you can expect good things to happen if you bring a guest to our services. Too many of you didn't feel that way and you let me know very gracefully, keeping our partnership in reaching people for Christ at the forefront of your critique. THAT'S  the kind of criticism I'm always going to listen to. Thank you!

Blessing to all of you. I love being your pastor. Henry

 

Going Deeper with the Weekend Message

Here are some details on the five steps I suggested this weekend for keeping our resolve.

• Admit to God where you’re deviating from his will for your life. It may be in a relationship or in your thought life or in the use of your time or money. Confess it to him.
• Write down your resolution for change and review it regularly.
• Share it with someone who will ask you about it. Encouragement and accountability. Just sharing your goal may hurt your chances of success.
• Put Edwards’ words at the top of the page. (Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions.)
• Set aside a regular time for cultivating your relationship with God. The more you know him and spend time with him, the more you will grow to love him and desire to honor him.

And here is an article on the limits of willpower.

Mid-Week Memo

Dear Five Oakers, I hope your Christmas was a blessed one. I want to share FIVE things with you today:

#1- Thank you to a ton of volunteers who made the seven Christmas weekend services great at Five Oaks. Looks like Volunteer Central was a hit with great food and plenty of it.

#2- My Christmas service highlights:

• Giving the message of the gospel. I loved the seven buses story. Fifteen people recorded making a first-time decision and six asked for more information on the gospel.
• The Silent Night closer with candles. I was in the worship center for every one. Loved looking around and celebrating the light of Christ.
• The drama. It was fun to watch and it evolved over the course of the services. The reaction of the congregation to the first time Emily interjected her two cents into the reading was different every service. My son Henry Michael asked where we found those videos. We didn't. Our team produced them and that was Tim's voice for each trailer. The idea was hatched in the mind of Erica Berglund and written by her and Marcie Berglund with input from the creative arts team.
• All the great Christmas music to sing along to. I loved the quietness and reflective nature of all the response songs after the message.
• The quiet opening that broke into "The Arrival." Great non-Christmas Christmas song that was excellently executed by the Worship Team.
• The band. The more services I watched, the more I appreciated the excellence of the band and the many special touches they brought to the songs. Love the xylophone (or was it a marimba). And I loved that two of our youth band members were part of the team. 
• Your comments. Several people said it was the best Christmas service we've ever done. A few made some constructive comments for improvements that will be considered as we review the weekend. I think most were deeply blessed. Thanks Dan, Justin, Geoff, Jonathan and Marcie for all the work you did planning the services. Here are a few of the Com Card comments:
  • Thank you for Friday night Christmas. I wouldn’t have gone to one otherwise due to work.
  • I love the Lord and my church.
  • Thank you for bringing me even closer to Jesus my savior.
  • Beautiful service! The best since we’ve been here (about seven years).
  • Thanks for having services that no matter what age the teaching is relevant.
  • Awesome service! Loved the dramatic reading and all the videos (before and during service).
  • I absolutely hated the opening. [I think this is a reverence to the pre-service videos.] Message was great. 
  • The music is awe-inspiring.

#3- This was the first time I got tired during a series of Christmas services. But I always recouped in time to speak. And I didn't feel physically exhausted (though my thighs were sore). But I've been fighting emotional exhaustion and lows all week. Normally I'm energized by preaching for several days. I guess I found my limit. :-)

#4- In spite of being emotionally tired, the message for the launch of the new series on January 6/7 is coming along and I believe it will be very powerful. I'm launching a series that will break from Luke for seven weeks. It's called "EVERYTHING (A 'Story of God' Series)." This series has the potential to change the very orientation of EVERYTHING in your life for the better.

#5- Lois and I are launching a new Story of God small group experience in about three weeks. Let me know if you want to participate.

 

Mid-Week Memo

Dear Five Oakers, Big weekend coming up! With that very much on my mind, I have NINE Christmasy things I want to share with you:

#1 - Dan Lukas asked me today, "Is it too soon to say 'I told you so.'" He was referring to attendance for the weekend. I admit, I was lobbying for six services a few weeks back, and he was lobbying for seven. He won the debate. And judging from our online pre-registrations, I'm going to be very glad to hear him say "I told you so!" Very glad indeed.

#2 - We're going to have a packed house, so... cuddle in close to the big smelly hairy guy in your row; he won't bite.

#3 - Our service at 12:30 on 12/24 has the most space. This probably has something to do with the Bears, er... Vikings game at noon. If you don't want to cuddle with the aforementioned  big-hairy-dude, then come to this service because he'll probably be home watching the Bears, er... Vikings.

#4 - Pam Hawley, one of our ministry assistants, asked for prayer at our staff check-in this week. Seems next week is one of the busiest of the year for her because of having to send out follow-up material to people who make first-time decisions. Pretty cool! The office staff gathers around the books and Bibles and prays before sending them out. Maybe a package will be sent to a friend or relative you bring with you on the weekend!

#5 - I'm SO pumped about this service! We just went over all the elements this morning to take care of last minute details. It's our first time back to our own building for Christmas services after two years at the high school. The feel we're shooting for is "warmth," "home for Christmas," "joy." I really think you're going to love it. And my message, presenting the gospel, is clear and shoots for the heart.

#6 - Don't light your hair on fire. We have real candles for everyone for a certain song at the end of the service.

#7 - When the ushers hand you a program for EVERYONE in your party, take it! Everyone needs a Com Card. Insider info here: When everyone takes a card, everyone pulls out the card, everyone fills out the card on my cue, then anyone receiving Christ or asking for more information on Christ feels comfortable doing so. Taking a Com Card and filling it out is evangelism in action.

#8 - If you didn't rsvp, there's still time (5oakschristmas.com), OR you have guests you did not rsvp for... BRING THEM ANYHOW. COME. Don't let our rsvp thing keep you away.

#9 - I listened to Tim's message from last weekend and it was GREAT! Vintage Tim. Great stories and illustrations. The dead fawn story was priceless for explaining God's rejection of sin. Great explanation of the wages of sin. Someone wrote on their card that it was Tim's best ever. Definitely top three. And I heard about the small group that came and sat up front with their ugly sweaters. One had a red flashing light. I'm bummed I wasn't preaching because I always love to preach to a bunch of people dressed in ugly sweaters that are flashing a light in my face. :-)

See you for Christmas services. If you're out of town, God bless you this Christmas and keep you safe on the road. Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo (Part 2)

Hi Five Oakers, Here are SEVEN more things I want to share with you this week:

#1 - GREAT weekend of worship. The Fusion band led us and did their usual incredible job. The Kids Choir opened the service and they were adorable. Great crowd on Saturday night made for room on Sunday at 9:30am. Thank you! Some of your comments on the cards:

• Loved the kids worship! Great, simple message Henry. Thank. Hakuna Matata, very funny! Great closing prayer. Love the final worship set. Thanks youth!
• “Mighty To Save” arrangement was great. 
• Nice job Fusion Band! I love how Justin uses the high school kids and their “gifts”. Thank you.
• Hannah – your voice put such a beautiful peace into Silent Night. Thank you. Hannah sang like an angel.  
• Love it when the Fusion Band plays. Sweet voices too! Love the parts in Silent Night.
• I never realized the manger symbolized our rejection of Jesus. Thank you for the tie-in to his mission and our need to respond.

#2 - All week long I see a steady stream of our members doing behind the scenes ministry at the church building from addressing and stamping envelopes to counting money to painting, building or fixing stuff around the building. Thanks to all of you. And how about that incredible manger scene built by Dave Holland! You can see another piece of his incredible word working skills during Tru in the CLC. We use every week in Children's Ministry.

#3 - More behind the scenes ministry: Each week, after the Saturday morning study, the guys from the men's Bible study put up 12 tables and 96 chairs in the CLC for kid's programming. What takes a couple people up to a half hour is done in minutes with this team. Then, after three weekend services, Casey Hayden's High school boys small group comes in takes the tables and chairs down! I love it!

#4 - I'm continually amazed at what the Women's Ministry continues to do. I love that they invited the East Ridge Choir to sing at the Christmas event. If you receive Dee's updates you know:

• In November, as an Impact project, twelve women (and some children) went over to the Union Gospel mission and bagged over 650 bags of groceries. The December initiative was to buy Christmas gifts for the women and children staying at the Tubman Shelter.
• Fitness classes have remained steady with about 12-20 women attending the 6:00 and 25-30 for the 7:00 Prayerful Flow.
• At the first annual Boutique and Craft Fair 37 vendors saw a steady flow of traffic and several folks asked about our church.
• Minnesota author Kristie Kerr will be coming on Wednesday mornings to Five Oaks to teach her Bible study, "The Search for Me: Finding your True Identity in Christ." She was also the speaker at the Women's Ministry Christmas event. I think it's so cool that they also invited

#5 - This week's message in the Vintage Christmas series (Luke 1-2) is "The Shepherds." The angels have an incredible message to share with the shepherds. It reveals the true nature of our predicament and our deepest needs...and how God meets our needs and rescues us from our predicament.

#6 - Don't forget to sign up for Christmas Eve service you will attend. The early service on the 24th has the most room and could use some love. Sign up here.

#7 - Invitation cards you can use to invite friends will be available this weekend. Grab a bunch and make your invitations. As usual, I will be presenting the great gospel story and asking people to respond. We've got a great drama/video planned that sets up the message. Here's the big idea: If the Christmas story were made into a movie, what genre of movie would it be? Science fiction? Road trip buddy movie? Epic drama?

God bless you all. Your hard work and service is making my Christmas that much more special.

Pastor Henry

Mid-Week Memo (Part 1)

Dear Five Oakers, I have way too much to share in one post so I'll start today and finish tomorrow. I'll just share EIGHT things with you today.

#1 - I can't believe how many people I've talked to that haven't yet picked up the Christmas CD. I'm telling you, it's really good. Listen to the whole thing here and decide for yourself (and download it you like). It's not too late to get it and enjoy it for this Christmas (or get as a stocking stuffer). Only $5. The only complaint I've heard is that it's only five songs and people want more!

#2 - One Starry Night was truly a great event! I had a blast playing a rabbi that asked kids if they knew the fifth of the 10 Commandments. I also asked the husbands why they allowed their wives to go out in public without a head covering. You know I love to scare kids, but the youngest were genuinely afraid of the thieves that lurked around the building. I kept telling them that I wasn't a crook and they didn't need to fear me.

#3 - Over 900 people came to One Starry Night and dozens more worked as actors, singers or behind the scenes. Jeni Carlson, Director of Family Ministries, wrote a post on the planning and process. Read it here. Here are some comments posted on Facebook:

• "...our family had a great time, and the level of immersion was impressive. This wasn't just a couple of stations with people standing in for nativity players, this was a bustling city complete with a marketplace. Well played, everyone, well played."
• "...there is no words that can describe the whole evening. We got there at 6pm, and intended on leaving, but ended up staying until after 8pm! WE all just loved it and just wanted to sit and take it all in!! Fabulous job and kudos to all!! We have THE most amazing church!
• "BEST Christmas event ever!!!"

Trying to keep all ages engaged!!!

#4 - This is from an email from "the old beggar woman":

I asked for "shekels for an old widow." Small children looked at me in wonder... Many children would hand me their entire bag of money!  I would insist they only give me one coin, and then I would touch their hair or shoulder and say, "God Bless you sir/miss; God will do wonderful things for you."  Most of the children would look very serious, and nod their heads, then move into the marketplace with their family. ...the astounding thing was that many kids on their way out of "Bethlehem" would stop back and give me all their leftover money, and wait for another "blessing."  Not always little kids either, some around 10 or 12! I was touched by the tenderness of the children, and their generosity. Often the compassion on their faces took my breath away.

#5 - So many people and ministries came together to make this event run beautifully. The parking lot team moved hundreds of cars throughout the two hours. They moved cars into stalls from front to back and then repeated. It moved like clock work.

#6 - The live animals were a huge hit. Some kids didn't want to leave the animals. I told kids to look for the baby polar bear. If you saw him, you know what I mean.

#7 - The stable scene was unbelievable. Little kids were amazed by the baby Jesus. We had a very hard time finding wise men, so we settled......just kidding! Although one of the "wise men" did make the baby Jesus cry with his enthusiastic speech when he arrived at the stable. Way to go Tom Berg. (Okay, I must admit I made the baby Jesus cry earlier that evening. All I said was, "I hope he behaves better than he does at staff meetings when his mom brings him." I was just kidding, of course, but he cried as if on cue!)

#8 - I loved hearing the Fusion band all evening playing Christmas music. Some really interesting instruments and arrangements and a great ending. People tipped them (with real money) and the team when out to Applebees with Justin when it was all done.

So much more I could say about this event and the work our folks put into it. Thanks to all of you. God bless you,

Pastor Henry

Heads Up

 

You can download the Kindle edition of the ESV Bible for $0.00 right now by going here. If you own a Kindle devise and you don't own a smart phone or tablet, you might want to get this today. (With a tablet or smart phone you can easily access the ESV on YouVersion.)

Also, as Christmas is approaching, you might consider giving the ESV Study Bible as a gift. It's the most comprehensive and up-to-date study Bible available. If you get the hard copy, it gives you an access code to all the study Bible tools and articles online. You can read about it here. The iPad and iPhone apps are outstanding. Check the iPhone app out here.

Mid-Week Memo

Five Oakers, I have TWELVE things I want to share with you:

#1 - Last weekend's message was again a very personal one for me as I talked about some of the happenings in our family over the last few months (and years) in light of Mary's song of praise during an uncertain time in her life. My sister-in-law's answer to prayer after 27 years of praying for her husband to come to Christ is incredible, but I know we don't always see answers like that in our lives. Ultimately we have to trust God no matter what (and he is trustworthy), even with the souls of our loved ones. And even if we don't SEE an answer, we never know what is happening in someones soul. Some comments on the service:

• "Pastor Henry, your message was exactly what my heart has needed to hear."
• "Thank you Henry for the sharing Russ’ story, it gives me hope for my brother."
• "Thank you for the message of hope as I continue to pray for my husband to come to faith in Jesus over 31 years, and for our children to come back to church with their families."

#2 - Justin did an incredible job leading the worship team on the weekend, especially considering the circumstances. Justin and his new wife Erinn were blessed to be home with Erinn's dad when he died this last week at the age of 55. They have an amazing story to tell that brings glory to God. Here's just one small part of it:

Errin's dad (Mark) was a firm believer and lead many to Christ, including his father.... He wanted us to celebrate what God is doing. So we did! It was a really amazing experience. On Sunday (the day he died), in the morning he said "Tonight, tonight, we will all worship Him." We knew that he meant that we will all worship Him but with Mark worshiping in heaven. All day waiting for that moment and then he passed at 8:13pm (his birthday 8-13-56). His last words were "We win, I'm free, I'm free."

#3 - We also received this comment last weekend: "Yesterday I told a co-worker that I go to Five Oaks and she said, 'People love that church!'" One of the area pastors I meet with recently told me, "You guys have a great reputation in the community." Really, this is all because of God and for God. And I'm so thankful for our congregation and for your impact in our community and beyond. I love you guys.

#4 - Justin and Dan are busy forming the worship team to lead SEVEN Christmas services. Yeah, that's not easy. Kari is busy filling dozens of slots for our First Impressions team. The Retreat will be offered for two of the services for kids with disabilities. Nursery and preschool classes will be offered for all services. Register for the service you will be attending here.

#5 - Our drummer for this last weekend is bummed that he has a concert with his band on the first night of our Christmas services because he wanted to play in them again...all seven...and he doesn't attend Five Oaks! Dan is a great guy who fills in quite often for us and we are very hopeful that one of these days we'll call him a brother in Christ. We're working on him and he knows it.

#6 - Can't wait for you to see our promo video for the Christmas services. I saw them filming a small part of it in my front yard while I was working on a message from my dining room table. I had no idea what they were doing until I saw the video yesterday. You'll like it!

#7 - We were hoping for a small start to our first One Starry Night event. Maybe a hundred fifty people. We would start small and build from there. All hope is gone. 700+ have signed up, oh my! As Kent O'Grady told me with a smile on his face, "It's all hands on deck." Pray for the team putting this on. (I'll be a rabbi, but I wish I was a tax collector because they get to harass people.) So get ready to enter first century Bethlehem circa the time of Christ's birth. It's going to be fun!

#8 - The Women's Ministry put on a great Christmas event on Monday. Lois invited some teachers from her workplace (Red Rock Elementary) and they all had a great time. Dan Lukas shot a funny little video (posted on our Facebook page) as the women were getting ready for the event that can be viewed here.

#9 - Kids Hope mentor training on Saturday! I'll be there. We're partnering with Woodbury Elementary to provide mentors for kids who need some encouragement.

#10 - Each week during our 5th-6th grade ministry (KidsROCK) the leaders do what they call a Grapple Dare that challenges the kids to bring God into their life in the week ahead. This week's had to do with having fun with friends. Here's one KidsROCKer's response: "I went bowling with my friends and family. I believe everyone had a great time. The kinds of things that happened that would make it fun for God were: People were kind and friendly to each other. There was no foul language and everyone enjoyed themselves."

#11 - Kids Choir this weekend. Come early to get a good seat. If possible, come to Saturday night.

#12 - I can't wait to share an insight I received as I prepared for this weekend's message in the Vintage Christmas series. It was one of those that come while I'm writing the message, heading in one direction, and it's like the Holy Spirit says, "No, I want you to talk about this," and Pow, the "this" is so cool. Love those moments!

I'll say it again, I love you guys.

Blessings to you, Pastor Henry

Going Deeper with the Weekend Message

Two items for going deeper. The second one is POWERFUL!!!

#1 - I did a bit of research on what Mary's song would have sounded like and I had to let it go for the sake of time before coming to any conclusions or really getting much understanding. I went with New Testament scholar N.T. Wright's description. But here are a couple of sites that you can explore. One includes what might be the earliest document of a Christian song that includes notes. You can even hear a rendition at one of these sites.

• Go here for a quick introduction
• Go here for the song performed. 
• Go here for a quick introduction to one scholar's work on ancient Jewish and Christian music.

#2 - One of the themes I did not address in Luke 1:39-80 this weekend is the value of life in the womb. John the Baptist is filled with the Holy Spirit from conception and leaps for joy in Elizabeth's womb. The word describing John in the womb and the word for the baby Jesus are identical. Mark Driscoll deals with this topic in a powerful way in a message he did on Luke 1:39-45. Start at 10:22 into the message and it finishes at 37:19 into the message. You have to stick with him. There's a emotionally powerful twist well into his "diatribe" on abortion. You might be tempted to quit before you get there. Don't! In fact, please don't start listening unless you are willing to finish it no matter what. I wish all the parents at Five Oaks would play this for their pre-teen and teenage children.

Mid-Week Memo

Hey Five Oakers, I have a THIRTEEN things I want to share with you today. I know that's a lot but too many exciting things happening right now. Please read them all.

#1 - It was great having a weekend off from teaching so I could focus on my family for Thanksgiving and get a breather. Thanks to Tim who did a very thorough analysis of Gabriel's appearances to Zechariah and Mary. I learned and was blessed by the message.

#2 - Dan Lucas opened the services with one of the songs from the new Five Oaks Christmas CD, "Joy of Every Heart." We sold about 100 this last weekend and I bought several for my visiting family. I absolutely love the album. It greatly surpassed my expectations...and I had high expectations for it! I'm listening to it right now. I would love to hear your impressions of it. (I hear there might be a small concert featuring these songs coming up soon, but don't hold me to it.)

#3 - Speaking of the Christmas CD, morning news anchor Mike Binkley (WCCO) got permission from his producer to play portions of the CD as a bumper in and out of commercial breaks during his morning show with a link to Five Oaks on the WCCO website!

#4 - Over 400 people have registered to attend One Starry Night! Reminds me of a tradition we use to have when we were first married. We'd go to New Hampshire (we lived in MA) to a recreated village from pilgrim days that featured character actors, singers and such. I can't wait.

#5 - We're gearing up for an interesting sketch to set up the message at our Christmas Eve services. Yep, a drama. Been a long time. And it does have an interesting video element and twist. Marcie Berglund (better known as Pippen's owner, the dog in the First Things First series bumper), her daughter Erica and the programming team have been working on it.

#6 - The youth are preparing already for Challenge this summer in New Orleans. Looks like it will be the largest group ever from Five Oaks, joining about 5000 other students from around the country. We always have one of the largest groups there, thanks in part to your generosity through the yearly Silent Auction. Parents, this event is life changing and impacting. Don't let your kids miss it.

#7 - Tim Bubar met a couple at 10-Minute Connect on Saturday that explained, after the whole presentation, that they are actually looking for a much smaller church.  They said it would be better for their pre-school age daughter who is autistic...yeah, they came back for The Retreat the next morning!

#8 - We were able to donate 11 bins of children's ministry materials to New Salem Church. New Salem is cross-cultural, urban EFree church in Minneapolis.

#9 - Kids Christmas Choir practice started tonight.

#10 - SEVEN services this Christmas, December 23 and 24. Christmas day is off for all volunteers and staff to get reacquainted with their families. :-)

#11 - Got this email from a Five Oaks family this week:

On Thanksgiving Day, when we were discussing all of our blessings, we asked our girls if there was any one person they would really like to thank this year. Our 12 year old Sarah jumped right on it, and said, "For me, it's Tim Bubar. I really have to thank him for making me love church and our faith." That resulted in a long conversation about how we are all thankful for our Five Oaks community. All three of our girls had lots to add to the conversation. They named their favorite Sunday school teachers, Jeni and Cindy Yarrington, and Kent and Cindy O'Grady particularly. We'd like to thank you for partnering with us in raising our family.

#12 - You've got to read this online article on one of our Five Oaks families, the Brunz's. You may recognize Caleb from playing the drums and Stephanie oversees the Nursery ministry. But they are also very active in the community and they are leveraging their influence for Christ in the marketplace.

#13 - This is the time for Christmas music. This weekend we go back to the first songs of Christmas, sung by Mary and Zechariah and known as The Magnificat and The Benedictus (named after the first words of each song in the Latin translation of the Bible). We don't have the tune, but the words are timeless and rich in meaning. I think they have the potential of deepening your joy this Christmas, whatever your circumstances. 

Surviving the Holidays Class at Five Oaks

This class is an abbreviated Griefshare. There is a video, a discussion and prayer. There is also a separate class with activities for children 5 and over. 

2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 4, 2011 at Five Oaks Church, Room 202

To register for this session contact griefshare@fiveoakschurch.org or the church office.

GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays from Church Initiative on Vimeo.

 

 

The Weekends...and so much more

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

#1 - We had a first this last weekend. The first response song was a Justin Schaap original! It's the first time he's sung one of his songs in our worship services. I'm looking forward to more.

#2 - My message on Luke 10:38-42 (Mary and Martha) really hit home with a lot of people. Strong response. I think partly because it hit me so strongly in preparing it. I never saw the parallels with other passages where Jesus talks about worry and anxiety, but here its related to ministry worry ("she was distracted with much serving"). It have to say that it was therapeutic talking about my uncle.

• "Henry, thank you for your message and honesty about worrying. (I bet my worrying could rival yours, plus my out of control imagination, usually adds to it all.)"
• (Prayer request on the Com Cards) "Being less like a Martha, just like a Mary. Being less like an agnostic Fernando, more like an obedient Fernando."
• (From a staff member email) "I have heard more 'buzz' about this sermon than any other sermon at Five Oaks. I have talked to several people who were personally impacted by your sermon; including two attendees who are going through some financial struggles..." (Then he added) "So….how are you going to top that one?" (Exactly. Now I'm worrying again!)

#3 - How about the simplicity of the weekend? No staging, just Justin and his guitar. Simply worshipful!

• "I really liked the acoustic set today. Gave praise time a different feel. I also like the simplicity of communion, just it alone. Time to reflect. Thank you."
• "Really like the change this week. It’s great how you guys continue to balance tradition/repetition/familiarity with not allowing things to get stale/boring/predictable."
• "Amazing worship. Loved the single guitar and Justin – so touching."
• "Loved the Justin unplugged session. Very intimate feel to the service."

#4 - One of our members told me that when he saw the staging he wondered, 'Did Henry go for that?' Oh, he knows me too well. Christmas staging is now up for the first week of Advent. Something else will be missing for this series. Dan Lucas is the culprit when things go missing. He's constantly thinking up ways to shake things up.

#5 - Kids Hope volunteers keep streaming in. If you're interested, let us know. Training takes place on Saturday, December 10, 9 a.m. I'll be there for training!

#6 - Our own Kent O'Grady (Director of Small Groups; formerly our security team director) in the most recent online issue of our denominational magazine, EFCA Today (an article on safety in churches):

“The key to emergency planning,” says Kent O’Grady, director of safety and security for Five Oaks Church (EFCA) in Woodbury, Minn., “is to plan for events that are likely to occur but have marginal impact (like slips and falls, bloody noses, etc.) and for things that are far less likely but would have major or catastrophic impact (tornadoes, shootings, etc.). Churches don’t need to hire a SWAT team or install thousands of dollars of security equipment to make an impact on their risk. They can start by identifying existing resources in the church (police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel) and leveraging their expertise."

I'll just add how thankful I am for our Safety and Security Team at church. They do a great job!

#7 - Got this exciting email from a Five Oaker this week:

Last night our son told us that he crossed the line of faith in his Sunday school class!  [My husband] and I were overcome with excitement for him!  He was thrilled to get his new Bible from Jeni Carlson and Five Oaks and even took it out to dinner with us to "start at the beginning with reading it all the way through"!  It's a great Bible that he's so proud of, but I'm wondering which kind of study Bible that I could get him to go along with it.... He was so shocked and excited to find out that this Saturday at church he gets to have his "First Communion", now that he's made his decision.  We've decided to invite the grandparents to come along because they have been asking us for years, "When is his First Communion going to be?  Doesn't he go to classes about this like we do at [our] church? Shouldn't he have done that by now?  How does 'your church' handle this?"

#8 - We kick off the new "Vintage Christmas" series this weekend. We're going to the early chapters of Luke for this series. This week's message is on "The Angels."

#9 - Just when I was resigning myself to missing the boys (and Leah) for holidays, they're all coming! My cousin Henry and his family will also be with us (minus daughter Mia). This is going to spoil us.

#10 - Ever notice how much "Pumped up Kicks" steals from the theme song for Petticoat Junction? Looked it up in Google and sure enough, others have noticed. (Okay, that was random, but it's playing right now in the coffee shop.)

#11 - Thanks for the great turnout to the Congregational Meeting. Wish I'd shared some behind-the-scenes stuff instead of what I did end up sharing. Made a note for next year. Live and learn.

Love you all. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! Henry

 

Christmas CD Preview!!!

Here's a preview of the five songs on the new and soon-to-be-released Five Oaks Christmas album. Get excited Five Oakers. It's very good!

 

The Weekends...and so much more

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

#1 - It was so much fun teaching on "The Despised Samaritan" on the weekend and celebrating how God is using YOU to impact our world for Christ in our communities! If you missed it, at least go and listen 23:07 minutes into the message audio of "The Hole in Our Gospel." Here are a couple of comments from the Communication Cards:

• "I’m tearing up listening to all the ways our Five Oaks friends are making a difference." 
• "Thanks to everyone for all you do to make our church such a great place."

#2 - We need to make more room on Sunday mornings by moving some of you to Saturday nights. We're going to be talking more about this, but if you can move now it would be super helpful. Please don't move if your kids are connecting with their class and teacher on Sunday morning. Choosing to attend at the same time every week is vitally important for your kids. 

#3 - 340. That's how many tables you filled with food for hurting people this Thanksgiving. Think about how many people that impacts. Wow! I think that's a Five Oaks record.

#4 - 153. That's how many "One Starry Night" tickets have gone out already...before making our big push! The start of a new Five Oaks Christmas tradition.

#5 - Woodbury Elementary is the school we're partnering with for mentoring (Kids Hope USA). Just got the go-ahead from the school this week. Lots of folks already signed up for training. What a great video this past weekend telling one story of one mentor with one child.

#6 - My message this weekend on Luke 10:38-42 focuses on "The One Thing." We're doing something very different for staging. Come and see.

#7 - We launch our 4-week series on Luke 1-2, "Vintage Christmas," starting right after Thanksgiving. It's about recovering wonder and awe in the events of the first Christmas that transcend our own circumstances, changed history and transform our lives.

#8 - We had nine kids in The Retreat ministry on Sunday! And more people are signing up to help.

#9 - Can't wait for Encounter tonight! Our small group is meeting for a meal and Bible study and ending in time for the evening of worship.

I'm so blessed to be your pastor. You simply blow me away.

Henry

 

First-time Guest Comments

Here are the latest comments we solicited from first-time guests:

• I asked about Baptism and received calls right away – I didn’t call back and I can’t really explain why.  Even though Woodbury is a tad of a drive for us, we will be back.  My two boys (ages 7 & 4) LOVED the Treehouse, AND they learned about God!  I’ve been enjoying my new cup, and we will be back on 10/29.  Thank you!!
• I’ve thought that if I were to pastor a church I’d look at my congregation as the Hands and Feet of Jesus who I’m charged to equip, heal and support as they reach the community and serve in Christ’s name.  I was greatly encouraged by your efforts for Five Oaks in this regard.  Keep up the great work building and strengthening the Kingdom through Christ’s bride.

The Weekends...and Other Great Stuff

- What's Starbuck's comeback and watching your flat screen without an HD package got to do with your mission in life? Check out last weekend's message on Luke 9:57-10:24 if you missed it. It was about how we can lose our missional authority.

- Jim continues his antics in our message bumper as the story continues. A little birdie told me that no one was laughing louder than John Rudin who plays Jim.

- I paraphrased Larry Osborne: “Compassionate action without Jesus has no eternal value; Jesus without compassionate action has no credibility.”

- I was also struck that the first instruction to the 72 disciples Jesus sends out is to pray (first things first)...and specifically for more harvesters (people are ready and not enough are proclaiming the gospel).

- I love that our worship team had two high schoolers in it this week. It's a regular thing now and they're great! Great work Justin and Tim!

- How about "The Retreat" ministry!!! One person in my Story of God group is so excited to help. I heard about others too. Thanks to Elaine Wilde and Abby Carlson for their vision and service!

- Met a young lady after a service that brought a friend. She's been on a journey to faith in Christ. She's from another religion and is very concerned about her parents finding out. When she shared her journey at Fusion, the day before crossing the line of faith, one of the high schoolers shouted: "I lit a candle for you!" Putting first things first!

- Some comments we got on the worship: "Love, love, love 'It is Well'! Thank you." And “'It is Well with My Soul'! let’s do again and again." And "Worship was so worship 'full' today. My soul is filled with Jesus from listening and singing. Thanks worship team!"

- I met a lady before a service who was brought to church by her son who attends Fusion. She's been coming a couple of weeks. The Bible is new to her and she's loving hearing the Story. She said, "We'll have a bunch more family members here next week."

- Jeni Carlson, Traci Schroeder and Jerry Meras headed to a bilingual Free Church in the city and we're donating a lot of the Hudson children's equipment for their ministry. Jeni reports: "Really cool people. The best part was when Jerry busted out in Spanish with Pastor Vido from Nicaragua.  We ended our time in prayer and it's so beautiful to hear Spanish prayers and English prayers being offered up."

- Another church plant just north of Hudson is asking about some of our stuff. A few Hudson Five Oakers are attending there! We'll see what we can do.

- Plans for One Starry Night are developing: It's a family Christmas experience where all are invited to come to Five Oaks on Sunday night, December 11 from 6 - 8 p.m. to enjoy 1st century Bethlehem as they journey through venues of the Census taker's office, the cafe and marketplace, with live music, Star Gazer's Hill, and the Stable. 

- Special features for One Starry night: live animals, the Fusion Band, 1st Century Character Actors, and the launch of the Christmas Family Bible reading challenge.

-Completed our Story of God group on Sunday. Great group once again. One participant shared how she can't stop talking about what she's learning with her unchurched friends. Another wrote to thank us and said, "It was a wonderful study that has truly transformed the way we view the Bible."

- This weekend is about Impact ministries of compassion as we look at the parable of the Good Samaritan. Some interesting twists in the story that you might have missed.

- I'll be sharing about the results of the 3x5 cards I collect two weekends ago. You'll be encouraged by what you hear!!! I hope you will have one of those "I love my church" moments. I certainly did reading through the cards.

- We'll be introducing the new Kids Hope USA ministry. This is going to be a big part of our future as a church.

Did you know?

Really cool all that's happening in Women's ministry. Take a look. This is from an update letter from Dee Meyers, our Women's Ministry Leader.

Bible Studies: Our Fall Bible Studies are off to an amazing start.  Lives are truly being impacted by these studies:

• There are 15 women attending on Monday nights – one group of Jesus: The One and Only; and one group of Breaking Free, both by Beth Moore.
• There are 7 very committed members of “First Place for Health” meeting every Monday night at 7pm.  They have set goals and are on their way to meeting them. Three of the members of this group do not attend Five Oaks!
• There are over 50 women on Wednesday mornings – two groups of Jesus: The One and Only; and 5 groups of Breaking Free.
• Margo Neibling has a group of 7 women in her “Sharpening Your Focus” class.  We are receiving great feedback from the ladies in this study about how much they are learning about themselves in such a short period!  These ladies are some of the key women leaders in our church and I know some great things are going to aspire out of this group.

Health and Fitness: Our Health and Fitness Team has been hosting Free Exercise Classes each Monday evening. We have a solid group of 8-12 regular attenders to the 6 pm classes, and we're getting between 20 and 30 women every week for Prayerful Flow.  About 1/3 of the ladies attending the Flow class are guests, some of whom haven't been attending church.  Kristen has been humbled by seeing two of those guests attending our worship services after coming to class!

Book Club: Our October Book Club is: The Resolution for Women, by Priscilla Shirer – this is a follow up to the movie Courageous.  We have sold 15 books. 

Christmas Event:  We are busy planning our Christmas Event for Monday Dec. 5 at 7pm, an event that will truly celebrate Jesus being “Here With Us”.  MN Author, speaker, worship leader, Kristie Kerr, from Fourth Floor Ministries will be our guest speaker! 

Impact Event: On Sunday, October 23, a group of volunteers went to the Ronald McDonald House at Children’s Hospital in Mpls with huge donations of food from our congregation to feed a “burrito buffet” to over 65 families with sick children at the hospital.  We truly made a difference for these families that night. 

Women's Conference: 47 Women joined us for the Women of Faith “Imagine” Conference on Oct. 21 and 22.  We know for sure that two women made first-time decisions for Christ on Saturday!  It was very powerful! 

The Weekend

- Started "First Things First" series last weekend with a message on five mistakes disciples make based on Luke 9:27-56). I said the last point was going to be powerful: What you think God thinks of you will determine almost everything in your life. Do you see disappointment on God's face or adoration? After the service someone told me that one hit him right between the eyes. 

- Some Com Card comments on the service: "[Replacing] faith w/formulas and fighting the wrong enemy points really hit home with me" - "Thank you for the [point] about loving people who might hold other political views than our own. As a pro-life democrat, I always feel like fellow church members are not welcoming of democrats." - "Thanks for awesome worship Justin..."

- Handed out 3x5 cards and asked everyone to write down any ministry they've done in the last couple of months for people outside of Five Oaks. Just wait until you see the size of the stack in two weekends!

- People really hung around in the Commons after services this weekend. That's normal, but it seemed like more than usual. A lot of buzz in the building.

- The Christmas CD has gone to the guy who will mix it all (he's the drummer from the Crowder Band).

- I'm very excited about a new Five Oaks Christmas tradition starting in December: "One Starry Night: A Family Christmas Experience." It will be very good this year, but I think this is going to grow in intensity and quality each year. Music by the Fusion Band, live animals, drama...all throughout our Commons. More info coming soon.

- This weekend's message is on Luke 9:57-10:24. Lots of ground to cover. I recently read the book on Starbucks' comeback by its founder. He talked about trying to regain Starbucks' coffee authority. Come find out three ways to lose your missional authority. One of them is to proclaim an optional Jesus. Who would do that? Some of you who are reading this right now! Come and see.

- Met a young family from Madison during 10-Minute Connect. Went to Blackhawk there (love that church). They miss the town and the church. I wanted to tell them about how great the Twin Cities are and the fun places they will get to discover...but I didn't get a chance. I hope they end up at Five Oaks so I can finish the conversation.

- Next Monday and Tuesday our Staff Leadership Team is going to go write a script in a two-day off-site meeting. I'll tell you more about that next week.

The Weekend (and some other stuff)

- Amazing anyone was around last weekend since no one in my small group, including Lois, had been able to make it to the service. I gave them a 5-minute version of my message.

- Someone wrote on the Communication Card: "Henry, I love to see you all nerd-excited about the story of God." I was. Doing the set up to the Transfiguration by tracing its themes through the Story of God made it come alive for me.

- Response time was awesome! Several of the themes in the songs tied so closely with the message in ways we didn't plan. And my favorite Communion weekends are the ones where our small group leaders hold the elements and preach the gospel to everyone as they receive them. It doesn't get old.

- Given the subject of the message, I spent some extra time reviewing why we do Response worship and stations. I've never experienced worship in a way that called for more participation and engagement. Prayer is at the center of our services like never before.

- This weekend we start a new series called "First Things First," continuing in Luke. The hodgepodge of stories told at the end of Luke 9 come together beautifully under the theme "mistakes disciples are prone to make." We'll look at five. The fifth one is POWERFUL. Learn from the disciples' mistakes. Better yet, learn from your own mistakes as you reflect on your mistakes in light of their mistakes.

- New small group Bible study is being started at Park High School by some Five Oaks students. Check it out here. Did you know some of our students have also started Bible studies at East Ridge and Math & Science Academy? I didn't until yesterday. I love it!

- Also on the Student Ministries front: We have 90 active high schoolers in small groups! And did you know that many of the leaders in our weekend Sunday school class for kids with disabilities (the Retreat) are youth? Did you know we had the Retreat ministry going? Just met two families over the last two weeks in 10-Minute Connect that have come because of the Retreat.

- This weekend is week 6 in our Story of God small group for the fall. We'll do it again come January. Is there someone you could invite to get the bigger picture, to learn how to better understand the Bible, to hear the message of our rescue and redemption?

- The Five Oaks Christmas album is coming together well. Five songs. Great invitiation tool. You'll here more later.

First-time Guest Comments

Here are the latest we received:

• Excellent service with a solid message and applicable lesson.  Love the casual atmosphere, praise music, and Acorn Café.
• Very happy there is the special needs class.
• Good for Eaglebrookers looking for a smaller church, but maybe too ‘contemp-ervent’ for someone who likes deep theological study. I felt at home. Loved the stations to express worship. I plan to visit a 2nd time!

First-time Guest Comments

Here are comments from feedback we solicit from first-time guests. I've excluded one this time that was simply too long to include on this site. Normally they all make it this site.

• I really like the response stations, the way the service is set up and the worship band is really great.
• Teaching is really well done.
• I’d like to return a second time!
• Friendly church, interesting service – good message, great music, love the use of technology.
• Loved it!
• I enjoyed my visit at Five Oaks Church and I will be back.
• Visited to spend more time with my daughters.  Greatly enjoyed the service.
• Friendly, Helpful people
• I would be ‘proud’ to be a member of your church.  I felt as if among mature Christians fulfilling God’s plan.

Illiterate and Misguided

I use prayer cards in my personal devotions. It's an idea I got from one of the best books I've ever read on prayer, A Praying Life by Paul Miller. One of those cards is focused on Five Oaks. I don't list immediate needs on it. I don't need to write those down. I have four big prayers. One is for the people who walk through our doors and stay. I pray that they develop a biblical worldview and biblical literacy within three years of joining our church family. I pray this almost every day.

I don't need to review the statistics. Most people today lack a strong, spiritual foundation, including those sitting in churches who are simply hoping for a shot of spiritual adrenaline to keep them going for the next week. They are mostly biblically illiterate and misguided for lack of a biblical worldview. It's why I developed the Story of God series and now the Story of God small group for people who missed the series or were unable to fully engage at that time. And it's why we're offering Five Oaks U courses that help us take the message deep into our hearts and into our lives.

Will you pray with me for this? Will you encourage others to engage in their own spiritual growth? Are you modeling it for others?

Five Oaks U: "Living Your Stengths & Finding Your Place"

Living Your Strengths & Finding Your Place (Featuring the StengthsFinder and S.H.A.P.E. Profiles)

Based on the Gallup StrengthsFinder inventory and S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experience), this class will enable you to discover your own distinctive blend of strengths and spiritual gifts and discern how God can use you! God has gifted each of us with unique talents, abilities, personalities, and experiences. Investing in and utilizing these allows us to fully experience God’s potential and understand our calling to serve Him with our unique strengths. What has God given you, and what is He asking you to do?

• Dates: Eight Weeks - Sundays, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13
• Time: 9:30am
• Location: Woodbury Campus
• Instructor: Emily Johnson
• Cost: $15 per person
• Registration: Online by linking here.

Faculty

Emily Johnson has worked in higher education for eleven years, and is currently in the Registrar’s Office at St. Catherine University. She has her Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Bethel Seminary, and she particularly enjoys studying the Old Testament. Her husband, Scot, their two boys and their dog live in Oakdale. The Johnsons have attended Five Oaks for about three years. Emily’s top five strengths are: Achiever, Adaptability, Relator, Responsibility, Developer. She dreams of one day owning her own pie shop.

Five Oaks U: "Spiritual Parenting"

Check out this promo video and read the description below.

Spiritual Parenting

It’s hard enough to train kids to behave, but good behavior isn’t what Jesus calls for in the Bible. He wants hearts and souls that are shaped in vibrant faith and love toward
God and others. How can parents cultivate this in their children? Spiritual Parenting is a six-part DVD series that empowers parents to be the primary nurturers of their children’s faith and teach them how to create a home environment that God can use to work in their children’s lives. Your family can be transformed when you learn how to create space for God-encounters in everyday life.

• Dates: Six Weeks - Sundays, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Time: 9:30am
• Location: Woodbury Campus
• Instructor: Dave Runion and Nicole Schwarz
• Cost: $15 per household
• Registration: Register by linking here
  

Faculty

Dave Runion has been at Five Oaks for approximately ten years and have served as volunteers in multiple capacities. As a Children’s Ministries teacher, small group leader and small group coach he has loved seeing kids and adults grow in their faith. He has been married to Emmy for 13 years. They have 3 children, Grace, Micah and Joey. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Dave gets the honor of walking alongside individuals and families through life’s journey. Co-teaching with David is Nicole Schwarz who is also a long time Five Oaks member who is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

Five Oaks U: "Doing the Right Thing"

Watch the promo video and read the description below.

Doing the Right Thing (Making Moral Choices in a World Full of Options)

“Doing the Right Thing” explores the ethical and moral breakdown that is hitting culture from all sides, how Christians should think about ethics and how to respond in a way that is winsome and Christ-like. Each session consists of a 30-minute video and a 30-minute group discussion. The videos are produced by The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview and are hosted by Brit Hume, Chuck Colson, Robert George and other distinguished panelists. Through panel discussions, interviews, and live student questions it raises ethical issues in a non-condemning but challenging way, stimulating thought, discussion, and action. The classroom discussion that follows focuses on how ethical and character issues relate to life at home, school, and the workplace.

• Dates: Six Weeks - Sundays, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Time: 9:30am
• Location: Woodbury Campus
• Instructor: Amy Evans
• Cost: $15 per person
• Registration: Online by linking here

Faculty

Amy Evans has been married to Chris for fourteen years and they have three girls (Mia 7, Kayla 5, Lela 3). The Evans family visited Five Oaks shortly after the Hudson Campus opened the doors. For those who remember it, the billboard on I94 worked and they have been part of Five Oaks ever since. Amy is an Assistant Professor for Liberty University’s Center for Counseling and Family Studies online program. She likes teaching in her pajamas, but promises not to show up in them on a Sunday morning!

Five Oaks U (Woodbury Campus)

Five Oaks U is back and we're offering four courses--three on Sunday morning and one on Sunday evening. All the classes start on September 25th. The U focuses on topics that will help you grow deeper roots for your faith by helping you develop a biblical worldview and lifestyle. It's a great opportunity to grow, but it is not intended to take the place of a small group in your life. Over the next few days I will introduce you to the classes that are being offered this fall quarter.

First-time Guest Comments

Here are the latest comments we received on cards sent to first-time guests:

Woodbury

• Pator Henry, I was invited by.... I’m curious about your ministries.  The pastor was not you – it was a pastor from Eaglebrook where another friend attends.  I will be back to see who you are.  I came on a Sunday.  I filled out forms for ministries at Union Gospel and mentoring.
• My daughter has asked me to join her many times and I just never found the time.  Since I have been out for a surgery I joined her and it was very rewarding.  Thank you.  It really touched me.
• I enjoyed it.  Unfortunately it is not “traditional’ enough for my husband.  Thank you for the experience and I hope to visit when I can.

Like a particular song on the weekend?

Then check out this link, updated weekly by Anissa Stumbo and Juli Pennington Servatius. Here's a screenshot of what's up right now.

Bill Hybels and Loving "Enemies"

Here's the video of Hybel's GLS speaker change announcement from this week's message.

 

Summaries of All Summit Talks

Whether you attended the Summit or not, you might want to check out the summaries of the talks at the Willow Creek Association blog. If you attended, it's a great way to review your thoughts, next actions and big initiatives you want to take on in the near future.

First-time Guest Comments

Here are the latest from the cards we send to first-time guests:

Woodbury

• Five Oaks is just what we were looking for in a new church since our move!  Is the broadcast done every other Sunday or just once in a while?  The message was so relevant and well done.  Thanks!
• After I initiated conversations people were very helpful & friendly.  You should have visitor name tags so visitors get approached.  Otherwise I wouldn’t have been approached/talked to if I hadn’t sought out people which is hard for me to do.

Hudson

• We know childcare is difficult, but it seemed too crowded for the little ones.  We have a 6 month old.

Favorite Quotes from the Global Leadership Summit

Here are pastor and blogger Tony Morgan's favorite quotes from the sessions he attended. What do you think?

• “Are you naming, facing and resolving the problems that exist in your organization?” –Bill Hybels
• “If you can’t predict the future, create it.” –Len Schlesinger
• “Everyone is born an original, but sadly, most die as carbon copies.” –Cory Booker
• “If failure is not an option, then neither is success.” –Seth Godin
• “God doesn’t give you the faith to finish what he calls you to; he gives faith to start it.” –Steven Furtick
• “I’d rather deal with anger than apathy.” –Michelle Rhee
• “When your maturity is not strong enough to change something, add external structure.” –Henry Cloud

Wednesday Night Encounter!

The staff just spent some time in the worship center praying over every chair which represents the people that will join us for worship on Wednesday night. We are expecting God to touch lives with renewal, healing and encouragement as we spend time praising our God.

First-time Guest Comments

Here are the comments returned from the cards we send to first-time guests:

Woodbury

• We really liked our first visit and will be visiting again.
• Welcome staff were wonderfully welcoming, in general though other staff and members not.  Only actual complaint and concern though was service was way too loud.  Hurt my ears to the point that sitting in service was uncomfortable.  This was everything – band, audio on sermon, video, etc. – too loud.  Nursery program well organized, and liked music except too loud.
• Really enjoyed – we do have a strong church home but came due to service times.  Our teen-age girls enjoyed, too!
• Felt comfortable and knew I was in a good gospel preaching church. But would have enjoyed more eager interest from parishioners (I know – it’s hard).  Am not fond of contemporary music, so a different service time would probably be better.

Hudson Bandshell Service Video

Here's the video of the all-campus worship service at the Hudson Bandshell from July 24. What a great day. Thirty-seven baptisms in the St. Croix. Family picnics. Fun.

Inception

Here's the video from the weekend reminding everyone that if you show up at the Woodbury or Hudson campuses this weekend, no one will be there. We're at the Hudson Bandshell on the St. Croix at 10:30am for an all-Five Oaks service, baptism and picnic. Bring your own food and beverage, chairs and an umbrella to protect from the sun.

Here's our video followed and the Inception movie trailer (it might help explain our video a bit if you did not see the movie).

Bring Your Umbrella on Sunday

No, not for the rain. For the sun. I'm asking all Five Oakers to sit toward the front at the Hudson Bandshell on Sunday. That means you'll be in the sun. It's just not good when the majority of the people are fifty yards away from the stage, under the trees. And it's not good when the rest are baking in the sun. So please remember to bring umbrellas and sit toward the front on Sunday. It's going to be a great day!

Five Oaks' Summit Video

You can still sign up for the Summit. We're up to 115 from Five Oaks who are going. If you missed this promo video with some of our folks talking about the video, please check it out. Contact the church office (office@fiveoakschurch.org) for the special pricing for Five Oakers.

 

First-time Guest Comments

Here is the latest comment we received back from a guest:

Woodbury

• We felt very welcomed, enjoyed the music and the message; but found the stations confusing and felt that it would be a better idea to have it at the end of the service if at all.

Spiritual Depth

Here's author and former pastor Gordon MacDonald's definition of a person who is spiritually deep. What do you think?

Deep people are those whose lives are organized around Jesus, his character, his call to a serving life, and his death on the cross for their sins. The abilities (or giftedness) of deep people may be quite diverse, but each has the power to influence others to follow Jesus, grow in Christ-likeness, and live a life of faithful service. They love the world, mix well with people, but are wary of spiritual entrapments. They are known for their wisdom, their compassion for others, and their perseverance in hard times.

Getting Pumped Up for the Summit?

Five Oaks has it's largest group ever going to the Leadership Summit this year. Registrations stand now at 115! Here are some excerpts from a recent Fast Company article on the Leadership Summit that will surely get you pumped up (you can link to it here):

"Willow Creek offers a deep set of lessons about organizational life that I have not been able to learn anywhere else," says Babson College president and former Limited Brands COO Len Schlesinger, who has studied the church for nearly two decades, though he himself is Jewish. This year, he took several of his Babson colleagues to the summit, which has also attracted delegations from Best Buy, Chick-fil-A, and Toms Shoes. "The quality of the teaching is extraordinary," Schlesinger says. "The fact that Willow Creek is a church and the fact that it is evangelical mean that some people may have a great deal of difficulty with it, but they skip it at their loss."

"I have my four Es," [Jack] Welch says, referring to the four leadership qualities he looks for in executives: Someone who has energy; who energizes others; who has edge ("someone who can say yes or no decisively"); and who can execute. "Bill has them all, along with a strong P: passion. He's a winner. He could be running a company -- or a country."

For Toms Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, who spoke this year about his company's "conscious capitalism," the summit was also a learning experience. The highlight for him was Hybels's interview with Welch. "Welch talked about the dangers of the 'meeting after the meeting.' That was happening at Toms, and it's not anymore," Mycoskie says, citing a new daily senior-leadership meeting implemented in direct response to Welch's summit message."Bill Hybels talked about recruiting fantastic people and being bummed when they quit," Mycoskie continues. "That has affected our hiring process. Before, we were hiring as fast as possible. I've since told my HR director to take the extra month to make sure we're getting the right people."

The two-day summit schedule is carefully choreographed to balance secular voices with those of pastors. "If we filled all our sessions with the Jim Collinses and Jack Welches and did not have the faith leaders, the summit would go away in a year or two," Hybels says. "What has made this thing last is the mix: It's the blend of high-impact, God-honoring messages with savvy, street-smart, don't-spiritualize-everything lessons from business."

Kids in the Weekend Service

Our parenting conference speaker made his case for for families worshiping together a few weeks ago and I've been meaning to add my two cents. Our boys attended adult worship services most of their lives, and it didn't make them hate going to church. I'm not sure it helped them either. I think a lot depends on your kids and on your parenting style or skills.

So I think it's a great idea for many (but not all) families, but only if...

• Your kids are also attending their weekend small group (i.e., Sunday School) so that they can learn, grow and fellowship at their own level. You can go to the service together and then you (the parents) can serve the other hour while your kids are in their small group.
• Your kids are not constantly distracting you. If you are the primary spiritual director in your child's life (and you are), it's not a good idea for you to put your spiritual growth on hold until your slightly to very hyperactive child grows up. 
• Your kids are not distracting the people around you. Sorry, but constant movement and even cute noise is distracting.

I just read an article by a pastor from a church that doesn't ever allow kids in their services. He gives five reasons that I think can be remedied in other ways. But here are his reasons for your consideration:

1. Children learn at their level - Appropriate topics are given at appropriate ages and presented in appropriate methods for their particular stage of development.
2. Children like church - How many people do you meet that say they hate church because their parents forced them and it was boring? Why do that to your kids? Don't you want them to learn about Jesus AND enjoy it?
3. It allows parents to worship/learn undistracted - Our conviction is that the parent is more responsible for the spiritual development of a child than the church, so we need to make sure parents are being edified and encouraged in God's Word. This is much easier when they're not trying to keep their children pacified or entertained during service.
4. It allows people throughout the service, both seekers and disciples alike, to focus on the experience rather than being distracted by crying, fussing, or bored kids.
5. It frees the pastor to discuss "adult" topics without having to filter things for young ears. I don't mean this allows me to cuss, but it does allow me to discuss serious things like sex without having kids hear things they are not ready for yet. [We try to warn parents when the topic is PG or PG-13, but it's not easy to always remember.]