H. Henry Williams

Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

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

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

#2 – Come see over 35 people from your church community get baptized this weekend on the waterfront at Hudson. We’ll worship together then head down to the water. I’ll be preaching from Exodus. Interesting tie-in between baptism and this week’s passage.

#3 – 99 registered for the Summit! I’m extremely proud of our church for taking time off from work to attend this kind of event in such large numbers. Amazing!

#4 – Jackhammering and pouring concrete all week at the Five Oaks building entrance.

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

7/15  No one came over to talk to me.  The greeters greeted me as I came in, but that is all.  Very unfriendly church.  I sat there alone for half an hour after eating my sundae, no one even smiled at me.  I only was there because I came with a friend.  She had to leave for a while, and no one was friendly at all. [I'm truly sorry, and I’m confident we’ll do better next time if you give us a chance. We don't get this kind of response very often. And I know all of us that read this are thinking, ‘Was I too preoccupied to notice someone new by themselves.’ Thank you for the feedback. It will help make us more aware.]

#6 – Here are most of your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Maybe I’m looking in wrong place, but it seems like video podcasts aren’t uploaded in a timely manner.  If I’m traveling and miss a message, my hope is to view it online BEFORE the next message in the series.  So far I’m unable to do this. L  Amen, Tim!  Great preaching!  Great message and stories! “Tim, you can do it!” I’ve needed that, too.  Asked God and he answered “You can do it – because I will give you the strength that you need.” [I love that you do this! We have some staff transition and part of the areas effected are the podcasts. We're working on getting it fixed asap but the audios are up and running every week.]
• Worship team was great! [You’re not kidding! I was blown away. So, so thankful for the team and Dan’s leadership. And I especially loved that five out of the six songs were lead by team members (Nathan, Libby and Kara) with excellence.]
• Powerful & encouraging teaching today! [I got to hear it twice. Tim did an incredible job. I'm so thankful for our church to hear from Tim regularly and for the fact that when I'm gone, we don't miss a beat.]
• Loved singing Rock of Ages!  Thank you Tim for the reminder, at a difficult point in my life, that God is in control! 
• Where is the new music director? I though he was coming after July 4. [Jeremy starts in September, but be sure to check out this post.]
• Worship team vocalists – thanks for you genuine model of powerful worship at the end of the service with ‘The Greatness of Our God’. 
• Awesome worship from beginning to end!
• Disappointed that blue spotlights were shining on audience during sermon again. [Drat!]
• Tim, great job with the message!  Thank you for sharing with us.  Great job worship team!  Love the new song! [Love, love, love the new song too!]
• Loved the opening song  - great job soloists!  Great job Kara! [Hauntingly beautiful.]
• Beautiful reminders, Tim.  Thank you.  Loved the marathon story. [So funny and to the point.]
• I really needed your message, Tim.  Thanks. 
• Love, love the new song!
• Phenomenal opening duet!  Beautiful, powerful.  Great opening worship set gang.  Really appreciate your hearts and God-given talents.  Thanks for repeating the opening song – fun! [Yes, I love it when the new song is repeated.]

See you at the river!

Blessings to all of you, Pastor Henry

Not So Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

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

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

#2 – Missed being with all of you this weekend. I’m out in CA. Went to a workshop on communication at Duarte in Mountain View (thank God for their non-profit's discount). Great workshop with so many useful tools and ideas.

#3 – Also took some vacation days beforehand with Lois. We hung out in the Santa Cruz in the mountains (great hiking!) and at the beach (chilly but fun). Attended Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz. Great time of worship at this unique church that seems to be doing a great job of reaching out to their unique community. One thing we enjoyed there was their cafe which is open all week and has concerts and such. We went to a free concert on Saturday night at the cafe.

#4 - Visited with a Chinese friend of ours in Oakland for a couple of days. When he came to the U.S. and we met him, he hardly spoke English. Came to go to school in KS. We met him through an international students ministry and he became part of our family for the next few years. Now he’s an engineer in the Oakland area (his co. makes the buses for St. Paul), married and has two kids. Great time with his family and ate way too much. We also did a segway tour and a big bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and Tiburon (back on the ferry). 

#5 – 94 register so far for the Leadership Summit. All are invited to free Friday lunch. Staff will serve as table hosts and I will share about vision and future plans.

#6 – The Children’s ministry is having a VBS celebration for all kids on August 24/25 with VBS songs, wearing their T-shirts, and the Ice Cream truck is coming! This is a great outreach opportunity. Families, invite your friends who have kids. Seriously, it's going to be great. Invite!

#7 - Remodeling has begun in the kid’s wing with clearing the walls with an anticipated completion the week of Aug. 19. I can’t wait to tell you about all the other campus improvements we’re making in the next 3-4 weeks! You will not believe it.

#8 – We have a Volunteer/Ministry Fair is Aug. 10/11 & 17/18 in the Commons.

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

7/8 - Communion was a little confusing.  Maybe announce what to do with different stations and direct where to go? [It’s hard to take everything in when you’re in a new place, especially when things are done differently. I did explain it, but your comment reminds me to keep working hard at being super clear. Thanks.]

#10 – Here are most of your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Nice job Nathan! 
• Loved the video! Such a powerful message! How could one not feel motivated? Please post video on website. [Sorry, we can’t post it for copyright reasons. You can purchase it at the Willow Creek Association site.]
• Great message and worship!
• Love, love, love worshipping with you, Dan! Thanks for beautiful, moving, touching music! So glad to hear the powerful message again! Amazing as first time – totally pumped for upcoming GLS. [I’m just a few miles from Ortberg’s church this week. Wondering if I should drop by his office and take him out for coffee. I’m sure he’s not doing anything today.)
• Loved the worship set. Reminds me who I was and where I came from. “In tenderness he sought me, weary and sick with sin. And on His shoulders brought me, back to His fold again.”
• Loved the band/musicians. Sooo talented! [We are blessed to have so many talented musicians that are willing to serve God by leading us in worship!]
• Spotlights much better today! Thanks. [Yes!]
• I’m not liking the 6:00 service time. Hoping you will bring back 4:30 service soon. [We are going back to 4:30pm after Labor Day.]
• If it’s true that education honors God (as said in today’s video), why don’t we punctuate our lyric slides? [The Bible was originally written without punctuation or spaces between words because those things had not been invented. We're just trying to be biblical. Okay, just kidding about the trying to be biblical by not using punctuation, but the rest is true.]

Headed home today.

Blessings to all of 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 weekend services with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – The vote to purchase the land passed by an overwhelming majority! I'm celebrating because I believe this is the best thing to do. But I also loved the congregational meeting itself because of the great questions and comments. Showed great discernment, accountability and heart. 

#3 – Kevin Johnson left out one name. Kevin is a charter member and Elder. At the congregational meeting he was responding to the concern that we not lose our outward focus due to a campaign for land. He talked about our partnership with missionaries and the people who have gone out from us to work on the mission field and the role our youth ministry, in particular, has had in that. What he didn’t mention is that his son Ryan is one of people, serving with our denomination as a missionary in China!

#4 – That group in the picture below is one of our small groups from last summer when they led a neighborhood VBS in St. Paul with Karen kids. This year’s VBS will serve as one of the distribution points for the backpacks. Two ways you can serve: help with the VBS and/or prepare a backpack or two. Contact the church office if you would like to know how to help with the VBS.

#5 – If you want to see how we are making a local impact, read this note from one of our educators:

Dear Sarah and Jerry,

Sometimes the context in which a compliment is received says as much or more than words themselves.

On Wednesday, the district superintendent brought together all systems leaders for district 833. This included all building principals and department leaders with district-wide responsibilities such as finance, facilities, food service, transportation, etc. We were asked in advance to share one or two Points of Pride as we reflected on the past year.

 …In this setting the Woodbury Elementary principal shared about Kids Hope US She shared her early hesitancy about the offer from a church, how she watched the dedication of the mentors and most of all the positive impact mentors had on students. Immediately, other principals asked about the program.

What I find gratifying regarding the efforts you have put forth is that Kristine was not offering this for your benefit. This was a Point of Pride that she was sharing with her peers regarding a high point of the year at Woodbury Elementary.

Well done to you and all of the mentors!

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

7/8 - Need to attend a few more times.  Looking for a home church after move from Lino Lakes.

#7 – Here are most of your comments from the Communication Cards:

• I love how deep we dive into the Bible! I am new to the church and you have pulled me out of a spiritual sleep. I am so thankful for this church and Pastor Henry! [Wow! Love this. Thanks for letting us know.]

• Beautiful song Libby! Perfect for me and my new “adventure”. Love the new coffee.

• “I know.” was what I needed to hear today. God’s timing is perfect…again.

• Great message! It’s good to be reminded that God knows that we’re unworthy and yet he invites us to join Him.

• Absolutely, absolutely fantastic worship set. Loved the first song and you knocked to Hillsong song out of the park. So worshipful. Thanks worship team! Great continuation of this series in your message Henry. 

• Great music and drums behind “Spirit Lead Me” (Hillsong). Like idea of pre-lit candles for conversions. Praise God. Also like the somber Holy Spirit of “Give Me Christ or Else I Die!” [Yep, we’re lighting candles for every first-time decision this year. We want to light them if any of our members are involved in seeing someone come to Christ outside the walls of our church building, so let us know.]

• The service time change has not been the best for us. Either we eat at 4:30ish (which is probably late or on time in FL!) but for us (I speak only for the Latino people) this is early or eat after service which ends up being late. This isn’t too bad and is not a hardship – just a silly gripe. [It will go back to an earlier time in the fall most likely. I don’t like the later time either since it cuts so much into the evening. But one thing I’ve noticed is that the congregation is way more engaged. It is a huge difference. You feel it clearly when leading. More clapping, more laughter and more singing. I wish we could bottle that for when we go back to an earlier time.]

• Can the tech team please shut off the lower blue spotlights on the stage during the message/sermon time? They really shine in the audience’s eyes when sitting on the side sections of the audience. Thank you!  [I’m sure they’ll be making an adjustment. But the lights need to be on for the sake of the video we shoot for the podcast (and probably some other reasons I don’t know about). Thanks for letting us know.]

• I love Five Oaks. The messages are unbelievable. Referencing the Bible is key/awesome. Pastor Henry is fantastic. Did I say I love Five Oaks. However, I wish so badly that you would consider more traditional service. Not the messages. They are perfect. Music…? I understand this is the way to worship now days, but I would highly recommend one service with more traditional music worship or at least songs that are recognizable from KTIS etc. I miss the warm fuzzy feeling when you recognize songs in church. [Thanks for your encouraging words and for sharing your thoughts about the music choices. Regarding familiarity, we never introduce more than one song new song in any given service. And then we use new songs repeatedly to build familiarity for people who attend regularly. Regarding song choice, I wrote a tome about it, and then I decided to gut it for this post. Maybe another day. Bottom line: lots goes into choosing songs, and we appreciate hearing from our folks regarding song selection. So, thank you. Regarding offering the option of a more traditional service, we can’t at this time. We can’t dedicate prime worship space to a service that will attract fewer people (at least at the start) and we simply don’t have a smaller space for experimenting. Additionally, we don’t have the staff to prepare an alternative service, build a team of volunteers and then execute it well. Again, thanks for your feedback.]

#8 – Here is the sermon in 10 Tweets, Exodus 3:11-22, “God Knows”

1. Two words, missing in this passage, drive home a truth we need before taking on a God-sized vision.
2. Most biblical heroes are reluctant heroes. Moses wants to keep his contented life.
3. “Who am I, that I should go…” …”But I will be with you.” What’s missing?
4. Need to understand the question first. It’s a statement that says, “I’m nobody…incapable..unqualified…
5. God’s response goes against the grain. Our response would be, “Yes, you are somebody…you can…
6. “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough and doggone it, people like me.” Moses knows that’s not true.
7. When Moses or we say we’re nobodies, incapable and unqualified God says, “I know.” Those are the words the text demands.
8. The statement from God assumes that’s the case and only makes sense if you supply that sentiment.
9. God calling you to a new chapter? Feel you can’t do it? You’re right. But God will be with you.
10. Feel you can’t sustain the Christian life so why even start? You’re right about not being able. God will be with you.

Blessings to all of 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 weekend services with highlights of our prayers, readings and songs here.

#2 – Here’s a great idea from one of our members regarding 10-Minute Connect:

I know that taking the first step to introduce yourself to someone can be intimidating. I think it would be nice if regular attenders offered to go with new attendees to 10 min connect. We would find out who is new by asking during greeting time how long they have been coming. Then if they say they have been coming for a short time we ask if they've been to 10 min connect. If they have not say "I'd like to take you to 10 min connect and introduce you to pastor Henry.”

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

6/23: I’m looking forward to visiting again next week!  Thank you for your hospitality!

#4 – The Congregational Meeting is this coming Sunday to decide on whether or not to sign the land purchase agreement. Got a great email this week from someone at the Cottage Meeting who still had concerns. He listed his concerns and I passed it on to several leaders who are leading this initiative. If you were not able to make a Cottage Meeting and have questions or concerns or anything else, please email me. If possible, don’t wait until the meeting. If we can answer your concerns beforehand, we’ll have more time for discussion on items that can’t be settled beforehand.

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

• Story of Moses – wow! Bless your heart Mary and Karen.
• Good worship set, nice vocals guys. Loved all the guitars. Unbelievable message Henry… thank you, thank you, thank you for the challenge to find the burning bush in our lives. To pay attention where God tries to get our attention. Great closing prayer too. Loved the closing song!
• Moving message.
• Thank you for the message Henry and the powerful stories that you shared.
• My 5 top songs: Gold; These Are the Things; Up, Up, Up; Go Fish; Wreckless. Can we please play one of these? [It's good to hear what people like. Sometimes we discover a song to use thanks to recommendations. A lot goes into choosing songs for worship so, in answer to your question, I can't promise anything.]
• If the next family worship service is after VBS the kids would love to sing a few VBS songs. It would help them connect to the service and make it even more relevant! [Thanks for the idea.]

#6 – Here is the sermon in 10 Tweets, Exodus 3:1-10, “The Call to an Adventure”

 

1. Gandalf: “I’m looking for someone to share an adventure.”
2. God is inviting you to share in an adventure with you. God: “I will lead them….So I will send you to lead them….”
3. The adventure: start a relationship w/ him, join in his mission, begin a new chapter in your story of following him.
4. Moses hesitates & so do we, but you can’t follow God without change & challenges in life.
5. Don’t miss the adventure: God is, in a sense, counting on you.
6. God will disrupt and disturb your life to get your attention and to get you to your destiny.
7. Ken Davis on what Moses’ first reaction might have been to the burning bush: “Whoa, freaketh me out!”
8. When God gets your attention, pay attention.
9. There is more to reality than your routine & more to life than your agenda.
10. Burning bushes: Unexpected events, concerns, ideas leading to an unexpected adventure. The story of Karen & Moses Cooper...

I’m continuing with the call of Moses at the bush this weekend. Hope to see you there.

God bless you all, Pastor Henry

Not So Mid-Week Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

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

#1 – Welcome to another group of new blog subscribers! If you’re short on time, read the bolded highlights. It will take you a minute or less.

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

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

6/23 - Enjoyed the worship.  I find it easier to worship when we sing the traditional hymns.  Their words are so meaningful, and the music inspiring and heart-warming.  My husband and I spent twenty years in Africa as missionaries, and we had a lot of drum music.  However, it was not as clashing as today’s US contemporary music.  God bless you.

#4 – Given the content of the last two weeks, you might want to check out this short but helpful article, “Where was God?”

#5 – You can’t be in two places at once, but you can pop in and out of them. That’s what Sunday was like for me. The Cottage Meeting had about 50 people who came to gather more information about the potential purchase of 9.5 acres adjacent our south property line and then several families were in the Discovery Seminar lunch. Great connection, though, between more people looking for a church home and more land to welcome them as explosive growth comes to our doorstep.

#6 – We normally have about one or two people at the "Cottage Meetings" we hold before big votes. Most people choose to wait until the meeting. That makes it harder to get through the meeting if some people have a lot of questions. I think the way we announced it, the pizza and the time we held it all came together to bring in about 50.  

#7 - The Cottage Meeting went really well. Great questions and lots of good information. The tone was very positive. Most of what we’ve heard from our folks is very positive about going forward. But here’s the downside of that kind of momentum: some people who came with questions or concerns (i.e., who many not think this is a good or worthy idea) may feel like they can’t speak up. If that stops you, it will rob us and it will rob you. It will rob us of your input. Maybe critical input. But it will also rob you because your untested assumptions or conclusions will remain just that, untested. You will withhold and withdraw without input from your community. And you may miss what God has for you, for your growth in him.  

#8 – Here are most of your comments from the Communication Cards:

• Beautiful worship sets! Great choice of songs for a visitor I know is here. [Interesting how having a guest changes the outlook on things.]
  

• God is awesome.

• Nice to hear/see Hannah up there. Nice job guys. Good icebreaker again. [I loved the song she sang! In fact, all the songs helped me connect with God, praise him and reflect on his work in so many ways. We don’t try to do “thematic” worship (i.e., trying to align all the songs around one theme or around the sermon topic). We let the worship movements and the proclamation of the gospel guide the choices and themes, but this week the songs amplified the sermon theme in so many incredible ways. I was floored. Saw new dimensions every service.]

• Wonderful song set this morning! “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me.” Amen. [Yeah, that’s the song Hannah song. Incredible lyrics.]

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Get the rest of the lyrics here.

• Excellent, excellent message. Just what I needed to hear and know what I should do about my seemingly unanswered prayers. Could give you huge hug right now!

• Love the opening solo the young women sang.

• Good set.

• Very interesting sermon, Henry. Explains many things and scares me at the same time because of what this country could be in for yet.

• I thought the sermon was just fantastic. Wow, I won’t be able to just leave this one in the sanctuary. [Music to my ears! I have to admit that I preached it with fear and trembling, concerned it would miss the mark, that it might be too heady. But I didn't have time to change it. Terrifying to preach on such a great subject and great text and feel like you might miss the mark. At the same time, I know that no sermon hits home with everybody. I just don’t want to miss the mark with everybody!]

• Love that people are holding the bread and wine, missing the “praise songs.”

• When you talk about our communion please remember to mention that the bread is gluten free. [It’s on the front of our Worship Guide every week. the I’m afraid that’s about all I can do.]

#9 – Here is the sermon in 10 Tweets, Exodus 2:11-25, “The Mystery of Answered Prayer”

1. By end of chapter, 80 years have gone by for Moses, 400 years in Egypt, now God decides to act. What's he been waiting for?
2. When you consider all the factors God is working on, the greater mystery might be about answered prayer.
3. God lifts the curtain a bit on what he has been up to.
4. Superficial answers to difficult questions can turn young, thoughtful Christian adults away from faith.
5. Tig Notaro: Angels, “God, what are you doing? Out of ur mind?" God: "No, no, no. I really think she can handle more."
6. God’s answers to prayer need to align with his good plan of redemption w/out eliminating our ability to choose.
7. God’s answers to prayer need to align with his work in us & others: some on probation; others in preparation. 
8. Some answers would be unfair to those on probation and premature for those who in preparation.
9. The Israelites weren’t ready to go. Moses wasn’t ready to lead them.
10. Are you on probation or in preparation?

#10 – Listen to Tig Notaro's gig where she talked about her cancer. Louis C.K. called it one of the most remarkable comedy sets he ever witnessed.

#11 - Here’s a question I received on the sermon:

Question - There are people who say the Jews were never slaves in Egypt. Is there historical evidence that they were? What of the people who see some prayers “answered” in material goods and when others pray for relief from suffering? How do you respond to them? Bruce Almighty shows the problem of answering all prayers.

Answer – I’m not an expert on biblical archaeology or the best resources, but I think this article might be helpful to shed light from the perspective of archeologists who believe the biblical testimony.

I love you guys and blessings to you, Pastor Henry