Weekly Update

May 4, 2026

Pancake Breakfast Was a Success

Thank you to everyone who attended the pancake breakfast. It was a great morning, and your contributions will help fund camp for our youth this summer.

Upcoming Events

May 4 - 10

Monday 3

Pew Sisters 9:30 am

Bible History class 7:00 pm

Wednesday 6

Quilters 9:00 am

Confirmation 6:00 pm

Choir rehearsal 7:00 pm

Thursday 7

The Gathering 10:00 am

West Suburban Grief Coalition 4:00 pm

Friday 8

Taproom Social 4:00 pm

Sunday 10

Worship 9:30 am

Sunday school 9:45 am

Coffee & Fellowship 10:30 am

A New Episode Just Dropped!

Tune into The Knoll podcast as Stephen Murray and Erika Vickerman speak with Rick Johnson as he takes us inside the story of Beacon and the transformative work they're doing for neighbors in need.

You can listen to the The Knoll anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Taproom Social - This Friday

Join us May 8 for the next OKL Taproom Social at Utepils Brewing, 225 Thomas Avenue North.

Taproom Socials are a time for socializing and fun. People usually start arriving around 4:00 pm and stay as late as 7:00 pm.

All are welcome to come and stay as long as you like. Contact Jim Blaser or Pastor Jay for more information.

Neighborhood Meal Is Next Week

Get ready for some good food, llama fun, and fellowship on May 13, 6:00 - 7:00 pm.

Can you help sponsor the meal? Please consider donating what you can or sponsoring five meals for $35. Our goal is to raise $2,000 for this event. Donate 👉here.

We will be serving a free chicken lasagna meal with vegetarian and gluten-friendly options.

Children, Youth & Family Kickball & Dinner Night May 17

Take a break from the crazy spring schedule and escape with a rousing game of family kickball followed by dinner, May 17, 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

All ages of children and youth and their families are invited!

👉 Sign up today

Ministry Partner of the Month

Our ministry partner for May is Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative.

Our congregation is one of about one hundred faith communities that comprise Beacon which believes that safe, affordable homes provide the basis for stable families and thriving communities.

Beacon congregations combine their energy and resources to advance equitable housing policy, provide funding for supportive services, and support the creation of new, deeply affordable homes.

Donations needed! We are collecting items for 66 West, a supportive housing facility in Edina for homeless young adults ages 18-24. You can donate the following items in the Narthex: hand and bath towels, bed pillows, full sheet sets, comforters, mattress pads, hangers, clothes hampers, and shower curtains with rings.

Alternatively, you can 👉 donate online and the Oak Knoll team will purchase the items for you.

👉 Learn more about Beacon

Global Refuge Is Seeking Ambassadors

The Global Refuge Ambassador Network is a community of passionate advocates, volunteers, and leaders from all walks of life, united by their passion and commitment to stand in solidarity with Global Refuge and the newcomers they serve.

They are looking for Ambassadors to make an impact through four core roles:

Representative: Represent Global Refuge at meetings and events in your local community, including brief presentations about ways individuals and communities can get involved

Advocate: Focus efforts on learning about and advancing policies around just, humane immigration policies and contacting your representatives about said policies

Philanthropist: Inspire transformative generosity in support of immigrants and refugees through the Global Refuge mission

Organizer: Host events to engage new communities and individuals in Global Refuge annual programs and campaigns

If you are interested in getting involved, you can learn more 👉here

🔔 Reminders!

LSS Benefit for Youth will be held tomorrow. Each year, Oak Knoll members attend this benefit and sit at a common table (or tables). We invite you to join us by registering at this link. Be sure to note on your reservation that you are part of our Oak Knoll community. Questions? Reach out to Clay or Sandy Haapala or Pastor Michele.

The West Suburban Grief Coalition needs snacks for their weekly meetings. 👉Sign up online to donate.

Vicar Jennifer will be ordained at Oak Knoll on Thursday, May 14 at 7:00 pm. All are invited to attend.

Save the dates for the Annual Rummage Sale, June 11-13. Drop-offs will begin June 7.

Photos of the Week

Thanks to Lesa Blaser & Jacque Diederichs for cleaning up the remembrance garden!

Preschool art show

Sharing Garden fence installation

Yummy pancake breakfast

Leader recognition Sunday during the Children's message