The 180 Blog

Contents
1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Surf Report
4. Birthdays
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Parting Shot

1. 180 NEWS

Fundraiser


The fundraising team pulled off another great event this last Saturday! Lots of cars were washed, lots of pancakes eaten, lots of money raised, and fun had by all. Thank you Cari and Pam for your hard work and leadership of the event and the team. Check out all the pictures here!





New Songs
For all that love to sing and play music, we have added two new songs ("Majesty (Here I am)" - Delirious? and "You Are my Joy!" - David Crowder) to our song list for you to download and play. Just click over to our 180 Worship Team site to download them now.

Junior High RIOT
The big event is this weekend! If you are registered here is what you need to know:

• We will leave the church on Friday at 5:00 (please eat dinner before arriving.)
• We will return on Satruday at 5:15 PM
• Bring: Spending money for snacks, t-shirts, etc. (Optional),
sleeping bag/pillow/personal items, extra clothes/towel (might get wet!)
• Please do not bring anything valuable. (The dorms will not be locked.)

Prepare for an amazing time!

HS Rafting Trip

July 11 is the day, rafting the Deschutes River in Maupin, OR is the event, and you will not want to miss out!

If you are in high school (including current 8th graders) you will want to pick up a registration packet this week! Space is very limited and all registrations must be turned in by Wednesday, June 7. Don't miss this one! Flyers are also available for download here.




2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.

Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
(John 20:26-29)

Can you imagine the look on Thomas' face when Jesus suddenly appeared? Picture the other disciples nodding their heads as if to say, "We told you so, dude!" And though Jesus invited Thomas to touch him and be fully convinced he was real, there's no indication Thomas ever did so. Instead, Thomas believed and confessed Christ as his Lord and God (probably bowing before him). Betcha anything Thomas didn't miss church the next week.

So how can you experience the presence of God in your youth group and church--even when others don't?

Be there.
Show up at church faithfully. Make it your priority. There will always be something else you could be doing (homework, practice, TV, friends, work, etc.). But honor God with your faithfulness to him.

Be committed
Your brothers and sisters in Christ have something you need (and vice versa). Even if you feel you have little in common with them, concentrate on all that you share in Christ. Get involved in their lives.

Be expectant
When you hear God's Word taught, expect him to speak to you. As you worship, anticipate him filling the room along with your praises. Do this, and you'll experience the presence of the risen Christ.

If Thomas had stayed close to his spiritual family, he would have seen the risen Jesus with his own eyes. He wasn't there with the other disciples in the locked room. But that doesn't make him a life-long loser. It certainly doesn't mean he deserves to be "doubting Thomas" for eternity. He learned his lesson, so let's give him a break, okay?

Jesus is alive, friend. And he's there when those personally touched by him come together to honor him.

Hey, do you have a youth group? If so, do you believe you really need those teenagers at church? Are you faithful to that group? Or has your church filed a missing person's report on you?

Is church a safety net for you? A lifeline? Will you expect God to speak this week? Are you ready to conquer your doubts with Jesus' presence? Will you bow and say with Thomas, "My Lord and my God"?

Taken from "Loser's Club" by Jeff Kinley , copyright 2006, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.

3. SURF REPORT

~ Newspaper Snippet Generator

4. BIRTHDAYS

There are two birthdays this week! We wish VERY HAPPY birthdays to and CJ Irving and Angie Ariola! Enjoy a warm and sunny birthday!

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

No piece of square dry paper can be folded more than 7 times in half.

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

"There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community."
- M. Scott Peck

"First upon awakening in the morning, turn your thoughts to God present everywhere; place your heart and your entire being in His hands. Then think briefly of the good you will be able to accomplish that day and the evil you can avoid. Then kneel down, adore God from the bottom of your heart and thank Him for all His gifts and benefits He has given you."
- Francis de Sales

===========our|sponsor===========

ARE YOU IN THE LOSERS CLUB?
"Losers Club" is a real-life look at famous Bible figures such as Moses, Solomon, David, Thomas, Rahab, and others. Each vignette reveals people who struggle with weak faith, confusion, and frustration--people very much like you and me! These stories will help you connect with these flawed heroes, find encouragement in their stories, and get inspired by God's love and care for "losers."

Order here.

Also available in your local Christian bookstore.

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7. PARTING SHOT

If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?