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.

=================================

7. PARTING SHOT

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

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


HS Beach Retreat
We had an incredible weekend! We played hard, we worshipped and we heard from God. It was even nice and sunny most of the time!

Click here to see all the pictures.
Good times!!




2W2
High Schoolers be sure to join us this Wednesday night for Second Wednesday Worship. It will be a special night of praising God for all the great things He has done. In preperation for the night read Psalm 136 and begin to think of all He has done in your life. Come prepared to share them on Wednesday night. We may even include your thoughts of worship in next week's Newsletter.

Pancake Breakfast/Car Wash Fundraiser
This Saturday is the day. If you have signed up to be a part of this fundraiser please be sure to be with us this Wednesay evening for an important planning meeting. We will meet in the Ministry Center at 6:00.

The breakfast/car wash will be from 9:00 to Noon on Saturday and all proceeds will be divided amoung those that help as well as 10% being given to the building fund. This is a great opportunity to invest in what God is doing through our church in reaching the community as well as earn money to help pay for different 180 events that are ahead of us.

Misson Porrtland
Middle Schoolers this summer you have a unique opportunity to be a part of a very strategic mission trip. On July 13-15 we as a middle school group will be joining forces with Bridgetown Ministries to minister to the needs of some of Portland's neediest people.

Pick up an registration packet this week and begin praying and asking God if He would have you be a part of this important outreach.

The cost of the trip is only $90 and must be turned in with all registration materials by June 25.

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Since Jesus isn't here in the flesh, He's depending on us to be His hands, feet, arms, ears. Are you using your hands, feet, arms and ears to bring glory to Him? What about the rest of you? Are your eyes seeing people as Jesus sees them? Does your mouth speak words of encouragement as Jesus would? Is your voice singing praises to His name? Are you going the extra mile for someone who needs you?

Jesus always loved. He calls you to do the same. When your friends are hurting, love them. When Juli battles an eating disorder, love her. When Brooke shares that she's been abused, love her. When Geoff confides that his parents are splitting, be Jesus to him. Austin tells you that his mother is dying of cancer. He doesn't need a bunch of philosophical words from you--He needs you to reflect the love of Jesus to him.

Sometimes Jesus loved with "tough love." In other words, He never made excuses for people's sin. He never said, "Well, that's okay. You didn't mean to." He allowed people to feel guilty for the disobedience in their lives, but He continued to love them.

You do the same. And when your friends are battling deep scars, don't allow them to make excuses. Love them like Jesus would. Sometimes that means giving a hug. Sometimes it means telling them something they don't want to hear, like: "I'll be here for you, but you've got to go ask him to forgive you." Or "I'll go with you, but you really need to see a counselor."

Being Jesus to your friends may not be easy, because Jesus didn't always do the popular thing--He always did the right thing. And sometimes doing what's right may cost you some friends.

Being Jesus means being willing to be a servant. Jesus told His disciples to serve--wash each other's feet. And to set the example, He knelt before them and washed their feet. Imagine! The creator of the universe washing feet! (See John 13:1-17 for the whole story.)

Washing feet can get stinky. It's uncomfortable. It's not easy. But it's right. I had taken a group of teens on a missions trip to South America. During the middle of the trip, I gave a devotion on how Jesus has called us to be servants. I called someone up front and knelt in front of him and washed his feet. Then we divided into small groups and began to wash each other's feet.

One group went left the room and went outside for more privacy. As they were washing each other's feet, a national military man walked by.Without hardly thinking, Jarod politely stopped him and motioned for the officer to sit on the ground with them.

A couple of teens from the group gently untied the man's shoes. One of the girls picked up his feet and placed them in the basin of water. Jarod began washing. Calvin grabbed the towel and tenderly dried the officer's feet.

One by one, they began sharing the difference Christ had made in their lives. When they had finished, the military officer was asking how he could know Jesus like they did. He prayed and surrendered his life to Jesus.

Why? Because a great evangelist had come to town? No. Because of a dazzling Christian concert with flashing lights and smoke machines? No. Simply because a group of teens were determined to reach out and be Jesus to him.

God isn't asking you to be flashy. He may or may not provide you with a stage or a microphone. But He is calling you to serve. To reach out. To be His hands to those around you. To be Him to a lost and dying world.

Will you do it? Even when it's tough? When you're wanting to help your friends come out on top of their problems, the very best thing you can do is to be Jesus to them.

Taken from "How to Help Your Hurting Friend" by Susie Shellenberger, copyright 2004, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.

3. SURF REPORT

~ Winners of the "I Look Like My Dog" contest
Very funny!

4. BIRTHDAYS

BIG Birthday Wishes go out to 4 different people this week! HAPPY birthday to Suzanne Smallen, Michelle Cook, Kaela Jenison, and Becca Farquhar. We hope you girls all have GREAT birthdays. You are loved and appreciated!

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is "uncopyrightable."

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

"I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and very beautiful; but I never read in either of them: "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden."
- St. Augustine

"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares."
- Henri Nouwen

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

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR HURTING FRIENDS?
When a friend is hurting, all you want to do is help. But what do you say when your best friend doesn't eat, or her parents are splitting up, or you see the cutting scars on your friend's arms? There's just no script for this stuff.

That's where this book comes in. It's for concerned friends who know that the best way to help is stepping in with love and authentic support. Whether you know someone who is dealing with sexual abuse, drug addiction, or depression, "How to Help Your Hurting Friend" offers practical advice on how you can be a true friend by tapping into the wisdom of the Bible, the heart of Jesus, and the advice of counselors who know what they're talking about.

Order here.

Also available in your local Christian bookstore.

=================================

7. PARTING SHOT

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some don't have film.

copyright 2006 :: Youth Specialties

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

1. 180 NEWS

HS BEACH RETREAT
If you are one of the 37 people going with us this weekend....here is what you need to know!

•We leave the church at 5:00 PM on Friday. (Please eat dinner before you arrive.)
•We return to the church at 3:30 PM on Sunday.
• Please bring with you: Sleeping bag, pillow, plenty of clothes (including night game clothes), toiletries, towel, flashlight, Bible, and pen.
• Please leave at home: CD's, CD players, heaphones, ipods, MP3 players, gameboys, Xbox's, etc.

It's going to be an awesome time!

JH HIGH RIOT
Hey Middle Schoolers the RIOT is coming! May 19-20 is the dates. Corban College in Salem is the place. Be sure to pick up a registration form this week. The cost is now $65 and is due no later than This Sunday, May 7. Please note, this is an earlier date that previously published.

Check out these links to see who you will see at this year's RIOT.

Craig & Jake LIVE
Dave the Horn Guy

This year's worship band will be Not Us feature our own Aaron Geist on guitar!

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

If you asked the president of a large company for a one-word definition of leadership, she might describe it as enthusiasm, drive, power, presence, or competence. These words are often associated with the world's view of leadership.

But if you investigate Jesus' leadership requirements for his closest followers, you'll see that only one word makes it to the top of his list. It's not an attractive word. Ready? Drum roll, please...Jesus asked his leaders to... serve. Serve! (Go ahead and re-read it-I'll wait.)

Is it safe to assume that right now you're not too sure you want to be a leader if that's what leaders do? I understand--it's quite shocking at first. But if you want to follow the lead of Jesus, you'll find the primary objective of a biblical leader is to serve. Carefully read this verse to understand how Jesus wants his closest followers to act:

You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant... (Matthew 20:25-26, NLT)

Jesus' selection of leaders could be considered either insane or ingenious. But since he was God in the flesh, let's assume his leadership judgment fits in the latter category. The first 12 men he chose to lead with him included five fishermen, a tax collector, and six others whose occupations are a complete mystery. Sometimes we wonder why Jesus chose these men instead of those who were already seen as leaders. Whatever the reason, the greatest leader ever to live chose ordinary guys to lead with him.

Clearly, Jesus connected serving to leading. He deepened the definition of leadership when he described himself as a servant rather than a king:

"For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28, NLT).

Jesus didn't just speak about serving; he modeled it. He put the needs of others first and placed himself in positions where serving was necessary. Ultimately, this posture of servanthood led him to the cross--to serve the needs of humanity. He served without reservation, and the greatest act of servanthood was also the greatest act of leadership our world has ever seen.

Think about that for a moment. Jesus. God in the flesh. All-powerful, all-knowing, all God, and yet, all servant--to everyone! He served the down and out, the sinner, the outcast, the lonely, and the poor. Leader? Yes. Servant? Absolutely! As Jesus served, he created and led a movement with the potential to influence others! Given Jesus' actions, my definition of leadership would include two key words: serve and influence. Jesus did both. That's leadership!

If you want to be a leader--not just a student leader, but a Christian leader--you must learn to lead like Jesus. How? By serving others. When you serve others, you'll have the opportunity not only to lead, but also to change the image of leadership in your church, in your youth group, in your family, and in your school.

So instead of viewing a leadership role as a chance to exert power and voice your opinions, view it as an opportunity to serve. When you do, you'll succeed at leadership, and you'll grow to be more like Jesus.

Taken from "Help! I'm a Student Leader!" by Doug Fields, copyright 2005, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.

3. SURF REPORT

~ Monopoly.com
The official site of Monopoly

~ Stuff on My Cat
Love cats? Love stuff? You'll love this site

4. BIRTHDAYS

One birthday this week....Kelly Hurst! We wish you the BEST Kelly!

5. VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Don't mess with the Trunk Monkey...


6. FORGETTABLE FACT

Clinophobia is the fear of going to bed or falling asleep.

7. POTENT QUOTABLES

"Good leaders must first become good servants."
- Robert Greenleaf

"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way."
- John Maxwell

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

LEARN TO LEAD
If you are a student leader, you are for a reason. You may be afraid or overwhelmed, or you may feel privileged and a little arrogant-but the tools in this book will help you get the most of your time as a leader. In "Help! I'm a Student Leader!" you'll learn how Jesus led others, how to deepen your own faith by serving others, tips on balancing your schedule, how to become and encourager, and more.
Order here.

Also available in your local Christian bookstore.

=================================

8. PARTING SHOT

The decision is maybe and that's final!

copyright 2006 :: Youth Specialties

# posted by 180 Newsletter : 2:30 PM  1 comments