Come one, come all to our bowling night this Sunday, January 29 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. We’re going to be at Bowl America in Chantilly for a night to hang out, be with friends, and wear some ridiculous shoes.

What: Bowling with your friends!
When: January 29 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Where: Bowl America, 4525 Stonecroft Blvd Chantilly, VA 20151-1719
How much: $5 gets you 2 games and shoes. Bring cash for food!
Parent pick up and drop off are at Bowl America.

Whether it’s on the sports field, in school, at a job, or anywhere else, one question that usually comes up is, “what is the point?” Knowing the “why?” is a very important thing. The “why?” defines success. The “why?” shows us direction.

So why do we do youth ministry? Why do we invite people to come to our church and as a group of people, why do we do the things we do?

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be exploring the “why?” and answering it from the Bible. How has God answered this question for us? And ultimately- what is our mission?

At age 10, I was advised that I needed to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and be baptized. So, I did. I didn’t really know what they meant, but thought that if I didn’t pray and read my Bible everyday I’d probably get struck down by a bolt of lightening. Eventually, I began to figure out who Jesus was on my own. I attended a youth conference in 7^th grade, and I re-dedicated my heart to Christ.

Shortly after that, when people started asking me what I wanted to be when I grow up I’d say, “I don’t know. I just want to help people.”

As I got into high school and college, when people asked me that dreaded question, I’d give them various answers that I thought sounded the most professional. I got my bachelor’s degree in English and my minor in Journalism, but still felt that heart tug as I thought of the Middle School version of myself.

Post college I worked a handful of awful and not so awful jobs. In my recent position, I knew that I wasn’t where God wanted me. I needed to figure out what he had called me to do.After several weeks of praying about what I was supposed to be doing with my life (Disney Princess crossed my mind once or twice), Pastor Eddy came to me and asked me if I’d be interested in working with him for Oneighty. I think I said, “Yes!” before he finished asking the question. In a way only God can, I was blown away with an amazing and direct answer to prayer!

In the few short days I’ve worked for the church, I’ve felt an incredible sense of fulfillment that tells me this is the place God has called me to be. That his purpose for my life was to bring me to this place, to serve and work alongside the high-schoolers in Oneighty. And I feel so incredibly blessed to be here.

Turns out the Middle School version of me knew where I was supposed to be the whole time.

Join us this December 31st, 2011 for our annual New Year’s Eve extravaganza! It’s going to be a great night of fun, friends, and free games! This is your opportunity to bring in the new year with your closest BFFs (can you have more than one BFF?) and celebrate at Dave & Buster’s.

Not only that, but we’re also bringing in famed illusionist, Curt Anderson and Jump Roping Master, Peter Nestler to amaze us with their talents. This won’t be a night that you’ll want to miss!

Register today online and be sure to fill out the parental consent form. No one will be able to join us without a signed parental consent form. More information is below:

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PARENTAL CONSENT FORM!

• When? 9:30 PM – 7:00 AM
• Where? The night starts at Grace Covenant Church. After we celebrate the new year, we’ll head to Dave & Buster’s (11301 Rockville Pike, Kensington, MD 20895).
• How much? $40
• How can I register? Register here!
• Can my friends come? Absolutely! Just make sure they register and fill out the parental consent form!
• Where can I find out more information? If you have other questions, please feel free to email us at oneighty@gracecov.org

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Being a dad is an exciting time. One of the most amazing moments in any parent’s life is when his child begins to talk- hearing their thoughts, their personality, their desires, all come out. It is amazing when children can communicate with their parents.

God is no different. He delights to hear from his children. He wants to hear them speak to him and express their thoughts, their desires, and their love to him. So what if you and God could just talk? In this series, we’re exploring the way that Jesus taught his disciples to talk to God, through what is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer. It’s time to talk.

Our church has partnered with a local elementary school, Yorkshire Elementary in Manassas, VA. This month, we are collecting food items to support the families that have children at Yorkshire Elementary. Please check your pantry for extra items or look at the list below and see what you can provide to help us build a bridge of love to this community.

List of Items:

• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Soups
• Pastas
• Spaghetti sauce
• Canned tuna and chicken
• Canned fruits
• Canned Vegetables
• Canned items such as pork and beans, stew, ravioli, spaghettios
• Cereals
• Juices, juice boxes
• Rice
• Saltine crackers
• Applesauce
• Top Ramen
• Boxes of stuffing, mashed potatoes
• Baby formula

Inside Out: Living From Desires to Deeds

Why is it that we do the bad things that we do?

Some say it is today’s media that corrupts people. Others say that violent video games at the core of the rise in violence. Perhaps peer pressure is the cause of all the woes of civilization. Maybe if we could read the Bible more and watch less TV, it would fix things.

In Genesis 6:5, we find out a daunting truth about ourselves and our hearts; the problem isn’t out there. The problem is in us. The problem is us.

In this series, we will be exploring what the Bible has to tell us about our heart, our problems, and God’s solution. God is concerned with more than just our actions. He wants our desires. He wants our hearts. And he will go to scandalous lengths to make hateful, cold-hearted people not just obedient, but lovers of God.

What is your deepest desire?

There’s something about sitting on a train soaking wet that makes you reflect on rain.

In the Bible and in Christianity we see God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit be referred to as rain or water in one way or another.

We pray things like “Pour out your blessing”, “Wash over me with grace”, and “Let your Holy Spirit rain down on me”. We read stories in the Bible about water all the time. Noah built an ark when the Earth was flooded, Jesus walked on water, and there was this really cool time when God brought water out of a rock to quench the thirst of his people (Exodus 17). Abraham even parted a sea for crying out loud!

I love the imagery of water in the Bible. Water gets everywhere. It spreads, it takes on the shape of whatever contains it, and it is fluid through changing environments. Maybe instead of seeing God’s grace and mercy as something to be poured out on us, we realize God’s grace and mercy is in us waiting to be poured out on others. Maybe we are called to be like water.

We can be fluid, taking the shape of Him who consumes us, ever spreading the Word, always changing and adapting. Water brings life and growth in the same way we can through God’s Word.

It’s certainly something to think about.

Now excuse me while I go change out of these clothes, they’re drenched.

But that doesn’t keep me from trying. You can ask my wife, she’ll tell you.

Singing has never been my area of strength. I don’t have a musical ear, and I’m not sure I can develop one. I am, however, a good learner. So, instead of belting out off-key ballads, I learned to play the guitar. I didn’t spend thousands of dollars trying to acquire a musical ear when I knew I couldn’t. Instead, I spent that time learning a skill.

Maybe you’re like me. Maybe as we’ve been talking about “What’s My Mission?” you’ve felt like you aren’t good at “going out, preaching the Word, and baptizing nations in His name.” Maybe you don’t even know what that means.

When was the last time you thought about what you’re good at? What do you like to do? What do you succeed at? Why? It could be that you love to play football, or video games, or going shopping, or making friends.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed or incapable of preaching the gospel to everyone at all times, think about what you’re good at.

Maybe God has put these things in our lives for a reason. For a purpose. As part of a mission.

Propitiation is one such word. So what does it mean? It basically means that Christ paid the price for the guilt we as sinners carry before God. Check out the video below.