It’s that time of the year again to begin planning for our 2012 DC Mission Trip! This August 6th through the 11th, Oneighty will be taking a team of eleven teenagers into the heart of the District of Columbia to serve the community and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. For those who are 12 to 17, this a perfect first mission trip that will get your feet wet and help you experience a mission trip in our own Nation’s Capital. All the important information is below:

When? August 6-11

Where? We will be staying in dorm-style rooms hosted at a local church.

Who can go? Anyone 12-17

Cost? A $75 deposit is due with your application. The total cost is $500, which covers your lodging, meals, and transportation. Your deposit will count toward your final balance. If you want, you can bring extra spending money for gifts or snack foods.

How many? We only have eleven slots, so be sure to give your application and $75 deposit to Michele McGraw as soon as possible. You can drop it off at the church or bring it to a Oneighty program.

How do I apply?

1. Download this application.
2. Fill out the application.
3. Return the application with your $75 deposit to Michele McGraw.

Applications and $75 deposit are due by June 1. However, because there are limited spaces, this trip may sell out quickly, so be sure to get your application in as soon as possible.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to let us know by emailing oneighty@gracecov.org.

And we will see that in the center of it all is Jesus Christ.

Join us!

But there is one thing that I hate. Notifications.

Notifications let us know when so-and-so has commented on our Wall or followed up on some comment or other. And once you receive one notification, you will receive another. And another. And another. And if it is your birthday, you might as well get a new email address.

Because people want to interact, to respond.

In the book of 1 John, the apostle John writes to Christians (though he doesn’t give a specific church) to remind them of the news he proclaimed. This particular news had to do with the person and work of Jesus Christ, a man with whom John was well acquainted. Jesus had transformed John’s life and had given him a mission to tell the world what Jesus had taught and done. And in this letter, John reminds his audience of the news he had received and shared. News that demands a response.

John begins his letter by reminding us of Jesus, the “word of life” who is both eternal and immanent, who existed in the beginning with God the Father and who has invaded creation and history by taking on flesh and bone, and living among those whom he created.

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life- 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us- 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (1 John 1:1-4, ESV)

John proclaims

In verse 3, John tells us that what he is conveying is a declaration by using the word “proclaim.” This is a declaration of truth. This is not a conversation or dialogue. John does not invite the reader to discuss with him the things to which he has been a witness. The message he shares is one that must be reported or declared, and not debated.

John Proclaims Jesus, Who Eternally Is

John tells us that his proclamation, his declaration concerns the one who was “from the beginning” (1:1), who is “eternal life” and was “with the Father” (1:2). In John’s Gospel, he opens up by speaking of the Word who was with God and was God. This same Word, he now identifies as the word of life, who was in the beginning with the Father and who exist eternally.

Jesus exists eternally. He has always existed. He has always been with the Father, in perfect community. John doesn’t portray Jesus as created just as every other person; John proclaims Jesus who is God and has always been God. And this should give us hope. If Jesus has always existed, then he knows my faults. He knows my sins. He knows how the story ends. And he is not wringing his fingers worrying whether or not his people will finally pull it together at the last second. Because he knows the end.

John Proclaims Jesus, Who Has Entered Creation

But not only does Jesus know the end from the beginning, he has entered history himself. John describes Jesus as the one whom he has “heard” and “seen” and “touched.” Jesus is real, and John is a witness to Him. Prior to His incarnation, Jesus was “with the Father” (v. 2), but since then He has been revealed, or as John says, was “made manifest.” Jesus showed up. And because he came in the flesh, he has experienced every pain and struggle that we have, including every temptation common to us.

John’s Proclamation Creates a People

John lets us in on one of the reasons that he is a witness: so that we may have fellowship with him. But this is more than just doughnuts and good feelings. John is talking about a spiritual fellowship that joins us with other believers, and with God. This is the church. Not a building, but a people who has been selected and separated to reflect God’s glory on the Earth. John’s proclamation, when heard and believed joins people to people and people to God. The Gospel creates a people.

John’s Proclamation Creates a Joyful People

But not only does this proclamation create a people- it creates a joyful people. We are the redeemed, the free, the pure, the holy. Because God, who is transcendent, has become God with us, we have an eternal hope that we will not bear the weight of judgment before a holy God. Since Jesus has borne the punishment of sin for all who believe, God’s anger does not hang over our heads any longer. Instead, God is our Father, loving and merciful. And all that happens in this life is an instrument of His care for us. We are a joy-filled people because God has sent His Son, Christ.

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?