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Memorial Stones: Summer 2010
Sep 3rd
Over 70 Students at group last Wednesday
In the times of Moses, Joshua and the prophets, the God of the Bible commanded his people to write down what he was doing among them, lest they forget. There are seemingly strange occurrences when God commands one of the leaders to build an “alter” or leave “memorial stones” in certain places. In our 21st century minds, these scenarios seem so strange. But these strange occurrences were simple ways for the people of God to remember what was happening among them by God’s Spirit.
Today, I believe writing to be one main form of remembering what God is doing in our times and places. In contemporary times, we blog. So we’re doing a series of blog entries called “Memorial Stones,” where we remember some of the things God did in High School ministry over the past couple of months. Here’s what we’ve seen:
->During August alone, 11 students were baptized. This is a representation that God has worked in these peoples’ hearts and minds. Now the Spirit is working and changing them into a more whole, created person in the image of God.
->Just over the summer, we’ve seen Wednesday Night grow from an average of 40 to nearly 80 last week, 9/1. Week after week, it’s been unreal to watch a room that was once barely filled, to people grabbing more chairs and cramming into our multi-purpose room at the church.
->God brought 4 fresh, passionate small group leaders to group. God has been moving in adults’ hearts, causing them to commit fully to a group of students in order to disciple them in the ways of Jesus Christ. He’s calling some off the bench to work more passionately in the kingdom.
->15 students went on a micro-missions trip to downtown Portland. In 30 hours, God changed our hearts to become more aware of our poverty that we experience, even if we are materially rich. Beyond that, we received a deeper understanding of the gospel and its effect on neighborhoods.
It’s important for us to recognize what God has done for us over the summer, so that we might trust him more and ask him for more of his movement.
At our gathering last Wednesday, we took time to gather into smaller groups and pray for one another and our schools and city. The prayer time ended with all of us saying the prayer that God’s prophet Habakkuk prayed thousands of years ago:
O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known…
Please pray with us as we watch God continue to move the way he has promised. And pray that he moves in our time together.
For Him and His Kingdom,
Pastor Chris
VIDEO: Baptisms (yes, more of ‘em!)
Aug 31st
Here’s a quick recap of another baptism event at WCC. It was held on August 22nd and we baptized 54 people. It was amazing to see how many people were moved by the Holy Spirit and decided THAT DAY to be baptized in the name of Jesus. Awesome!
VIDEO: Second Stories Portland Trip
Aug 25th
We had 20 people come down to East Portland to serve and be served by the people of the Lents district. Huge thanks to Clark Blakeman and Second Stories for running the trip. It was awesome!
Help Serve by Moving Stuff
Aug 16th
We need you to join with us in helping to move a single mom and family. Come this Saturday, August 21st. Brian Bittke and a couple of other “older” guys (his term, not mine 
) are helping her move but they could use some young strength. If you could help that would be tremendous. The plan is to meet at the house at 9:00 am Saturday, 8/21. She is either at 6137 or 6138 Churchhill Downs, West Linn. They are moving her to a house on Donegal Court.
Please either contact Brian Bittke or have the guys who can help contact Brian at 503-557-0889 or simply comment below!
Sign up for this trip, you guys, oh my goshers
Aug 16th
We’re going down to East Portland for what I like to call a micro-missions trip. That means it’s a short, but sweet missions trip where we serve and listen to the least of these for a couple reasons:
1) Jesus commanded us to do stuff like this because it benefits us, others, and God’s work on earth.
2) It’s actually SUPER FUN. Real fun. Not like, Jersey Shore fun. Real fun with your friends and leaders.
3) Why not?!
Sign up HERE, RIGHT NOW.
Video: Baptisms
Aug 5th
Here’s a great recap of what went on last night at our baptisms, video style. Thanks Aaron for the footage!
Baptisms!
Aug 5th
Last night we had the awesome experience of watching seven lives display their love for Jesus through the sacrament of baptism. Baptism is one of the many physical symbols in the Christian faith that shows the inner working of Christ in someone’s life. In baptism, we show that our old life is laid down and dead and we rise in new life with Jesus.
Jesus’ final commandment and charge to us before he ascended into heaven was “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19). As his church and his followers, we are to first make disciples, but the language indicates that as we make disciples we are to be baptizing them. It is simply part of the process of knowing and following Jesus Christ (discipleship).
Yesterday, seven students came forward to show our little family that they wanted to live for Jesus forever. In other words, they were showing that they are his disciples. Two of these students showed up to Wednesday night not planning on being baptized, but were moved by the Spirit that night to just walk into the water in their jeans and t-shirts. It was awesome! Here are some pictures from the night:
Help Needed: BBQ Set Up
Jun 22nd
Hello everybody!
We need some support for this barbeque we’re throwing this Sunday. If you can help with setting stuff up (shouldn’t take long) send an email to chrisnye@willamettechurch.com and say, “I can help!”
Thank homies, and we’ll see you after the 11am for the FREE BBQ.
It’s a B-B-Q: June 27th after 11am
Jun 16th
This guy means business...
That’s right. You’re out of school, the sun is making it’s first appearances, and your farmer’s tan needs some work. Why not fire up the grill? Or is it “grille” these days?
No matter. Come join WCC High School group for a FREE (yes, free) barbeque lunch after the 11am service on Sunday, June 27th. We’ll have some music, bocce ball, and I don’t know what else.
What’s the catch, you ask? No catch. Just come, eat, and mingle. Oh, and let’s be honest, you’ll be working on your farmer’s tan.
See you there!
Research is Important!
Apr 30th
Research is a very complex discipline, but a very necessary one. Recently, two studies became available that I’d like to point you to. They both have to do with “Millennials,” which is a nice way of talking about this new generation of kids who are 14-26 (roughly) right now. This is the age that is growing up without knowing what a rotary phone is and has trouble understanding life without the microwave.
The first study was done by USA Today and LifeWay research and targeted the generation in regards to faith and religion. The study is extensive and is worth reading. The research brought the president of the LifeWay to say this:
“We have dumbed down what it means to be part of the church so much that it means almost nothing, even to people who already say they are part of the church.”
He said this as a reaction to this data that they uncovered: Most Millennials (65%) don’t pray with other people, don’t read their Bible/Sacred text (67%) and don’t go to any type of worship service (65%). BUT 65% of all of them claim to be a Christian.
The other study I wanted to point out was done by the Universtiy of Maryland and targeted college and high school students’ relationship with technology. The researchers asked the students to give up all technology for 24 hours: no TV, no computer, no cell phones, no social media or MP3 players. They found that “without digital ties, students feel unconnected even to those close by.”
I do not post this to scare any of you, student or parent. I post this because I believe it is important for us as Christian people to have an accurate picture of the world we live in, to understand it as best we can. So often we can hear these statistics, throw our arms up in the air, and say, “I give up!” But this is not depressing to me, rather it is somewhat encouraging because I now know a little bit more about the context God has placed me in.
The Apostle Paul went in to most cities discouraged by the idols so blatantly worshiped by the citizens. But this did not cause him to give up, instead in his knowledge of the reality of the city he was able to preach best into it.
Do not demonize technology or critique everyone’s faith. Rather, understand that through this research we know that we are communicating differently and that just saying you’re a Christian doesn’t really make you a Christian. With this understanding, let’s love our neighbors fully (and not just online), preach the good news to all, and strive to know God better than anything else.
Aaron Sternke // Worship Leader
Jeff Patterson // Associate Pastor
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