BLACK AND WHITE IS COMING FAST

Don't forget to get your ticket for the Black and White.  It's like 10 days away.

If you're still not sure, Kiani and Bethany give you a few good reasons to go:

BLACK AND WHITE GOES TO ANCIENT ROME

Hear Ye, Hear Ye... you are invited to join us for a night of extravagance, laughter, friends, and food on December 11, 2009 from 6-9pm in Student Center A like you've never seen it before.

• An amazing dinner and desert.
• A fabulous and fun filled program you'll never forget.
• The mad skills of Aisea Taimani and his band.

• The laughter of Isaac Improv.

What more do you want? $20 buys you a limited spot and a real Christmas Holiday celebration that will make you wonder how you ever lived without it.

So put on your nicest threads, bring a friend if you want, and get to Encounter for a night that will remind you why your life is worth living!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW IN ENCOUNTER. BUY YOURS TODAY BEFORE THE SEATS ARE GONE.

BRING IT!

This sunday we launch a new series.  We have an all new set.  All new ideas.  All new craziness.   You aren't going to want to miss this.

It's called Fighting Words and it's all about conflict, relationships, and the power of words.  Trust us... you need to be there.  Your date, your siblings, your parents, your boss, even your future spouse will thank you!  You'll probably even be less stressed.  Seriously, this series is better than ice cream on a hot day.

Get to Encounter... or we might just bring the boxin' to your front door.

MEXICO DAY TRIP

On November 11, there's no school. So we're going to go to Mexico for the day. If you'd like to come, we'd love to have you. You can sign up by e-mail through the contact info in the sidebar of this blog or by calling the office and talking to Brian.

• WHEN? Veterans Day, Nov 11, 2009. Meet 7am at Journey. Return 8pm. One day round trip.

• WHO CAN GO? Any adult or student with a valid U.S. passport.

• WHERE? “His Ministries” in Tecate, Mexico.

• HAS ENCOUNTER BEEN BEFORE? Yes, we go yearly to Mexico and serve with Jim and Linda Doss who run a daycare center in a suburb of Tecate about 20 minutes across the border.

• IS IT SAFE? Yes and No. Yes, it is safe to travel. Jim and Linda Doss do it several times a week. No, we will not travel if safety is a ever an issue that should be of concern- we are not traveling through some drug war you hear about on TV. No, traveling anywhere, especially internationally is ever “safe.” Yes, Brian will be bringing his small children and making parent–like paranoid internationally safe decisions.

• WHAT WILL WE DO? Depending on the size of our team. We will do some or all of the following: We will help at the daycare center. Do a few projects around the center. Repair a roof for a family. Hang out with the child we sponsor, Hector. Eat. Eat. Eat. Speak and learn Spanish. Play with kids. Bond. Etc.

• IS IT SAFE TO EAT? Yes, we will provide you with clean, safe drinking water and food.

• WHAT WILL IT COST? $45 and a U.S. PASSPORT

• I WANT TO GO, WHAT DO I DO? Have your parent talk to Brian via the contact info in the side bar or on the papers we've been passing out in Encounter. You need a parent permission slip signed and notarized and Brian needs to speak with them, then you’re good to go.

SMALL GROUPS CHANGE UP THIS WED.

This wednesday night we change some things up and the guys vacate Student Center A for individual group nights.  Girls invade the place and have their girls night out.   So, if you're a girl... don't go to your regular meeting spot, come to Student Center A from 7 to 9pm.    If you're a guy, talk to your leader or contact Brian and we'll make sure you know where to go and what we're up to.

SATURDAY, HELP CLEAN UP A PARK

Some of us are joining the Middle School from Journey and teaming up on Saturday to make park benches brighter, the world a little greener, and just to generally help out.  You can get the sign up waiver you need and a bit more info on our middle school blog here.

BIG WORD THEOLOGY

Ever wonder what them big words mean? Like, do you ever wish you could read your bible in like "get r done" slang? Well, if so, then we dun gotz a series for uze people.

THIS SUNDAY.... we're breakin' down BIG WORDS about God and stuff for the rest of us. Mostly cuz Brian is dumb and doesn't like big words either. Partly cuz you can't spell without that red line thing telling you what to fix.... but mostly cuz Brian is dumb.

Anyway.... here's the series. Bring a smart friend. Bring a dumb friend. It doesn't matter. Just come and bring some one and laugh and smile and stew and ponder stuff that'll make your head hurt.... sorta.

SERIES IS CALLED:

Here's the break down- for dumb and smart people:

• THIS WEEKEND: The Omni-God: Omnipresent, Omniscient, Omnipotent.
• NEXT WEEKEND: Anthropomorphism: expanding our view of God. (HA! That's a mouthful. u get bonus points if you knew what it was. Double bonus points if you pronounced it right on the first try)
• THE WEEKEND AFTER NEXT: Sanctification: being and becoming holy.
• THE LAST WEEKEND OF THE SERIES: Hypostatic Union and the Trinity: thinking and rethinking the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit thing.

9 or 10:45 am. You Pick.

FALL RETREAT DETAILS

OCTOBER NINE TO ELEVEN.

Women are going to a lovely resort in San Diego for a weekend of encouragement, bonding, and connecting with God and one another. It is a life changing and super fun experience.

Men are going to the desert to shoot stuff, eat stuff, talk about stuff, hike stuff, and other stuff. It's legit. This weekend is the stuff God makes men out of... seriously. You'll be closer to the God and friends for making the trek to the desert.

Here's the brochure you can download with costs, packing list, and other details. You can also just swing by Encounter and get a hard copy too.

Here's the permission slip/medical waiver packet you'll need too. You can also just swing by Encounter and get a hard copy too.

Don't delay. Space is limited. Sign up today!!!

REALMS SERIES

Our Sunday series is on one of the top things we get questions about when working with high school students: the spiritual realm.

Last week we kicked it off with a discussion about Heaven and Hell. Here's the whole schedule.

September 13: Heaven and Hell

September 20: Beings: Angels and Demons

September 27: Prayer: interacting with another realm

October 4: God and the devil

Don't miss a week. This series is sure to inspire you and make your head hurt a little too. All good stuff well worth marinating your brain on. 9 and 10:45 am on Sundays in Student Center A.

SMALL GROUPS ARE IN FULL SWING

If you are not involved, you're missing some great times.  Guys groups meet around tables in Student Center A on campus and girls groups meet around town, near journey in homes.

Here's the latest schedule for you.  We meet for about 3 weeks straight, and then we change it up for a week or so, and then we dive right back in.  Don't miss out!

FALL RETREAT IS COMING

SAVE THE DATE of OCTOBER 9, 10, AND 11 for this life changing kick off to the school year.

The men go to the desert and bond with fire and wind.

The women to a resort and bond with comfort and each other.

Both trips are amazing. Both trips are life changing. Both trips will change the way you view God and deepen your friendships. Both trips are even worth missing a game over. Seriously. It's that good.

Can't wait. Have details coming next week.

Right now though.... JUST SAVE THE DATE!!!!

SMALL GROUPS ARE STARTING

WANNA JOIN ENCOUNTER IN OUR SMALL GROUPS?

Then you're in luck! Make sure you let us know your grade, name, and gender and we'll get you dialed in.

We start with a mixed gendered party/kick of on this Wednesday the 9th in Student Center A.

Then starting Wed. September 16th the girls will meet in small groups around town and the guys will meet in Student Center A for dinner ($4 donation), a Bible Study, and table group bonding from 6:30 - 8:30pm.

Here's the small group schedule between now and Christmas

SEPTEMBER:

• 9th- kick off
• 16th- small groups
• 23rd- small groups
• 30th- small groups

OCTOBER:

• 7th- NO SMALL GROUPS
• 14th- small groups
• 21st- small groups
• 28th- small groups

NOVEMBER:

• 4th- GUYS MEET AS INDIVIDUAL GROUPS off campus AND GIRLS HAVE A "GIRLS NIGHT OUT" and meet together in Student Center A.
• 11th- NO SMALL GROUPS- Veterans Day- no school either.
• 18th- small groups
• 25th- small groups

DECEMBER:

• 2nd- small groups
• 9th- no small groups
• 16th- small groups christmas party
• 23rd and 30th- no groups during christmas/winter break

ARE YOU STRESSIN'?

We all do from time to time... and with summer over for some and almost over for others, stress seems to be in the air. Whether you're crazy pressured to get all you wanted done this summer or worried about junior year exams or the fear of the unknown freshmen year or how you're going to get a date to winter formal..... Stress has taken up residence in the center of high school life.

But good news for you... starting this Sunday, August 16th, we're taking 4 weeks to kick stress to the curb and manage it well. So join us at 9am or 10:45am for some help dealin' with the stress from this little thing we call life.

BBQ'in CUZ WE LOVE FRESHMEN

REFUSING TO ACCEPT THE END OF SUMMER... THE NEW FRESHMEN... AND THE FACT THAT WE LOVE A GOOD LUNCH... are at least 3 great reasons for us to BBQ.

So, everyone - FRESHMEN OR NOT- is welcome to come and eat with us and bond for a free BBQ right after second service on Sunday, August 23rd right here directly outside of Student Center A.

Freshmen eat first and get a Jone's Soda too... so there ya go. Don't miss Sunday August 23rd and you'll be kickin' off your school year with serious good times.

STUDENT MINISTRIES 2009/10 SCHOOL YEAR ORIENTATION

Calling all students and parents of middle school and high school students in the 2009/2010 school year!!!!

want to know:

• when are the retreats and events and what will they cost?
• when do small groups start?
• how do I stay informed on the latest updates?
• what can I do to serve?
• what topics will be covered on the weekend?

If so... then you're in luck. Come to Student Center A for a brief but very thorough meeting from 12:20pm to 1:20pm on Sunday August 16th and you'll get all the info you need and be able to ask all the questions you want.

A NEW MINISTRY WE'RE DOING: PROJECT DOWNTOWN

We're trying something new this year as a way for all of our student ministries to work together to be the hands and feet of Jesus among the needy.  We're partnering with a ministry downtown called "Horizon Urban Ministries" and working with a guy who cut his teen in minsitry at Hope For The Homeless here at Journey. 

The plan is to walk from church to the trolley station on Sunday August 9th. 

Then we'll take the trolley into town, serve in a soup kitchen, and spend the week reading, praying, walking in town, working with the needy, and experiencing a different side of the San Diego City scene than most of our students ever do.  Should be a great week.

You pack light in a backpack and carry all you need.  We'll provide your lodging, public transportation, and food for 3 days.  Cost is $130.

You can pick up the details in a brochure on Sunday in Riptide, Encounter, or New Format... since we're all 3 doing the trip together.  Space is limited to the first 50 participants, so sign up quick.

Here's a pdf of the brochure.
Here's a medical/liability waiver you'll need to fill out from Journey
You will also need a liability waiver for Horizon Urban Ministries as well.

BEACH FRIDAY

This Friday is Beach Friday.  I think we're goin to OB.  Should be good times.  Sign up for a ride on Sunday during service or contact us at the office.  10am to 3pm.  Meet at student Center A.  Bring $ for lunch and whatever you need for a fun day at the beach.

BEACH BONDING BONFIRE

TONIGHT we're bonding at the beach with a big ol bonfire!   Come join us at south mission for food, fun, and friendship.  Cost is free.  5-9pm.  We meet at South Mission near the grass and the volleyball courts, not at Journey.

CALL AND RESPONSE

 

Journey is hosting a film this Saturday night, June 6 at 7pm in the main worship center that will inspire, challenge, and change you.  It's called call and response. 

Check out the trailer:



Here's the official description of the film from their site:

CALL+RESPONSE is a first of its kind feature documentary film that reveals the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. CALL+RESPONSE goes deep undercover where slavery is thriving from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave brick kilns of rural India to reveal that in 2007, Slave Traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined.

Luminaries on the issue such as Cornel West, Madeleine Albright, Daryl Hannah, Julia Ormond, Ashley Judd, Nicholas Kristof, and many other prominent political and cultural figures offer first hand account of this 21st century trade. Performances from Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed artists including Moby, Natasha Bedingfield, Cold War Kids, Matisyahu, Imogen Heap, Talib Kweli, Five For Fighting, Switchfoot, members of Nickel Creek and Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, Rocco Deluca move this chilling information into inspiration for stopping it.

Music is part of the movement against human slavery. Dr. Cornel West connects the music of the American slave fields to the popular music we listen to today, and offers this connection as a rallying cry for the modern abolitionist movement currently brewing.

It's definitely worth a listen.  Come and check it out this Saturday, 7pm!!!

"MY LIFE UNFILTERED" STARTS THIS WEEKEND

New Series in Encounter starts this weekend.  It's gonna rock. Come join us at 9 or 10:45 am all month.

New Series in Encounter starts this weekend.  It's gonna rock. Come join us at 9 or 10:45 am all month.  Here's the amazing breakdown of good times... with special guest appearances by your fun and talented peers.  Good times await all who come.

• MAY 3:  My junk and Jesus  (Luke 7:36-50)
• MAY 10: I won’t shut up about it:  I need Jesus. (Mark 10:46-52
• MAY 17:  I hurt. Jesus heals.    (Mark 5:24-34
• MAY 24:  Jesus changed my life    (Luke 19:1-10)
  

HELP US HELP YOU

Calling all students, families, and locals around Journey.   WE BOTH WANT TO HELP YOU AND NEED YOUR HELP.

Our Annual Student Ministries HELP US, HELP YOU day of serving and loving on our community and neighbors is upon us.  In just 2 weeks, on Saturday, May 16th, we'll be doing 3 things on a donation only basis.  All funds raised go directly to help Journey with the Journey Up expenses and to help Scholarship kids to camp.

Here's the scoop.

• CAR WASH:  on campus at Journey from 7am to 3pm, Saturday, May 16th. 
  

• SWAP MEET: on campus at Journey from 7am to 3pm, Saturday, May 16th we'll be selling all kinds of used goods we've collected.  If you have something to donate, we can come pick it up or you can bring it by any day to the office between now and May 15th.
  

• YARD WORK:  we'll be taking teams of adults and students around our community to do yard work all over the place.

If you have goods to donate, time to serve, or a car to wash, please contact us at journey ASAP.

What a great day to serve.  Please Help Us, Help You.

DRIVE THRU CHALLENGE

Ok... so here goes. $20 per person off your OGN registration for a team of 2 who does the best one of these... ok... I'll even throw in $20 for whoever is your video person.

We will show the top 2-3 videos made when we kick off our God at the Movies series on May 31st. The crowd will then vote for the winner.

Any drive thru is fair game. 3 minutes maximum for the whole video. Bonus points if you can throw in the phrase "We're going to OGN with Encounter" in there too.

ALL COMPLETED ENTRIES DUE BY SUNDAY, MAY 24TH.

Good luck!!!

OGN 2009

Calling all students who want to stretch and challenge and grow their faith in Jesus.

Search no more... June 30 through July 6 this summer is OGN. It has been amazing. It is amazing. It will be amazing again. So... do yourself and your soul a favor and join us for a week of training to understand the faith, challenges to communicate your life with Jesus to others, and a great time of bonding and enjoying God together.

Cost is $399 for a life changing and world altering week. Flyers available in Encounter starting this weekend. $100 holds your space.

You can hit up the website for OGN for more info and downloadable applications and such.

WE'RE GONNA ROCK IT THIS WEEKEND

We have a band joining us this sunday at both 9 and 10:45am.  It's gonna be sweet.   You can check em out at here.

Bring a friend and rock it at journey with us this weekend!

EASTER SERVICES

Yep, for the first time in a long time, Encounter is hosting Easter for high school students.  Come join us at 9:30 or 11am in Student Center A, this sunday.  Can't wait to see you.... let's celebrate this great day of faith together.

LATEST SMALL GROUP SCHEDULE

Hey, for those of you who are looking for the latest and the greatest in our small group schedule, here's the scoop:

TONIGHT: there are small groups and both girls and guys are meeting on campus!!!

WE HAVE SMALL GROUPS ON March 18 and 25th.

DUE TO SPRING BREAK AND OUR SPRING RETREAT: we do NOT have small groups on April 1, 8th, and the 15th.

SMALL GROUPS ARE BACK: on April 22 and 29.

WORSHIP NIGHT: we'll be going to a worship night together on May 6th.

SMALL GROUPS FINISH UP OUR SCHOOL YEAR: May 13, 20, 27 and June 3rd.

SPRING RETREAT

CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL MEN AND WOMEN WHO WANT TO HAVE THE TIME OF THEIR LIFE AND WORK ON BECOMING THE CHILD OF GOD YOU WERE CREATED TO BE.....

You don't want to miss the time of your life.  It's our annual SPRING RETREAT.

The guys go to the desert and eat like kings and shoot guns and be men.  Cost is $120 per guy.

The women go the beach and live like queens and enjoy the finer things in life.  Cost is $160 per gal.

You can download all the paperwork you need right here.

So don't miss out and join us for the time of your life.  Space is limited.  So sign up today.  You'll seriously regret missing this one. 

PARENTING SEMINAR AT JOURNEY

Journey Student Ministries is hosting our third annual Parent Training Day. This is a fantastic event is designed for both current and soon to be parents of teenagers.

Saturday, March 14th from 9am until 1:30pm we will have the privilege of hearing from Ed Noble and Mark Oestriecher, both fathers and veteran youth pastors. Ed Noble is the preaching pastor here at Journey and Mark Oestriecher is the president of Youth Specialties.

Brian Berry, the Student Ministries Director and Christina Robertson will be sharing along with them valuable current information about "Constantly Changing Needs of Teenagers" and how our student ministries can help. This is a great even to invite any parents of teenagers you may know. There will be a time to answer your specific questions about teenagers.

Cost is $15 per person or $20 per couple and includes lunch. If you are interested in attending please email aundrea here.

BRINGING SEXY BACK

This weekend we kick off our annual dating and sexuality series.  This year it will be 4 weeks long and is called, "Bringing Sexy Back."

It's sure to be relevant to the world that students live in today, be Biblically sound, and be packed with memorable moments and some great reminders.  Here's a summary of some of what is to come for those who want the inside scoop:

VALENTINES DAY WEEKEND:  Bringing Sexy Waaaaaaaay Back.  A look at God's original design for sexuality and "good sex".

FEB. 22:  I'm Too Sexy for You.  A look at what makes us truly beautiful and attractive.

MARCH 1st:  If You Got It...  Thinking and Re-thinking modesty, mystery, and sexual expression.

MARCH 8th:  Mirror Mirror on the Wall....  Finding peace in our sexuality and healing the wounds we sometimes inflict upon ourselves.

ok... well bring a friend and bring your brain... this series is gonna help us think smart as we invite God to shape our whole life, soul, mind, and body into what God desires.