The NBA's Boston Celtics' head basketball coach Brad Stevens asks, "How good can we expect to be if our best player is not our best teammate?” This weekend we celebrate the rich and rewarding experience of teamwork, teammates, and team through WWU's Friendship Tournament. Camaraderie on the basketball court is a gift, yet it is not the deepest and most enduring commitment we cherish, for this alone belongs to the fellowship of Jesus Christ.

Today, in worship, we celebrate Jesus, our best player, teammate, coach, Creator, Lord, and Savior. Welcome to our many guests from 12 schools around the country. It is my prayer that we all might experience Him through Christian fellowship this weekend.

—Alex Bryan, senior pastor

TOUCHES OF INTEREST

Welcome WWU Friendship Tournament athletes, sponsors, and coaches! We’re thrilled to have the more than 300 of you from a dozen schools on our campus and in our church this weekend.

Membership Transfers (January, second reading)
(IN) Mary Aparicio-Castrejon, Olympia, Wash.
Albert and Allison Handal, Keene, Tex.
LaVern Opp, Nampa, Ida.
Paul and Sandi Opp, Nampa, Ida.
(AWAY) David Bullock, Cloverdale, Boise, Ida.
Michael Tagaloa, Escondido, Calif.

Duwain Warner has been hospitalized recently.  Please remember him and his family in your prayers.

Medical Responders Needed. EMT/Paramedics, CPR-qualified Nurses, Nurse Providers, or Physicians who are willing to be on a list of medical responders during the church services, with one present and available for each church service each week, for possible medical emergencies, please contact Deanne at 509-301-6703 or hoehndee@msn.com.

A number of small groups will be offered at the University Church this winter. Groups will be discussion-based, run for 60–90 minutes, and span a four to eight week period beginning later in January. Some groups this quarter will be focused on personal support for challenging seasons in life, others will center on Bible study, while still others will be geared toward practical daily living as followers of Jesus. Click here: for a detailed listing of small groups offered this quarter and contact information for leaders. Group size will be limited to about 10, so if you’re interested, contact the respective group leader right away. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Pastor Alareece Collie at alareece.collie@wallawalla.edu

Jamie Jorge ~ Healing Music Concert Tour: Jaime Jorge, a world-class violinist, will be performing a free concert on Saturday, February 24th, 2018 at 6:00 pm at the College Place SDA Church. Jamie was born in Cuba and raised in a communist country. Jaime has a passion for proclaiming the gospel through his music. His gift of musical interpretation brings new life and excitement to every song. You will be inspired by his music and blessed as he shares his testimony. The Julianna Sayler Foundation is pleased to partner with Jaime Jorge in presenting this concert and in support of families fighting pediatric cancer.

Retired Denominational Workers’ Annual Brunch, Sunday, February 11, 10:00 a.m.,  Alaska Room WWU Cafeteria.   There will be a fee at the door for this Gala Event.  Come with your spouse or a friend and enjoy a delightful program.  HOWEVER, Reservation is required.  Please call Bona Engen 509-522-4848.

Your Input Requested in Selection of New UCC President: The North Pacific Union Conference is looking for your assistance as we select a new conference president for Upper Columbia Conference. The input from each church member in your family is valued in the selection process. A letter from John Freedman, president of the NPUC, explaining the presidential search process; and a survey for you to include your input is available here: https://sp.uccsda.org/news2018-01-23/ Thank you for taking the time to find out more about the selection process and if you desire, to also fill out the survey.

GEM STATE ALUMNI BRUNCH: You and a guest are invited to join Gem State Academy for brunch at the Havstad Alumni Center on Sunday, January 28 at 10:00 am. Come reconnect with fellow Gem State Academy alumni, meet the principal and alumni director, and learn what’s new at GSAA. To help us plan, please RSVP to nbatten@gemstate.edu by January 24.

Anger & Desire Seminar with Pastor Richie & Timi Brower, February 9 - 10, College Place Village Church. Two of the most powerful relational allies any person can have are anger and desire. Richie and Timi will lead a biblical/behavioral exploration of these topics beginning Friday evening, 7:00 PM, in the chapel, continuing Sabbath morning, both services and concluding Sabbath afternoon, 2:00 PM, in the chapel. For seminar attendees, lunch will be a potluck style meal - bring your favorite dish. Attendance is free. Child care provided. For questions call 509-522-0882.

Join ASWWU Global Services for a “Night Under the Stars” on Sunday, February 11 at 6pm in the University Church Fellowship Hall. There will be a catered meal, live music, an art and flower auction, as well free babysitting. Prices are $25/person so come enjoy a stress free evening with your loved one and support a good cause. RSVP to the WWU Church office.

Milton-Stateline Adventist School invites you to a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, Feb. 4th, 8am to 10am, at the Stateline Adventist Church Fellowship Hall. There will be many delicious breakfast items to choose from. The cost is by donation. All the proceeds go to the 8th grade trip fund. See you there!

ROSARIO SINGLES RETREAT April 5-8, 2018 in Anacortes WA. Marvin Wray, pastor of the Napa California SDA Church is our speaker for the weekend. His passion in ministry is to share the absolute assurance of God’s gift of salvation. Arrive Thursday and spend Friday on an Island Adventure in the San Juan Islands. Registration is $235 for the full retreat. Other registration options are listed on the registration form. For more details and a registration form, send an email to RosarioRetreat@Gmail.com. For those without access to email, you may call our registration line at 360 588-3179 to request info. The deadline to register is March 19, 2018.

The annual Black History Celebration takes place next Sabbath. Dr. Hyveth Williams from the Theological Seminary will be preaching two different sermons  for First and Second services. In addition to the Mass Choir, the 60-voice Portland Adventist Academy Choir will lead us in worship, with guest musicians Wayne Bucknor and Andrew Young from Oakwood University.

Are you looking to connect with others? A number of small groups will be offered this winter. We would also love to have new leaders! The groups are discussion-based and will run for about an hour over a three to six week period. If you’re interested in leading a group, please contact Alareece Collie at alareece.collie@wallawalla.edu.

Classroom Coordinators Needed! Our Kindergarten 1 and Primary 2 classes are looking for a person willing to organize teachers weekly for their rooms! We would love someone who enjoys teaching in case they need to fill in on occasion. Volunteers must complete (or have already completed) the Verified Volunteers training and screening. Please contact Pastor Jenn today if this call is for you! jenn.ogden@wallawalla.edu or 509.527.2800.

SONBRIDGE CONSTITUENCY MEETING will be held on Sunday Feb. 11, 2018 at 10:00 AM.  The agenda will include inspiring financial and development reports of God’s blessings and an update of future plans.  This constituency session is for designated delegates, but interested parties are welcome to attend!  Thank each of you for your amazing support.

Enchiladas to go, from College Place Spanish SDA Church to benefit their student aid fund. Call 509.525-9523, 509.301.2956 or email enchiladasforeducation@gmail.com to order. Order by January 30 to pick up on February 4 at Rogers Adventist School.

Guests coming and need an extra guest room? Havstad Alumni Center has 3 beautiful guest rooms. For guest room availability and information go to  www.wallawalla.edu/alumni/wwu-alumni-association/guest-rooms/  or call 509 540-8095.

Need space for family/friends event? Havstad Alumni Center is available for rent for those special events. Choose between the 1st floor beautiful home-like living room setting or the 2nd floor which includes a full kitchen.  Located on 4th Street on the Walla Walla University campus.  For more information, please call 509.527.2241 between 9am - 5pm Monday - Thursday.

The Christian Aid Center needs you! This important ministry partner of the University Church is always in need of volunteer help. In particular, the director of volunteers at CAC (and our church member), Jeannette Regalado, is requesting for volunteers to serve as barbers/hairstylists, registered nurses to help in our health clinic, and a van driver to pick up donated food on Monday mornings. Contact Jeannette at 509.525.7153.