"The love of God still yearns over the one who has chosen to separate from Him, and He sets in operation influences to bring him back to the Father's house...[this] is "thy brother" that was "dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found."

He is bound to you by the closest ties; for God recognizes him as a son.

Deny your relationship to him, and you show that you are but a hireling in the household, not a child in the family of God."

-Ellen G. White, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing

Born in India to missionary parents and raised in Australia and England, Dr. David Trim is an internationalist. He earned his PhD in history in England and has served as professor at a number of colleges including Newbold College and Pacific Union College. He stepped into his current role at the General Conference in 2010.

Dr. Galina Stele was born in Russia and has served the Adventist church in many capacities including director of the Euro-Asian Division's Institute of Missiology. Stele was the first woman to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree at Andrews University. She has been in her current role since 2012.

This weekend at the University Church, the two share findings from the latest research on church growth and retention. We look forward to engage deeply with the implications of their studies, as well as learn appropriate strategies for carrying out God's mission well in Walla Walla and the world.

Dr. Trim shares with us today at both First and Second Service, Dr. Stele at Sabbath Seminar (see page 2), and Dr. Trim at 3pm in Heubach Chapel.

Learn more about Dr. Trim, Dr. Stele, and their work on their website here: https://www.adventistarchives.org

WORSHIP NOTES

Please join me in thanking Gary Peter, a recent addition to Walla Walla, as our guest organist. Gary comes to our valley from Malibu, California to be nearer to his parents and several long-time friends. In addition to his considerable experience as both organist and pianist, he has a life-long interest in filmmaking.

We are also thrilled to welcome the 45 high school students who make up the Walla Walla Valley Academy Symphonic Band and their director Eric Anderson. The ensemble recently toured in Hawaii and today shares a taste of the repertoire
they performed there. The prelude, Clouds that Sail in Heaven, composed by Todd Stalter, carries with it phrases you will no doubt recognize from the cherished hymn All Creatures of Our God and King.

As you prepare to worship I invite you to silently ponder words from our opening hymn given below:

The Lord in Zion reigneth,
Let all the world rejoice,
And come before His throne of grace
With tuneful heart and voice;
The Lord in Zion reigneth,
And there His praise shall ring,
To Him shall princes bend the knee
And kings their glory bring.

-Pastor Kris Loewen

GIVE

We can't thank you enough for your generous financial support! The University Church budget funds vital ministries including, worship services, broadcast ministry, and our amazing K-12 school programs at Walla Walla Valley Academy and Rogers Adventist School.

As always - we welcome your gifts made right here on our website. Click Here to Give!

TOUCHES OF INTEREST

David Trim, the General Conference director of archives, statistics, and research joins us as a special guest this weekend. He speaks Friday night at 7pm for “Forum” in the Fellowship Hall”, for both services Sabbath Morning, at Sabbath Seminar, and at 3pm in Heubach Chapel.

Church Potluck is next Sabbath, April 9, at 1:15pm in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is welcome!

Second Service is live-streamed in Heubach Chapel as an optional courtesy for families with small kids.

Vacation Bible Camp Volunteers Needed! Please download an application here and give to Pastor Jenn or Marci Knauft. Contact either of them with questions. VBC will run from June 13-17. We will need volunteers from 8am-4pm (morning only, afternoon only, or all day).

A Film Screening is planned by the WWU Center for Media Ministry. The film is “Old Fashioned”, a romantic-drama about an old-fashioned and God-honoring courtship in contemporary America. It was produced and directed by Seventh-day Adventists Rick Schwartzwelder. Southern Adventist University professor David George was director of photography. “Old Fashioned” contains mature themes in a Christian worldview. Parental guidance is suggested. The screening will take place in the WWU Administration Building, room 117 on Wednesday, April 6, from 6-9pm. Lynelle Ellis, director for the Center for Media Ministry, will facilitate discussion following.

The Vine Newsletter for April is published! Pick up a paper copy from the literature rack or find the digital version on our website: wwuchurch.com/cfm/#currentvine.

Gospel Outreach’s mission rally is April 9 at 3:30pm in the Village Church. We all can have a part in fulfilling the Great Commission and hastening Jesus’ return. To discover more, you are cordially invited to attend the Spring 2016 Gospel Outreach Mission Rally. For more information visit goaim.org online or call 509.525.2951.

Retired Denominational Workers Potluck April 3, 5:00 pm, Village Church Fellowship Hall.  Don’t miss the informative presentation by Dr. Stephen Chung “Ingeniously Designed Body Clock - how it affects our mind through sleep”. New members welcome!

WWVASAM Potluck is today at 2pm SonBridge.

Second Service is live-streamed in Heubach Chapel as an optional courtesy for families with small kids.

Walla Walla University Homecoming Weekend will be held April 21–24. Events will include an alumni banquet, touring choir reunion and concert, honor class meetings and photos, and a catered Sabbath dinner. Registration and a full list of events can be found at wallawalla.edu/homecoming, or call Alumni and Advancement Services at (509) 527-2631.

Volunteers Needed at Christian Aid Center. Women’s Devotional Leaders (choose a slot Monday-Friday, 9-10am), Childcare Providers (various times), Van Driver for donated foods (Saturday mornings 8:30-10am). Contact Jeannette Regalado at at 509.525.7153 ext. 114.

Retired Denominational Workers Potluck April 3, 5:00 pm, Village Church Fellowship Hall.  Don’t miss the informative presentation by Dr. Stephen Chung “Ingeniously Designed Body Clock - how it affects our mind through sleep”. New members welcome!

WWVASAM Vespers and Fellowship is March 26 at 7pm at SonBridge Community Center.

April 1-9—Rafferty Prophecy & Health Seminars - Join James Rafferty in taking a walk through the book of Revelation, focusing on the everlasting gospel in preparation for what is ahead. Risë Rafferty will share a revolutionary understanding of how diet and lifestyle changes impact health and happiness. Special music by Frances Jennette and Laura Williams. Specific meeting times and titles can be viewed on Facebook by searching “College Place Village Church” and clicking on “Events.”

Children’s Storytime & Activity leader needed at the College Place ABC Christian Bookstore. The program is held year-round, Wednesdays, 10-11am. It is for ages newborn and up. Call 509.529.0723 for more info.

UCC Camp Meeting is June 22-25, 2016 at UCA: Now is the time to reserve, while lodging is still available! Visit uccsda.org/cammeeting for more information.

Upper Columbia Conference Office of Education is now accepting applications for the Students in His Service scholarship program for the 2016 summer.  See guidelines at uccsda.org/Education/Scholarships.  Applications due before May 15, 2016.

UCC Summer Work Opportunity for graduating seniors or college age men and women. “His Travelers” goes as a team to churches in the conference to offer VBS, day camps, and mentoring. Call Patty Marsh for information: pattym@uccsda.org 509.242.0621.

Rosario Singles Retreat, April 1-3, 2016. Dick and Brenda Duerksen are our speakers and we have an extended schedule Sunday with whale watching, Deception Pass jet boat tour and driving tour of the tulip fields as options. The registration cost is $185. For details and 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 23, 2016.

Free counseling for individuals, couples, and families at Pathways to Change. The clinic is located in Smith Hall and is open Sunday through Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m.  For more information, call 509-527-2654.

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