photo by kris loewen
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water the seeds already planted
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need
further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects
far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything,
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing this.
This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning,
a step along the way, an opportunity for
the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
—An excerpt from a prayer written by Ken Untener,
one that has deeply influenced Pastor Kris
Farewell, Loewens
Kris Loewen grew up in the University Church. He attended Rogers, WWVA, and completed ministry training at Walla Walla University. You can say that Kris is a son of this community of faith. After a season in Yakima, the Loewen’s returned home in 2010, and Kris became the youth and family pastor.
Pastor Kris completed his Master of Arts in Global Leadership at Fuller Seminary in 2012, and by then his leadership was obvious. Many young people will never forget the rafting and backpacking trips that helped them experience openness with God and each other.
Several years ago Kris' focus shifted from young people to growing the influence of the church from this local sanctuary to the whole world by our media and broadcast ministry. By refining the worship experience in our house, we could include others in worship across the globe.
Kris, you think quickly, reflect constantly, and laugh easily. Your honesty has given a pathway for others to move from hiding and shame to be known and honored. Perhaps it’s best to simply say: Kris, we love who you are, and as we think about who we are at the University Church, we see your influence. Whether you have shaped our church or our church has shaped you (probably both), we are grateful to you for leading well at this place.
As Kris and Paige and their sons turn their eyes to Redlands, California, where he will serve as the senior pastor of Redlands Adventist Church, we are proud and hopeful about their ministry ahead. As you continue to lead, know that your Walla Walla family is with you.
Bulletin Quicklinks
THIS SABBATH
AT THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH
MUSIC NOTE
We thank sophomore cellist Sophie Naden-Johns, as well as the talented and hard-working students who comprise I Cantori of Walla Walla University. Please join me in welcoming and thanking all of these students who faithfully cultivate their talents, and use them to glorify their creator.
The offertory derives from a large work for cello and orchestra, Variations on a Rococo theme, Op.33 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893). The theme is not in fact from the Rococo period (early 18th century) but is an original theme by Tchaikovsky. We hear the third variation of this classically restrained, beautiful composition.
In the published score of Amazing Grace by Ēriks Ešenvalds (b.1977) there appears a foreword by Rev. G. David Lloyd. I invite you to ponder his introduction.
The lyrics to Amazing Grace, perhaps the world’s most beloved hymn, were written by former British slave trader John Newton and first performed on Jan.1, 1773, 25 years after his conversion to Christianity. Newton was a minister-composer who wrote a hymn each week based on the main Biblical text of his sermon; “Amazing Grace” supported the sermon based on 1 Chronicles 17:16-17, where King David responds to God’s promise that his descendent would have an eternal kingdom by asking, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?”
Newton’s original hymn contained 6 stanzas. They emphasized his separation from God (“I once was lost”), his lack of appreciation for the beauty of God’s person and God’s kingdom (“Twas blind”), and his spiritual depravity (“a wretch like me”). A man in his condition did not deserve God’s favor either on earth or in heaven. That God would choose Him for a relationship that begins on earth and continues into eternity in heaven was surely grace. This grace, based on God’s choosing the undeserving sinner, gave Newton strength to overcome difficulties (“through many dangers, toils and snares”, “and grace my fears relieved”).
In 1835, William Walker combined Newton’s original lyrics with the now familiar tune in his popular American hymnbook The Southern Harmony. The tune was originally called “new Britain” and its author is unknown. In 1910, American hymn writer and publisher Edwin Othello Excell eliminated Newton’s last three stanzas which emphasized God’s eternal goodness, and added a fourth verse from the hymn “Jerusalem, My Happy Home” (“When we’ve been there ten thousand years…”); an idea perhaps inspired by Harriet Beecher Stowe, who first made this addition in her 1852 classic Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Excell’s version of “Amazing Grace” is now the one most commonly heard.
One unintentional result of removing Newton’s last three stanzas from “Amazing Grace” is that the source of grace becomes vague, which has made the song an anthem for self-help. From this point of view, grace is no longer a gift from God which allows the undeserving person to have a relationship with Him, but a term for how life rewards those who refuse to give up in hard times. In this version of the song, Ēriks Ešenvalds restores Newton’s original fourth stanza in an effort to clarify the meaning and the source of grace.
(from the introduction by Rev. G. David Lloyd)
As you prepare your heart to worship God please reflect silently on the words of “Amazing Grace” (Hymn No.108) and their meaning for you.
-Kraig Scott
GIVE
Thank you for your generosity to the local ministry of the University Church, as well as to the global mission of the Adventist Church. The following graphics compare giving in the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years.
TOUCHES OF INTEREST
Follow this link to submit announcements for future bulletins (print and web).
Plan to attend a UCC Town Hall Meeting in advance of the September 15 Upper Columbia Conference Constituency Session. These are for all members to attend; 7pm, May 16, Walla Walla City Church.
An all-church potluck is planned for Sabbath, May 11, at 1:15pm in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a special potluck celebration in honor of Pastor Kris and his family. All are invited to attend!
ASWWU Global Service is looking for people to make food for the International Food Fair on Sunday June 2. All the proceeds for this event go towards the Global Service project for this year. If you are interested in helping, please send an email to aswwu.globalservice@wallawalla.edu.
The 50+ potluck and program will be held May 19 at 5pm at the Village Church Youth Center, 8th and Bade, in College Place. Please come and enjoy great food and fellowship and an inspiring vocal program presented by the “Village Church Quartet” accompanied by Terri Koch. And of course, please bring a friend!
Walla Walla Valley Academy’s AcroKnights Home Show, “A Tour d’Italia” will be held on Sunday, May 19, 7pm at the WWVA Gym. For the first time, the team is serving up a delicious multi-coursed Italian meal during the show. But don’t wait to grab your tickets! Only 200 meals will be served, so get yours while you can! Proceeds from the show will be used for future AcroKnights mission trips. Tickets can be purchased at WWVA - 509.525.1050, $15 for a seat and dinner, $6 at the door for general seating (if tables are sold out), WWVA students get in free for general seating!
The Christian Aid Center has the following volunteer opportunities: Childcare Helper (Thursday mornings), Women’s Bible Study Leader (Monday mornings), Receptionist (Tuesday mornings), Registered Nurses (Thursdays). For more information, contact Jeannette Regalado, Volunteer Coordinator, at 509.525.7153 ext. 114. You can fill out a volunteer application at christianaidcenter.org.
Walla Walla University choirs present two concerts under the direction of Kraig Scott. The University Singers and I Cantori will perform Haydn's “Nelson Mass.” Occuring twice on May 18, Saturday at the Walla Walla University Church and also on June 1, Saturday, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Spokane, Washington.
The University Church is hosting the Global Leadership Summit for the 4th consecutive year in August. As has been the case in previous years, all those who are regularly part of the University Church community (as well as students and faculty of any institution, and the military) can purchase discounted tickets for just $89, less than half the public price. Visit: wwuchurch.com/gls2019 to learn more and to register.
Join Professor Carl Cosaert for the "Steps of Paul and John Tour", an amazing tour through Ephesus, Athens, Corinth, Laodicea, Meteora, and more. The trip begins Wednesday, March 18th to Instanbul and ends in beautiful Athens, Greece. The price of the tour is $2,345 per person plus airfare. For more information, please contact Shelle Blake at shelleblake@yahoo.com.
The new sermon series on God’s emotions continues this Sabbath, May 11, with Pastor Troy’s sermon on the subject of “Affection.” Please visit wwuchurch.com/emotions/#week5 for this week’s recommended resources, and continue to check back every week for future updates!
WWU is currently accepting applications for the Assistant Vice President for Student Life role. They are seeking an talented, energetic, and Spirit-filled candidate. To apply and for more details, visit: https://bit.ly/2DxgGcF
You are invited to attend the AMEN Northwest Conference The Master Plan: Forgiveness & Healing on May 9 – 11, 2019. It will be held at the Upper Columbia Conference office in Spokane, Washington. This conference is a wonderful continuing education opportunity for you as well as for health care providers, health ministry leaders, and gospel workers. The keynote speaker is Dr. Mark Sandoval. Dr. Sandoval is the medical director of Uchee Pines. He will be speaking directly to the theme of the program which is taken from Psalm 103:1-5. Dr. Hana Kahleova is speaking on the role of a plant-based diet on diabetes. Dr. Kahleova is the director of clinical research for the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine. And, finally, Dr. James Trott will talk about the role of the Holy Spirit in caring for people. Dr. Trott is a professor in the Loma Linda School of Dentistry. You can find more information and register at uccsda.org/AMEN2019. There is a $30 discount for registration on or before April 30, 2019. Use coupon code AMEN at checkout.
The Discovery Preschool at Walla Walla University is offering a morning preschool program for ages 3-5 during June and July. We will work around your vacation time and you can come 1-5 days during the week. Please contact Elizabeth Yaw by May 1 for more information, elizabeth.yaw@wallawalla.edu.
The Upper Columbia Conference is seeking committed men and women to serve as Outreach Coordinators in all church districts. The position is a blend of community Bible work and member equipping and training. For more info, visit: www.uccsda.org/jobs
Rob and Bethany Folkenberg in Concert at UCC - June 19-22, 2019 - Many will be blessed at the Upper Columbia Conference camp meeting "Building Up the Family of God." The Sabbath concert will feature Rob and Bethany Folkenberg. They will also give special music for church and the Sabbath evening meeting. The main speakers this year are Randy Roberts, senior pastor of Loma Linda University Adventist Church; Sung Kwon, director of North American Division Adventist Community Services; and Claudio and Pamela Consuegra. Claudio is the Family Ministries Director for North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. (www.uccsda.org/Speakers) Read more Rob and Beth Folkenberg here https://www.uccsda.org/CM-concert Invite your new members and interests! Go to: https://www.uccsda.org/campmeeting to register.
Prepare to be Prepared to Respond in the Event of a Disaster - June 19. If a disaster strikes nearby or far away and you would like to respond and help, you will not be able to gain entrance to a disaster zone unless you are credentialed and have an ID badge by a recognized organization such as Red Cross or Adventist Community Services. We need volunteers to represent Adventist Community Services who are credentialed. On Wednesday, June 19, first day of UCC Camp Meeting; ACS of Upper Columbia Conference and the North Pacific Union Conference will be conducting a certification class in Donations Operations, at Upper Columbia Academy. All participants must pre-register by June 17 with Wendy Urbin, ACS Administrative Assistant, at (509) 242- 0628 or email wendyu@uccsda.org. The class will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. Registration of $25.00 includes lunch. Scholarships are available if needed..
Digging Deeper Retreat, May 17-19 – Speaker change! Have you heard? Our original speaker, Michael Kelly, has had to cancel as our retreat speaker because of something unexpected that came up. We are excited to share the new door that has opened, and that this year’s retreat will feature five pastors/speakers from the local area who are themselves in our 20s-40s age group. They will be unpacking our theme—Authentic Faith—digging into the Bible and sharing from their own journeys in faith. For more information, please check out the SPEAKER page on our website at www.DiggingDeeperRetreat.com/speaker. Children's program for ages 4-10yr, childcare for ages 18mo-3yr, and a mother’s room for infants will be provided at the retreat. Scholarships available.
Can You Volunteer at Camp Meeting? Positions are still available for the following: golf cart drivers, photographer, first aid booth helpers, -- some are clerical and non-medical positions. We also have openings for signers for the hearing impaired and a few good helpers at the media trailer are still needed. If you volunteered last year and want to do it again, let us know ASAP. Don't delay, save your spot to volunteer. Camp Meeting is June 19 to 22, 2019, at Upper Columbia Academy. To volunteer contact campmeeting@uccsda.org. All volunteers must be screened through "Verified Volunteers." Start the Screening process here: https://www.uccsda.org/volunteer
EVENTS
Sabbath, May 11
1:15pm — All Church Potluck, Fellowship Hall
2:30pm — Adventurers, Jr. High Room
8pm — Adventist Singles Fellowship, SonBridge
8pm — Evensong, Sanctuary
Monday, May 13
7:30am — (daily) Morning Worship, Heubach Chapel
Tuesday, May 14
11am — WWU CommUnity, Catherine Jones,Sanctuary
6pm — J.U.M.P, Juniors Room
7pm — High Five Youth Group, Jr. High Room
Wednesday, May 15
6:30pm — Pathfinders, Fellowship Hall
7pm — Face Off, Youth Room
7pm — Prayer Meeting, Heubach Chapel
Thursday, May 16
7pm — UCC Town Hall Meeting, Walla Walla City Church
Friday, May 17
8:20pm — Sundown
8pm — WWU Vespers, Student Missions, Sanctuary
Sabbath, May 18
5:30pm — WWU Spring Choral Concert, Sanctuary
8pm — Adventist Singles Fellowship, SonBridge
Sunday, May 19
9:45am — Adventurers, Juniors Room
2pm — Personal Finance Workshop, Fellowship Hall
Sabbath, June 1
11:45am — Outdoor Church, Centennial Green
June 22 - September 7
Summer Light Schedule: 10am Sabbath Schools, 11:15 Worship
July 8-12
University Church VBC (Vacation Bible Camp)
Click Here for PDF version of this week's Bulletin -- Or go to our Bulletin archive page for past versions.
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VOILA! - Easy button added (you may have to scroll to the right on your home screen to find the new icon)
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Email kris.loewen@wallawalla.edu if you have questions.
Below is a step-by step Youtube video outlining the same process.
Android Devices
Open Chrome (or Firefox, other web browser, etc.)
Navigate to the web-bulletin page (wwuchurch.com). If you are reading this message, you are already in the correct spot.
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Touch "Add to Home Screen" - about 3/4 the way down the list.
An empty field will pop up giving you an option to name it. We suggest writing "BULLETIN"
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VOILA! - Easy button added (you may have to scroll to the right or left on your home screen to find the new icon)
Press this App/button and it will always access the most up-to-date web-Bulletin.
Email kris.loewen@wallawalla.edu if you have questions.
Below is a step-by step Youtube video outlining the same process.