Acts 17:16–33 (Paul in Athens)

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’[a] As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’[b]
29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 At that, Paul left the Council.

TOUCHES OF INTEREST

Would you like to connect with others? Lead or be a part of a small group this Spring quarter (April/May). Groups are activity-based or discussion-based and run for about an hour over a three to six-week period. If you’re interested in leading, contact Alareece Collie at alareece.collie@wallawalla.edu for more information.

WWVA Drama presents the musical Godspell March 17 at 8:00 and March 18 at 7:00 in Village Hall on the Walla Walla University campus. Join us as a zany bunch of groupies helps Jesus act out the timeless lessons of the gospel in modern America and, one by one, they “get it.” $10 for adults, $5 for students.

The 50+ Club Potluck will be held on Sunday, March 18, at 5pm at the Youth Center, 8th and Bade in College Place. Come and enjoy good food, fellowship, and a musical program presented by Jan Roberts. And of course, bring a friend!

SonBridge Thrift & Gift Store is recruiting volunteers to sort donated goods, help haul items, or maintain the facility. If interested, please call 509.529.3100.

The College Place Spanish SDA Church invites you to join in an All-You-Can-Eat Brunch Buffet to raise funds for their building project. The Brunch Buffet will take place at  the Village Youth Center (36 SW 8th St College Place) on April 8, 2018, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The cost for the ticket is $10 (for ages 10+), $5 (for ages 4-9) and free for 3 and under. Purchase tickets by calling at 509-525-9523 or 509-301-2956. Music provided by Rogers Adventist School Handbell choir and String Orchestra.

Employment Opportunity: Rogers Adventist School is hiring a part time 7th/8th grade teacher for the 18-19 school year. SDA certification required (or will be completed by the beginning of the school year), state certification preferred. Applicant should be skilled in teaching algebra, language arts, and Bible. Interested applicants should submit a resume with references and a cover letter to Holley Bryant at holley.bryant@rschool.org.The 50+ Potluck will be held on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at 5pm at the Youth Center, 8th and Bade in College Place. Come and enjoy good food, fellowship, and a musical program presented by Jan Roberts. And of course, bring a friend!

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.

Digging Deeper Retreat -- May 18-20 at Camp Mivoden. We invite you to a spiritual retreat for young adults and young families (ages 20s-40s). Whether single, married, with or without kids, all in the 20s-40s age range are invited to come together for a weekend of connecting in friendship and digging into the Word. Ty Gibson, our keynote speaker, will be unpacking our theme “Digging Deeper into God’s Heart”. Children's program for ages 4-10yr, childcare for ages 18mos-3yr, and mother’s room for infants are provided at the retreat. For more information visit www.DiggingDeeperRetreat.com.

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.

Discovery Preschool is now enrolling children 3-5 years of age. It is the goal of our staff to work closely together with each family to provide a solid foundation for intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual growth of the child. Children are encouraged to explore their world through self-expression in a natural, playful, social environment. Contact information: stacy.maxted@wallawalla.edu or 509.527.2252. Visit: wallawalla.edu/preschool

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.