Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Dwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.

Offering

The heartbreaking terrorist attacks in the streets of Paris only serve as a painful reminder that we live in a broken world. Our planet is filled with cities, and those cities are filled with hurting people who are in desperate need of a few inner city angels.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Program: 
As We Begin
More About Jesus I Would Know • John Sweney
Praise
Prayer
Adrianne Magsipoc
"By the Word of Their Testimony" Baptism
Korollos Abdelmalak with Rodlie Ortiz
Children's Story
José Bourget / Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven • Timothy Waugh
Worship in Music
Capriccio • Kevin McChesney
Sermon
“Mission Possible: Urban Decay—Angels in the Inner City” • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Cards, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go • 573
As We Depart
O God, Faithful God • Johannes Brahms

More In This Series

11/07/2015
Considering the Adventist Church's historical stance on the separation of Church and State, how do we respond to the increased attention and scrutiny brought on by the presidential candidacy of one of our prominent members? Where do we stand when it comes to the causes of our Evangelical nation? How can we best serve this nation that we love?
10/31/2015
Nearly 500 years ago, a young monk stood all alone before the the greatest assembly of powers, princes, and pontificates the world had ever seen. His courage would spark one of the greatest social revolutions in history. How can we tap into that same source of strength to start our own social revolution today?
10/24/2015
In a world where we are called to follow what is popular, Christ calls us to be "uncool." If we desire to follow Christ, we are called to deny self, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).

“Mission Possible:

Urban Decay—Angels in the Inner City”

www.pmchurch.tv

 

□      This World of Pagans

·      The daughter of Bertrand Russell: “His whole life was a search for God. . . . Somewhere at the back of my father’s mind, at the bottom of his heart, in the depths of his soul, there was an empty space that had once been filled by God, and he never found anything else to put in it.”

·      Bertrand Russell: “There is darkness without and when I die there will be darkness within.” (Mysticism and Logic)

·      His daughter: “I would have liked to convince my father that I had found what he had been looking for, the ineffable something he had longed for all his life. I would have liked to persuade him that the search for God does not have to be vain. But it was hopeless. He had known too many blind Christians, bleak moralists who sucked the joy from life and persecuted their opponents; he would never have been able to see the truth they were hiding.” (In Philip Yancey’s Vanishing Grace, 32-33)

□      His Love for Pagans

·      Exhibit A—God and the pagan king

§  Genesis 20

·      Exhibit B—God and the pagan city

§  Jonah 4:11

§  Clark Pinnock: “. . . the book of Jonah stands in the canon to testify to the universal salvific will of God.” (A Wideness in God’s Mercy 28)

·      Exhibit C—God and the pagan city

§  Jeremiah 51:44-45

§  Revelation 18:4

·      Exhibit D—God and the lost city

§  Luke 19:35-42

§  Desire of Ages: “While the westering sun was tinting and gilding the heavens, its resplendent glory lighted up the pure white marble of the temple walls, and sparkled on its gold-capped pillars. . . . [which] caught the splendor of the setting sun, shining as if with a glory borrowed from heaven.  Jesus gazes upon the scene . . . His eyes fill with tears, and His body rock[s] to and fro like a tree before the tempest, while a wail of anguish bursts from His quivering lips, as if from the depths of a broken heart.” (575)

·      Exhibit E—God, Giuseppe, Sonya and the pagan city Bergamo, Italy

·      Exhibit F—God and the pagan city

§  Acts 18:9-10

§  NASB: “Do not be afraid any longer.”

§  Prophets and Kings: “In every city, filled though it may be with violence and crime, there are many who with proper teaching may learn to become followers of Jesus. Thousands may thus be reached with saving truth and be led to receive Christ as a personal Saviour.” (278)

 

The question is:

Are you willing to go?

Happy Health Cooking Demonstration

The Happy, Healthy Holiday 2025 Cooking demonstration will be on Sunday, Nov. 23 from 3:00 to 5:30 PM in the Youth Chapel, with samples for everyone downstairs. They are featuring vegan foods suitable for festive events. This event is being co-hosted by Pioneer Health and Wellness, Healthy Together Friends, and RMES Home and School. To register text "FOOD" to 269-281-2345. Questions: please contact Evelyn Kissinger at evelynkissinger@gmail.com.

Pioneer Women's Ministries 2025 Advent Devotionals

Pioneer Women’s Ministries’ Advent devotionals will highlight a few of the promises of Jesus. To receive the “Red Letter Promises” daily devotionals by email for the first 25 days of December, text the word “ADVENT” to 269-281-2345. You can also receive a short daily text message preview of each day's devotional by providing your cell phone number when you register. We pray you will sense the nearness of Jesus during this holy season through these devotionals.

Sabbath School Volunteers Needed

Give our Pioneer kids a gift this holiday season - your time, teaching or supporting Sabbath Schools, 10:30-11:30 AM each Sabbath. Text CHILDREN to 269-281-2345 or email childrenss@pmchurch.org to learn more.

Offering for November 15, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

A recent article by McKinsey & Company noted that nearly two thirds of US-based employees who were surveyed said that COVID-19 has caused them to reflect on their purpose in life. Nearly half said that they’re reconsidering the kind of work they do because of the pandemic. The research stated that people who live their purpose at work are more productive than people who don’t. They’re also healthier, more resilient, and more likely to stay with the company.

When employees feel that their purpose is aligned with the organization’s purpose, the benefits expand to include stronger employee engagement, heightened loyalty, and a greater willingness to recommend the company to others. God gives us the privilege of partnering with Him in His kingdom work. It’s incredible that He gives us the joy of giving, and in doing so we find our purpose in life. God could have accomplished His mission of saving sinners without the aid of mankind. However, He knew that we couldn’t be happy without being part of the great work that would cultivate in us self-denial, compassion, kindness, and goodness—in other words, the Fruit of the Spirit. Today, let’s practice our purpose in life by partnering with God in Kingdom work. 

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

13th Annual Voice Vespers

Come worship with the AU Dept. of Music voice students for their annual voice vespers: "For Unto Us A Child Is Born". Focusing on songs celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Seeking Voices for Sabbath Video Series!

Adventist Learning Community is producing a short series exploring Sabbath keeping and its impact on everyday life. We're looking for individuals to interview who joined the Adventist Church within the last 15 to 20 years and are comfortable on camera. If you're open to sharing your experience and how Sabbath has shaped your life, please contact Luke Bowers at lbowersweb@gmail.com, we'd love to hear from you!

Belong: Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving tradition continues, just a little earlier this year! We’ll be serving Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday, November 16 at 6 PM If you would like to contribute a dish, please let us know by texting the word "TOFURKY" to 269-281-2345 to select an item or two from the list!

Adventist-Muslim Relations Group

 Join us to pray for active missionaries and explore how to build bridges between Adventists and Muslims. We meet at 6:30 PM on the first and third Monday each month in the Leadership Lab of the Campus Center at Andrews University.

Join the Traffic Ministry Team!

We’re looking for volunteers to serve in our Traffic Ministry, helping direct vehicles and assist members and guests as they arrive and leave. Your friendly presence helps ensure safety and creates a warm first impression for everyone coming to worship. If you’re interested or want to learn more, please contact Derill Legoh 732-379-1300.

Something in Common Sabbath School

Starting Point video series with Andy Stanley: Everything has a beginning. Every person, every idea, every journey starts somewhere. Whether it's one small step in a new direction or a major event, from that point forward nothing is ever the same. It's not always comfortable. It's not always easy. But it's a start. This 8-part series ends December 6, 2025.  Everyone is welcome. PMC Boardroom. 10:30-11:30 Sabbath mornings.

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