Though painful and disruptive, loss is an inevitable part of life. The AU family has experienced recent losses, and many are still feeling the emotional impact. Grief is a long process. During this period of mourning, you may notice changes in appetite, sleep, mood or concentration—these are normal grief responses. Be gentle with yourself and others, and take time to care for your well-being. Healing takes time, and support is available if your struggle feels overwhelming. Remember, connection remains important even after the memorials have passed. Call 269-471-3470 for your support. Matt. 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
The Widow Factor:
Living on the Edge with God - 2
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight 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
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Program:
As We Begin
O God, Our Help in Ages Past • William Croft
Praise
O Worship the King • Our God • Our God Reigns • Enough
Prayer
Russell Burrill
"I Thank My God"
Evelyn Savory / Jeannie Liederman Ruth Murdoch Elementary School / Andrews Academy
Children's Story
Poor Wayfaring Stranger / You Are Blessed, Who Live in Unswerving Faith D. Hustad / J. Brahms
Worship in Music
Love's Greeting • Edward Elgar
Sermon
“The Widow Factor: Living on the Edge with God”—2 • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus • 524
As We Depart
O God, Faithful God • Johannes Brahms
More In This Series
“The Widow Factor: Living on the Edge with God”—2
- The Widow’s Narrative
- 2 Kings 4:1-7
- Desire of Ages 371: “The means in our possession may not seem to be sufficient . . . but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us.”
- “If the work [prayer] be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting.” (Ibid)
- “If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life.” (Ibid)
- God’s Arithmetic
- When we ADD, God MULTIPLIES.
- Luke 6:38—“‘Give [When we ADD], and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over [God MULTIPLIES], will be poured into your lap.’”
- Malachi 3:10—“‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse [When we ADD], that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing [God MULTIPLIES] that you will not have room enough for it.’”
- The four spiritual benefits of endtime giving:
- #1—Giving shapes me into the likeness of God, who is a Giver by nature—and a cheerful and sacrificial one at that.
- John 3:16
- 2 Corinthians 8:9
- Galatians 2:20
- #2—Giving deepens my walk with and trust in God, creating opportunities to cast my cares in trusting confidence on Him.
- 1 Peter 5:7
- Philippians 4:19
- #3—Giving declares I believe that it all belongs to God “from whom all blessings flow.”
- Deuteronomy 8:17, 18
- #4—Giving in all its forms is the most frontal assault I can launch on my inbred and natural selfishness and greed.
- Mark 8:34, 35
- Christ’s Object Lessons 351: “Our money has not been given us that we might honor and glorify ourselves. As faithful stewards we are to use it for the honor and glory of God. Some think that only a portion of their means is the Lord’s. When they have set apart a portion for religious and charitable purposes, they regard the remainder as their own, to be used as they see fit. But in this they mistake. All we possess is the Lord’s, and we are accountable to Him for the use we make of it. In the use of every penny, it will be seen whether we love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves.”
- #1—Giving shapes me into the likeness of God, who is a Giver by nature—and a cheerful and sacrificial one at that.
“You would have gotten more out of it, if you had put more into it, wouldn’t you have?”
With This in Mind...
Church Offices Closed
Church offices will be closed for the Columbus Day Holiday on Monday October 13.
Graduate and Young Professionals Sabbath School
We are launching our Graduate/Young Professional Sabbath School on October 18th. The class will be held in the Student Center's leadership lab. If you have any questions contact Chaplain Jacob Gibbs.
Andrews Academy Alumni Weekend October 17 & 18
Andrews Academy invites you to ALUMNI WEEKEND, October 17-19, 2025. Come and reunite with your AA family. Remember the defining moments of your past and reconnect with old friends. We look forward to seeing all of you once again at our Alumni Reunion! (All are invited, this year’s honored classes end in 5 and 0).
AA Freshman Class Fundraiser
Please, support the AA Freshman class by ordering pupusas and more by October 17th. Pupusas freeze well! Order for future dinners!!!
Annual Hayride
The Family Life Committee invites our church family to the Annual Hayride at Five Pines Ministries. Come enjoy hayrides through the woods, a bonfire with s'mores, warm food, and even warmer fellowship. Sunday, October 12, 5-7 PM, 6597 Smith Rd in Berrien Center. Join us for this fun, autumn tradition!
Announcing Honduras mission trip
Do you love serving children? If so please prayerfully consider joining the Pioneer Youth Mission team of college students and church members. We will be serving at the Hogar de Niños in Honduras from January 2-12, 2026. Question, contact Scott Schalk or Glenn Russell at glenn@andrews.edu
Help Pack 7,000 Bags for Christmas Behind Bars
On Sunday, October 26, beginning at 9 am in Johnson Gym, 400 people will have the opportunity to help pack 7,000 bags for our Christmas Behind Bars event. Join us for this fast-paced, fun, and family-friendly event sponsored by Pioneer Memorial Church and Andrews University. Use this link to sign up: https://forms.gle/H9pHrvudPiex8yns5 (Your presence and invitation to others helps to support our strategic initiatives for PIONEER.)
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
There will be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath in the commons.
Offering for October 11, 2025
Michigan Radio Ministries
In the parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus talks about a person who was poor spiritually because he invested in the wrong things in life. Despite his worldly affluence, he is deemed spiritually impoverished because he hoards wealth for self-gratification, while neglecting to invest in God’s kingdom.
Jesus concludes the parable with a warning, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:13-21, NKJV). So, the key is to be rich toward God? How do we do that? It means treasuring what He treasures: our relationship with Him and others, love and compassion for hurting human beings, and a heart that seeks to do good and be generous.
Paul echoes this sentiment in 1 Timothy 6:18, urging believers "to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." This is not just about charitable acts or monetary donations, but rather about an attitude of generosity that permeates all aspects of our lives, reflecting God's own generosity towards us.
Remember, we are most like God when we are generous with our money and our actions. What has God given you to invest in others?
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries