Forgiveness, a key aspect of the Christian experience, promotes mental and physical well-being. Research shows it reduces emotional tension, psychological conflict, and even psychosomatic pain. Dr. Karen Swartz of Johns Hopkins notes that anger triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, raising heart rate, blood pressure, and disease risk. Forgiveness, by contrast, fosters peace and lowers depression, anxiety, and stress. As Scripture reminds us, “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). Go ahead! Enjoy peace of mind.
Gone to the Birds
Lessons from the Divine Ornithologist - Part 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 09, 2018
Program:
Praise
All Things Bright and Beautiful • We Fall Down • Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) • Falling in Love with Jesus
Prayer
Rodlie Ortiz
Baby Dedication
Laural Annelie Brown presented by Adam & Beverly Brown with José Bourget
Children's Story
God Will Take Care of You • Stillman Martin / Kenneth Logan
Worship in Music
A Mighty Fortress • Duane Funderburk
Sermon
"Gone to the Birds: Lessons from the Divine Ornithologist—2"
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
God Will Take Care of You • 99
More In This Series
"Gone to the Birds: Lessons from the Divine Ornithologist"—2
Ravens
www.newperceptions.tv
- 1 Kings 17:1-16
- James 5:17-18—"Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."
- Prophets and Kings: "Unbelief was fast separating the chosen nation from the Source of their strength. Viewing this apostasy from his mountain retreat, Elijah was overwhelmed with sorrow. In anguish of soul he besought God to arrest the once-favored people in their wicked course, to visit them with judgments, if need be, that they might be led to see in its true light their departure from Heaven." (120)
- Ravens
- The differences between ravens and crows (https://www.audubon.org/news/how-tell-raven-crow)
- The intelligence of ravens and crows: "Common ravens have been observed calling wolves to the site of dead animals. The wolves open the carcass, leaving the scraps more accessible to the birds. They watch where other common ravens bury their food and remember the locations of each other's food caches, so they can steal from them. This type of theft occurs so regularly that common ravens will fly extra distances from a food source to find better hiding places for food. They have also been observed pretending to make a cache without actually depositing the food, presumably to confuse onlookers." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_raven#Intelligence)
- BBC report on crow's 8-step problem solving skill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVaITA7eBZE)
- Job 38:41/Psalm 147:9
- Luke 12:24, 6, 31
- John Banister Tabb (1900) Holy Ground:
PAUSE where apart the fallen sparrow lies,
And lightly tread;
For there the pity of a Father's eyes
Enshrines the dead. - Illus: Desire of Ages: "Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without the Father's notice. Satan's hatred against God leads him to hate every object of the Saviour's care. He seeks to mar the handiwork of God, and he delights in destroying even the dumb creatures. It is only through God's protecting care that the birds are preserved to gladden us with their songs of joy." (356)
- "Not a sigh is breathed, not a pain felt, not a grief pierces the soul, but the throb vibrates to the Father's heart." (Ibid)
- Malachi 3:10
- Nelson Searcy: "God is a giving God. He gave us life; he gives us breath; he gave us the earth and all its inhabitants; he gives us purpose; he gives us new mercies every single day. Most importantly, he gave us his Son on a Jerusalem hillside. God withholds no good thing from those who love and honor him. So how could we possibly be stingy with God in the area of our finances, especially when he has gone so far as to ask us to 'test him' in this one thing?" (Maximize 39)
- Education: "Only in the light that shines from Calvary can nature's teaching be read aright. Through the story of Bethlehem and the cross let it be shown how good is to conquer evil, and how every blessing that comes to us is a gift of redemption." (101)
- John Banister Tabb (1900) Holy Ground:
Make God first, and He will make it last . . .
and last . . . and last.
With This in Mind...
Valentine's Day Banquet at All Nations Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Valentine's Day Banquet: An Evening of Excellence: Love is the Greatest Join us for a community-building and fundraising occasion including a delicious meal, a program filled with music, and reflections on God's enduring love, inspired by scriptures like 1 Corinthians 13:13, “Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” We eagerly anticipate sharing this evening of love and blessings with you! Please access the link at https://bit.ly/3M6bSSk or QR code to purchase your tickets as for Singles $20, Couples $35 (any 2 adults), Children ages 6-17 $5, Children ages 5 and under enjoy FREE admission. You may purchase a Table for 8 persons for $160. Harvest Tables seat 20 persons. Please email: anc.berrien@gmail.com Telephone: 269-473-4400 Link for tickets: https://bit.ly/3M6bSSk
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
There will be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath in the commons. Visitors are welcome!
Offering for February 14, 2026
Adventist Television Ministries Evangelism
The Bible records different methods of spreading the gospel, and in today’s society, media plays a vital role in fulfilling that mission. For many years, the North American Division has partnered with life-changing ministries such as It Is Written, Voice of Prophecy, Breath of Life, Faith for Today, La Voz de la Esperanza, Jesus 101, and LifeTalk Radio. These ministries cast the net far and wide, reaching people who might never set foot in a church. Many of the souls they touch become interested leads for local churches to nurture and bring to Christ.
Jesus illustrated this principle in Matthew 13:47-48 (NIV), “The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore.” Adventist Television Ministries are modern-day fishers of men, casting the gospel net into cities, homes, and even the “concrete jungles” where traditional methods may not reach. Ellen White emphasized this work over a century ago, “Again and again I am instructed to present to our churches the work that should be done in our large cities. There is a great work to be done, not only where we have churches already established, but also in places where the truth has never been fully presented.” (Evangelism, p. 32). Brothers and sisters, we are all called to be fishers of men. Today, through our offerings, we can support Adventist Television Ministries as they continue to spread God’s message of salvation. Let’s give generously.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Young Adult Mission Trip in Peru!
Maranatha Volunteers International invites young adults, ages 18-28, to join Catalyst, a service experience for their age group. Build a church for the Calapuja Adventist Church, operate medical clinics, and lead VBS programs. Learn more at Maranatha.org/volunteer or call 916-774-7700.
Andrews Symphony Fundraising Concert
Thursday February 19 at 7:30 PM, the AUSO will be giving a free performance of movie soundtracks and broadway tunes to raise funds for their music tour to California this coming March. This short performance is kid's friendly and promises to be an exceptional evening of great music. Bring your cellphone!
Academy Day March 3
All eighth-grade students are invited to attend Academy Day on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Come and see the exciting programs Andrews Academy offers and experience one day with us. While there, you will worship together, go to several classes, and participate in some games and activities. Lunch will be served, and T-shirts and prizes will be given. Registration begins in the gym at 7:30 AM, the full day of activities will begin at 8:00 am and will conclude by 3:15 PM. Call 269-471-3138 to RSVP or with any questions you may have. (Eighth graders in NAS, RMES, VAES, and Eau Claire SDA schools are already preregistered). Drop off/pick up is either in the circle drive or in the parking lot (8833 Garland Ave, Berrien Springs).
With This in Mind...
At some point, we all worry about the future because we want answers and a sense of control. Yet the future is beyond our control, which can lead to anxiety and a loss of peace. Occasional anxiety is normal, but persistent fear of the unknown can disrupt daily life. Because anxiety develops through complex neuropsychological processes, patience and compassion are essential. If you find yourself being anxious, keep in mind this gentle invitation for the Omniscient One, “Be anxious for nothing…let your requests be made known to God…” (Phil. 4:6–7). He promises peace.
Ruth Murdoch Elementary School Visitor's Day
Students who will be in the first through eighth grades next school year are invited to visit Ruth Murdoch Elementary School on March 3. Make friends, meet teachers and have fun! Grades 1–6: 8:15–11:30 AM; Grades 7–8: 8:15 AM–3:30 PM. Parents, please call 269-471-3225 to register. (A special Kindergarten Visitors' Day is being planned for April 8).
AUSO Young Artists Concert
The Andrews University Symphony Orchestra is presenting its annual Young Artist Competition concert featuring this year Jonathan Clough, tenor, and Aiko Ayla, piano, as well as violinists Nikolaz Feliciano and Claire Yang. Join us on this unique evening of virtuosity and elegance, and enjoy the music of Clara Schumann, W. A. Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Donizetti, and Tchaikovsky. This concert is free, but patrons will have the opportunity to support the students of the Symphony Orchestra as they are currently raising funds for their music tour to California in March.
