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

Saturday, January 26, 2019
Program: 
We Begin
Precious Lord • Roy Ringwald
Praise
Jesus Saves • Indescribable • Total Praise • Amazed
Prayer
Ben Martin
Children's Story
Poor Wayfaring Stranger / Humility • Kenneth Logan
Worship in Music
My Lord, What a Morning • Spiritual / Harry Burleigh
Sermon
"The Last Letter: Wretched (Last Letter for America)"
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
I'd Rather Have Jesus • 327

"The Last Letter: Wretched (Last Letter for America)"
www.newperceptions.tv

» Laodicea and America (Revelation 3:14-19)

• Parallel #1—

• Ranko Stefanovic: “Because of its favorable location on the system of Roman roads, the city became one of the greatest commercial and financial centers of the ancient world.” (Revelation of Jesus Christ 144)

• Parallel #2—

• Parallel #3—

• Parallel #4—

• Roy Allen Anderson: “Valuable wool was produced in the valley, soft in texture, glossy black in color, but tinged as it were with violet. Black garments were worn almost exclusively by the Laodiceans as evidence of their wealth.” (Unfolding the Revelation 42)

• Parallel #5—

• Parallel #6—

• Jacques Doukhan: “Their mentality is but the symptom of a civilization that prides itself in its secularism and humanism while excluding God. . . . The human has usurped the divine on all levels.” (Secrets of Revelation 46)

• Parallel #7—

• Greek—”a people judged”

» America

•Ellen White: “The Lord has done more for the United States than for any other country upon which the sun shines. . . . Here Christianity has progressed in its purity. . . . But the enemy of all righteousness has designs upon God’s purpose for this country. He will bring in enterprises that will lead men to forget that there is a God. Worldliness and covetousness, which is idolatry, will prevail through the working of the archdeceiver, till the law of God, in all its bearings, shall be made void.” (Maranatha 193)

• James Warren: “[Roger] Williams disavowed the Puritan’s cherished belief that their Holy Commonwealths were in a special covenant with God. There was no ‘chosen nation’ in the seventeenth century, nor had there been once since Moses’ Israel. Williams believed . . . that ‘since the coming of Christ the only way God had contracted with men . . . was through the churches of Christ. . . . Nobody of men who now employed force in defense of religion, whether at home or abroad, could claim the name Christian.’” (God, War and Providence 70-71)

• America is   a Christian nation.

• Martin Luther King, Jr: “The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the of the state.”

• Jonathan Walton: “‘Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness’ are promised by America and God. But they are not the same in origin, practice, or motive. The goals and intentions of the Declaration of Independence sit in opposition to the gospel of Christ. The totality of Scripture does not endorse the marriage of God and country or the establishment, development, or practices of any country in the name of Jesus.” (Twelve Lies That Hold America Captive: And the Truth That Sets Us Free 18)

»So what hope is there for this nation?

•Revelation 14:6-7—”And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, ‘Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.’”

• Facebook now offers gender options: “Last year we were proud to add a custom gender option to help people better express their identities on Facebook. We collaborated with our Network of Support, a group of leading LGBT advocacy organizations, to offer an extensive list of gender identities that many people use to describe themselves. After a year of offering this feature, we have expanded it to include a free-form field. Now, if you do not identify with the pre-populated list of gender identities, you are able to add your own.” (www.facebook.com/facebookdiversity/posts/last-year-we-were-proud-to-add-a-custom-gender-option-to-help-people-better-expr/774221582674346/)

• Jesus is America’s last great hope.

• Acts 4:12—”’Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved [than the name of Jesus].”

• John 4:42—”They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this Man really is the Savior of the world.’”

• Jon Meacham: “‘A bold President who knew himself to be supported by a majority in the country, might be tempted to override the law, and deprive the minority of the protection which the law affords it,’ [James] Bryce wrote. ‘He might be a tyrant, not against the masses, but with the masses.’” (The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels 271)

• America’s thought leaders need Liberty.

God save America—and let me help You!

 

Toy Collection for Christmas Care--Sabbath, December 13

On Sabbath, December 13, we will be having our annual Children’s Celebration of Christmas. This is the worship service where we bring a new unwrapped toy for a child up to age 16. Each year we partner with "Christmas Care" in providing gifts to 300+ families in our community who are not able to purchase their own. This is yet another way that Pioneer can participate in the 2nd part of our PIONEER strategic plan of Interacting and partnering with those in our community. 

Annual Seniors Christmas Banquet

The annual Christmas Banquet for Seniors (ages 55+) is taking place on December 14 in the Village SDA Church fellowship hall at 1:00 PM. Pioneer members wishing to attend please call the church office to sign up at 269.471.6565 by Monday, December 8.

Belong: Angel Tree

Thank you for choosing a tag from our Angel Trees! Please remember to text “BLESS” to 269-281-2345 to let us know who you selected. This helps us stay organized and coordinate gift collection if you won’t be dropping off your unwrapped gift during one of our services on Sabbath, December 13.

Offering for December 6, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

In my younger years, my fascination with mathematics, particularly with the concept of multiplication, was immense. I was especially excited learning the principles of multiplication because it was one of the fastest ways to reach a higher total. Multiplication is a mathematical process that adds a number to itself repeatedly a specific number of times.

This mathematical principle later found an analogy in my spiritual journey. I realized that the growth of God's kingdom often resonates better with multiplication than addition.

For example, it is better to have five people each doing one ministry and teaching others to do the same, rather than for one person doing five ministries by himself. This is the essence of “disciplers” — disciples who train other disciples. Another way to step into the realm of such multiplication is through generous offerings to God.

When we present our offerings to God, He multiplies them, extending the blessings to many. We need not dwell on the mathematics of our giving or attempt to rationalize the outcomes. Merely giving in faith is sufficient. Reflect on the promise, “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” (Desire of Ages, p. 371).

Let’s see how God multiplies the gifts we give to Him.

—Melvin Santos, Kansas/Nebraska Conference in partnership with the North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Andrews Academy Invites You to the Feast of Lights Concert

Andrews Academy will be presenting the 52nd annual Feast of Lights program on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM. The community is invited to attend this spectacular night of music, Scripture and drama honoring the King of Kings. It is an evening of lights, bells, instruments, choral singing, congregational singing, shepherds, a Nativity scene, and the retelling of a glorious Christmas story. Chorale and Orchestra will end the program with the Hallelujah chorus. The church sidewalks will be arrayed in Christmas lighting. The program will speak to your hearts of His wondrous love. All are invited to attend this free program held at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University.  

Journey to Bethlehem - Live Nativity Walk in Eau Claire

Walk into the advent story... Share in the expectation... Experience God's Glory... Journey to Bethlehem - Come join take this FREE 1 hour walking journey through the Advent Story on December 14 from 5-8 PM. Meet shepherds, the wisemen, Roman soldiers, a Biblical marketplace, Mary and Joseph and discover why Christ came to this earth. Groups Leave from the Student Activity Center located at 6295 W Main St, Eau Claire, MI 49111. Tours leave every 10 minutes between 5 & 8 PM, December 14. No Reservations required, ALS interpreter available, please contact us in advance. Wheelchair accessible journey on paved sidewalk. Questions? Call or text 269-405-5026 or email us at Eauclairecritters@gmail.com

Spring Semester GROW Groups

Spring semester GROW Groups will begin the 1st week of February. If you would like to lead a group please text LEAD to 269-281-2345 or click the link below to submit the attached form on or before December 15. https://pmchurch.org/ministries/growgroups/register

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.

House of Prayer
Pioneer Earlyteen Loft

Please join us for House of Prayer Wednesday evenings at 7pm in the Earliteen Loft for a time of singing, Bible study and prayer.