How to Survive the Coming Economic Crisis

He Is Risen–Breaking the Chains of Financial Bondage

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, April 20, 2019
Program: 
Praise
Christ Is Risen • Because He Lives • Worthy Is the Lamb/Agnus Dei
Prayer
Rodlie Ortiz
Children’s Story
On an American Spiritual [WereYou There?] • David Holsinger
Worship in Music
Wondrous Love • Donald Grantham
Processional of Hope
Dwight & Karen Nelson
Hymn of Hope
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today • 166
Homily
"He Is Risen: Breaking the Chains of Financial Bondage"
Dwight K. Nelson
Commitment Card, Tithes & Offerings
He Lives • 251

More In This Series

"How to Survive the Coming Economic Crisis:
He Is Risen—Breaking the Chains of Financial Bondage"

www.newperceptions.tv

» The Story

• Luke 24:1-8

» The Stats

• At the end of last year million Americans had a credit card(s).

• The average credit-card debt per borrower is $—up about 7.5 percent from 2015.

• If you paid only the minimum payments on a $5000 credit card debt, you would be in debt for more than years and end up paying $ in interest based on national averages.

• According to a NerdWallet study, the average American household has more than $ in credit card debt.

• Millennials (18-34) carry around $ in debt (student loans, credit cards, mortgages).

• Total student debt now exceeds $ .

• Thus % of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck.

• More than have less than $1000 reserved for emergency purposes.

• According to USA Today some million Americans—or 16% of the adults—think they will miss at least one credit card due date in 2019.

www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/02/27/student-loan-debt-4-things-keep-...) (www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2019/03/12/national-debt-ri...) (www.investopedia.com/investing/early-warning-signs-next-financial-crisis/)

» The Scripture

• "'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of , be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" (Luke 24:8)

• Isaiah 53:6—"And the LORD has laid on Him the of us all."

• 2 Corinthians 5:21—"God made Him who had no sin to be for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

• He died a Debtor, so that we might live free.

• 2 Corinthians 8:9—"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was , yet for your sake He became , so that you through His poverty might become ."

» The Steps

• Jesus: "Seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

• #1—Perform what Dave Ramsey calls a " ."

www.thriventcu.com offers this practical counsel: (1) Do not use debt (credit cards) to buy short-term consumer goods, such as clothing, entertainment or electronics; (2) avoid debt over items with a short life span and little resale value; and (3) avoid debt which comes with a very high interest rate.

• Dave Ramsey: "There is NO positive side to credit card use. You will spend more if you use credit cards instead of cash. If you 'have to' use plastic, I suggest a debit card. I use them for travel and the occasional convenience of ordering something over the Internet or phone. Other than that, I use ." (www.daveramsey.com)

• #2—Always pay more than the .

• #3—Pay off your credit cards beginning with the lowest in order to experience success as soon as possible.

• #4—Reduce the rate.

• #5—Beware of debt settlement companies.

• #6— to somebody.

• James Scurlock: "Maybe it’s because of what Dave Ramsey calls the intense that everybody feels about debt—the false certainty that everyone else has got it together. Or maybe it's what Bob, the Debtors Anonymous member I interviewed, told me: debt is simply not a socially acceptable topic; one can talk about one's sex life or even one's drug addiction as though it were fashionable, but owning up to one's financial troubles means being ostracized from the world of polite conversation." (Maxed Out 123)

• National Foundation for Credit Counseling (800-388-2227)

• #7—When you make God . . . He will make it .

• Malachi 3:10-12

Make God First

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.

Happy Birthday Merille Weithers

The flowers this week are in honor of Merille Weithers' 90th birthday. He's celebrating today with his children Debbie, Ted, David and Mimi, along with 4 of his 5 grandkids Simone, Dee & his wife Kailey, Caleb and Joshua. We're giving thanks to God for Merille's 90 years of life and the blessings of family, health, provision, grace and love.

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.

Offering for February 7, 2026

Pioneer Operating Budget

John Paul Young’s song “Love Is in the Air” became a worldwide hit in 1978. Its opening lines declare: “Love is in the air, everywhere I look around. Love is in the air, every sight and every sound.” Long before this song was written, Christians have been singing about love in the beloved hymn “Love at Home,” composed by John Hugh McNaughton in 1860. Its opening words remind us, “There is beauty all around when there’s love at home; There is joy in every sound when there’s love at home.” Reflecting on love, the Apostle John writes, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19, NIV). Love truly fills the air because God loved us first.

While many express love through flowers and gifts, Christians are reminded that the greatest act of love came from Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for a world He loves without end. The Apostle Paul affirms this when he writes: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25, NIV). Christ’s love, demonstrated on Calvary, is unmatched—its effects are eternal, securing salvation for humanity and restoring the universe.

Today, as we enter God’s loving presence and return our tithes and freewill offerings, let us receive His love with grateful hearts and commit to sharing that love with others. Indeed, love is in the air! 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

New DivorceCare group starting 2/4/26

 If you are experiencing the realities that come with divorce or separation and are looking for a safe place to process it all and find a caring community that understands what you are going through, please join us Weds evenings from 6 to 8 PM in the boardroom. You can sign up on divorcecare.org or on at pmchurch.org in the Grow Groups section under Pioneer Life.

Sunday Music Series with Carla Trynchuk & Elena Braslavsky

 Violinist Carla Trynchuk and pianist Elena Braslavsky will be performing a recital including works by Beethoven, Debussy, and the Jewish Ukrainian composer Meitus.  Trynchuk, faculty at Andrews University, has performed internationally as soloist and recitalist in more than 15 countries.  Braslavsky, formerly a faculty member at The Juilliard School and the Mannes School of Music, currently serves on the piano faculty of the Mozarteum University of Salzburg.  Trynchuk and Braslavsky were classmates together at The Juilliard School. This will be a FREE recital on February 22, at 4:00 PM.

An Acoustic Evening with Sidewalk Prophets

We’re excited to be hosting An Acoustic Evening With Sidewalk Prophets this spring.  In partnership with Great Big Family Productions, we’re hosting a night built around connection, stories, and songs. Because this is a small acoustic experience, seating is limited and will move quickly. If you or someone you know is planning to attend, we encourage you to get seats while they’re still available. The Howard Performing Arts Center is pleased to be able to host Sidewalk Prophets at our venue, however, all tickets will be sold online. Please click on the link to purchase your ticket.

Love on the Move

 God's Hands 4 Kids, a PMC Grow Group outreach to our community serving foster, adoptive, kinship and guardianship families partnering with Berrien County Department Of Health and Human Services. As a gift to the families served by them and as a gift to the community of ministry leaders and professionals, we will be providing Hope for the Journey, a video conference on Trust Based Relational Intervention - trauma,  on Sunday afternoons in February here at PMC. It is produced by Show Hope. For more information and to register go to our website GH4K.org

ZOOM IN! Summer Camp 2026

 ZOOM IN! to God’s Amazing World at The Crayon Box Summer Camp, running June 1–August 20, 2026. Children entering Kindergarten through age 12 will enjoy a summer filled with nature, science, creativity, teamwork, and play as they explore how God’s hand is at work all around them. Each themed week encourages campers to notice the small wonders, big ideas, and amazing details of God’s creation. Located on the beautiful campus of Andrews University, The Crayon Box offers a safe, joyful, faith-centered place for children to spend their summer vacation with on-campus adventures, campus field trips, and visits from zoo and wildlife educators. Enrollment is open now at andrews.edu/services/crayonbox/summercamp. Space is limited. Forms are due May 18, 2026.