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.
More In This Series
OPENING MUSIC
“The Holy Boy (A Carol of Nativity)” • John Ireland
Organ: Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music
CHRISTMAS WELCOME
CHRISTMAS CALL
PASTOR: “Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light, to herald our salvation;”
PEOPLE: “He stoops to earth—the God of might, our hope and expectation.”
PASTOR: “He comes in human flesh to dwell, our God with us, Immanuel,”
PEOPLE: “The light of darkness breaking, our fallen race befriending.”
PASTOR: “O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”
PEOPLE: Amen.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS:“BORN TO SAVE”
“Good Christians, Now Rejoice" • “Now Is Born the Divine Christ Child” • “O Little Town of Bethlehem” • “Angels from the Realms of Glory”
Leanne Miller, soprano; Byron Graves, clarinet, Kenneth Logan, organ
CHRISTMAS FAMILY PRAYER
Rhonda, Aron, and Stella Tomenko
Sonia Badenas and Marco Sciarabba*
CHRISTMAS BAPTISM*
Do Hyun (Paul) Cho with Hong Pal Ha
CHRISTMAS CAROL
“Away in a Manger”
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS STORY
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
CHRISTMAS READING
Pavel and Sam Tomenko • Davide Sciarabba*
Luke 2:1-7 NKJV
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
CHRISTMAS MUSIC
“What Child Is This?” • Kenneth Logan
Betania Cañas, flute; Kenneth Logan, organ
CHRISTMAS HOMILY
“Peace on Earth All Over Again—Redux 3”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
CHRISTMAS COMMITMENT
“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” • anon. melody
Elizabeth Wilson, mezzo-soprano
CHRISTMAS BLESSING
CLOSING MUSIC
“IN DULCI JUBILO” (“In Sweet Jubilation”)Johann Sebastian Bach
Organ: Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music
*Indicates 11:45 AM Service
What we experienced at the MORE+ Conference was a wonderful start. Reformation/Discipleship is the indispensable follow up to any such revival experience.
Come and fan the flames of revival.
On Wednesday, April 16 we begin a 7-Session Discipleship Journey using an interactive curriculum created with Pastor Don MacLafferty, participants will experience seven principles of discipleship in fresh ways.
We invite you to join us at Pioneer for an in-person evangelism training event from Friday, April 4, to Saturday, April 5. This is open to all Seventh-day Adventist churches in the North American Division. We encourage every member—pastors, teachers, young adults, and students—to participate. The event will feature keynote speaker Mark Finley. Additionally, there will be breakout sessions available in both English and Spanish. The King's Heralds will provide music during the Friday evening service, both Sabbath worship services, Sabbath afternoon, and the evening concert. Don’t miss this opportunity to be equipped and inspired for impactful evangelistic ministry as you prepare for Pentecost 2025!
Our Pioneer Youth Missions team has just returned from Beirut, Lebanon. Come to the mission vespers at 6:00 PM on Sabbath, April 5, to hear the testimonies, see the pictures and be inspired by what God is doing in the Middle East.
Pioneer Operating Budget
Jesus shared the parable of the talents to illustrate our relationship with Him and purpose in life. The three servants were each given talents according to their abilities. In the end, two were commended for investing their talents wisely, and one was not.
The parable teaches us that we need to use the talents we’ve been given to grow God’s kingdom and for God’s glory. We shouldn’t hide or neglect them. God rewards those who act in faith by investing what He has given. He gives us the responsibility to manage our time, talents, treasures, temple, and testimony.
What belongs to God? For time, it is one-seventh of our week; for talents, we must use them and double them; for our treasures, one-tenth; for our health, we must care for our bodies because we are the temple of the Holy Spirit; and for our testimony, we must tell the story of what God has done for us and how he is transforming us.
God has committed these things to us; how we invest them reveals whether we can be entrusted with eternal riches. By using and growing these talents, they develop in us Christ-like characters and He then multiplies what He gave to us.
Why not ask God to help us manage His gifts?
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Pioneer Women's Ministries invites you to join us for 10 days of devotionals leading up to Easter (April 11-20). Together, we will consider what various individuals present at Christ's arrest, trial, and crucifixion might have thought and experienced. If you would like to receive daily text teasers and emails with the full devotional insights, please text the word "CROSS" to 269.281.2345.
We are creating a master list of all Pioneer Sabbath schools. If you are a teacher/coordinator of a Sabbath School class that meets outside the sanctuary, please email your name, class location and meeting time to Melchizedek Ponniah at melponniah@gmail.com.
From May 11–June 8, 2025, Maranatha Volunteers International will be working at Andrews University to update the Lamson Hall residential rooms and suite bathrooms. Please consider volunteering and letting your family and friends know of this opportunity. All individuals (including local) should sign up at the Maranatha website: https://maranatha.org/volunteer-opportunities/.
Do you want to complete your Master Guide Program? If so, please consider joining the Master Guide Club that meets weekly on campus to help you complete the requirements.
For more information or to join, please visit cye.org/toolbox
