Keepers of the Kingdom - Standing Strong in Today's Battle for Truth. July 14-18, from 9 - 11:45 AM at Niles Westside Adventist Church (1105 Grant St, Niles) for kids in Pre-K (age 4) - 6th grade. Please register early online at www.nileswestside.org. Email nileswestsidevbs@gmail.com or call 269-683-5998 with questions.
Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho
Skeletons in the Closet, Prostitutes on the Tree
Resources
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
More In This Series
OPENING MUSIC
“Sheep May Safely Graze” • Johann Sebastian Bach
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Prescott Khair, Associate Pastor
HYMN OF PRAISE
“Lift High the Cross” • 362
*PRAISE
“Psalm 150 (Praise The Lord)”
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Prescott Khair, Associate Pastor
“Lead Me, Lord” • 691
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Dwight Nelson, David Nowack, Jim Ford,
Maureen Raj, Rick Jones, and Heidi Ha
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“It Is Well With My Soul” • Robert A. Reid
*PRAISE
“Christ Our Hope in Life and Death”
“There Is a Fountain” • 336, st. 1-2
MESSAGE
“Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho: Skeletons in the Closet, Prostitutes on the Tree”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
THE CLEANSING
THE LORD’S SUPPER INTRODUCTION
Dwight K. Nelson
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 26:26-29
Terry Robertson
PRAYER
Yolande Robertson
PASSING OF EMBLEMS
“I Will Sing of My Redeemer” • 343
PARTAKING OF ELEMENTS
Dwight K. Nelson
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” • 407
BENEDICTION
CLOSING MUSIC
“Prelude in C Major” • Johann Sebastian Bach
Michigan Advance Partners
Author Melvin Santos Speaking: For the longest time, in my early years, I quietly disagreed with this Bible passage in Acts 20, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, NKJV).
I wondered how people can say, “I receive a blessing when I give.” On the contrary, in my younger years, I always enjoyed receiving gifts. To pay for the gift and give it to someone wouldn’t bring me joy. That would cost me time and money.
When I fell in love, got married, and had children, I finally learned that when you’re in love, there is a greater joy in giving gifts to your wife and children. I would do anything for them because I love them.
Then I understood that this is the Spirit of Christ, who sacrificed all to share His love with us. When I participate in giving, or helping someone in need who cannot reciprocate the deed or pay me back, I’m sharing the love of Jesus. Now, that’s the heart of Jesus.
Just seeing the smiles on my family’s faces was enough for me to experience this passage, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Today, let’s share our gifts with a generous heart.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries