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.
Toolbox for Life: Skills You Need to Thrive
How Exercise Strengthens Your Mental Health
Resources
Speaker
Rodlie OrtizRodlie Ortiz is on the pastoral team of Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University where he oversees evangelism and Grow Groups. He recently finished his Doctor of Ministry degree in Missional Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. He blogs regularly on modernekklesia.com and enjoys connecting with people that don't know God. He is married to Iveth, a special education teacher, and has two boys—Jonathan and Daniel.
Offering
Saturday, July 02, 2022
More In This Series
OPENING MUSIC
“Allegro Maestoso” • Felix Mendelssohn
“Fanfare” • Jacque Lemmens
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor
HYMN OF PRAISE
“We Praise Thee With Our Minds” • words of 642, melody of 250
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor
“Spirit of the Living God” • 672
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“Be Thou My Vision” • Brenton Offenback
CHILDREN’S STORY
“Great is Thy Faithfulness” • arr. Brenton Offenback
Robby Raney, Pioneer Member
SCRIPTURE
Genesis 2:7
Ana Agustina De La Cruz Mateo, Pioneer Member
William Nordgren*
MESSAGE
“Toolbox for Life: Skills You Need to Thrive—How Exercise Strengthens Your Mental Health”
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Not I, But Christ” • 570, st.1, 4
“Trust and Obey” • 590 st. 1-2, 5*
BENEDICTION
CLOSING MUSIC
“Toccata” • Charles-Marie Widor
VBS at Niles Westside Church
Offering for June 28, 2025
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