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.
Pleading with Jesus
Fighting for Your Life, Pleading for Your Lord
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
Saturday, October 22, 2022
More In This Series
OPENING MUSIC
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” • Max Reger
“Be Strong in the Lord” • Kenneth Logan
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
“STRONG IN HIS STRENGTH”: A HYMN CYCLE
“Praise Him! Praise Him!” • 249, st. 1-2
“Redeemed” • 338/339, st. 1,3
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” • 499, st. 2
“Crown Him With Many Crowns” • 223, st. 1
“Soldiers of Christ, Arise” • 616, st. 1, 3
“Crown Him With Many Crowns” • 223, st. 4
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Isabella Bacchiocchi
“We Would See Jesus” • 494, st. 1
OFFERTORY
“Ride On, King Jesus!” • African-American Spiritual
CHILDREN’S STORY
Noelle Koliadko
SCRIPTURE READING
Fiorella Oudri, Pioneer Member
Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” • Gilbert Martin
MESSAGE
“Pleading with Jesus: Fighting for Your Life, Pleading for Our Lord”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Commune With Me”
BENEDICTION
CLOSING MUSIC
“Be Not Afraid” • Felix Mendelssohn
OPENING MUSIC
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” • Max Reger
“Be Strong in the Lord” • Kenneth Logan
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
PRAISE
“Crown Him” / ”Soldiers of Christ”
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Isabella Bacchiocchi
OFFERTORY
“Ride On, King Jesus!” • African-American Spiritual
CHILDREN’S STORY
Noelle Koliadko
PRAISE
“Build My Life”
“Promises”
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” • Gilbert Martin
MESSAGE
“Pleading with Jesus: Fighting for Your Life, Pleading for Our Lord”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Commune With Me”
BLESSING
CLOSING MUSIC
“Be Not Afraid” • Felix Mendelssohn
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