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.
AU 2023 Baccalaureate
Saturday, May 06, 2023
OPENING MUSIC
“O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing” • Healey Willan
PROCESSIONAL
“Lift High the Cross” • Donald Busarow
HYMN OF PRAISE
“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” • 27
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
*Nadia Nosworthy, Associate Professor ofEducational Psychology
**Jean Cadet, Associate Professor of Population Health, Nutrition and Wellness
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
*“The Lord’s Prayer” • Albert Hay Malotte, arranged by Paul Langford
Jason Marquez, BMus, clarinet; Jamison Moore, BMus, cello; Tyler Ninalga, piano
**“He Shines” • Grant Steinweg
Baccalaureate Choir, Stephen Zork, conductor; Grant Steinweg, BA, piano
SCRIPTURE
Genesis 1:1
*Robert D. Bates, Adjunct Professor of Archaeology
**Jenica Joseph, Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
HYMN OF MEDITATION
“Be Thou My Vision” • 547
INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER
Andrea Luxton, President
BACCALAUREATE SERMON
“Created for Greatness” • Garth Gabriel, President, Lake Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
HYMN OF COMMISSIONING
“Go Forth, Go Forth With Christ” • 377
BENEDICTION
*Nathan Hess, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
**A. Rahel Wells, Associate Professor of Old Testament
RECESSIONAL
“Dialogue” • Gilbert Martin
CLOSING MUSIC
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” • Kenneth Logan
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