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.
Why We Are Here
Part 1: Our Finest Hour
Resources
Pastor
Shane AndersonShane Anderson has been the lead pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University since 2023. His passions in ministry include helping others to know Christ personally, the study and sharing of Bible prophecy, and Christian apologetics. He has written for a variety of publications both foreign and domestic (he is currently a columnist for the Adventist Review), and has written a book entitled, "How to Kill Adventist Education (and How to Give It a Fighting Chance!)." He has presented frequently throughout North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean on such topics as the Three Angels Messages of Revelation 14, Adventist Education renewal, and church planting. He and his wife Darlene have two daughters, Sierra and Ellie.
Offering
Saturday, April 06, 2024
More In This Series
OPENING MUSIC
“Wake! Awake! For Night Is Flying” • Wayne Wold
“Arise, My Soul, Arise!” • Dale Wood
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
“END-TIME MESSAGE & MISSION”: A HYMN CYCLE
“God Has Spoken Through His Prophets” • words 413, st. 1, 3; mel. 191
“Jesus Calls Us” • words 285, st. 1, 2; mel. 191
“O Zion, Haste” • 365, st. 1, 2
“Seeking the Lost” • 373, st. 1, 3
“I Love to Tell the Story” • 457, st. 1
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
“We Would See Jesus” • 494, st. 1
Evelyn Savory, Pioneer Member
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“I Love to Tell the Story” • W. Fischer / Brenton Offenback
OFFERTORY
“Jesus Calls Us; O’er the Tumult” • Emma Lou Diemer
CHILDREN’S STORY
Rosemary Bailey, Pioneer Member
SCRIPTURE READING
II Peter 1:16-19 NKJV
Favour Adesina, Pioneer Member
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“In Thee Is Gladness” • Daniel Kallman
MESSAGE
“Why We Are Here—Part 1: Our Finest Hour”
Shane Anderson, Lead Pastor
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Hail Him the King of Glory” • 202
CLOSING MUSIC
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” • Max Reger
OPENING MUSIC
“Wake! Awake! For Night Is Flying” • Wayne Wold
“Arise, My Soul, Arise!” • Dale Wood
CALL TO WORSHIP & PRAYER
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
CHORAL INTROIT
“I Love to Tell the Story” • W. Fischer / Brenton Offenback
PRAYER
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
PRAISE
“We Have This Hope / Jesus Is Coming Again”
“Still”
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Evelyn Savory, Pioneer Member
BAPTISM
Ruben Andrew Colon with Jose Bourget
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“In Thee Is Gladness” • Daniel Kallman
OFFERTORY
“Jesus Calls Us; O’er the Tumult” • Emma Lou Diemer
CHILDREN’S STORY
Rosemary Bailey, Pioneer Member
SCRIPTURE READING
II Peter 1:16-19 NKJV
PRAISE
“Blessed Assurance” • “Cornerstone”
“I Will Bless the Lord at All Times”
MESSAGE
“Why We Are Here—Part 1: Our Finest Hour”
Shane Anderson, Lead Pastor
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Hail Him the King of Glory” • 202
CLOSING MUSIC
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” • Max Reger
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