There will be a fellowship dinner following the second worship service in the commons.
Why We Are Here
Part 3: Religion, Undefiled
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 20, 2024
More In This Series
OPENING MUSIC
“Fairest Lord Jesus” • Anon. Melody
“Majestic Peace of God” • Kenneth Logan
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Prescott Khair, Associate Pastor
HYMN OF PRAISE
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” • 334
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” • 290, refrain only
Esfir Zavrichko, Andrews University Student
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“For the Beauty of the Earth” • Eric Nelson
PIONEER LIFE
Mari Bowerman, BELONG Ministries Leader
OFFERTORY
“Air in F” • G.F. Handel
CHILDREN’S STORY
Niki Djordjevic, Andrews University Student
HYMNS OF PRAISE
“Fairest Lord Jesus” • 240, st. 1, 2 & 4
“He Lives!” • 251, st. 1 & 3
“We Have This Hope” • 214, st. 1
SCRIPTURE READING
Jeremiah 51:9 & 10 NIV
Soulin Sisodia, Pioneer Member*
Kris Sisodia, Pioneer Member**
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“Caritas” (“Charity”) • Elaine Hagenberg
MESSAGE
“Why We Are Here, Part 3: Religion, Undefiled”
Shane Anderson, Lead Pastor
BLESSING
Shane Anderson, Lead Pastor
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Lead On, O King Eternal” • 619
CLOSING MUSIC
“Chorale” • Flor Peeters
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
Offering for January 10, 2026
Religious Liberty
Seventh-day Adventists have stood firmly for religious liberty—for everyone—for more than 150 years. But do you know the reason why? Part of the reason is that, when our church was founded, almost every American state had Sunday-keeping laws on the books. Adventist pastors, farmers, laborers, and others were arrested, jailed, or fined for doing “secular work” on Sunday. Even Wille White, son of James and Ellen, was arrested in Oakland, California, in 1882 for keeping the Pacific Press Publishing presses operating on a Sunday! But that’s not the full story. The deeper reason why we continue to stand for religious liberty—in the courts, before legislatures, and through the pages of Liberty magazine—is because we want to reflect the character of the God we serve. He’s a God who created us in His image and who has given each one of us the freedom to choose whom we will worship. He’s a God who, in the words of Ellen White, “desires only the service of love,” which “cannot be won by force or authority” (The Desire of Ages, 22).
Today, please help support this vital ministry of religious liberty. It’s a ministry that defends not only the rights of individual conscience, but also the ability of our church to continue to do its mission. And as we face uncertain days ahead, your prayers and support are needed now, more than ever.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries