We need your help. We have some special church members that are homebound. We want to remind them that they are an important part of our church family. We have a poinsettia to deliver to them on Sabbath afternoon. You can pick up one of the plants on a table off to the south side of the Sanctuary after each service. They will have a card on each with the Name, Address and Phone number for each member. Thanks for helping to make the season happy for them.
2 B Friends
2 B Friends: Ready or Not–Here We GROW!
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, January 12, 2013
More In This Series
“2 B Friends:
Ready or Not—Here We GROW!”
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□ The Research
- The British National Child Development Study (a longitudinal study tracking individuals born in the same week in 1958) reported in 2012 that of the men and roughly a of the women said they now have more than friends and relatives they get together with once a month or more.
- Regarding psychological health, these people ranked themselves significantly than the others with less friends.
- The researchers concluded: “Having fewer than friends at age 45 predicted significantly poorer psychological well-being at age 50.”
- The education men had, the more likely they were to have a larger social network—but the opposite was true for women.
- Being was associated with a smaller circle of friends.
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□ The Reason
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John 15:12-17
- “[Jesus is] our best and most sympathizing friend.” (5T 201)
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vv 13, 14 The Voice: “‘[13] There is no greater way to love than to give your life for your friends. [14] You
celebrate friendship if you obey this command.”
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I.e., when you read v 13 and v 14 together, Jesus isn’t so much describing His death the day
as He is commanding our willingness to die for our friends day.
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Craig Keener: John 15:12 “is emphatic that believers must love one another in the same way that Jesus loved
them (cf. 13:34), which means dying for their , as Jesus would die for them (15:13-14).”
(The Gospel of John 1004)
- John 15:5
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John 15:12-17
Friends and fruit—what do they have in common? You must them both.
Because friends and fruit are all about .
Acts 2:38-47
3000 brand new radical followers/disciples of Jesus Christ
And how do they GROW? (Acts 2:42)
o They share .
o They share .
o They share .
o They share .
Just as Jesus taught in John 15—first, you with Me and then you with each other, and thus you .
The simple mission of the church in Acts: CONNECT.GROW.SERVE.GO.
□ The Result
- Five VIP points about GROW Groups:
#1—They are about friendship, not .
#2—They are about short-term, not .
#3—They are about “interesting,” not “.”
#4—They are about growing spiritually and . #5—They are about growing together, not .
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Desire of Ages: “Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. It was to impart this love, to make us children of one family, that the King of glory became one with us. And when His parting words are fulfilled, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’ (John 15:12); when we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts.” (641)
Friends and fruit are all about GROW
Flowers for Homebound Members
Journey to Bethlehem - Live Nativity Walk in Eau Claire
Walk into the advent story... Share in the expectation... Experience God's Glory... Journey to Bethlehem - Come join take this FREE 1 hour walking journey through the Advent Story on December 14 from 5-8 PM. Meet shepherds, the wisemen, Roman soldiers, a Biblical marketplace, Mary and Joseph and discover why Christ came to this earth. Groups Leave from the Student Activity Center located at 6295 W Main St, Eau Claire, MI 49111. Tours leave every 10 minutes between 5 & 8 PM, December 14. No Reservations required, ALS interpreter available, please contact us in advance. Wheelchair accessible journey on paved sidewalk. Questions? Call or text 269-405-5026 or email us at Eauclairecritters@gmail.com.
Offering for November 29, 2025
Camp Sagola Lodge
During their wanderings in the desert, the wilderness transformed into a unique classroom where God imparted life's essential principles to the children of Israel. Each day, He sent manna from heaven, teaching them invaluable lessons in reliance and gratitude. God could have effortlessly created a river to quench their thirst or provided an excess of "natural" food for months of sustenance. He chose instead to instruct the Israelites to trust Him for their daily needs. For forty years, they depended on God to provide food and water.
In contrast, we have the convenience of turning on a faucet to get a drink or go to our pantry where there is enough food to last for days. It becomes challenging to rely on God when our basic survival needs are easily met.
However, Jesus said, “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mathew 4:4, NKJV). But Jesus is speaking beyond the needs of the human body. He is referring to the needs of a human being consisting of a body, soul, and spirit. The words of God are the source of nourishment and life for our soul and spirit which only God can provide.
So, how can we learn to trust and depend on Him today? The answer lies in our faithfulness to dedicate our time, talents, and treasures to God for the advancement of His kingdom.
—Melvin Santos, Kansas/Nebraska Conference in partnership with the North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Update on Pastoral Transition at Pioneer
We at Pioneer were richly blessed by the ministry of Pastor Ben Martin. Unfortunately, due to tithe shortfalls (not at Pioneer, but in other portions of the conference), Michigan Conference administration has determined that his position will not be filled at this time. Please combine your prayers and patience with mine as we work to cover Pastor Ben’s duties with existing pastoral staff members and volunteers. - Pastor Shane
Honduras Mission Team January 2026
The Pioneer Youth Missions team is getting ready for the January 2-12 project in Honduras. The team will be conducting a camp directed by Scott Schalk for about 100 children from the Hogar de Niños and the surrounding community. Additionally there will be many worships, activities and projects at the children's home. Your financial support and prayers are requested. For more information, contact Glenn Russell (glenn@andrews.edu)
Belong: Soup for Students
Soup for Students is just around the corner! Sunday, December 7, at 6 PM in the PMC Commons. We’d love to know what you’re planning to bring—soup, bread, your smile, or all of the above! Simply text “NOURISH” to 269-281-2345 to sign up
Belong: Angel Tree
This holiday season, help make Christmas special for a student/student family by selecting a card from one of the Christmas trees at church. Each card includes a family’s list of needs and wishes—simply choose a card, shop, and deliver your items by December 14th. No need to wrap—we’ll handle that for you! Let’s spread joy together with Belong Ministries this Christmas!
Spring Semester GROW Groups
Spring semester GROW Groups will begin the 1st week of February. If you would like to lead a group please text LEAD to 269-281-2345 or click the link below to submit the attached form on or before December 15. https://pmchurch.org/ministries/growgroups/register
Dr. Woodrow Whidden, 10/15/1944 - 11/11/2025
Woodrow Whidden died peacefully at home beside his loving wife, Peggy, on Tuesday, November 11. He lived a full life devoted to his family, the ministry, teaching and academic writing. Pioneer has been his home church since 1990 when he began teaching at Andrews. Your love, generosity and comforting presence in the days since Woody's passing have meant so much to our family. Everyone is invited to a public memorial service here at Pioneer on Friday, December 5, at 1 PM. Love and Thanks from The Whidden Family
Sabbath School Volunteers Needed
Give our Pioneer kids a gift this holiday season - your time, teaching or supporting Sabbath Schools, 10:30-11:30 AM each Sabbath. Text CHILDREN to 269-281-2345 or email childrenss@pmchurch.org to learn more.
