Sabbath evening, March 1, at 6:30 PM, all Widows and Widower’s are invited to the Stevensville church for a Vegetarian Soup & Bread Potluck. Bring soup, artisan bread, garlic bread, or sandwiches, crackers, and dip. Bring your favorite board game to play after we eat. For more details, contact Brenda at 269-861-5174
SOLD OUT!
SOLD OUT! - Part 3
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, March 08, 2014
More In This Series
“SOLD OUT!”—3
□ Martyrs
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The Center for the Study of Global Christianity has adopted a broad definition of
“martyr”: “Believers in Christ who have lost their lives prematurely, in situations of witness, as a result of human hostility.” (www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2013/10/2815601/)
- Frans Veerman, director of Open Doors’ World Watch List: “There is a huge gray area around the question of ‘martyrs.’ When Christians are isolated and denied clean drinking water and medical care because they are Christians and refuse to become Muslims—[and thus] they perish quicker than others—are they martyrs? In a strict sense, they aren’t. But when the whole mechanism behind [their deaths] is studied, we can say they are.” (www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/september/counting-cost-accurately.html)
- John Allen, The Global War on Christians: “The truth is two thirds of the 2.3 billion Christians in the world today live . . . in dangerous neighbourhoods. They are often poor. They often belong to ethnic, linguistic and cultural minorities. And they are often at risk. And ultimately I think making that point is more important than being precise about the death toll.” (www.worldwatchmonitor.org)
□ The Lord of Martyrs
- • John 16:1-3
- • Matthew 24:9
- John the Baptist
- Desire of Ages: “[Satan] had been unwearied in his efforts to draw away the
- Baptist from a life of unreserved surrender to God; but he had failed. And he had failed to overcome Jesus. In the temptation in the wilderness, Satan had been defeated, and his rage was great. Now he determined to bring sorrow upon Christ by striking John. The One whom he could not entice to sin he would cause to suffer. Jesus did not interpose to deliver His servant. He knew that John would bear the test. . . . But for the sake of thousands who in after years must pass from prison to death, John was to drink the cup of martyrdom. As the followers of Jesus should languish in lonely cells, or perish by the sword, the rack, or the fagot, apparently forsaken by God and man, what a stay to their hearts would be the thought that John the Baptist, to whose faithfulness Christ Himself had borne witness, had passed through a similar experience!” (224)
- • Revelation 2:10
- stephanos—Stephen
□ How then shall we live?
- Lord Jonathan Sacks in an address to Parliament, December 2011: “‘I have
- followed the fate of Christians in the Middle East for years, appalled at what is happening, surprised and distressed . . . that it is not more widely known. It was Martin Luther King who said, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our
- enemies, but the silence of our friends.” That is why I felt I could not be silent
- today.’” (Liberty January/February 2014)
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If you want to be involved politically:
S. 653: Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s653
Write your senators and petition the bill to be brought to the floor for a vote.
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If you want to be involved spiritually:
Pray for Seventh-day Adventist prisoner Bruno Amah in Togo Pray for those incarcerated or suffering for their faith
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If you want to be involved personally:
Jim Elliot: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he
cannot lose.”
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Desire of Ages: “Of all the gifts that heaven can bestow upon men [and
women], fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and
the highest honor.” (225)
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Will you follow the Lord of martyrs to where you will find both them and Him
today?
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Desire of Ages: “Of all the gifts that heaven can bestow upon men [and
“R U willing 2 B SOLD OUT 4 Jesus?”
Caring Hearts Widow/Widower’s Potluck
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
Following the second worship service, there will be a fellowship dinner in the commons on the lower level. Visitors are welcome!
Chasing Away the Winter Blues
On Saturday night, February 22, at 8 PM, in the Howard Performing Arts Center the Andrews University Chorale and Singers will present a special collaborative choral concert featuring the University Singers of Southwestern Adventist University. It is a perfect concert for families and it is wonderful way to help melt away the winter blues. The concert is presented by award-winning and internationally renowned choirs on a mission to celebrate Christian values to the constituents of our community and the world. Included in the repertoires are timeless musical gems like “America the Beautiful” arranged by Joseph Martin, and “Give Me Jesus” by South African conductor and composer André van der Merwe. Edifying selections of love songs include “Yesterday” arranged by Bob Chilcott, “Skylark” arranged by John Rutter, “All the Things You Are” arranged by Ward Swingle, and “I Love You / What a Wonderful World” arranged by Craig Hella Johnson. Admission is $0 – $7. Please visit https://howard.andrews.edu/events/ for more information.
Academy Day March 4
All eighth-grade students are invited to attend Academy Day on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Come and see the exciting programs Andrews Academy offers and experience one day with us. Lunch will be served, and T-shirts and prizes will be given. Registration is in the gym from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM. Activities will conclude by 3:15 PM. Call 269-471-3138 to RSVP or with any questions you may have.
Ruth Murdoch Elementary School Visitor's Day
Students who will be in the 1st through 8th grades next school year are invited to visit Ruth Murdoch Elementary School on March 4. Make friends, meet teachers and have fun!
- Grades 1–6: 8:15 AM–11:30 AM
- Grades 7–8: 8:15 AM–3:30 PM
Parents, please call 269-471-3225 to register.
RMES Kindergarten Parent Night and Kindergarten Visitor's Day
Parents with students who will be five years old by Sept. 1, 2025, are invited to come meet our Kindergarten teacher, tour the classroom and school, enjoy refreshments, meet other Kindergarten parents, etc. Please call us at 269-471-3225 to let us know you are coming! March 10 6:00 PM. Kindergarten Visitor's Day is the next morning, March 11!
Offering for February 22, 2025
Michigan Advance Partners
Did you ever wonder why God created the elements of the world in a specific order? In His divine plan, He created the world in logical sequence to prepare a home for mankind. He created mankind in His image and created the Sabbath for man so He can spend special time with them. But sin disrupted this plan.
God sent Jesus to redeem us and restore what was lost. Through the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit, God uses the Sabbath and stewardship of time, talents, treasures, temple, and testimony, to restore this relationship and develop our character. One way God prepares us to handle His eternal riches is through tithes and offerings. Giving regularly and faithfully is important because it develops kindness and selflessness.
When we give systematically, we become more generous like Christ. However, giving isn't about expecting rewards here on earth but knowing we're partaking in Christ's eternal glory. Giving regularly makes us grateful and humble as we contribute to the well-being of others. It recreates a new attitude in us that giving is more satisfying than receiving. Most importantly, giving is not about charity; it's a way to worship and show our faith, trust, and love for God.
Today and through the Holy Spirit, let’s participate in Christ’s eternal glory through our tithes and offerings.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Neighbor to Neighbor Volunteer Help Needed!
Do you enjoy sales and pricing? Are you organized and detail-oriented? Would you like to make some new friends? If so, Neighbor to Neighbor needs your help!
Housewares Volunteer:
- Sort, price, and organize dishes, kitchenware, toys, and other household items
- Arrange items within the store Crafts Volunteer:
- Organize and price fiber arts, homeschooling, gift bags, and general craft items
- Arrange items within the store Train with other volunteers and then make your own schedule within operating hours.
Come join the Neighbor to Neighbor volunteer family! Contact Stefanie Marschner at stefaniem@n2nhelps.com or 269-471-7411
Sing Praise! Wind Symphony Vespers
An evening of praise and worship, “Sing Praise!” will be presented at the Howard Performing Arts Center by the Andrews University Wind Symphony and invited guest ensembles on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. The evening will feature performances by the Wind Symphony under the direction of Denisse Santos, University Singers under the direction of Stephen Zork, Deliverance Mass Choir under the direction of Michael Owusu, and The Watchmen led by Abel Siamubi. Favorite hymns and contemporary praise songs will be part of the evening, complete with opportunities for audience participation! Songs will include renditions of How Deep the Father’s Love, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Be Thou My Vision, Amazing Grace, In Christ Alone and more! Join us for an evening of music and praise like no other! The event is free and no tickets are required.