There is no fellowship dinner this Sabbath downstairs in the commons.
The Widow Factor:
Living on the Edge with God - 2
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, June 11, 2016
Program:
As We Begin
O God, Our Help in Ages Past • William Croft
Praise
O Worship the King • Our God • Our God Reigns • Enough
Prayer
Russell Burrill
"I Thank My God"
Evelyn Savory / Jeannie Liederman Ruth Murdoch Elementary School / Andrews Academy
Children's Story
Poor Wayfaring Stranger / You Are Blessed, Who Live in Unswerving Faith D. Hustad / J. Brahms
Worship in Music
Love's Greeting • Edward Elgar
Sermon
“The Widow Factor: Living on the Edge with God”—2 • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus • 524
As We Depart
O God, Faithful God • Johannes Brahms
More In This Series
“The Widow Factor: Living on the Edge with God”—2
- The Widow’s Narrative
- 2 Kings 4:1-7
- Desire of Ages 371: “The means in our possession may not seem to be sufficient . . . but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us.”
- “If the work [prayer] be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting.” (Ibid)
- “If we go to the Source of all strength, with our hands of faith outstretched to receive, we shall be sustained in our work, even under the most forbidding circumstances, and shall be enabled to give to others the bread of life.” (Ibid)
- God’s Arithmetic
- When we ADD, God MULTIPLIES.
- Luke 6:38—“‘Give [When we ADD], and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over [God MULTIPLIES], will be poured into your lap.’”
- Malachi 3:10—“‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse [When we ADD], that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing [God MULTIPLIES] that you will not have room enough for it.’”
- The four spiritual benefits of endtime giving:
- #1—Giving shapes me into the likeness of God, who is a Giver by nature—and a cheerful and sacrificial one at that.
- John 3:16
- 2 Corinthians 8:9
- Galatians 2:20
- #2—Giving deepens my walk with and trust in God, creating opportunities to cast my cares in trusting confidence on Him.
- 1 Peter 5:7
- Philippians 4:19
- #3—Giving declares I believe that it all belongs to God “from whom all blessings flow.”
- Deuteronomy 8:17, 18
- #4—Giving in all its forms is the most frontal assault I can launch on my inbred and natural selfishness and greed.
- Mark 8:34, 35
- Christ’s Object Lessons 351: “Our money has not been given us that we might honor and glorify ourselves. As faithful stewards we are to use it for the honor and glory of God. Some think that only a portion of their means is the Lord’s. When they have set apart a portion for religious and charitable purposes, they regard the remainder as their own, to be used as they see fit. But in this they mistake. All we possess is the Lord’s, and we are accountable to Him for the use we make of it. In the use of every penny, it will be seen whether we love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves.”
- #1—Giving shapes me into the likeness of God, who is a Giver by nature—and a cheerful and sacrificial one at that.
“You would have gotten more out of it, if you had put more into it, wouldn’t you have?”
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
Sing Praise! Wind Symphony Vespers Concert
“Sing Praise!” Wind Symphony Vespers is quickly becoming an annual tradition, inviting audiences to experience the joy of music-making through both listening and singing together. This year’s event brings the Wind Symphony together with the University Singers and the Spanish SDA Church Praise Team, creating a powerful shared musical experience. This year’s program features beloved hymn favorites such as “Rejoice the Lord Is King” and “Lead On, O King Eternal,” alongside contemporary works inspired by texts from the Psalms and other scriptures. Bring a friend or family member and join the Wind Symphony for this meaningful and uplifting evening on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 7:30 PM, in the Howard Performing Arts Center. Admission is free.
Chasing Away the Blues - Nature Sings
This Saturday evening, February 21 at 8 PM, the Andrews University Chorale and Singers will present a special collaborative choral program with the University of Notre Dame Chorale under the direction of Stephen Zork. The concert is family-oriented and features thoughtful, edifying, and playful repertoire with allusions to nature’s narratives on love, longing, gratitude, and hope. This concert is a wonderful way to help melt away the winter blues. For more information visit howard.andrews.edu
Church Directory
We are starting the process of introducing a church directory app. Please stay tuned for further announcements. This app will be a wonderful way to get to know others and build connections.
Care for Cuba—Urgent Need
Partner with Care for Cuba to bring much-needed resources to Cuba such as food, medicines and places of worship. Donate online at careforcuba.org
Offering for February 21, 2026
Pioneer Operating Budget
Children are a heritage from God and should be included in the call to respond to Him through stewardship. They, like all of us, are beneficiaries of God’s grace. So, how are children to be involved in the call to be faithful stewards? The instruction to Israel gives an example. “These commandments that I give you today, are to be impressed upon your children” (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7, NIV), in the home, outside of the home, and even when you are resting.
Like Israel, as a church, we are to model and teach the concepts of stewardship to our children. Help them to understand what it means to use God’s gift of time to worship and build a relationship with him, to take care of their mind and body, to use their talents and abilities to witness to others, to be caretakers of our environment, and also to return their tithe and freewill offering to the Lord.
We are encouraged as parents to teach our children by example what it means to show their love for Christ, and to bring their offerings to the Lord. Ellen White writes that, “their gifts would be as little rivulets (streams), which when united and set flowing, would swell into a river” (Counsels on Stewardship, p. 293). Today, let us all be model stewards by returning our tithes and offerings, modelling for our children what God desires of us all.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Young Adult Mission Trip in Peru!
Maranatha Volunteers International invites young adults, ages 18-28, to join Catalyst, a service experience for their age group. Build a church for the Calapuja Adventist Church, operate medical clinics, and lead VBS programs. Learn more at Maranatha.org/volunteer or call 916-774-7700.
Andrews Symphony Fundraising Concert
Thursday February 19 at 7:30 PM, the AUSO will be giving a free performance of movie soundtracks and broadway tunes to raise funds for their music tour to California this coming March. This short performance is kid's friendly and promises to be an exceptional evening of great music. Bring your cellphone!
Academy Day March 3
All eighth-grade students are invited to attend Academy Day on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Come and see the exciting programs Andrews Academy offers and experience one day with us. While there, you will worship together, go to several classes, and participate in some games and activities. Lunch will be served, and T-shirts and prizes will be given. Registration begins in the gym at 7:30 AM, the full day of activities will begin at 8:00 am and will conclude by 3:15 PM. Call 269-471-3138 to RSVP or with any questions you may have. (Eighth graders in NAS, RMES, VAES, and Eau Claire SDA schools are already preregistered). Drop off/pick up is either in the circle drive or in the parking lot (8833 Garland Ave, Berrien Springs).
Ruth Murdoch Elementary School Visitor's Day
Students who will be in the first through eighth grades next school year are invited to visit Ruth Murdoch Elementary School on March 3. Make friends, meet teachers and have fun! Grades 1–6: 8:15–11:30 AM; Grades 7–8: 8:15 AM–3:30 PM. Parents, please call 269-471-3225 to register. (A special Kindergarten Visitors' Day is being planned for April 8).