Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Dwight 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, September 10, 2016
Program: 
As We Begin
Christ We Shall Praise Well • Johann Sebastian Bach | Cause Me to Hear Thy Lovingkindness • Melvin West
Praise & Prayer
Total Praise • Jesus at the Center • Great is Thy Faithfulness
Baptism
Qin Wang with Rodlie Ortiz
Tithes & Offerings
The Gift of Love • Janet Linker
Children's Story
Hope Trending: Watch Parties
Rodlie Ortiz
Worship in Music
My Eternal King • Jane Marshall
Sermon
#RxF4Now—Precious • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing • 250
Benediction
Lord, Bless Thy Word to Every Heart • Stanley Ledington
As We Depart
You Who Live in Unswerving Faith Are Blessed • Johannes Brahms

#RxF4Now—Precious

www.newperceptions.tv

  • The Humanity of Jesus
    • Matthew 1:20-23—“Immanuel”—“God us.”
    • Hebrews 2:9-18; 4:15; 5:8—
      • “But we do see , who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered , so that by the grace of God he might taste death for . In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he . Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same . So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.” (2:9-11)
      • “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the —and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them in , in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was , he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (2:14-18)
      • “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our , but we have one who has been tempted in way, just as we are—yet he did not .” (4:15)
      • “Son though he was, he obedience from what he suffered.” (5:8)
  • The Faith of Jesus
    • “Jesus—how did you live when You were here?”
      • Hebrews 2:13—“‘I will put My in Him.’”
      • John 5:19, 30—“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do by Himself. . . . By Myself I can do .”
      • John 14:10—“The words I say to you I do not speak on My own authority. Rather, it is the Father, in Me, who is doing work.”
      • Desire of Ages: “So utterly was Christ emptied of self that He made no plans for Himself. He accepted God’s plans for Him, and day by day the Father unfolded His plans. So should we depend upon God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of His will. . . . As one with us, a sharer in our needs and weaknesses, He was wholly dependent upon God, and in the secret place of prayer He sought divine strength, that He might go forth braced for duty and trial.” (208, 362)
      • John 15:5—“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do .”
    • Revelation 14:12 NKJV—“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep [1] the commandments of God and [2] the faith .”
    • Galatians 2:20 KJV—“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me [John 15:5—“Abide in me and I in you”]: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the   the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
    • Carl Cosaert: “In Greek the phrase [rendered “faith in Jesus” by most modern translations] literally means ‘the faith of Jesus’ or ‘the faithfulness of Jesus.’. . . For Paul, the primary emphasis is not on our faith in Jesus, but Jesus’ faithfulness. Thus the issue is not our works versus our faith—that would almost make our faith meritorious, which it is not. Rather, faith is only the conduit by which we take hold of Christ. We are justified [saved], not on the basis of our faith, but on the basis of Christ’s faithfulness.” (Galatians: A Fiery Response to a Struggling Church 42)
    • A. T. Jones: “When [Jesus] stood where we are, He said, ‘I will put my trust in Him’ and that trust was never disappointed. In response to that trust the Father dwelt in Him and with Him and kept Him from sinning. . . . And thus the Lord Jesus has brought to every man in this world divine faith. That is the faith of the Lord Jesus. That is saving faith. Faith is not something that comes from ourselves with which we believe upon Him, but it is that something He believed—the faith He exercised, which He brings to us, and which becomes ours and works in us—the gift of God.” (1895 General Conference Bulletins February 21, 1895, quoted in Camron Schofield Heralding the Loud Cry 234-235)
    • If it is the faith and faithfulness of Jesus that will save you and me in the end—then that means God ends up providing essential for our salvation!
      • He offers us the unshakeable —of Jesus.
      • He offers us the perfect —of Jesus.
      • He offers us the spotless —of Jesus.
      • He offers us the sinless —of Jesus.
      • He offers us the intercessory —of Jesus.
      • He offers us the eternal —of Jesus.
      • He offers us the eternal —of Jesus.
    • Christ’s Object Lessons: “All that can satisfy the needs and longings of the human soul, for this world and for the world to come, is found in Christ. Our Redeemer is the pearl so precious that in comparison all things else may be accounted loss.” (115)

 

“The Pearl of Great Price”

(Flyer, TV, Google search, name of person who invited you, etc.)
New Children's Sabbath School Curriculum

Pioneer families with 0 to 3-year-olds are the first to enjoy the new Seventh-day Adventist Church Sabbath School Alive in Jesus Bible lessons. This curriculum will roll out in phases:

2025: Baby Steps (0-18 months) and Beginners (1, 2 & 3 year olds)
2026: Kindergarten (4-6 year old) and Primary (Grades 1-3)
2027: Junior (Grades 4-6) and Earliteen (Grades 7-8)
2028: Youth (Grades 9-12) and Young Adult

Here’s what’s new this year.
Baby Steps Lessons: Our Nursery division begins the first-ever Baby Steps lessons. Our program will continue a half-hour interactive Bible learning for infants and a half-hour of parent training and community building. Download free parent and teacher guides at babies.aliveinjesus.info.


 

Beginners Bible Lessons: Both Beginner rooms and the Kindergarten 3-Year division have begun the new Beginner lessons for 1, 2, and 3-year-olds. This new Adventist curriculum features beautifully illustrated lessons, inspiring stories, practical tips, craft ideas, and activities to support family worship and Bible learning at home. Parent spiritual nurture and community-building activities will also be incorporated.

A new year brings new opportunities! It’s a chance to renew our commitment to spending time with God and helping our children grow in their relationship with Him. Reading and discussing Sabbath School lessons in family worship at home will deepen everyone’s faith.    
Children’s Sabbath School family guides are available at the Welcome Center in Pioneer’s lower entry hall during the first month of each quarter. They are also freely available online for families and teachers, along with engaging songs (Nursery and Beginners Alive in Jesus), videos (for Kinder and Primary GraceLink), and podcasts (for Junior PowerPoints). From a device, you can enjoy lessons anywhere and anytime.

We pray that 2025 will bring a closer walk with God for each member of our church family. May Sabbath School lesson study be a blessing to your home, strengthen faith and family bonds, and welcome friends to join you on this adventure!

Children's Sabbath School Superintendent Team

Howard Center Presents: The King's Singers

England’s premier choral ensemble has long had an unsurpassed tradition of vocal music with roots in both religious and secular singing.  Setting the gold standard in acapella singing on the world’s greatest stages for over fifty years, the King’s Singers are renowned for their unrivalled technique, musicianship and versatility, which stem from both the group’s rich heritage and its drive to bring an extraordinary range of new and unique works, collaborations and recordings to life. They consistently delight audiences around the world with their incomparable musicianship, wit, and charm. Join us for the King's Singers concert at the Howard Performing Arts Center on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM.  Tickets are available at our website: howard.andrews.edu, or by calling our box office at 269-471-3560.

Sabbath School Lesson Overview

The Sabbath School Lesson Overview scheduled for January 18 has been cancel to allow for particiation in the Religious Liberty program the same afternoon.

Howard Center Presents: SELAH

 Selah, a contemporary Christian vocal trio, became known for transforming old Christian hymns into songs with a more modern style complete with powerful vocals and beautiful harmonies. Having sold over 4 million records, won 11 Gospel Music Association Dove awards and has over 900 million streams across all digital music platforms, they are now working on their 22nd album in 27 years of performing. Join us on February 2, 2025 at the Howard Performing Arts Center for an inspiring Christian concert. Tickets are available at our website: howard.andrews.edu, or by calling our box office at 269-471-3560.

Offering for January 11, 2025

Religious Liberty

It is often said that religious liberty is in the DNA of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. From the very start of the Advent movement, we stood for an idea that was radical for its time—that religious freedom was for everyone, regardless of who they were or what they believed.

What shaped this belief? It was our conviction that God doesn’t want forced obedience. As Ellen White wrote, “God desires from all His creatures the service of love—service that springs from an appreciation of His character.” Patriarchs and Prophets, pg. 33, 34

And so, in the very first issue of Liberty magazine, which rolled off the presses in 1906, the editor described this unique Adventist understanding of religious liberty. He wrote: “We believe no power but the power of love can rightfully compel the human conscience.” Today, almost 120 years later, the culture around us has changed dramatically. But our commitment to religious liberty as a reflection of God’s character hasn’t changed.

As students of prophecy, we know that a time will come when our freedom to worship will be taken away. But until then, God calls us to be His ambassadors of liberty—to faithfully reflect His character and His love within our communities and our nation. Today, let’s continue in the footsteps of our early Adventist pioneers in generously supporting the religious liberty ministries of our church. 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Spanish Sabbath School Class

 Sabbath School is the perfect setting to rediscover the power of Bible study and prayer. In one of the most diverse campuses in the nation, we aspire to allow all our church members, students, and guests to study and learn in their language. To further this, we are establishing the Spanish Sabbath School Class so all our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters can join us in learning together in our weekly Sabbath School. With that, please grab your Spanish sabbath school lesson and join in the balcony each Sabbath!

Care for Cuba

A group of students from Andrews University are preparing to embark on a life-changing mission in March of 2025. They will engage in evangelism, health care, and community outreach in Cuba. This mission trip has been going on for 11 years, and the impact has been tremendous, thanks to your help. Would you support this mission once again by donating right here in your church or give at www.careforcuba.org/donate? Thank you for your prayers as they prepare to send off students to serve and share Jesus!