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, February 10, 2018
Program: 
Praise
Better Is One Day • Holy Is the Lord • Holy Ground/Holy, Holy, Holy • We Fall Down
Worship in Music
Alleluia • Ralph Manuel/K. LaBrie
Prayer
Sabine Vatel
GROW Groups
Children's Story
Scenes from Vivaldi's "Winter" • Antonio Vivaldi/T. Parrish
Praise
"Fruitful Trees, the Spirit's Sowing" • 414 (tune of 334)
Sermon
"Game of Hearts: Can You Feel the Love?" • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
Tithes & Offerings
"Holy Spirit, Gracious Guest" • 589 (tune of 305)

"Game of Hearts: Can You Feel the Love?"
www.newperceptions.tv

  • The one-liner
    • Mark 10:21—"Jesus looked at him and him."
    • The testimony of Rosaria Champagne Butterfield
    • Philip Yancey: "The uncommitted share many of our core values, but if we do not live out those values in a compelling way, we will not awaken a thirst for their ultimate Source. Christians can do no better than follow the example set by Jesus, who specialized not in techniques and arguments but in spirit and example. He took skeptics seriously, listening to them and responding forthrightly and yet compassionately. The gospel of Mark adds a telling detail to a scene in which a potential wealthy convert rejects Jesus’ message and walks away: ‘Jesus looked at him and him.'" (Vanishing Grace: What Ever Happened to the Good News? 59)
    • An anonymous note
    • The Samaritan woman
    • Philip Yancey: ". . . turn again to the conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman who had found some solace in an alternative religion. What if Jesus had engaged in an argument with her about their differences over where to worship? Instead he summoned up a thirst already evident in her troubled life of five failed marriages. ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,’ he said, referring to the well water she was drawing for him, ‘but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’. . . We dare not disdain the choices others have made, for that would not show . Instead, we should tune in to the underlying thirst.” (Ibid)
    • Jerry Cook: "The minimal guarantee we must make to people is that they will be —always, under every circumstance, with no exception. The second guarantee is that they will be totally accepted, without reservation. The third thing we must guarantee is that no matter how miserably they fail or how blatantly they sin, unreserved forgiveness is theirs for the asking with no bitter taste left in anybody’s mouth.... A church that can make that commitment to every person is a church that’s learning to love and a church that will be a force for God" (Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness 11, 13).
    • Jesus: "'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven'" (Matthew 18:22).
    • Clearly, God does not intend to attach a statute of to how often we are to love, to accept and to forgive fellow sinners.
    • Remember—love, acceptance and forgiveness are not about granting license to sinners, but rather about showing to sinners like us.
  • The fruit
    • #1—The Fruit of the
      • Galatians 5:22-23
      • Jesus: "'I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much ; apart from me you can do nothing'" (John 15:5).
    • #2—The Fruit of
      • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
 Galatians 5:22-23 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love Love
Joy Rejoices
Long suffering Suffers long
Kindness Kind
Goodness Does not delight in evil
Faithfulness Always trusts
Gentleness Keeps no record of wrongs
Self-control Is not self-seeking
  • "Morning by morning [Jesus] communicated with his Father in heaven, receiving from him a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Lord awakened him from his slumbers in the early hours of the new day, that his soul and his lips might be anointed with grace [love] which he should impart to others" (Signs of the Times November 21, 1895).
  • The two prayers:
  • "Pour God’s love into me today, Holy Spirit."
  • "Pour God’s love out of me today, Holy Spirit."

"Just like Jesus"

Howard Center Presents... Phil Keaggy

One of the most admired guitarists in music today, Phil Keaggy continues to delight audiences all over the US, performing primarily acoustic shows and occasional concerts with a band. Aware that God gave him a calling to deliver the Gospel through his music, Phil has been grateful to do just that for the last 40 years, and will hopefully continue to do so. Please go to https://howard.andrews.edu to purchase your tickets or you can drop by the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University, in person, to purchase your tickets.

Howard Center Presents... Cerus Quartet

Cerus Quartet is dedicated to showcasing the dynamic and versatile sound of the saxophone quartet. They champion both new music and timeless repertoire. With a repertoire spanning contemporary compositions and transcriptions of classical masterworks, the quartet seeks to establish the saxophone quartet as a leading voice in 21st century classical music. Among many other awards, the quartet has recently received the Gold Medal in the 2025 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. Please go to https://howard.andrews.edu to purchase your tickets; or you can drop by the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University, in person, to purchase your tickets.

Offering for August 23, 2025

Michigan Advance Partners

Some think that asking for offerings needs to be a polished “sales pitch” to convince people to give or give more. There are two types of givers. One group says, “they give until it hurts!” and the other group says, “every time they give, it hurts!”

The apostle Paul says we should give “not out of necessity or grudgingly. For God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NKJV). The Bible is clear about not making people feel guilty or obligated to give. Otherwise, they will give with an attitude that is not pleasing to God.

So how does one become a cheerful giver? The Bible tells us that our offerings must be given willingly and freely. This springs from the principle of love for Christ. As our love for God grows with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will want to share His love with other people so they, too, can learn of God’s love. This should prompt us to be giving a “love” offering or a “free will” offering that is not “urged” or “begged.”

When we do this, God will fill our hearts until they’re completely free of earthliness and blend with the divine. He removes selfish motives. Let’s give cheerfully, gladly, willingly, while being thankful that we advance God's kingdom in the world. 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Something in Common Sabbath School

Overcoming Emotions that Destroy - a DVD series with Chip Ingram 

We all struggle with angry feelings, brought on by tension, pressure, and the blocked goals and frustrations of day-to-day life. The broken and stressed relationships that result from these feelings can overwhelm us. But there is hope. With the right help, you too can overcome those emotions that destroy. Everyone is welcome to join us each Sabbath through October 11.  We meet in PMC Board Room.

Calling All Families: Sabbath Delight Challenge

Pioneer Children and Family Discipleship is excited to embark on a special journey of intentionally experiencing the delight of the Sabbath during the 2025-2026 school year. Please sign up for occasional notices about Pioneer-sponsored Sabbath Delight events as well as ideas for things you and your family can do to cultivate a deeper appreciation for Sabbath. We will also look forward to hearing from you about what you and your family are doing each week to call the Sabbath a delight. All are welcome. To sign up for the challenge, please text SABBATH to 269-281-2345.

Looking for a Prayer Group to Join?

Join us for the Midweek House of Prayer, held online every Wednesday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 AM. We are currently studying the Gospel of Mark. Come and see how your contributions can benefit everyone in the group! The Zoom link is https://andrews.zoom.us/j/9889172131.

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

 There will not be a fellowship dinner during the months of July and August, 2025.