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The Covenant Keepers

When God Had a Stepfather

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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

When God chose a stepfather for His Son, what did he look for? Stepfathers, listen up.
Saturday, December 23, 2000

More In This Series

09/09/2000
Grace in the Garden, Snake in the Grass
God gave His shining ideal for marriage in Eden. But wonder of wonders, the subsequent story in Genesis tells of one dysfunctional family after another. Good news; God has an entire history of experience working with families more dysfunctional than our own.
09/30/2000
The Achilles' Heel of the Average Heart
Seldom do they really "live happily ever after." Even the family Jesus grew up in didn't. But God has made provision for unfulfilled expectations.
10/07/2000
Sex in the City and in the Country and Other Virtual Places
Modern motto of the young: "Sex without strings, relationships without rings." But it's not only moderns who've encountered its lure and its pain. Study two biblical characters: one who fell for it, one who didn't.
10/14/2000
The Secret Wound
The wound is secret because for too many it is simply too painful to disclose. What if the church were a safe haven, a place where wounds were healed? (Homosexuality and the church's response)
10/28/2000
The Ugly Secret
"The Ugly Secret" doesn't have to remain ugly for life. God cries with victims and lives with them. Calvary enfolds "the Ugly Secret" in a healing embrace. (Childhood sexual abuse)
11/04/2000
Aborting Someone Else's Future (A Tale of Two Wombs)
When does our identity in God begin? When does God's future become a promise for a potential child? Focus on the incredible hope this truth presents to every young woman . . . and man. (Abortion)
11/11/2000
How to Find Your One and Only and Know You've Picked a Winner
Wherever human choice is involved, there are no absolute guarantees. But here are seven principles of choosing and marrying the right one.
11/18/2000
A Promise of Joy: How Do You Mend a Broken Heart
Can a marriage survive an affair? Can trust violated ever be restored? Here's a 10-point prescription for mending a broken heart and a broken marriage.
12/02/2000
His Needs, Her Needs: Five Secrets to a Lasting Marriage
Pastor and Mrs. Nelson share five secrets for making a marriage so irresistible that neither partner wants to look elsewhere for fulfillment.
12/09/2000
The Glory of One: How to Live a Fulfilling Singlehood
Does God reserve the abundant, fulfilled life for married people only? Is singlehood a catastrophe or a spiritual gift? Lessons from God's honor roll of singles.
All Sermons
With This in Mind...

 Not everyone who acts inappropriately, harshly, or indifferently is “out to get you” or intends to cause emotional harm. Many people carry silent burdens, and some are unaware of the struggles they face. Often, what we perceive as personal offense is the expression of someone else’s unresolved inner conflict. This is why it is so important to approach one another with kindness, compassion, and without judgment. Be gentle—you never know what someone is going through. One day, you’ll need that same grace shown to you. ( See Titus 3: 2, Ephesians 4:2)

Adventist Seniors of Michiana August 10 Meeting
Andrews Grove Pavilion

 Calling all seniors aged 55+ to the annual Adventist Seniors of Michiana Corn Roast to be held Sunday, August 10 at 1 PM in the Andrews Grove Pavilion. Bring a dish to share, enjoy the corn provided, and learn who will be our new officers for next year.  Early registration for the 2025-2026 membership year will be available. Despite inflation dues remain at $20 per person.  Call Cheryl Doss with any questions 269-277-0767.

Offering for August 2, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

Birthdays were always a special and happy occasion in our home. When it is one of the sibling’s birthdays, we give all our kids gifts to enjoy, not just the celebrant. But when it was our birthday, our children would draw pictures and color them expressing their creativity and love for us. They didn’t have the money to purchase gifts or nice Hallmark cards. Yet when they presented them to us, we cherished those handmade cards more than all the commercial cards produced by Hallmark. Why? Because they were our children’s expression of love from the heart.

It’s hard not to express this love without giving a gift. Likewise, every offering gift should be measured by the unfathomable Gift of heaven. The greatest offering one could make would then appear as nothing in comparison. “How vain the endeavor to measure with mathematical rules, time, money, and love against a love and sacrifice that is measureless and incomputable!" (Testimonies for the Church, Vol.4, p.119). If we can catch a glimpse of just how much God loves us, we would faint. All self-interest and selfish motives will disappear, we will be lost in awe and wonder. It would spur us to shower our Lord with more gifts and with praise and thanksgiving.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Register Now for Andrews Academy

Andrews Academy is now enrolling students in grades 9 - 12 for the 2025/2026 school year. We invite you to join the AA family! You will be blessed by what Andrews Academy has to offer. Students consistently score above state and national levels on standardized testing, they are involved in many spiritual and service activities throughout the school year. Our Seventh-day Adventist school’s mission is to inspire our students to think deeply, live fully, serve unselfishly and to honor God completely. School begins August 18. Registration day is August 13. Financial assistance may be available. Call 269-471-3138 for more information or visit https://www.andrews.edu/aa/ and click on “apply today”. 

Help Us Welcome New Students

Many new faces will soon join us as they begin their academic journey at Andrews University. We are preparing to welcome them with our traditional Welcome Picnic on Sabbath, August 23. You can support Belong by signing up to be a table host, preparing food, becoming a general volunteer—or all of the above! Text the word “PICNIC” 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.

Something in Common Sabbath School

Better Decisions/ Fewer Regrets video series by Andy Stanley continues

  • July 19–The The Conscience Question
  • July 26–The Maturity Question
  • August 2–The Relationship Question

Everyone is welcome in PMC Boardroom off of the Fellowship Commons Room from 10:30-11:30 AM on Sabbath.

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

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