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The Chosen

Why You Are the Most Unique Person on Earth

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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

Was your conception unplanned, your birth an "accident"? Are you handicapped? Too young to contribute, or too old to make a difference any more? Ah, but if you only knew what it took for you to get here, and what it means that you've been chosen! That discovery marks the first step toward determining your destiny - your special place and role on earth.
Saturday, September 01, 2007

More In This Series

09/08/2007
Why We Are the Most Unique People on Earth
Sometimes God chooses in ways that seem so politically incorrect. But choose He did, back then; and choose He does, today! "It is a fearful thing to be chosen," especially so if all we want is to be accepted.
09/15/2007
Not a Big Head, but a Big Heart
Chosen? Maybe. But on what basis? And for what purpose? The answers make a huge difference in what it means to be chosen.
09/29/2007
Children of the Waldenses
What happens when one generation of the chosen visits the site where a previous generation gave their all for Christ? Pastor Dwight interviews some of the students he accompanied on the tour and were impacted.
10/06/2007
Blood on the Doorpost
Forgetting can be lethal. Remembering keeps a chosen movement, or person, alive and advancing. And for the divinely chosen, there is much to remember.
10/13/2007
How to Stone the Prophet
Within the wider community of God's chosen, a select few were always chosen as His mouthpiece to the many. As it happened in the Biblical era, so it happened in our own. The chosen community of old most often ignored God's chosen one among them. What's our response to His chosen one among us? And why does it matter?
10/27/2007
How to Eat, Drink and Be Merry Without Getting Stoned
Think that addiction is only about alcoholism and drug use? Or that Christians are immune? Consider the bad news about addiction and the good news for the addicted.
11/03/2007
How Much of Naked is Acceptable?
Is a little cleavage a spiritual issue? What about a little ornamental jewelry? Is it time to revise some old standards, or to reaffirm them? If the Bible is our guide and "the chosen" our identity?
11/10/2007
How to Live Without Sex (for Awhile)
This is not your grandmother's traditional sermon on sex. The three realms of fake intimacy discussed could be the greatest threat facing our nation, our church and personal faith. A non-simplistic and workable four-fold "Life and Sex Strategy" provides a map to wholesome exercise of God's gift within His prescribed restraints.
11/24/2007
An American Thanksgiving in Canaan
The God you gratefully remember is the God you will faithfully obey. Discover the secret to sustained gratitude.
12/01/2007
Snakes in the Cradle
Strange symbols represent the medical profession--two snakes entwined around a pole. Strange unless you understand the Biblical story of the snake on the pole and the ultimate antigen it created for divine healing. This message provides an essential corrective to the inherent risk run in The Chosen sermon series.
12/08/2007
Crossing Over
The story of a leader who never crossed over, and how mercy still had the last word. Vital lessons for leaders in nations, work places, social groups, families, etcetera.
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Easter Lilies for Home Visitation Members

We are looking for smiling faces to help us deliver Easter Lilies to our Home Visitation Members. We want them to know that we haven't forgotten them. Because of Passion Play, you can pick up a lily after first service on April 4 and deliver it Sabbath or Sunday. Each lily will have the name, address and phone number on them.

Offering for April 4, 2026

Pioneer Operating Budget

The resurrection of Christ was the most amazing day in earth’s history. It was the day when He made the greatest comeback ever. This comeback can convince anyone, even an atheist like Lee Strobel, an author, journalist, and legal editor of great renown. In his bestselling book, “The Case for a Miracle,” Strobel tells how he converted from being an atheist.

He reports that the conversion of his wife to Christianity drew him into examining the resurrection for two years. After completing his analysis of the historical data of Christ’s resurrection, Strobel discovered evidence that points to the fact that the resurrection was an actual historical event. This converted his heart to Christ.

Paul shares with us the importance of the resurrection. He says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8, ESV).

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Sunday Music Series...Dmitry Rachmanov

Dmitry Rachmanov 4:00 PM Sunday, April 12, 2026 Free Admission A sought-after performer, master class clinician, adjudicator and lecturer, Dr. Dmitry Rachmanov is Chair of Keyboard Studies at California State University, Northridge.  A proponent of Russian repertoire, his April 2014 all-Scriabin program at Carnegie Hall was described as “a poem of ecstasy” in every sense. Rachmanov is a recipient of numerous awards, and a founding member and President of the Scriabin Society of America. 

Howard Center Presents...The Collingsworth Family

The Collingsworth Family April 8, 2026, 7:00 PM. The Collingsworth Family is a southern gospel group started by Phil and Kim Collingsworth and features their family as the group. Their ministry and music tours have reached all over the United States as well as internationally. Excitement, family-emphasis, and musical excellence are what you can expect when you come to The Collingsworth Family concert. Phil and Kim’s entire purpose is to give the talent God has loaned them back to their Creator as a sacrifice of praise. Tickets for this concert are available at iTickets.com

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. 

ZOOM IN! Summer Camp 2026

 ZOOM IN! to God’s Amazing World at The Crayon Box Summer Camp, running June 1–August 20, 2026. Children entering Kindergarten through age 12 will enjoy a summer filled with nature, science, creativity, teamwork, and play as they explore how God’s hand is at work all around them. Each themed week encourages campers to notice the small wonders, big ideas, and amazing details of God’s creation. Located on the beautiful campus of Andrews University, The Crayon Box offers a safe, joyful, faith-centered place for children to spend their summer vacation with on-campus adventures, campus field trips, and visits from zoo and wildlife educators. Enrollment is open now at andrews.edu/services/crayonbox/summercamp. Space is limited. Forms are due May 18, 2026.