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
The Morning Star Rises
The Morning Star Rises: Silent Night
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, December 01, 2012
More In This Series
“The Morning Star Rises: Silent Night”
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□ A Five Piece Puzzle
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Piece #1—2 Peter 1:19—Peter associates the Morning Star with the bright light of that shines into the dark night just before the dawn breaks.
Like a halogen light, prophecy is a divine gift designed to [1] help us see what liesahead , and [2] help us ward off in that darkness.
- Piece #2—Ezekiel 43:1, 2—Ezekiel describes the glory of God like a that floods the earth.
- Piece #3—Malachi 4:2—Malachi personifies the whose light brings healing to those who fear God.
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Piece #4—Revelation 18:1, 2, 4—John then takes the explosion of the glory of the Sun of God—described by Ezekiel and Malachi—and places that global event at the .
We have no reason to fear the endgame—because the last word always belongs to God—and His last word will be an explosion of the of Christ Jesus throughout the earth! - Piece #5—Revelation 22:16—Jesus is the .
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Piece #1—2 Peter 1:19—Peter associates the Morning Star with the bright light of that shines into the dark night just before the dawn breaks.
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□ Who’s the Star of your life, your religion?
- The quest of prophetic study, the purpose of apocalyptic investigation is so the Morning Star might rise in our hearts.
- Thus the Apocalypse opens with the stunning reminder: “The revelation of Jesus Christ [not the dragon, the beasts, the mark of the beast, or even Babylon]” (Revelation 1:1).
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□ A Four Step Solution
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#1—B the Morning Star.
- I Corinthians 2:2—“I determined to know nothing among you except and Him crucified.”
- Philippians 3:10—“I want to know .”
- The most concentrated glory of the “bright and Morning Star” is in the , so read every new dawn.
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#2—B over the Morning Star.
- The Bible refers to this as .
- Psalm 119:148—“My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may on Your word.”
- #3—B before the Morning Star.
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#1—B the Morning Star.
Steps to Christ: “Through sincere we are brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite. We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and pitying tenderness.” (97)
#4—B the Morning Star.
Oswald Chambers: “. . . Christian experience in the New Testament is that of personal passionate devotion to the Person of Jesus Christ.” (My Utmost for His Highest 334)
“Make the Morning Star your North Star”
Help Us Welcome New Students
Primary & Junior Sabbath School Relocations
As we begin essential pipe and HVAC renovations in the Primary and Junior Sabbath School (SS) wings, we want to thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility. To ensure all our children and young people continue to have a meaningful Sabbath School experience, several classes will be temporarily relocated beginning Sabbath, July 5, 2025:
New Sabbath School Locations During Renovations Kindergarten 5 & 6 Sabbath School will now include Grade 1 children until the Primary Grade 1 room is ready. Primary Grades 2 & 3 will meet together in the Kindergarten room used by the Something in Common class. Junior Grades 4 & 5 will meet together in the center section of the Commons. Junior Grade 6 will meet in the sanctuary end of the Commons. Young Adults Sabbath School will meet in the Youth Chapel end of the Commons. Something in Common will meet in the Board Room.
Facilities Use During Construction During renovation months, the Commons and kitchen, Primary and Junior SS rooms will be unavailable for reservations, and the central hallway will be closed under the Sanctuary. We are grateful for your continued prayers, understanding, and support during this important project. Your generosity is helping provide a safe and comfortable environment for all ages to worship and grow in faith.
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”.
District Nine Family Camp
Register soon for an uplifting and spirit-filled weekend at Camp Au Sable. The annual District Nine Family Camp is Labor Day weekend, August 29 - September 1, 2025. For the first time this year, registration will be available online at www.midistrictnine.com, beginning July 20, at 10:00 AM through August 17, at 12:00 PM.
Offering for July 19, 2025
Pioneer Operating Budget
Someone came to their pastor and complained, “Pastor, we can’t afford to give our tithes and offerings. We’re just barely making it from week to week. I wish we just had extra money to give, but we don’t.”
When finances are tight, it requires more faith to return your tithes and offerings. Some will rationalize, “God really does not need my funds.” That’s true, our God is wealthy. But it is especially important to remember that when funds are tight, that is when it is critical that you return your tithe and offerings. We can’t expect to steal from God and be blessed. We all need God’s blessings.
Tough times force us to demonstrate our faith that God as our Partner will come through to provide even when it seems impossible. This is His part of the covenant. Trust in the Lord that He will provide as He promised.
"The more we bring to God's treasure house, the more we shall have to bring; for He will open ways before us, increasing our substance"(Our High Calling, p. 197).
Millions of Christians have put their faith into action with God. Not once has He failed to make it possible. Let’s live in faith so that God can bless us beyond our wildest imagination!
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
God's Hands 4 Kids
"Love on the Move" is more than just a slogan. It is a way of life. It is at least for God's Hands 4 Kids. We work closely with Berrien County Department of Health and Human Services as well as other area agencies. We extend our caring to other counties as well. There are many ways you as a caring person can make a difference in our community. Today I will suggest two ways you can make that difference. You can do respite, take care of foster kid(s) for a few hours or a few days. No foster license required. Or you could offer to drive someone to an appointment. For more information email Godshands4kids@gmail.com
Hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church
You are invited to a hymn sing on July 19 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at The Old Rugged Cross Church, 61041 Vermont St., Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. A freewill offering will help support the church. For more information, please contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com.
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.