The Morning Star Rises: O Holy Night

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“The Morning Star Rises: O Holy Night”

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Jesus’ gift of the Morning Star—Revelation 2:18-29

□ Stipulation #1—You must this.
-  Revelation 2:18-20
-  James 4:4-5
-  The 2nd Commandment: “For I, the LORD your God, am a God.” (Exodus
  20:5)
-  When Jesus in His letter to His friends in Thyatira warns about “sexual immorality” He talks
  like a wounded Lover who is heartbroken over the spiritual of those who try to have an affair with while they declare themselves children of !
-  1 Corinthians 10:18-22
-  Stipulation #1—You must get over this: with the Dark Knight.
□ Stipulation #2—You must this.
-  Revelation 2:24-28
-  Revelation 14:12
-  Revelation 2:26 The Message: “‘Here’s the reward I have for every conqueror, everyone
  who at it, to give up.”
-  Stipulation #2—You must hang onto this: with the Morning Star.
□ But how can Jesus give the Morning Star when He is the Morning Star?
-  Embedded in this letter to Thyatira are two clues that link the Morning Star here to the returning Christ as depicted in the Apocalypse’s most spectacular and detailed portrayal of the Second Coming.
   Revelation 19:11-16
   Clue #1—“eyes like a .” (2:18/19:12)
   Clue #2—“rule them with a .” (2:27/19:15)
-  Revelation 19:13—“[The returning Christ] is clothed in a robe dipped in .”
  -  The Great Controversy: “In the Saviour’s expiring cry, ‘It is finished,’ the death knell of Satan was rung. The great controversy which had been so long in progress was then , and the final eradication of evil was made certain.” (503)
  -  “. . . when Satan would fill your mind with despondency, gloom, and doubt, resist his suggestions. Tell him of the of Jesus, that cleanses from all sin. You cannot save yourself from the tempter’s power, but he trembles and flees when the merits of that precious blood are urged.” (5T 317)
  -  “Prayer and faith place the sinner on vantage ground, where the hand of faith can grasp firmly the hand of the Saviour. In and through Christ we may come off more than conquerors.” (Upward Look 322)
  -  “When [we are] in fellowship with God, that unswerving purpose which preserved Joseph and Daniel amidst the corruption of heathen courts will make [ours] a life of unsullied . [Our] robes of character will be spotless. In [our] life the light of Christ will be undimmed. The bright and morning Star will appear shining steadfastly above [us] in changeless glory.” (Ministry of Healing 136)
    “O holy night, O holy day!”

Offering for April 17, 2021

One day Jesus saw a widow bring her offering to the temple. She gave two of the smallest coins in the temple monetary system. Embarrassed that her gift was so small, she waited until she thought no one was watching. Yet, Jesus commended her. “Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.” Luke 21:3 How can this be?
The rich gave large coins. But the widow gave her heart as part of her offering. A Christian writer commented on this passage. “A heart of love and genuine faith in a worthy object is more acceptable to God than the most costly gift. The poor widow gave her living to do the little that she did.… It was this unselfish spirit and unwavering faith that won the commendation of Jesus.” {3SP p. 72}
We may think the size of our offering makes it valuable to God. But no, the size of the heart gives value to the gift. God will take the offering we givewith our hearts and magnify our offering into something special for His service.
Does this mean we should not sacrifice as we give? Here are the words of Jesus. “For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” Luke 21:4 The widow sacrificed with her heart. As a result, God blessed her gift.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Michigan Conference Women's Ministries Retreat 2021

This Women's Ministries event will be live-streamed from Camp Au Sable. The theme is "Warrior not Worrier".

April 16 – 18, 2021
Streaming at www.michiganwm.com

Ruth Murdoch Elem. School Kindergarten Visitation Days

We are happy to invite you to a Kindergarten Visitation for both parent and child on April 21 and 22 at Ruth Murdoch Elementary School. A $50 coupon will be given to those in attendance—toward the 1st month's tuition. Please call 269-471-3225 to schedule an appointment, with three or four families coming at a time, for a brief meeting. You will be able to meet the teacher, see the room with some projects set out, and meet a few of the other students who will be coming to Kindergarten. There will be a gift for parents and a craft bag for students. Masks required. A Zoom meeting will be available for those who can't attend.

Pioneer Live on Roku

We are pleased to announce the availability to view worship, both 9:00 AM and 11:45 AM services, on Roku^® devices and enabled TVs! On your Roku device simply search for "Pioneer Memorial Church Live" and add the channel to your Home screen. You can also sign into your Roku account and add it here. If you need assistance adding our channel please send an email to webteam@pmchurch.tv.

Add to Roku Device

–Media Ministry

Free Tax Prep!

If you earned $57,000 or less you can have your 2020 income tax prepared for free by IRS certified volunteers at Andrews University. This is a drop-off only site with limited space. Please call 269-471-6538 Thursday, Friday or Sunday 12:30 – 5:00 PM (don’t leave a message) or email Cidfreetax@gmail.com to schedule an appointment to drop off your documents. Appointments can be made for any Sunday afternoon March 21 – April 11 (12:30 – 4:30 PM). Drop-off site will be at Andrews University, Buller Hall, room 203 by appointment only.

Will Prepare

Wages, salaries, etc. (Form W-2)
Interest Income (Form 1099-INT)
Dividends Received (Form 1099-DIV)
State Tax Refunds (Form 1099-G)
Unemployment Benefits (Form 1099-G)
IRA Distributions (Form 1099-R)
Pension Income (Forms 1099-R, RRB-1099, CSA-1099)
Social Security Benefits (Form SSA-1099) (RRB-1099)
Gambling Winnings (Form W-2G)
Education Credits (Form 1098-T)
Child Tax Credit
Earned Income Credit
Health Insurance Statements (Forms 1095-A, B or C)

What to Bring

For married filing joint, both spouses must be present
Photo identification for you and your spouse (if filing joint return)
Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number documents for you, your spouse, and dependents
Birth dates for you, spouse, and dependents
A copy of last year’s tax return
All Forms W-2, 1098, and 1099 Form 1095-A (Marketplace Health Insurance)
Information for other income
Information for all deductions/credits
Total paid to day care provider and their tax ID number
For direct deposit of refund, proof of account

40 Days of Prayer Challenge

The Pioneer Family is invited to join Stephen Farr and @Unmistakablymelissa for a very special 40 Days of Prayer Challenge March 31 – May 9, 2021. Melissa and Stephen will be going through the devotional book "40 Days Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming," by Dennis Smith. Each day you can join them on Instagram for a Live re-cap and a special time of prayer. Melissa will also be sharing each day on her YouTube channel.

The goal of this challenge is to empower you and a partner to strengthen your prayer time, to encourage you to pray for others, to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and to pray together as a community for the Second Coming of Jesus. By joining this challenge, you are becoming a part of a revival that is beginning right here at Andrews University and is already reaching people around the world. You are joining in our shared mission to be World Changers for a changing world. You are joining in praying that Andrews University, its staff, faculty and students will be blessed now and, in the years, to come with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We want to see revival. We want to see "His Kingdom Come and His will Done on Earth as it is in Heaven." We want to be part of preaching the gospel to the world as a witness to all the nations and we want to see Jesus coming again in the clouds. Amen

If you'd like to join in the challenge, the book can be ordered on Amazon or at www.spiritbaptism.org. Live sessions will be recorded each day and uploaded to Instagram, YouTube, and Andrews University Graduate Student Association Facebook Page and multiple other platforms.

"Thank you so much for joining us in this 40 Days of Prayer Challenge. I can't wait to hear and share the miracle stories that happen during and after this challenge."

–Stephen William Farr, Andrews University Graduate Student Association Student Chaplain

Media Team Volunteers

The Pioneer Media Team is looking for additional volunteers for its local audio and global television ministry. Members volunteer at least 1 time every 3 Sabbaths, for both the 9:00 AM and 11:45 AM services. Current needs include Platform Manager, and various Audio Technician positions. Extensive experience is not required to volunteer and training is provided. Volunteers should be at least a Junior in high school for media roles.

Volunteer

Adult Sabbath School Lesson Study

If you have not been able to connect with your Sabbath School Class due to the pandemic, we would like to hear from you so that we can put you back in touch with your class. Please email member@pmchurch.org or contact Heidi Ha, Pioneer's Member Engagement Coordinator on 269-471-3133. Some Sabbath School classes are meeting face-to-face in the Seminary on Sabbath mornings. These classes follow the CDC and State of Michigan protocols for social distancing; other classes are meeting virtually through Zoom. We are happy to connect you with any of these classes.

-Mordekai Ongo, Sabbath School Superintendent

Foster Baskets for Berrien County

This spring, our Grow Groups ministry is leading a project to put together a gift basket for each active foster family in Berrien County (75 total). These families are meeting a very special need in our community, and Pioneer wants to support them in their love on the move.

Each basket will have an outdoor exploration theme, and will include a Bible story book, snack items, outdoor activities, a certificate redeemable for a family membership at Sarett Nature Center or another local nature area, information about Pioneer’s Grow Groups and Children and Family Discipleship programs, our Mommy and Me events, and more!

Learn More

Mommy and Me

Mommy and Me are meeting again now that the weather is warming up! This is a group for kids 0-5 years old and their parents to come to make friends, learn, and play! Pre-registration is required this year so we can effectively communicate changes in location and schedule. The location will vary. Dads are welcome. Invite a friend! Register now to receive invitations to our meetings: Text "MOMINFO" to 269-281-2345 or register below.

Tuesdays, 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Location: Varies

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