On Sabbath December 10, during both services, we are bringing back the toy collection to give and share with the children in our community. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to share for ages newborn through 16. These will be given to the children in our
community.
Don't Cry
Don't Cry For Me
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonSince 1983, Dwight Nelson has served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University. He preaches on the “New Perceptions” telecast, teaches at the theological seminary and has written some books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
Saturday, November 16, 2013
More In This Series
“Don’t Cry for Me”
□ Hebrews 5:7
-
Anne Lamott: “There are three things I cannot change: the , the
, and .” (Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential
Prayers 31)
- But can prayers and tears change ?
-
Hebrew 5:7—Jesus “offered up prayers and petitions with fervent
to the one who could save him from death, and he was .”
“Abba, Father—everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yetnot what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36)
C. S. Lewis: “It is clear from many of His sayings that Our Lord had long
foreseen His death. He knew what conduct such as His, in a world such as we have made of this, must inevitably lead to. But it is clear that this knowledge must somehow have been withdrawn from Him before He prayed in Gethsemane. He could not, with whatever reservation about the Father’s will, have prayed that the cup might pass and simultaneously known that it would not. That is both a logical and a psychological impossibility.” (Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer 42)
- But the prayer of Christ did not the mind of God.
□ Hebrews 5:8
- “He learned from what He suffered.”
- Philippians 2:8—“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming to death—even death on a cross!”
- “Submission to the will of God is the great secret of prayer.”
- “The Majesty of heaven, while engaged in His earthly ministry, prayed much to His Father. He was frequently bowed all night in prayer. . . .The dew and frost of night fell upon His head bowed in prayer. His example is left for His followers. . . . Jesus could heal the sick and raise the dead. He was Himself a source of blessing and strength. He commanded even the tempests, and they obeyed Him. He was unsullied with corruption, a stranger to sin; yet He prayed, and that with strong crying and tears.” (2T 508)
- Rabbi Yehudah: “All human things depend on repentance and the prayers which men make to the holy blessed God; especially if tears be poured out with the prayers. There is no gate which will not pass through.”
- Tears don’t change God’s mind—they change my .
- Desire of Ages: “Three times has He uttered that prayer. Three times has humanity shrunk from the last, crowning sacrifice. But now the history of the human race comes up before the world’s Redeemer. . . .The woes and lamentations of a doomed world rise before Him. He beholds its impending fate, and His decision is made. He will save man at any cost to Himself. He accepts His baptism of blood, that through Him perishing millions may gain everlasting life.” (690,693)
- Philip Yancey: “A person prays, said Augustine, ‘that he himself may be , not that God may be instructed.’ I examine my own erratic prayer life and see it as a time when God has indeed worked to lop off the protuberances and smooth the rough edges. I see defeats and victories both. Like a child who quits badgering a parent, I have sometimes found that I get an answer to my persistent request after I have learned to do without it. The answer then comes as a surprise, an unexpected gift of grace. I seek the gift, find instead the , and eventually come away with the gift I no longer seek.” (Prayer: Does It Really Matter? 154)
-
Ira Stanphill:
He washed my eyes with tears that I might see, The broken heart I had was good for me;
He tore it all apart and looked inside,
He found it full of fear and foolish pride.
He swept away the things that made me blind And then I saw the clouds were silver lined; And now I understand 'twas best for me
He washed my eyes with tears that I might see.
“I will do a new thing. . . . I will pour water on those who are thirsty and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.” (Isaiah 43:19/44:3)
Prayer doesn’t change God’s mind— it changes mine.
Bring a Toy, Spread Some Joy
Soup for Students is back!
Soup for Students is back! It is time again to show our students love and support during finals week. We are looking for commitments for 30 pots of soup and volunteers to help serve and clean up. If you are willing to participate, please text “SOUP” to 269-281-2345 Please drop off your pot of soup at the Church on December 13, Tuesday between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Thank you!
Offering for November 26, 2022
Michigan Advance Partners
Don’t Just Manage … Produce Wealth
Deuteronomy 8:18 - “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
We worship God with our resources because He gives us the power to produce wealth. The parable of the talents tells the story of three servants who received a share of their Master’s property and their reports about how they used it to produce more wealth. The three servants had this in common: They faithfully returned to the Master what belonged to Him. However, the first two did something in addition. They produced wealth with what they had received, and they were rewarded for that practice. As God promises the “ability to produce wealth” to all His servants, it is unfortunate that the third servant failed in this area and was deprived of his master’s reward.
As believers, we are responsible for what we have received and for what we can produce. Ellen G. White writes these words: “In making a profession of faith in Christ we pledge ourselves to become all that it is possible for us to be as workers for the Master, and we should cultivate every faculty to the highest degree of perfection, that we may do the greatest amount of good of which we are capable. —Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 330. Growth in all areas of life and participation in the production of resources is a divine assignment. This responsibility often needs courage, strength, perseverance, and self-discipline. It is a daily uphill journey. However, no one has to be discouraged or to quit. God made a permanent promise: the ability to produce wealth.
The principle of doing “the greatest amount of good” is an invitation to reassess our giving. Today, through our faithful giving, we are a source of blessing. This week as we worship with our tithe and regular offerings, let us reflect and pray on how to become a greater blessing by growing our resources to their real potential.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Love on the Move
Two Love on the Move projects being worked on by God's Hands 4 Kids in conjunction with Berrien County DHHS. A handicap ramp for a mobile home is needed by a dad who just had his kids placed with him after mom was neglecting them. Two are in wheelchairs. Are you a veteran who could be a friend to an elderly Vietnam veteran? More info available for each scenario by emailing Godshands4kids@gmail.com Join our Facebook group for ongoing needs shared.
Fellowship Dinner
There is no fellowship dinner this Sabbath, November 26.
Andrews Academy Feast of Lights 2022
Join us on Friday evening, December 9, 7:00 PM, at Pioneer Memorial Church, and be inspired by a program of music, Scripture readings, and drama honoring the King of Kings.
Feast of Lights—now in its 49th year—is the Christmas musical gift from Andrews Academy to the Berrien Springs community and beyond. It is an evening of instrumental music, bells, choral and congregational singing, lights, and a Nativity scene.
Chorale and Orchestra will end the program with the Hallelujah chorus. The church sidewalks will be arrayed in Christmas lighting. The program will speak to your hearts of His wondrous love.
Experience with us the joyful retelling of the Christmas story: beginning with the humble incarnation of the long-expected Messiah, and culminating with the Lord of Lords receiving "the kingdoms of this world" and our universal expression of praise: "Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.... and He shall reign for ever and ever (Revelation 19: 6, 11:15)."
“First Advent Reflections!” “Unwrapping the Names of Jesus”
How precious is Jesus' name! Isaiah 9:6 says: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." This Christmas season the Pioneer Women’s Ministries Team is delighted to unwrap twenty five names of Jesus until Christmas. A daily e-mail and a text will be sent to the those (women & men) who sign-up. To register text the word “GIFTS” to 269-281-2345
Announcement Submissions
Do you have an announcement to share with the Pioneer family? Please submit all announcements online when possible. If you do not have access to Internet, you may call and leave a detailed message at 269-471-3647.
Pathfinder Fruit Fundraiser
Pioneer's Evergreen Pathfinder club invites you to support their participation in the upcoming International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming, August 5-11, 2024. To raise the needed funds, they are partnering with Florida Indian River Groves to bring you fresh fruit. Fruit is harvested the very same day it ships to ensure that you receive fruit that is hours off of the tree. Now that's fresh! Now's the time to pick up a box of Navel Oranges that are sure to be bursting with flavor or a box of sugar-sweet, Indian River Red Grapefruit. And don't forget your friends, family, and coworkers. Everyone loves fresh fruit from Florida; and you'll be supporting our Pathfinder club at the same time!
Quick Facts:
- Each Pathfinder must raise $950.
- Pioneer has approximately 100 Pathfinders in its club.
- You can help cut the individual costs for our club by starting an order today!
Please spread the word by sharing our website pmchurch.org/pathfinders. Thank you in advance for your support - and enjoy the fresh fruit!
Update: You can still order fresh fruit with $9.95 flat-rate shipping
If you miss the deadline for ordering fruit, you can also give directly to the Evergreen Pathfinder Club. Select "PMC Pathfinder Club" from the "Local Offering" categories.
Neighbor to Neighbor Work Day
On Sunday, December 4 from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM Pioneer will be working on various projects at Neighbor to Neighbor. We will be forming small teams to complete tasks, and we need volunteers! Let's spend time together being Love on the Move at N2N! Register here: https://churchteams.com/m/Register.asp?a=NFFwcTRMdEhIY1E9 or text NEIGHBOR to 269-281-2345