There will be a fellowship dinner, following the second worship service in the commons on the lower level. Visitors are always welcome.
SOLD OUT!
SOLD OUT! - Part 1
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
More In This Series
“SOLD OUT!”—1
-
James Surowiecki’s The Wisdom of Crowds
- An experiment with college students
- Not surprisingly “70 percent of the subjects changed their real opinion at least once, and a third of the subjects went along with the group at least half the time.” (38)
- But when one of the control group joined the subject in selecting the correct answer, “that was enough to make a huge difference. Having even one other person in the group who felt as they did made the subjects happy to announce their thoughts, and the rate of conformity plummeted.” (39)
-
Let’s call it “the power of .”
- All it takes is one other person to agree with you—and you will find courage to take the stand you believed was right all along.
- Or, all it takes is for one student, one person, to step out of the crowd and take a stand for what he or she believes is the right answer—and someone else, who would otherwise have probably gone along with the group, finds courage to also take the very same stand.
-
Matthew 18:15-20
- v 15—“Just between the of you.” Like the old proverb says, “The best way to dispose of your enemies it to make with them.”
-
v 16—“Take one or others along.”
- Deuteronomy 19:15
- Desire of Ages: “While we seek to correct the errors of a brother [or sister], the Spirit of Christ will lead us to shield [them], as far as possible, from the criticism of even [their own spiritual family], and how much more from the censure of the unbelieving world. We are erring, and need Christ’s pity and forgiveness, and just as we wish Him to deal with us, He bids us deal with one another.” (441)
-
v 17—Who are the “pagans” and “tax collectors”? They are those who are the very of the church.
vv 12-14—the parable of the lost sheep
What are we doing to reconnect with the “lost sheep” of our own ? -
v 18—Jesus is describing an astounding between the church down here and Heaven up there.
Whichever one acts first, the other . -
Thus the point is inescapable: The church is a very big deal to .
- God is on the church!
- David Watson: “The existence of the Christian community of the church in its ideal form is the revelation of God that the world can at present see.” (I Believe in the Church 84)
- Ellen White: “Enfeebled and defective as it may appear, the church is the one object upon which God bestows in a special sense His regard” (Acts of the Apostles 12).
-
No wonder the New Testament—building on Christ’s foundational teaching of the church here in Matthew—offers these stirring metaphors of the church:
- The B of Christ—with Christ as the Husband. (2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:25-27; Rev 21:2)
- The B of Christ—with Christ as the Head. (1 Cor 12:27; Eph 1:22-23)
- The B of Christ)—with Christ as the Cornerstone. (1 Cor 3:11, 16; Eph 2:19-22)
- The B of Christ—with Christ as the Captain. (Eph 6:13-17; Heb 2:10 NKJV)
- You can’t be close to the Head without being close to the .
- Zechariah 2:8—“This is what the LORD Almighty says: Whoever touches you [Zion] touches the of His eye.”
- You cannot be to Christ and from His church.
-
vv 19-20—The Greek reads: “For where two or three are ‘’ in My name, there am I with them.”
- By his intentional use of the verb form of “synagogue,” Matthew is describing the formal, organized, institutional church of the New Testament that meets every with appointed and recognized to God, study His and carry out His on earth all week long.
- “The power of two”—the power of Christ and His church.
-
That’s why like Jesus I too am . . .
“SOLD OUT on the Church”
Adventist Community Services
People come in all shapes and sizes, and so do their needs. Adventist Community Services offers diverse services tailored to fit the needs of the vulnerable in their community.
David walked into Joseph’s Storehouse Food Pantry, an ACS center in Oklahoma. The staff soon learned that he had recently been released from prison and was saving money to rent an apartment. At the time, he was living in a tent near a creek just outside of town and had no way to cook. David chose food that was ready to eat out of the package.
Realizing that more was needed, a volunteer invited him back the next day to pick up cooking items. The volunteer went shopping for items they didn’t already have at the center and soon, David received a small cook stove, fuel, can opener, and cookware when he returned. ACS continues to assist David with food when he runs low, and prays for his safety and for God’s continued presence.
Whether giving food and cooking gear, dental care, clothing, after school tutoring, or English language skills, your ACS offering paves a pathway forward for somebody in need.
Ellen White shared, “The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me’” (Ministry of Healing, p. 143).
Adventist Community Service’s ministries mingle in our communities, bringing Jesus’ goodwill to the people. Join us and become the practical hands and feet of God in our world.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Our annual Christmas breakfast potluck will be on December 23, 2023, from 9:00 - 10:15 AM at the Commons. Bring your favorite breakfast to share.
A-J - breakfast casserole or hot/cold cereal
K-R - bread, muffin, or pastries
S-Z - fruits
Pioneer will provide hot and cold drinks and nuts.
Pioneer Young Adult Ministries is hosting Soup for Students. All Collegiate-aged individuals are welcomed to attend and enjoy soup and a touch of home while studying for finals. Volunteers can contact Prescott Khair (prescott.khair@pmchurch.org) or text SOUP to 269-281-2345.
Jesus said, "When I was in prison, you visited Me." If you have a heart for reaching out to a lonely person in need of encouragement while incarcerated, have I got a person for you! Please contact Sue Wein (whitewsu@andrews.edu). I will give you the details and help you in connecting with her.
In just a few weeks, on December 9, we will be having our annual Children’s Celebration of Christmas. This is the worship service every year where we bring a new unwrapped toy for a child up to age 16. These gifts will go to families in our community who are not able to purchase gifts. This is yet another way that Pioneer can be Love on the Move!
It is time to join the 4th Annual "First Advent Reflections". This Christmas season the Pioneer Women’s Ministries Team is delighted to invite you to reflect on Handel's "Messiah".
A daily email and a text will be sent to the ladies who sign-up. To register text the word "Hallelujah" to 269-281-2345
Would you like to show "Love on the Move" to foster, adoptive, kinship families in our community? This is your invitation to join God's Hands 4 Kids in doing just that. Could you make a pan of lasagna for GH4K's Connect Support Group Christmas Celebration on December 8 delivering ready to serve. For details and to sign up go to our website GH4K.org There will be more opportunities to give shared there. Godshands4kids@gmail.com
The award-winning Andrews University Singers and Chorale conducted by Stephen Zork collaborate with the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marc Élysée in the 25th annual presentation of Welcome Christmas. The theme of the concert is “Peace on Earth” and comprised of a festive garland of heartwarming and endearing sacred and secular symphonic choral works and carols. The variety of musical offerings encompass Giacomo Puccini’s “Gloria” to Harry Simeon’s choral setting of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”. Join us for this special concert featuring special guest soloists and presenters.
The Christmas Banquet for Seniors comes this year on Sunday, the 10th of December, at 1:00 PM at the Village Church Fellowship Hall. This year, Village Church is responsible for decorating the tables, the meal, and the program. (Next year it will be PMC's turn.) The cost of the meal is $20 for everyone. However, PMC and Village Church will pay for all attending Senior members of their respective churches. All other Senior members will need to pay at the door. If you have not yet signed up for the Christmas Banquet, please call either the Village SDA Church at 269-471-7795 OR Pioneer Memorial Church at 269-471-3133 OR Cleon White at 269-471-5553 by December 5.