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
Galaxy Three: Why What Is Happening a Billion Light Years Away Right Now Matters to You
Galaxy Three: The HP Factor
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, August 30, 2014
More In This Series
“Galaxy Three:
Why What Is Happening a Billion Light Years Away Right Now Matters to You” [The HP Factor]
www.pmchurch.tv
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□ Hebrews 1:1—“Long ago God spoke.”
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Two universal realities embedded in this four-word opening salvo:
#1—God is.
#2—God speaks.
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“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. . . . And God said, ‘Let there be
light.’” (Genesis 1:1-3)
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“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . .
Through Him all things were made.” (John 1:1-3)
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“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must
believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
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“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you.”
(Jeremiah 29:13, 14)
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Two universal realities embedded in this four-word opening salvo:
- □ “Yet hope is not lost. The King mysteriously rises from the dead, Conqueror of the Rebel and evil. Now, returned to the throne, the King commands the endgame of the final battle to save the rebel planet, rescue Galaxy Three and restore freedom to the universe . . . .”
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□ Hebrews 1:1-4
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Chiasm—a literary device that utilizes a unique parallel pattern for
clarification and/or emphasis: A-B-C- . . . C’-B’-A’.
A The Son contrasted with the (vv 1-2a) B The Son as messianic (v 2b)
C The Son’s work (v 2c)
D The Son’s threefold mediatorial relationship to(vv. 3a-b)
C’ The Son’s work (v 3c)B’ The Son as messianic (v 3d) A’ The Son contrasted with the (v 4)
- The Son is the great divine on behalf of the Throne of the universe and all intelligent life.
- Peter O’Brien: “The Son is the exact representation, the embodiment of God, as he really is. His being is made manifest in Christ, so that to see the Son is to see what the Father is like. . . . Together, then, these magnificent affirmations [at the heart of this chiasm] show that the Son manifests the person and presence of God. He is able to be God’s historical self- revelation because he is identified with Yahweh [the great I AM] himself.” (The Letter to the Hebrews 55)
- Only in Hebrews is Jesus Christ called the great of the fallen human race.
- “‘The whole argument of the Epistle revolves around the idea of the Son who has become the perfect high priest by his death and exaltation.’” (O’Brien 59)
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No wonder the author of Hebrews repeatedly appeals to us to look at Him! Hebrews 2:9—“But we Jesus.”
Hebrews 3:1—“Fix your on Jesus.”
Hebrews 12:2—“Let us fix our on Jesus.” - Steps to Christ: “Such is the character of Christ as revealed in His life. This is the character of God. It is from the Father’s heart that the streams of divine compassion, manifest in Christ, flow out to the children of men. Jesus, the tender, pitying Saviour, was God ‘manifest in the flesh.’ It was to redeem us that Jesus lived and suffered and died.” (12)
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Chiasm—a literary device that utilizes a unique parallel pattern for
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.