Jo Ann Davidson will present an overview of the Sabbath School Lessons for this quarter. She will explain the major themes and concepts included in this quarter's lessons that are helpful to Sabbath School teachers and members. All are welcome. For further information, please contact Melchizedek Ponniah, melponniah@gmail.com.
Galaxy Three: Why What Is Happening a Billion Light Years Away Right Now Matters to You
Galaxy Three: Magnificence in the Middle
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, September 20, 2014
Program:
Opening Voluntary
Rejoice, All You Christians • Ernst Pepping
Praise
Prayer
Sharon Terrell
GROW Groups
JoAnna Moses, Brock Menhardt
Children’s Story
Dwight K. Nelson
Worship in Music
O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High
Kenneth Logan
Sermon
“Galaxy Three: Why What Is Happening a Billion Light Years Away Right Now Matters to You [Magnificence in the Middle]”
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes, & Offerings
Closing Hymn
The Wonders of Redeeming Love
179 sung to 108
As We Depart
O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High
David Johnson
More In This Series
“Galaxy Three: Magnificence in the Middle”
□ Job 16:19-21
• “Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My is my
as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man
pleads for his .” (NIV)
• I.e., He is my —just as I am His .
□ Hebrews 3:1/2:17-18; 4:14-16; 7:25
• Four adjectives about the High Priest in Hebrews:
o (3:1)
William Johnsson: “Because we have such a high priest, the doors of heaven’s temple swing
open wide to welcome us. The command center of the universe no longer holds fear and
uncertainty for us—we there.” (The Abundant Life Bible Amplifier: Hebrews 105)
o (2:17)
Peter O’Brien: “Nowhere else in the Greek Bible are priests or high priests explicitly said to be
. But again and again the Old Testament asserts that Yahweh is
[Exodus 34:6—the first word of His self-revelation]. . . . The Gospels picture Jesus perfectly
reflecting the character of Yahweh, the one. Jesus is often entreated to
have ‘mercy’ (Matt. 9:27; 15:22; 17:15, and parallels), while this theme turns up in his teaching
(Matt. 5:7; 18:33; Luke 16:24).” (Hebrews 119-120)
o (2:17)
F. F. Bruce: “He is merciful because through his own sufferings and trials he can sympathize
with [ours]; he is because he endured to the end without faltering.” (Hebrews
87-88)
o (4:14)
William Johnsson: “Our faith rests on something solid, on Someone. . . . We have a great high
priest in heaven, and He guarantees that what we profess isn’t a matter of feeling or
philosophy, of speculation or possibility. At the heart of our religions stands a Man, and His
name is Jesus—a Man, but much more, for He is God’s Son!” (Hebrews 103)
• Two adverbs about the High Priest’s actions in Hebrews:
o Saves
Desire of Ages: “The Lord would be so bountiful to His human family that it could not be said
of Him that He could do more. In the gift of Jesus, God gave all heaven. . . . The atonement
for a lost world was to be full, abundant, and complete. Christ’s offering was exceedingly
abundant to reach every soul that God had created. . . . There must be enough and to spare.”
(565)
o Intercedes
Amazing Grace: “As our Intercessor, His office work is to introduce us to God as His sons and
daughters. Christ intercedes in behalf of those who have received Him. . . . And the Father
demonstrates His infinite love for Christ, who paid our ransom with His blood, by receiving and
welcoming Christ’s friends as His friends.” (68)
• Our merciful, faithful and great High Priest is interceding for us in order that He might save
us forever. Therefore, “my is my .”
□ “Magnificence in the Middle”
• At Calvary: John 19:18—“There they crucified Him, and with him two others—one on each side and
Jesus in the .”
• In Heaven: Hebrews 7:25
o John 16:26, 27—“The Father Himself you.” (John 3:16; Romans 8:32, 38-39)
o Zechariah 3:1-4—We do need an Intercessor to convince God on our behalf—we need an
Intercessor to silence on our behalf.
o 1 John 2:1,2—“My dear children, if anybody does sin, we have an advocate [ ] with
the Father—Jesus Christ, the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the whole world.”
“My Intercessor and My Friend”
Sabbath School Lesson Overview
Pioneer Commons
Offering for January 18, 2025
Pioneer Operating Budget
Author Melvin Santos Speaking: It didn’t make sense. When I was young, I was confused about why there was an offering call every worship service. I really did not understand why a church who worshipped the God who owns the universe and galaxies would let His people beg for funds. I rationalized that perhaps God could not afford to take care of His children, or He wants His children to be poor.
But why doesn’t He just provide for their needs miraculously? He could. Then when I read a passage in Psalms I began to understand why, “If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness. Offer to God thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50: 12,14-15, NKJV).
This is where I learned that God wants His children to trust Him for their needs. Through this experience God wants a RELATIONSHIP with His children, not a donation. This giving, however, builds the relational experience where we learn to glorify Him in all things in our lives.
As we give, God blesses so we can bless others and grow His kingdom. Let’s glorify the Lord with our offerings.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Spelunker Quest: Unearthing the Lost Sanctuary
Pioneer Youth Chapel
Calling all youth! Join us for Spelunker Quest—an escape room adventure! Uncover missing artifacts from the Biblical sanctuary by solving puzzles in a cave system. Experience the Escape Room at one of the time slots every hour starting at 2 pm. Each time slot can accommodate up to 16 participants.
Youth: Please register for a start time by texting "ESCAPE" to 269.281.2345 .
Want to help with decorating on Jan. 25 at 6:30 pm? Contact Pastor Lindsey at lindsey.pratt@pmchurch.org or just join us in the youth chapel.
New Children's Sabbath School Curriculum
Pioneer families with 0 to 3-year-olds are the first to enjoy the new Seventh-day Adventist Church Sabbath School Alive in Jesus Bible lessons. This curriculum will roll out in phases:
2025: Baby Steps (0-18 months) and Beginners (1, 2 & 3 year olds)
2026: Kindergarten (4-6 year old) and Primary (Grades 1-3)
2027: Junior (Grades 4-6) and Earliteen (Grades 7-8)
2028: Youth (Grades 9-12) and Young Adult
Here’s what’s new this year.
Baby Steps Lessons: Our Nursery division begins the first-ever Baby Steps lessons. Our program will continue a half-hour interactive Bible learning for infants and a half-hour of parent training and community building. Download free parent and teacher guides at babies.aliveinjesus.info.
Beginners Bible Lessons: Both Beginner rooms and the Kindergarten 3-Year division have begun the new Beginner lessons for 1, 2, and 3-year-olds. This new Adventist curriculum features beautifully illustrated lessons, inspiring stories, practical tips, craft ideas, and activities to support family worship and Bible learning at home. Parent spiritual nurture and community-building activities will also be incorporated.
A new year brings new opportunities! It’s a chance to renew our commitment to spending time with God and helping our children grow in their relationship with Him. Reading and discussing Sabbath School lessons in family worship at home will deepen everyone’s faith.
Children’s Sabbath School family guides are available at the Welcome Center in Pioneer’s lower entry hall during the first month of each quarter. They are also freely available online for families and teachers, along with engaging songs (Nursery and Beginners Alive in Jesus), videos (for Kinder and Primary GraceLink), and podcasts (for Junior PowerPoints). From a device, you can enjoy lessons anywhere and anytime.
We pray that 2025 will bring a closer walk with God for each member of our church family. May Sabbath School lesson study be a blessing to your home, strengthen faith and family bonds, and welcome friends to join you on this adventure!
Children's Sabbath School Superintendent Team
Howard Center Presents: The King's Singers
England’s premier choral ensemble has long had an unsurpassed tradition of vocal music with roots in both religious and secular singing. Setting the gold standard in acapella singing on the world’s greatest stages for over fifty years, the King’s Singers are renowned for their unrivalled technique, musicianship and versatility, which stem from both the group’s rich heritage and its drive to bring an extraordinary range of new and unique works, collaborations and recordings to life. They consistently delight audiences around the world with their incomparable musicianship, wit, and charm. Join us for the King's Singers concert at the Howard Performing Arts Center on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available at our website: howard.andrews.edu, or by calling our box office at 269-471-3560.
Howard Center Presents: SELAH
Selah, a contemporary Christian vocal trio, became known for transforming old Christian hymns into songs with a more modern style complete with powerful vocals and beautiful harmonies. Having sold over 4 million records, won 11 Gospel Music Association Dove awards and has over 900 million streams across all digital music platforms, they are now working on their 22nd album in 27 years of performing. Join us on February 2, 2025 at the Howard Performing Arts Center for an inspiring Christian concert. Tickets are available at our website: howard.andrews.edu, or by calling our box office at 269-471-3560.
Something in Common Sabbath School
Love Like You Mean It begins January 18 through February 22.
- January 18 - "Everything Minus Love = Nothing" & "Love is Patient"
- January 25 - "Love is Kind and Love is Humble"
- February 1 - "Love is Generous and Love is Easygoing"
- February 8 - "Love is Virtuous and Love is Honest"
- February 15 - "Love is Tenacious and Love Never Fails"
Everyone is Welcome each Sabbath morning to join us in Pioneer Room 141 at 10:30 am,
Care for Cuba
A group of students from Andrews University are preparing to embark on a life-changing mission in March of 2025. They will engage in evangelism, health care, and community outreach in Cuba. This mission trip has been going on for 11 years, and the impact has been tremendous, thanks to your help. Would you support this mission once again by donating right here in your church or give at www.careforcuba.org/donate? Thank you for your prayers as they prepare to send off students to serve and share Jesus!