Isn’t it fascinating that words make up only about 7% of how we communicate? The way we say those words—our pitch, tone, volume, and pace—makes up 38%, and the biggest part, 55%, comes from what we don’t even say! Things like eye contact, posture, gestures, body language, and facial expressions do most of the talking for us. In fact, with 43 muscles in our faces, we can make over 10,000 different expressions (National Institutes of Health, 2023)! That’s one powerful face, wouldn’t you say? So next time you’re talking with someone, remember—they’ll remember most how you said what you said. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver" (Prov. 25:11).
The Pugwash Factor:
How to Turn Mingle into Mission
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 05, 2015
Program:
As We Begin
Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove • John Dykes
Praise
Indescribable • Awesome God • Hosanna
Prayer
Sabine Vatel
"By the Word of Their Testimony" Baptism
Dianne (POF), Chloey, Haley, and Dominic Cherry with Rodlie Ortiz
Children's Story
Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners • Dale Wood
Worship in Music
I Love to Tell the Story • Robert Reid
Sermon
“The Pugwash Factor: How to Turn Mingle into Mission” • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Cards, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
Fill My Cup, Lord • 493
As We Depart
Come, God, Creator, Holy Spirit • Johann Sebastian Bach
More In This Series
“The Pugwash Factor: How to Turn Mingle into Mission”
Matthew 9:9-13
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour 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 143)
- Following in Jesus’ Five Strategic Steps:
- #1—You among people as one who wants the very best for them.
- To mingle simply means to show up where already are.
- Becky Pippert: “How can we be the salt of the earth if we never get out of the salt shaker?” (Out of the Salt Shaker 124)
- Jim Cymbala: “Christians often hesitate to reach out to those who are different. They want God to clean the fish before they catch them. If someone’s gold ring is attached to an unusual body part, if the person doesn’t smell the best, or if the skin color is not the same, Christians tend to hesitate. But think for a moment about God reaching out to us. If ever there was a ‘reach,’ that was it: the holy, pure Deity extending himself to us who are soiled, evil-hearted, unholy. God could have said, ‘You’re so different from me, so distasteful, I would really rather not get too close to you.’ But he didn’t say that. It was our very differentness that drew his hand of love. Jesus didn’t just speak the healing word to lepers from a distance of thirty yards. He touched them.” (Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire 8)
- Practice what the top Fortune 500 CEOs do—M By W A.
- Philip Samaan: “Taking the initiative to mingle with others naturally comes easier to some than to others. I always find it more comfortable to mingle with individuals I encounter in normal daily events. The people we rub shoulders with as we work, shop, bank, [study] and carry out other daily activities. . . . Because we have built bridges with such individuals, they (and we too) are much less likely to be apprehensive or fearful of each other.” (Christ’s Method Alone 53)
- Sports events, school concerts, weddings, parties, service clubs, community volunteering, after-school tutoring, PTA meetings, neighborhood projects, et al
- #2—You show your for them.
- #3—You identify and minister to their .
- #4—You win their .
- Gregory Boyle: “There is no force in the world better able to alter anything from its course than love. Ruskin’s comment that you can get someone to remove his coat more surely with a warm, gentle sun than with a cold, blistering wind is particularly apt. Meeting the world with a loving heart will determine what we find there. . . . Sooner or later we all discover that kindness is the only strength there is.” (Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion 124)
- #5—You then invite them to meet .
- Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use .”
- Desire of Ages: “As disciples of Christ we shall not mingle with the world from a mere love of pleasure, to unite with them in folly. Such associations can result only in harm. We should never give sanction to sin by our words or our deeds, our silence or our presence. Wherever we go, we are to carry Jesus with us, and to reveal to others the preciousness of our Saviour.” (152)
- Ty Gibson invitation
- Mary Oliver: “There are things you can’t reach, but you can reach out to them all day long.”
- #1—You among people as one who wants the very best for them.
The Good News of the Gospel is Jesus.
With This in Mind...
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
We will not be having fellowship dinner this Sabbath in the commons.
Katherine Smith Celebration of Life
We are saddened to share that Katherine Smith, 95, passed away on August 8, 2025, in Mesa, AZ, from complications of Alzheimer's. A former Associate Dean of Women and Pioneer Memorial Church co-Head Elder, she was a fixture in the Berrien Springs community for over 50 years. An informal Celebration of Life will be held at the Pioneer Memorial Church Commons on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 5-7 PM. Please join us as we share fond memories and fellowship together while enjoying a light supper. Share your favorite memory with Susie at livrefou@hotmail.com. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Neighbor to Neighbor at https://www.n2nhelps.com.
Pioneer Children's Activity Bags
We are grateful that so many families enjoy using the children's activity bags during services. To help maintain this ministry and manage costs, please return the bags and all items inside after each use. We also ask that the contents be handled with care so they remain in good condition for others to enjoy. Thank you for helping us keep this resource available and welcoming for all our children.
Locations for Men's and Women's Foot-washing (Ordnance of Humility)
Due to ongoing renovations to in the Children's Sabbath Schools under the sanctuary locations of the Men's and Women't Foot-washing has been changed.
The Women's Foot-washing will occur in the Youth Chapel. For the Youth Chapel, please exit the Sanctuary through the front piano-side doors.
The Men's Foot-washing will occur in the Earliteen Loft. For the Earliteen Loft, please exit the Sanctuary through the front organ-side doors; then proceed up the stairs or use the elevator to reach the Earliteen Loft.
The Family Foot-washing will occur in its normal location - the Commons Area. For the Commons Area, please exit through the front Sanctuary doors and proceed down the stairs to the lower level.
Offering for November 1, 2025
Pioneer Operating Budget
“Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years” (Deuteronomy 8:4, NIV). When the Israelites trusted in God for their needs and were faithful to Him, He always came through. Imagine clothes and sandals that did not wear out over 40 years of use! Now that is the miracle of God. That is a testimony of His love and care of His children.
In our family, my wife and I remind ourselves that everything we own belongs to God! The first microwave we purchased as a married couple became a living testimony of God’s faithfulness. This microwave, after ten years of usage, became a topic of discussion. My wife said, “Any time now, I want to replace this microwave when it stops working!” One morning, the microwave stopped working! My wife rejoiced at the thought of a replacement. I didn’t know anything about fixing appliances. Well, as I was visiting a church member that afternoon, he heard of our dilemma and offered to look at the appliance. In two minutes, he said, “Pastor, here’s the problem. I replaced the fuse and it is now working!” The cost of the fuse? Twelve cents. That microwave continued to work for a total of 21 years—to my wife’s dismay— until we finally donated it to a family member! Our God is always good! Let’s see how God will take care of our needs today.
—Melvin Santos, Kansas/Nebraska Conference in partnership with the North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Time Change
Clocks will "Fall Back" on Sunday morning at 2 AM so we all can get an extra hour of sleep this weekend.
Andrews Academy - Penny Arcade
Andrews Academy invites all seventh and eighth graders to Penny Arcade, Saturday night Nov. 8, 2025. This is a fun evening of games, activities & food; all for just pennies. Get to know Andrews Academy students better as you and your seventh & eighth grade friends enjoy Penny Arcade from 7 - 9 PM. Due to costs, we can only open this to 7th & 8th graders & Andrews Academy students, this is not open to siblings and families. Parents can drop your child off at 7:45 PM and pick them up at 9 pm. If you have any questions please contact the school at 269-471-3138.
Adopt-a-Student
Looking for a simple way to bless a student this semester? Consider adopting one! Whether you’re a family or an individual, you can offer warmth, encouragement, and a sense of home to a student who’s far from theirs. Together, we can help students thrive! Reach out to learn how you can adopt a student and make a real difference. Contact Mari Bowerman at belong@pmchurch.org
Something in Common Sabbath School
Starting Point video series with Andy Stanley: Everything has a beginning. Every person, every idea, every journey starts somewhere. Whether it's one small step in a new direction or a major event, from that point forward nothing is ever the same. It's not always comfortable. It's not always easy. But it's a start. This 8-part series ends December 6, 2025. Everyone is welcome. PMC Boardroom. 10:30-11:30 Sabbath mornings.