This year's topic is "Blessed are the Peacemakers". The MWC is a forum for scholarly and professional dialogue, the advancement of knowledge, and the promotion of best practices in Christian worship and music. February 16-18 in the Seminary chapel. Register at andrews.edu/icwm/conference.
Mission Possible
Called 2 B Uncool
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
“Mission Possible: Called 2 B Uncool”
- The Herd
- N. D. Wilson: “Cows like to turn their backs to the wind. At least, all the cows I know do. Slowly, awkwardly, eventually, all that beef will run parallel to the breeze.”
“People aren’t too different. We align ourselves safely in herds, comforted by the hot breath of others breaking on the backs of our necks and ears. Then we huff and we puff and we blow at the fools turned in the wrong direction.”
“Is there anything more compelling to us than the heavy synchronized breathing of a mob, especially when combined with cocked eyebrows of disdain and curled lips of disgust? This is the zeitgeist, inside the church and out, and it will judge you until you conform or commune. This is cool-shaming, and it will make you squirm and itch to turn your back to the wind, to stand with all the other cows.” (“Called to Be Uncool,” Christianity Today June 2014 p 32)
- The Birth
- Luke 1:11-17
- E. G. White: “John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, received his early training from his parents. . . . The words of the angel to Zacharias had been often repeated to John by his God-fearing parents. From his childhood his mission had been kept before him, and he accepted the holy trust.” (Testimonies to the Church 8:221)
- E. G. White: “Even the babe in its mother’s arms may dwell as under the shadow of the Almighty through the faith of the praying mother. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth. If we [as parents] will live in communion with God, we too may expect the divine Spirit to mold our little ones, even from their earliest moments.” (Desire of Ages 512)
- E. G. White: “The greater portion of [John’s] life was spent in the wilderness. . . . It was John’s choice to forgo the enjoyments and luxuries of city life for the stern discipline of the wilderness. Here his surroundings were favorable to habits of simplicity and self-denial. Uninterrupted by the clamor of the world [zeitgeist], he could here study the lessons of nature, of revelation, and of providence.” (Testimonies to the Church 8:221)
- The Word
- Matthew 11:7-10
- N. D. Wilson: “But for the rest of us, the single greatest factor in our decision-making is simple compliance. We turn with the crowd because we want the awkwardness to stop. We want them all to stop looking at us like that. We want to feel the wind of opinion at our backs.”
“How did otherwise intelligent people go along with the Third Reich, the invasion of Poland, the extermination of the Jews? We may assume they were evil, brainwashed, or a bit of both, and in part we’re right. But when was the last time you hedged on an opinion because of the hot breathing of those around you? When did you last choose your words more on the politics of a situation than on truth?”
“The zeitgeist is a fickle master, because the zeitgeist is us.” (Ibid)
- E. G. White: “[John] distrusted his own power to withstand temptation, and shrank from constant contact with sin, lest he should lose the sense of its exceeding sinfulness. . . . So far as possible, he closed every avenue by which Satan could enter, yet he was still assailed by the tempter. But his spiritual perceptions were clear; he had developed strength and decision of character, and through the aid of the Holy Spirit he was able to detect Satan’s approaches, and to resist his power.” (Desire of Ages 101-102)
- N. D. Wilson: “Prophets must be fearless, immune to the pressures of kings and crowds, aligned only with the breath of God.”
“We are in need of prophets now. Christians are scattered, but the world’s wind is heavy and unified.”
“Truth and ultimate glory may be in the hands of our Maker, but the keys of earthly shame are in the hands of the mob. Prophets must be immune to floggings on Facebook and Twitter. They must be fearless before friends and tenure committees and stadiums filled with the priests of Baal. The world is busy applying pressure on ‘social issues,’ and Christians are busy caving left and right, trying to accept fresh cultural dogma simply so that they might be accepted.” (Ibid)
- Jesus: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)
Stand up—stand out—for Him
There will be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath, February 4, following the second worship service in the Commons on the lower level. Visitors are always welcome.
Ladies, make time to unwind and get lost in the RIGHT direction...Camp Au Sable in Grayling, Michigan! Let us find the joy in the journey as we make our way toward our happy place, Heaven!! Glamping (glamour camping) in style! Together we will be blessed by Tami Milligan and the great seminar line-up. Dates are April 14-16 and April 21-23 (same programs/presenters/seminars each weekend). Visit michiganwm.com to learn more. Jesus says…"I will guide you along the best path for your life." Psalm 32:7,8
Pioneer Women’s Ministries invites the PMC ladies to attend with us in a “LOVE ON THE MOVE” project as we show appreciation and support for our beloved church family members who are homebound and grieving by creating encouraging gifts and cards for them. NO MEAL WILL BE SERVED.
Location: Teen Loft
Date: Sunday, February 12
Time: 9:45 AM to 11:30 AM (Check-in at 9:15 am)
Registration: Text “CHERISH” to 269-281-2345
Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:20 that where 2 or 3 of us are gathered in His name, He is there with us! I’d like you to enter into the presence of Jesus this Spring by joining a Grow Group, one of Pioneer’s small groups that are designed to help you share a passion, make new friends, and grow in your faith.
Grow Groups are for everyone! We have groups for all ages, and a wide variety of interests. Many of our groups meet online, so even if you’re not part of our local community, you can still join a group here.
Registration is now open for the spring session (February 5-April 29). You can find all the available groups by texting the word JOIN to 269-281-2345 or head to pmchurch.org/grow and find the button that says “Join a Group.”
Andrews University Student Missions Department encourages students to expand their worldviews and deepen their faith by engaging in service and volunteering opportunities domestically and around the world. For more information or to support our program please see https://www.andrews.edu/faith/missions/index.html or contact sm@andrews.edu
Andrews University is hosting the spring Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Johnson Gym. We welcome you to sign up at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time
Pioneer Operating Budget
We Seventh-day Adventists have a reputation of being faithful in returning our tithes to God, at least compared to most other Christian denominations. However, our tithing might contradict what’s in our hymnal, and I’m talking about a well-known hymn. Either we need to change our giving or we need to change the lyrics in the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, specifically song #309.
Here’s how the revised version of this song should go: “10% to Jesus I surrender, 10% to Him I freely give.” Join me on the chorus, “I surrender 10%, I surrender 10%, 10% to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender 10%.” Something about that just doesn’t sound right, does it? Jesus never asked us for 10%; He’s always asked for everything. That’s why the hymn goes, “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give.”
Yes, the Bible talks about a tithe being 10% as a practice of worship and reminds us that everything comes from God, but let’s remember that everything belongs to God, including the local church offering. With what’s left, I buy food to take care of my body or to pay my bills; even this belongs to Jesus. When we bring our offerings to God, we acknowledge that EVERYTHING comes from Him and we can trust Him to supply everything we need. Today I invite you to give everything to Jesus and allocate a portion of that to the offerings at this church as you actively worship God.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
ASM members and guests are invited to hear Dr. Randall Younker discuss his team's recent visit to Mt. Ararat and what they found, on February 12, at 1 PM. It's sure to be an exciting program. Bring some food and enjoy a potluck with your friends. Bring a new friend and invite them to join ASM for the remainder of the present term for only 1/2 of the annual dues.
Isn't It Romantic? In anticipation of Valentine's Day, join internationally renowned tenor, Charles Reid, and friends from the Andrews University Department of Music in an eclectic and fun evening on the theme of love.