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Mission Possible

Urban Decay - Angels in the Inner City

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Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Dwight 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

The heartbreaking terrorist attacks in the streets of Paris only serve as a painful reminder that we live in a broken world. Our planet is filled with cities, and those cities are filled with hurting people who are in desperate need of a few inner city angels.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Program: 
As We Begin
More About Jesus I Would Know • John Sweney
Praise
Prayer
Adrianne Magsipoc
"By the Word of Their Testimony" Baptism
Korollos Abdelmalak with Rodlie Ortiz
Children's Story
José Bourget / Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven • Timothy Waugh
Worship in Music
Capriccio • Kevin McChesney
Sermon
“Mission Possible: Urban Decay—Angels in the Inner City” • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Cards, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go • 573
As We Depart
O God, Faithful God • Johannes Brahms

More In This Series

11/07/2015
What We Can Learn from Ben Carson, Evangelicals and America
Considering the Adventist Church's historical stance on the separation of Church and State, how do we respond to the increased attention and scrutiny brought on by the presidential candidacy of one of our prominent members? Where do we stand when it comes to the causes of our Evangelical nation? How can we best serve this nation that we love?
10/31/2015
How to Stand Alone - Living Up to the Luther in You
Nearly 500 years ago, a young monk stood all alone before the the greatest assembly of powers, princes, and pontificates the world had ever seen. His courage would spark one of the greatest social revolutions in history. How can we tap into that same source of strength to start our own social revolution today?
10/24/2015
Called 2 B Uncool
In a world where we are called to follow what is popular, Christ calls us to be "uncool." If we desire to follow Christ, we are called to deny self, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).
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“Mission Possible:

Urban Decay—Angels in the Inner City”

www.pmchurch.tv

 

□      This World of Pagans

·      The daughter of Bertrand Russell: “His whole life was a search for God. . . . Somewhere at the back of my father’s mind, at the bottom of his heart, in the depths of his soul, there was an empty space that had once been filled by God, and he never found anything else to put in it.”

·      Bertrand Russell: “There is darkness without and when I die there will be darkness within.” (Mysticism and Logic)

·      His daughter: “I would have liked to convince my father that I had found what he had been looking for, the ineffable something he had longed for all his life. I would have liked to persuade him that the search for God does not have to be vain. But it was hopeless. He had known too many blind Christians, bleak moralists who sucked the joy from life and persecuted their opponents; he would never have been able to see the truth they were hiding.” (In Philip Yancey’s Vanishing Grace, 32-33)

□      His Love for Pagans

·      Exhibit A—God and the pagan king

§  Genesis 20

·      Exhibit B—God and the pagan city

§  Jonah 4:11

§  Clark Pinnock: “. . . the book of Jonah stands in the canon to testify to the universal salvific will of God.” (A Wideness in God’s Mercy 28)

·      Exhibit C—God and the pagan city

§  Jeremiah 51:44-45

§  Revelation 18:4

·      Exhibit D—God and the lost city

§  Luke 19:35-42

§  Desire of Ages: “While the westering sun was tinting and gilding the heavens, its resplendent glory lighted up the pure white marble of the temple walls, and sparkled on its gold-capped pillars. . . . [which] caught the splendor of the setting sun, shining as if with a glory borrowed from heaven.  Jesus gazes upon the scene . . . His eyes fill with tears, and His body rock[s] to and fro like a tree before the tempest, while a wail of anguish bursts from His quivering lips, as if from the depths of a broken heart.” (575)

·      Exhibit E—God, Giuseppe, Sonya and the pagan city Bergamo, Italy

·      Exhibit F—God and the pagan city

§  Acts 18:9-10

§  NASB: “Do not be afraid any longer.”

§  Prophets and Kings: “In every city, filled though it may be with violence and crime, there are many who with proper teaching may learn to become followers of Jesus. Thousands may thus be reached with saving truth and be led to receive Christ as a personal Saviour.” (278)

 

The question is:

Are you willing to go?

(Flyer, TV, Google search, name of person who invited you, etc.)
Offering for February 1, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

Proverbs 3 says, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so, your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10, NKJV).

Author Melvin Santos Speaking: Shortly after our wedding, we flew to Berrien Springs, Michigan to start my seminary classes. We moved into our barely furnished apartment. We just had our clothes and whatever else we could pack in our suitcases. This prompted a shopping excursion.

What struck me was a powerful wave of emotion when we purchased our very first microwave and a set of pots and pans. It was not the objects themselves, but the realization that they were ours, collectively. We owned these items as a married couple, together.

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we enter into a partnership with God spiritually and with our material possessions. Everything we own is God's; we are merely stewards managing these things on His behalf. How we view our possessions, and how we handle them, becomes a litmus test of our faith.

It is through this stewardship plan of giving that we truly “honor the Lord.” When we focus on honoring the Lord, His promise is that we will be abundantly filled to overflowing.

Today, let’s be filled to overflowing by giving back to God and sharing our blessings. North American Division Stewardship Ministries 

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

House of Prayer Mini-series

We are pleased to announce a new House of Prayer Winter Mini-series led by pastor Dwight Nelson entitled "They, Too, Walked with Him". This series begins February 5th and cover the following: 

  • February 5    The Antediluvians (in Terrible Times): Enoch and Noah
  • February 12    The Patriarchs (in Stumbling Times): Abraham and Jacob (and Moses) 
  • February 19    The Prophets and Kings (in Meltdown Times): David and Hezekiah, Micah and Isaiah 
  • February 26    The Disciples (in Crossroad Times): Peter, James, John, and Paul 
  • March 5    The Redeemed (in Eternity-Now Times): Jesus and You and Me 

We meet together for House of Prayer every Wednesday evening from 7 PM - 8 PM in the earliteen loft. Please join us as we enjoy a spiritual shot in the arm in the middle of each week as we worship together through signing, study of God's word, testimonies, and prayer. Hope to see you there!

Andrews University Week of Prayer - "We Believe"

Join us for an inspiring Week of Prayer as we explore what We Believe and celebrate how God is actively working in our lives and our community. Each session will feature powerful testimonies and messages from university faculty and students, sharing how their experiences with God have shaped their faith and beliefs.

Come and be reminded of the amazing ways God reveals Himself to us—and how He continues to move in our lives today.

Join us at the Pioneer Sanctuary at 11:30 AM to hear from Andrews University faculty as they reflect on their journeys of faith:

Monday Vanessa Corredera
Tuesday Anthony Bosman
Wednesday Lucille Sabas
Thursday Shawna McNeily
Friday Doug Taylor

 

You can also join us at Lamson Hall Chapel for evening sessions at 7:30 PM to hear students share their testimonies of faith and the moments God has shown up in their lives.

Monday Evan Keyes
Tuesday Leo Aguilara
Wednesday Nick Gunn
Thursday Jea Erazo

 

Friday night vespers will be in the Pioneer Sanctuary with Professor Rodney Palmer at 7:30 PM.

Master Guide Club

Do you want to complete your Master Guide Program? If so, please consider joining the Master Guide Club that meets weekly on campus to help you complete the requirements.

For more information or to join, please visit cye.org/toolbox

Oasis Public School Ministry

Oasis Public School Ministry provides a safe community for real talk, good food, fun activities, and building relationships between students, leaders, and God. This ministry is open to any public school student in grades 7-12 and meets Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 PM in the Commons, beginning January 21. For more information, contact Diane at simplestirrings@yahoo.com.

AU Wind Symphony & SMC Brass Band Winter Concert-Of Legend andLore: Traditions & Cinematic Stories

Time honored traditions and cinematic stories are the theme of this exciting “Of Legends and Lore” musical evening with the Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) Brass Band and the Andrews University (AU) Wind Symphony. Under the direction of Mark Hollandsworth, the SMC Brass Band will present music that represents Scottish and Welsh traditions and legends and lore. The traditional Brass Band sounds and unique instruments are sure to please. In the second half, the AU Wind Symphony, under the direction of Denisse Santos, will present a series of cinematic stories including An American Symphony from Mr. Holland’s Opus, Gabriel’s Oboe from The Mission, and themes from How to Train Your Dragon. Join us for this dramatic evening of traditions and cinematic stories on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 8:00 PM. Tickets available at howard.andrews.edu.

Master Guide Tool Box

The Center for Youth Evangelism will be running a special training weekend where Adventurer Basic Staff, Master Guide Leadership Skills, and Staff Leadership courses will be offered on Febuary 7 and 8.

For more information or to register, please visit cye.org/toolbox

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.

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