Andrews University’s Alumni Homecoming Weekend is coming soon! A full weekend of activities will take place Sept. 26–29, 2024. Our traditional Friday events like the golf tournament and classic car show will return, but we hope you also enjoy several special features taking place this year in celebration of our 150th anniversary! These include the release of Meredith Jones Gray’s second volume on Andrews University’s history, “Forward in Faith,” as well as a “150 years of history” walk-through museum in Johnson Gym. Enjoy a variety of open houses and museums on Sabbath afternoon, then attend Saturday night’s supper for alumni, which returns with a “twist” in Johnson Gym. For details and a full schedule, visit our website at alumni.andrews.edu/homecoming. We hope to see you soon!
Chasing Hope
From an Empty Tomb
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
“Chasing Hope: From an Empty Tomb”
- “The Instinct of Hope”
Is there another world for this frail dust
To warm with life and be itself again?
Something about me daily speaks there must,
And why should instinct nourish hopes in vain?
'Tis nature's prophesy that such will be,
And everything seems struggling to explain
The close sealed volume of its mystery.
Time wandering onward keeps its usual pace
As seeming anxious of eternity,
To meet that calm and find a resting place.
E'en the small violet feels a future power
And waits each year renewing blooms to bring,
And surely man is no inferior flower
To die unworthy of a second spring?
—John Clare (1793-1864)
- The Narrative of Hope
- Matthew 28:1-10
- Desire of Ages: “The earth trembles at his approach, the hosts of darkness flee, and as he rolls away the stone, heaven seems to come down to the earth. The soldiers see him removing the stone as he would a pebble, and hear him cry, Son of God, come forth; Thy Father calls Thee. They see Jesus come forth from the grave, and hear Him proclaim over the rent sepulcher, ‘I am the resurrection, and the life.’ As He comes forth in majesty and glory, the angel host bow low in adoration before the Redeemer, and welcome Him with songs of praise.” (780)
- The Promise of Hope
- 1 Peter 1:1-3
- 1 Corinthians 15:13-19
- Earnest Becker: “The soberest conclusion that we could make about what has been taking place on the planet for about three billion years is that it is being turned into a vast pit of fertilizer.” (The Denial of Death 283/in Lewis Smede’s How Can It Be All Right When Everything Is All Wrong? 132)
- 1 Peter 1:3-5 The Message: “What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.”
- Lewis Smedes: “We may as well be very candid: Christian hope is fixed on the last square of our date book. Hope bets that the last square is not that closed closet commonly called a coffin, but a front door into a new world where everything is right, right in all its dimensions. There will be an intermission, of course, between my arrival at my own private last square and the arrival of the new world. But I will not feel as if I need to wait for it to come. In fact, when I find myself in the new earth, I will feel as if I got there at the moment I left the last square of my calendar. It may be light years away, but in the new dimension it will seem like tomorrow.” (How Can It Be All Right, When Everything Is All Wrong? 124)
- Rubem A. Alves: “Hope is hearing the melody of the future. Faith is to dance to it.”
“And the future starts now!”
Appearing in the Advent Review... in September, 1874, was a brief letter from John Nevins Andrews. One of its sentences stands out. This sentence, starting "And now, as we set forth, we commit ourselves...", has become dubbed the "J.N. Andrews Benediction", and it finds frequent use at the close of major events on the Andrews University campus.
On Sept. 21 at 5:15 p.m., we will explore this sentence divided into seven parts, each with verbal commentary, congregational singing, and an organ solo. The final words, "...in this sacred work", will receive particular emphasis including an organ solo with deep campus roots, Charles Gounod's Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy). Kenneth Logan, organ and Jonathan Burt, word will lead this sesquicentennial remembrance.
Belong Ministries is off to a great start! We have 66 students (and counting!) seeking to be paired with a church family. Join us in bridging the gap by forging a lasting connection with a student today! This is time well-worth investing. To sign up, text the word "BELONG" to 269-281-2345.
DivorceCare and DivorceCare for Kids(DC4K ages 5 to12)will be meeting from 9/18 to 12/18 in the 6th and 5th grade SS rooms from 6 to 8 PM each Weds evening. We aim to provide a supportive environment for healing and growth for those dealing with the trauma and heartache that separation and divorce can bring for both children and adults. We are also looking for individuals interested in helping to lead our in DC4K. Text or call William Helbley @ 269-849-5432 if interested or register on divorcecare.com by searching for zip code 49103.
The Crayon Box is looking for a qualified Pre-Kindergarten Teacher to prepare children ages 4-5 for kindergarten. The Pre-K teacher must have a great love and patience for children. Qualifications needed to teach them effectively include knowledge of best practices and Pre-Kindergarten educational methods as well as the ability to engage them and earn their trust and attention. The goal is to contribute to the healthy mental and emotional development of the child so they can thrive in their next level of education and have a lifelong love of learning. Must meet LARA requirements for lead caregiver.
Work Hours: 8:00-11:30 / 12:30-5:00 M-Th & 8:00 - 11:30 / 12:30-3:00 F
Please join us for House of Prayer meetings each Wednesday evenings at 7 PM in the Earliteen Loft here at Pioneer. We are excited about a new study series lead by our own Pastor Dwight Nelson that will begin on Sept 4th.
Please invite a friend and join us for spiritual shot in the arm in the middle of each week as we sing, share, study, and pray together.
Our physical health impacts spiritual health: both are vitally important, and maintaining a healthy weight promotes both. That is why we are offering our 10-week Best Weigh Nutrition and Weight Loss Program starting September 16, this time Monday evenings in the Pioneer commons. Do not let diabetes and high blood pressure sneak up on you! Sign up and invite a friend. Text "HEALTH" to 269-281-2345 right away!
Your faithfulness is greatly appreciated. To ensure that your donations are properly credited to your account, when contributing through AdventistGiving, please log in under your name, instead of contributing as a "Guest."
Revelation 13 – How to Pray for America NOW – Led by Pastor Dwight Nelson. Please join us for House of Prayer meetings each Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM in the Earliteen Loft here at Pioneer. We are excited about a new study series lead by our own Pastor Dwight Nelson that will begin on September 4. Please invite a friend and join us for spiritual shot in the arm in the middle of each week as we sing, share, study, and pray together.
We would like our community to know that effective Sunday, September 1, 2024, Neighbor To Neighbor will only take donations Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Being found on the premises after hours will not be allowed and will be considered trespassing. Thank you for your understanding.