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God and Mister Rogers

Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Part 1

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Rodlie Ortiz

Rodlie Ortiz is on the pastoral team of Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University where he oversees evangelism and Grow Groups. He recently finished his Doctor of Ministry degree in Missional Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. He blogs regularly on modernekklesia.com and enjoys connecting with people that don't know God. He is married to Iveth, a special education teacher, and has two boys—Jonathan and Daniel.

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What do you think about when you hear the words personal evangelism? For most people, those words carry a lot of baggage. It evokes scary memories of going door-to-door or speaking with strangers. But is that what evangelism is actually about? In Part 1 of this series we’ll explore the model that Jesus gives, and here’s the good news—it doesn’t involve speaking with strangers.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Program: 
As We Begin
Praise to the Lord • Johann Sebastian Bach
Praise
Baby Dedication
Jonathan William presented by Terry & Silvia Vitek with Skip MacCarty
Children's Story
Worship in Music
Have I Done My Best for Jesus? • Harold Storrs
Sermon
"God and Mister Rogers: Won't You Be My Neighbor?"–Part 1 • Rodlie Ortiz
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
Rescue the Perishing • 367
As We Depart
Allegro assai vivace from Sonata No. 1 • Felix Mendelssohn

More In This Series

08/06/2016
Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Part 7
07/30/2016
Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Part 6
Not our arguments as much as our influence will finish Christ's work, because nobody was ever won to Jesus by a person he didn't like. "The influence of a holy life is the most convincing sermon that can be given in favor of Christianity. Argument, even when unanswerable, may provoke only opposition; but a godly example has a power that it is impossible wholly to resist” (AA 510.2).
07/23/2016
Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Part 5
Part 5 of this sermon series focuses on the question: "Who is my neighbor?" Using the familiar story of the Good Samaritan, we will study the parallels between Jesus'; audience in Jericho that day and those of us who today may still be pondering, "Who is my neighbor?" and how will my actions reflect the principle illustrated by the unwanted, rejected Samaritan who showed mercy to his enemy.
07/16/2016
Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Part 4
07/09/2016
Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Part 3
Part 3 explores the disciples' experience on the road to Emmaus; a story worth retelling because it reminds us that our Christian journey starts with God.
07/02/2016
Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Part 2
The story of Zacchaeus is one that is often set aside for children, in this message however we explore the story to find where we as a church stand. The picture of evangelism and the gospel that unfolds in this story offer something for the followers of Jesus today.
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VBS at Niles Westside Church

Keepers of the Kingdom - Standing Strong in Today's Battle for Truth. July 14-18, from 9 - 11:45 AM at Niles Westside Adventist Church (1105 Grant St, Niles) for kids in Pre-K (age 4) - 6th grade. Please register early online at www.nileswestside.org. Email nileswestsidevbs@gmail.com or call 269-683-5998 with questions.

Offering for June 28, 2025

Michigan Advance Partners

Author Melvin Santos Speaking: For the longest time, in my early years, I quietly disagreed with this Bible passage in Acts 20, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, NKJV).

I wondered how people can say, “I receive a blessing when I give.” On the contrary, in my younger years, I always enjoyed receiving gifts. To pay for the gift and give it to someone wouldn’t bring me joy. That would cost me time and money.

When I fell in love, got married, and had children, I finally learned that when you’re in love, there is a greater joy in giving gifts to your wife and children. I would do anything for them because I love them.

Then I understood that this is the Spirit of Christ, who sacrificed all to share His love with us. When I participate in giving, or helping someone in need who cannot reciprocate the deed or pay me back, I’m sharing the love of Jesus. Now, that’s the heart of Jesus.

Just seeing the smiles on my family’s faces was enough for me to experience this passage, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Today, let’s share our gifts with a generous heart.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries