From March 16-27, the PMC Youth Missions Team served the campuses of Middle East University and the Adventist School Bouchrieh in Beirut, Lebanon. Most days began at 6:30 AM as the team presents 3 or 4 meetings each day for elementary, secondary, college and community groups. This was the 23rd year that Pioneer has sponsored the Friendship Team to Lebanon. Team members led worship, preached, prayed and made friends with students on the two campuses. Additionally they ministered to children at the ALC Syrian refugee center in nearby Beirut. Evening and morning meetings included special prayer times and prayer journaling. The team also spent time with the over 700 Muslim students at the Adventist School Mouseitbeh and visited a local mosque to learn more about ministry in a Muslim context. Though Lebanon is experiencing a severe financial crises, the country allows religious freedom for Christians and Muslims. There are many challenges for missions in this cross-cultural context but there were so many answers to prayer. We were able to give four Andrews Study Bibles to theology majors from Iran, Iraq, and Egypt. These Bibles are precious treasurers for these pastors in training. For example, Jackie, one of the team members, became friends with a couple of high-school age girls and invited them to the Friday evening meeting. They came, bringing their mother
who had graduated from Middle East University over 20 years ago and had not been back since. She was so thankful to be on campus and rejoiced in worshipping with the church family again. We continue to pray for her spiritual journey with Jesus. Glenn Russell, team leader, states that this mission trip would have been impossible without the prayer and financial support of the PMC congregation.
#RxF4Now
Jolly Old St Nicholas Goes to Bethlehem
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
“Jolly Old St Nicholas Goes to Bethlehem”
- Proverbs’ One Prayer
- Proverbs 30:8—“O Lord, give me neither nor , but give me only my .”
- A Christmas prayer asking God to keep me in because (v 9):
- The great danger in wealth is that it tends to make us feel of God. (Psalm 73:12; Job 21:13-15)
- The great danger in poverty is that it tends to make us feel by God. (Isaiah 8:21)
- “O God—give me neither poverty nor riches—but give me only my daily bread.”
- Joshua Becker, The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own” (Loc 199-213):
- www.becomingminimalist.com
- In the US we now consume as many material goods as we did 50 years ago.
- Over the same period the size of the average American home has nearly tripled and today contains about items.
- On average our homes contain more than people.
- The US Department of Energy reports that due to clutter, % of people with two-car garages don’t have room to park cars inside, and another % have room for only one vehicle.
- One out of 10 American households rents off-site —the fastest growing segment of the commercial real estate industry over the past four decades.
- The average household’s credit card debt stands at over $, while the average mortgage debt is over $.
- Will Rogers: “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned to buy things they don’t want to impress people they don’t like.”
- “My daily bread”:
- Born in a village whose name meant “House of ”(Beth-lehem).
- A fitting birthplace for Him who one day would teach us to pray: “Our Father who is in Heaven, give us this day our daily .” (Matthew 6:11)
- A fitting prayer from Him who one day would declare: “I am the of Life—whoever comes to Me will never go hungry.” (John 6:35)
- God’s One Promise
- 2 Corinthians 1:20—YES! and AMEN!
- Psalm 33:6, 9
- Isaiah 55:11
- John 6:63
- Jesus: “Give and it will be given to you—pressed down, shaken together and running over!” (Luke 6:38)
- AMEN!
- Joshua Becker, The More of Less: “It’s true that the less we , the more we can . But what if the inverse is also true? What if the more we give away, the less we need? In other words, what if leads to contentment?”
- God: “Bring the whole tithe into My storehouse and test Me and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” (Malachi 3:10)
- AMEN!
- Tweet: “The antidote 2 Black Friday is 4 words long. Memorize them—you’ll have no problem driving past a shopping mall 2day: “I don’t need it.” (@DwightKNelson)
- 2 Corinthians 1:20—YES! and AMEN!
“Give me Jesus”
There is no fellowship dinner this Sabbath, April 1.
The Project: The foundation for the elevator is poured. The entrance to the elevator waiting area is open but not finished. The new offices for the media team are painted. It’s getting done! Fundraising: As of 3/28/23, there is $570,566.00 that’s been given. Thank You! Please remember Renovate 2.0 in your giving plans and pray for its success!
Pioneer's main entrance at the canopy will be closed on Sabbath, April 1, 2023. There will be no access to the Lower Level via the stairs from the reception booth on the main level. (This entrance also remains closed Mondays to Fridays until further notice). We look forward to having you join us for in-person worship at Pioneer on April 1 as we celebrate the truth, beauty, and transforming power of the Cross. Please use the entrance at the Lower-Level Welcome Center and the stairs or the elevator to access the Sanctuary and Earliteen Loft, and the entrance opposite Andreasen Wellness Center for access to the Youth Chapel, Media Suite, and Collegiate SS. Thank you for your patience and ongoing prayers as together we continue to be Love on the Move.
Community Messiah Sing - The Eau Claire SDA Church is celebrating the sacred glory of the Easter season by hosting a Community Sing-Along of Handel's Messiah Sing-Along. You are invited to this inter-faith Christian sing-along in celebration of the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. We will sing to the recorded “accompaniment” of a Baroque Chamber Orchestra featuring the type of instrumentation the original performance of Handel’s Messiah oratorio had. Come join us on Saturday, April 8 from 5-6 PM at 6562 Naomi Road in Eau Claire. Bring a Messiah score if you have one or one will be provided. A light vegetarian supper will be served afterwards in the Fellowship Hall. More info? 269-405-5026
Pioneer Operating
Happy April Fools’ Day—a day of frequent pranks followed by someone gleefully spouting, “April Fools!” The Bible mentions the term “fool” a number of times, but never in a glib or “happy trickster” sort of way. Twice in the Psalms we read, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Ps. 14:1 and Ps. 53:1). If you’re in church today, you probably aren’t the fool found in Psalms. We’re more susceptible to being the “fool” found in Luke 12. Christ’s parable warns against the natural trigger called “greed.” In this story, a farmer realized some bumper crops, so he decided to enlarge his storage capacity, then take an early retirement so he could just “eat, drink and be merry” (Luke 12:19).
Sound inviting?
Jesus came down harshly, not because of what the farmer had, but because of what he didn’t have. According to v. 21 (NLT), “A person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” One way to have a rich relationship with God is to give offerings with a thankful heart.
Does this mean we’re fools if we don’t put everything we have into the offering? Not necessarily. It does mean that when we make our relationship with God our highest priority, the result is wisdom (Prov. 9:10) rather than being a fool—on April Fools’ Day or on any other day.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Pioneer Women’s Ministries
Easter Reflections 2023
April 1-9
“Who Is This King Of Glory?”
Psalm 24:8-10
This is our third year of Easter Reflections. You will receive a daily email and a text meditation for nine days on the events that happened during the Passion week. Let us reflect on what Jesus did for us. How does it relate to me today? To receive this daily short blessing, text "GLORY" to 269-281-2345
In light of the nearness of the Second Coming of Jesus, we need to do everything possible to improve our prayer life. Come hear and see for yourself the "Miracles of Prayer," as presented by Sari Butler, former Andrews Academy Counselor. Bring a friend and a dish or two for the potluck and enjoy Sari's presentation as together we learn what we can do to have an intimate connection with Jesus. The monthly ASM is open to all Adventists in Michiana (age 55 or more) and next meets at 1 PM on Sunday, April 9 in the Village SDA Church Fellowship Hall. We will see you there! --Cleon White, President, 269-471-5553, whitehkaa@gmail.com
Former AU faculty and PMC member, Dr. Sandra Camp, passed away March 9, 2023, in Walla Walla, WA. All 4 of her daughters were with her. She had recently moved to Walla Walla from Berrien Springs. A small family memorial gathering was held in Walla Walla. During her career at AU (1978-1988), Dr.Camp was Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy in the Music Dept. Dr. Camp also taught piano lessons to countless area students for many decades, until her move in June, 2022. There are plans to establish a memorial scholarship in her name. Dr. Camp is survived by her daughters Connie (Ben) Gish, Tonya (Marty) Wessman, Jill (Jeff) Howell, and MerrieLi (Michele) Camp; 6 grandchildren, and 9 great
grandchildren. Messages may be sent to 817 SE Tuscany Dr, College Place, WA 99324.
Celebrate Christ's death and resurrection with the PMC francophone group in a special Easter service at the Seminary Chapel on April 8. Sabbath School is at 10:30am, and the worship service at 11:45am. A simple Agape meal will follow. Tout le monde est bienvenu!