Are you looking forward to Spring? Seniors 55 years and up are invited to the ASM meeting at the Village Church Fellowship Hall March 9 at 1:00 PM Daylight Savings Time. Don’t forget the time change that day! After the potluck, Dr Lois Burn will present “Joy thru Gardening”. Come for a master class in staying healthy and happy as gardening task resume this spring. Call Cheryl Doss at 269-277-0767 with any questions.
Gone Fishin'
Part 3
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight 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
"Gone Fishin'"—3
www.newperceptions.tv
- A fishing story
- Matthew 13:47-51
- The Big Fisherman to the little fishermen: “You must learn this lesson: you do the —I do the .”
- Three points
- Point #1—When the Gospel Net is let down it catches all of fish.
- Point #2—The fish (people) get separated at the the world.
- Point #3—The ones who do the sorting at the end of the world (in the Great Judgement) are the , not the .
- “Don’t be afraid—from now on you will fish for .” (Luke 5:10)
- Three anxiety relievers
- Anxiety Reliever #1—I don’t have to decide who gets “netted” for .
- Anxiety Reliever #2—I don’t have to decide who gets “netted” for .
- Anxiety Reliever #3—Because I don’t have to do the —all I need to do is the .
Jim Cymbala: “Christians often hesitate to reach out to those who are . They want God to clean the fish before they catch them. If someone’s gold ring is attached to an unusual body part, if the person doesn’t smell the best, or if the skin color is not the same, Christians tend to hesitate. But think for a moment about God reaching out to us. If ever there was a “reach,” that was it: the holy, pure Deity extending himself to us who were soiled, evil-hearted, unholy. God could have said, ‘You’re so different from me, so distasteful, I would really rather not get too close to you.’ But he didn’t say that. It was our very that drew his hand of love.” (Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: What Happens When God’s Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People 141)
- Ellen White: “[Christ] has not committed to us the work of judging character and motive. He knows our nature too well to entrust this work to us. Should we try to uproot from the church those whom we suppose to be spurious Christians, we should be sure to make mistakes. Often we regard as hopeless subjects the very ones whom Christ is drawing to Himself.” (Christ’s Object Lessons 71)
- How to fish for people
- Ask God at the beginning of every day to lead you to someone who needs what can offer.
- Ask God to help you make an to someone.
- “The Big Day” (September)
- “Unlocking Revelation (October)
- “God’s Boot Camp” (October)
- Ask God every morning to be at work in the lives of people you know who need Jesus.
- A story: “This is the smell of the world I died for.”
We do the fishing—He does the sorting
Pioneer Operating Budget
Author Melvin Santos Speaking: Several years ago, I was studying the subject of motivation and motivational factors that drive people. Some people will use reward or threat to get people to respond such as receiving a paycheck or getting fired. Others use fear and guilt. They create fear of losing something if they don’t act. Some are motivated by statistical measures and defined goals that provide them with a clear benchmark to strive towards. However, I discovered that all these are low-level motivators and only short term.
In the spiritual world, the same principles apply when it comes to giving tithes and offerings. The highest motivation should be our love for Christ in response to His love for us! This stems from a deep, personal connection and commitment that far outweighs any other incentives. “We belong to God; we are His sons and daughters—His by creation, and His by the gift of His only-begotten Son for our redemption. ‘Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's’” (Counsels on Stewardship, p.72). We give our offerings not to pay for His sacrifice. It wouldn’t even come close, but to show our love for Him.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
All eighth-grade students are invited to attend Academy Day on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Come and see the exciting programs Andrews Academy offers and experience one day with us. Lunch will be served, and T-shirts and prizes will be given. Registration is in the gym from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM. Activities will conclude by 3:15 PM. Call 269-471-3138 to RSVP or with any questions you may have.
Students who will be in the 1st through 8th grades next school year are invited to visit Ruth Murdoch Elementary School on March 4. Make friends, meet teachers and have fun!
- Grades 1–6: 8:15 AM–11:30 AM
- Grades 7–8: 8:15 AM–3:30 PM
Parents, please call 269-471-3225 to register.
Parents with students who will be five years old by Sept. 1, 2025, are invited to come meet our Kindergarten teacher, tour the classroom and school, enjoy refreshments, meet other Kindergarten parents, etc. Please call us at 269-471-3225 to let us know you are coming! March 10 6:00 PM. Kindergarten Visitor's Day is the next morning, March 11!
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
A group of students from Andrews University are preparing to embark on a life-changing mission in March of 2025. They will engage in evangelism, health care, and community outreach in Cuba. This mission trip has been going on for 11 years, and the impact has been tremendous, thanks to your help. Would you support this mission once again by donating right here in your church or give at www.careforcuba.org/donate? Thank you for your prayers as they prepare to send off students to serve and share Jesus!