There will be a fellowship dinner, following the second worship service in the commons on the lower level.
Nuclear Fishin'
Whale of a Fish Story
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
“Nuclear Fishin’: A Whale of a Fish Story”
www.newperceptions.tv
- Jonah
- Haddon Robinson: “If ever there was a man who lived in direct disobedience to God, it was the prophet Jonah. God directed him to preach to the citizens of Nineveh, but he boarded a ship and sailed away from God rather than do what God had commanded him to do. During his flight a violent storm arose that terrified the pagan sailors, but Jonah was below deck in the boat asleep. Evidently Jonah had peace about the decision he made. On the other hand, if ever there was someone who was doing God’s will, it was Jesus going to the cross. Yet, in the Garden of Gethsemane he was in anguish, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the earth (Luke 22:44). Peace is not evidence we have made a godly decision.” (Preaching to a Shifting Culture, 85-86)
- Haddon Robinson: “If ever there was a man who lived in direct disobedience to God, it was the prophet Jonah. God directed him to preach to the citizens of Nineveh, but he boarded a ship and sailed away from God rather than do what God had commanded him to do. During his flight a violent storm arose that terrified the pagan sailors, but Jonah was below deck in the boat asleep. Evidently Jonah had peace about the decision he made. On the other hand, if ever there was someone who was doing God’s will, it was Jesus going to the cross. Yet, in the Garden of Gethsemane he was in anguish, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the earth (Luke 22:44). Peace is not evidence we have made a godly decision.” (Preaching to a Shifting Culture, 85-86)
- Nineveh
- "'Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh . . . ?'" (Jonah 4:11)
- Billy Graham diary entry: “Preached on the Prodigal Son. Felt somewhat bound, not as much liberty as normal. The crowd was about the same tonight as before. It was very hot and humid. I think we had about the smallest response to the invitation we have had yet. I seem to sense that there is a greater response to the invitation when I preach on judgment than any other subject. Tonight I preached more on the love, mercy, and grace of God, and the response is not nearly so great. Perhaps the message for New York is judgment." (Curtis Mitchell, God in the Garden: The Amazing Story of Billy Graham's First New York Crusade, 134)
- Ellen White: "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." (Prophets and Kings 277)
- Ralph Moore: "One question we all face is, 'Am I willing to accept the Great Commission as a personal calling?' If the answer is yes, then nothing will stand between us and spiritual revolution. Our gifts of time, money and prestige will burst with sacrifice. You and I will crave the power of the Holy Spirit so that we can make a difference wherever we go. If we embrace the goal of spiritual revolution, we will only be happy in a church that sees itself as a force for change and acts accordingly. It will be easy to set aside comfortable tradition (even the tradition of the last decade) for functional steps toward the goal of Christ’s kingdom realized in our generation. The point is that, like Peter and Andrew, you and I must be willing to become ‘fishers of [people]' on a much broader scale. We simply need more fishing boats." (How to Multiply Your Church 114-115).
- Oswald Chambers: "If you do not cut the moorings [the ropes that tie you to the shore], God will have to break them by a storm and send you out. Launch all on God, go out on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and you will get your eyes open. If you believe in Jesus, you are not to spend all your time in the smooth waters just inside the harbor bar, full of delight, but always moored; you have to get out through the harbor bar into the great deeps of God . . ." (My Utmost for His Highest 160)
- Jesus: "The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something [Someone] greater than Jonah is here." (Matthew 12:41)
"We have heard a joyful sound—
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!"
Pioneer Operating Budget
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need” (Acts 2:42-45, ESV).
In one of my first years as a professor, I had a student who clearly did not like me. Every day she came to class with a negative attitude. One day, as I was leaving, I felt the Holy Spirit impress me to give her money. It seemed like an odd thought, so I brushed it away. Later that week, I felt God saying once again to give her money, but now He had doubled the amount.
As we left the classroom, I asked her to stay, and I mumbled through an explanation about why I was giving her money. I watched as she burst into tearsand explained that she had had no idea how she was going to get diapers for her baby.
That experience is a reminder of our call as Christians, to give. We never know the far-reaching impact of our financial gifts. Today’s offering is for our local church budget. Let’s partner with our church to expand our ability to help those around us in need.
By Heather Thompson Day
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
The activity bags have been a big hit with Pioneer kids. Please help us replenish missing items and make more bags by buying items of our Amazon Wish list or by labeling an offering for "Kids Church Bags". Thank you for your support in bringing kids to church!
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.
Something In Common SS presents Don’t Give Up by Kyle Idleman
When you are hanging by a thread, losing faith and short on strength, what you need is real encouragement—a battle cry, a call to action, marching orders to push back the darkness. Stand up straight. Face your fears and enemies. And remember that you are not alone.
Join us weekly from August 24-September 21, Sabbath Mornings at 10:30-11:30, in PMC room 141.
Pioneer Memorial Church is delighted to announce the selection of Jacob Gibbs as a new Associate Pastor. Pastor Jacob was introduced to Pioneer on July 27, 2024, although his official start date was July 18, 2024. Pastor Jacob will serve as Associate Pastor at Pioneer Memorial Church and an Associate Chaplain with the Center for Faith Engagement at Andrews University.
Pastor Jacob Gibbs felt a call to ministry when he accepted Jesus as his Savior in 2002. Over the next nine years, he pursued his purpose and training at Mission College of Evangelism and Andrews University—gaining experience as a Bible Worker and Literature Evangelist. Pastor Jacob graduated from Andrews University in 2011 with a Bachelor's in Art and Theology. He later returned for his Master's Degree in Pastoral Ministry.
During his undergraduate years, he met his wife, Emily Knott, and they were married in 2012. Pastor Jacob has served in the Michigan Conference for 13 years, starting with a three-church district in the central part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and most recently as the Senior Pastor of the Cedar Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church at Great Lakes Adventist Academy. Pastor Jacob's passions in ministry include hobby-based outreach, small groups, applied arts, and personal Bible studies. Pastor Jacob and Emily have two daughters, Eva and Avianne. They look forward to starting this new chapter of their lives by serving the communities of Andrews University and the Pioneer Memorial Church.