Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Since 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

Saturday, October 28, 2017
Program: 
Praise
God of Our Fathers • Healer • God of Wonders • Revelation Song
Baptisms
Daniel Henry-Saturne, Jeremy Henry-Saturne, Joel Henry-Saturne with Bordes Henry-Saturne
Pioneer Life
Sabine Vatel with Claudia Davisson, Judy and David Nowack
Prayer
José Bourget
Pioneer Life
Sabine Vatel with Claudia Davisson, Judy and David Nowack
Tithes & Offerings
Now Thank We All Our God • Carl Piutti
Children’s Story
Worship in Music
"Reformation" Symphony: Andante con moto; Allegro maestoso • Felix Mendelssohn
Sermon
"'Here I Stand’: The Story of Martin Luther and the New Reformation" Dwight K. Nelson

More In This Series

"The Story of Martin Luther and the New Reformation:
'Here I Stand!'"

www.newperceptions.tv

  • Wittenberg
    • Derek Wilson: "Whatever else it was, the Reformation was the world’s biggest ever evangelical revival. That is, it called all members of the Christian world and, through the work of missionaries, the whole of humanity to sign up to the three fundamentals of evangelical faith: the primacy of Scripture, the centrality of the Cross and the necessity for personal conversion. Luther died a disappointed man because he believed that his message had failed to conquer the hearts and minds of many people. He was right—but only because he set himself high standards. With the benefit of hindsight we can see that religious revival is always limited in its impact and in its duration. German Pietism, the Methodist Revival in Britain, America’s Great Awakening, the later movements associated with the names of Dwight Moody, William Booth, Billy Graham and others—they all eventually reached and passed their sell-by dates. Inevitably zeal wanes, vision fades and vibrant churches become institutions. The old adage always holds good: 'a mission becomes a movement, a movement becomes a machine, a machine becomes a monument and a monument becomes a museum'—until woken up by the next revival." (Luther: Out of the Storm 353)
    • Leroy Froom: "Seeing the corrupting influence of these indulgences among his own parishioners, Luther tried to stem the tide, and refused to absolve those from their sins who produced an indulgence purchased from Tezel. Therefore the immediate spark that ignited the Reformation did not come from the theological chair, nor even from the pulpit, but from a faithful pastor who was roused to protect his flock from spiritual harm." (Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers 2:252)
    • The Great Controversy: "[Luther] had been called as a shepherd to feed the flock of God, that were hungering and thirsting for the truth." (126)
    • Timothy Lull, Derek Nelson: "The one title Luther has been given on which there can be virtually no equivocation, one that does not have two sides, has no ‘yes, but,’ is pastor. On the most momentous day in a turbulent life—the day of his examination at the Diet of Worms—Luther rose early so that he could hear the confession of several people with heavy hearts…He did not want to be right about doctrine for the sake of being right but for being helpful to troubled consciences.  His concern for preaching, both his own and that of others, trumped everything else in his theology…The word pastor literally means ‘shepherd,’ and Luther was like a German Shepherd in more ways than one." (Resilient Reform: The Life and Thought of Martin Luther 383, 384)
  •  Worms
    • The Great Controversy: "From the secret place of prayer came the power that shook the world in the Reformation." (210)
    • Luther: "Since then your serene majesty and your lordships seek a simple answer, I will give it in this manner... : Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me. Amen." (Lull and Nelson 130)
  • Wartburg
    • James Reston, Jr: "This is the story of the most intense and pivotal period in the life of the great Reformer Martin Luther.... At the Wartburg he wrestled courageously with the most profound questions of Christian life. . . . He interpreted Holy Scripture for the common person.... Miraculously, Luther not only survived this ordeal at the Wartburg but flourished. His literary output in these furtive months was astonishing: letters, sermons, essays, translations.... Indeed without books to refer to during this period, he would succeed in changing the German language forever, as he would transform a rebellion against Rome into a lasting alternate religion.... Hounded into the Wartburg, he emerged with strength and stature to face his persecutors—and triumph over them." (Luther’s Fortress: Martin Luther and His Reformation under Siege ix-x)
    • Luther: "The wise of this world are rejected, that we may learn not to think ourselves wise . . . indeed, to shut our eyes altogether, and cling only to Christ’s Word and come to Him, as He so lovingly invites us to do, and say: Thou alone art my beloved Lord and Master, I am Thy disciple. This much and more might be said concerning this Gospel, but I am too weak and we shall let it go at that." (Lull/Nelson 385)
    • Luke 11:9-13
    • Isaiah 43:19/44:3
    • Ellen White: "The Holy Spirit, the representative of Christ Himself, is the greatest of all gifts." (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing 132)
    • "Morning by morning [Jesus] communicated with His Father in heaven, receiving from Him daily a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit." (Signs of the Times November 21, 1895)
    • Download a PDF of Helmut Haubeil’s book: www.steps-to-personal-revival.info

We must all be beggars

(Flyer, TV, Google search, name of person who invited you, etc.)
Fruit Delivery Next week

If you ordered fruits during the Pathfinder Fruit Fundraiser and requested shipment to PMC, the orders are anticipated to arrive on Tuesday, December 5th. The fruits may be picked up between 6 PM and 8 PM in the PMC Commons.

Fellowship Dinner

There will be a fellowship dinner, following the second worship service in the commons on the lower level. Visitors are always welcome.

Offering for December 2, 2023

Pioneer Operating Budget

December starts off the Christmas season in earnest for many people, even if merchants have been pushing the need to buy gifts for weeks already. What makes the Christmas season special for you? Is it the music, the decorations, special foods, family gatherings, or the gifts—what you might receive, as well as what you might give?

Gift-giving can be problematic. What if someone gives you a gift, but you don’t have one to give in return or vice versa?! Which matters more: the amount of money you spend on the gift or giving a “perfect gift” to a particular person? Let’s reverse that; what if someone gives you a gift and it’s not something you’ve ever wanted or will ever use? Should you put on a happy face and say something like, “How can I ever thank you enough for this gift?”

Each Sabbath we collect an offering as you give your gifts to God. We don’t limit this to the Christmas season because Christmas happens every time we come to church. We come to worship the greatest gift of all time—the gift of God coming to this earth in the form of Jesus Christ.

Our gifts, whether they are wrapped in beautiful Christmas paper or given as cash or checks or through online giving with a credit card, show our thankfulness to God.

So, “Merry Christmas!” And let’s take this opportunity to give our gifts to God.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Soup for Students

Pioneer Young Adult Ministries is hosting Soup for Students. All Collegiate-aged individuals are welcomed to attend and enjoy soup and a touch of home while studying for finals.  Volunteers can contact Prescott Khair (prescott.khair@pmchurch.org)

You Visited Me

Jesus said, "When I was in prison, you visited Me."  If you have a heart for reaching out to a lonely person in need of encouragement while incarcerated, have I got a person for you!  Please contact Sue Wein (whitewsu@andrews.edu).  I will give you the details and help you in connecting with her.

Bring a Toy, Spread some joy.

In just a few weeks, on December 9, we will be having our annual Children’s Celebration of Christmas. This is the worship service every year where we bring a new unwrapped toy for a child up to age 16. These gifts will go to families in our community who are not able to purchase gifts. This is yet another way that Pioneer can be Love on the Move!

4th Annual "First Advent" Reflections

It is time to join the 4th Annual "First Advent Reflections". This Christmas season the Pioneer Women’s Ministries Team is delighted to invite you to reflect on Handel's "Messiah".

A daily email and a text will be sent to the ladies who sign-up. To register text the word "Hallelujah" to 269-281-2345

Wind Symphony Christmas Concert: Christmas Through the Ages

Bring in the sounds of the season with the Wind Symphony’s Christmas concert, “Christmas Through the Ages” on Saturday, December 2nd at 8:00 PM at the Howard Performing Arts Center. The program will feature familiar holiday tunes that will have you tapping your toes and singing along! Selections include a lively version of Carol of the Bells by Sean O’Loughlin, a fun arrangement of a famous John Philip Sousa march, Christmas and Sousa Forever by Julie Giroux, the ever popular Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, as well as a few other surprises. We look forward to having you join us as we begin to celebrate the Christmas season.

Love on the Move - GH4K

Would you like to show "Love on the Move" to foster, adoptive, kinship families in our community? This is your invitation to join God's Hands 4 Kids in doing just that. Could you make a pan of lasagna for GH4K's Connect Support Group Christmas Celebration on December 8 delivering ready to serve. For details and to sign up go to our website GH4K.org There will be more opportunities to give shared there. Godshands4kids@gmail.com

Belong Ministry Thanksgiving Baskets

Did you know that 30% of our students are facing hunger on our campus? Belong Ministries is partnering with CFE and other campus ministries to begin bridging the gap of hunger on campus. You can be a part of this initiative by providing a Thanksgiving basket full of microwavable foods and treats. If interested in donating a Thanksgiving basket we'll provide a list, please sign up by scanning the QR code

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