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2017 Holiday Season

In the Presence of a King, Don't Ask for Small Gifts

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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, December 09, 2017
Program: 
As We Begin
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing • Gordon Young
Praise
The First Noel • O Come, O Come Emmanuel • Joy to the World/Our God Saves
Prayer
Brandon Von Dorpowski
Baptism
Andrea Lauren Saunders with Nathaniel Gibbs
Children’s Story
What Child Is This? • Raymond Haan
Worship in Music
I Hear the Prophet Callin' • Pepper Choplin
Sermon
"In the Presence of a King, Don't Ask for Small Gifts" • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
There's a Song in the Air • 120

More In This Series

12/30/2017
The Gift of a Good Forgetter: Your #1 New Year's Promise
12/23/2017
Who Makes the Wind His Messengers: The Christmas Compact
12/02/2017
Have Yourself a Windy Merry Christmas
All Sermons
Print Download

"In the Presence of a King, Don’t Ask for Small Gifts"
www.newperceptions.tv

  • Gift #1
    • Galatians 4:4-5
    • Steps to Christ: "He who was one with God has linked Himself with the children of men by ties that are never to be broken. . . . When Christ took human nature upon Him, He bound humanity [us commoners] to Himself [the Royal] by a tie of love that can never be broken by any power save the choice of man himself." (14, 72)
    • Carl Cosaert: "Adoption was a legally binding agreement that guaranteed a number of privileges: (1) the adopted son became the true son of his adoptive father; (2) the father agreed to provide all the necessities of food and clothing; (3) the adopted son could not be repudiated; (4) the adopted son could not be reduced to slavery; (5) the natural parents were never allowed to reclaim the adopted son; (6) and adoption mandated the right of inheritance." (Galatians: A Fiery Response to a Struggling Church 88)
  • Gift #2
    • Galatians 4:6-7
    • John Witvliet: "Here are two missions, two gifts, two experiences of grace: God sent his Son, and then God sent the Spirit of his Son. The first gift arrived in Bethlehem. The second arrives deep within the souls of believers. The first Christmas gift came then and there. The second comes again and again in the here and now. Indeed, every single time anyone anywhere professes 'Jesus is Lord,' we can be grateful for the work of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3)." (Christianity Today December 2017 p58)
    • Gregory Boyd: "My life is Christ—nothing else really matters" is essentially "My life is the Holy Spirit—nothing else really matters."
    • Ellen White: "When the Spirit was poured out from on high, the church was flooded with light, but Christ was that Light; the church was filled with joy, but Christ was the subject of that joy. When the Spirit is poured upon His people in this day, Christ's name will be upon every tongue, His love will fill every soul; and when the heart embraces Jesus, it will embrace God; for all the fullness of God dwells in Christ." (Ye Shall Receive Power 332)
    • Desire of Ages: "The whole treasury of heaven is open to those [the Father] seeks to save. Having collected the riches of the universe, and laid open the resources of infinite power, He gives them all into the hands of Christ, and says, All these are for man. Use these gifts to convince him that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven. His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me." (57)
    • Brennan Manning: "Everything has been given to us by the Father in Jesus. All we need now is to experience what we already possess." (Lion and Lamb 154)
    • Every new morning—ask for Him:  "Baptize me today, Lord Jesus, that I might be filled with Your Spirit. AMEN."
    • www.steps-to-personal-revival.info

When you get the One, you get them Both.

 

(Flyer, TV, Google search, name of person who invited you, etc.)
Offering for September 24, 2022

Michigan Advance Partners

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Have you ever looked at all the ministries happening across Michigan and think, I would love to be able support all of them? While it does not include every possible ministry happening in the state, Michigan Advance Partners helps to support many of the major initiatives across the state, including the following: 

Evangelism – 1/3 of MAP offerings go to fund public evangelism, CAMPUS Ministries, Bible Study Offer, lay training, VBS, and many other evangelistic areas.

Education – 1/3 of MAP offerings go to fund several areas of education, including Project Assist which has helped hundreds of students with financial needs to attend one of the four senior academies in the state. It also helps fund school equipment purchases, and a special subsidy for our Conference boarding academy, GLAA. 

Camp Au Sable and Campmeeting/Campground each receive 4% of MAP offerings to help fund improved facilities and provide necessary equipment. Both facilities provide numerous opportunities for ministry throughout the year. Lastly, 25% of MAP offerings are pooled together to support building purchases, new build and remodeling, and special evangelism projects. During the last 5 years, the Lay Advisory Committee has reviewed and approved over  $1.1 million of funding to numerous churches and schools across the state to help them continue to minister in their respective areas. Thank you for your continued support to MAP. Together we can partner to grow these ministries and hasten the soon coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Sabbath School Information

If your Sabbath School class is meeting anywhere on campus other than Pioneer Sanctuary, please send us the location, teacher's name, and time of meeting. This will help compile a master list of all class on campus. Email your class info to Melchizadek Ponniah, melponniah@gmail.com.

True Confidence Seminar

Pioneer Women's Ministries presents "True Confidence”-- a seminar for young women 12 years and older. Come hear guest presenters Lisa Sawvel and Tamara Conway speak on the themes "Who Am I in Christ?" and "Core Fears,” as they address the real challenges and choices young women face today. Both women are certified life coaches and members of the Women's Ministries Board of the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. There will be a Q&A session at the end of the presentations. "True Confidence” will take place Sabbath, October 1, at 2:30 PM, in the PMC Youth Chapel. Pre-register by texting the word VALUED to 269-281-2345. More questions?  Email Yolande.Robertson@pmchurch.org

Fellowship Dinner

There will not be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath nor next Sabbath (September 17 and 24). Dinners will resume on October 1.

Pure Desire Conference

This fall Pioneer is partnering with the Center for Faith Engagement at Andrews University to offer the Pure Desire Conference. This is a two-day event designed to raise an awareness of the factors that create and reinforce unhealthy sexual behavior. It provides a comprehensive understanding and the tools required to develop a healing ministry that offers hope and freedom to men, women, students, and families.

October 21-22, 2022
Location: Andrews University Seminary Chapel

Learn More

Support the RMES Bike-a-Thon/Walk-a-Thon

Home & School is hosting a Bike-a-Thon/Walk-a-Thon fundraiser for the RMES students on October 23. Students have been challenged to raise at least $100 each in sponsors. Some students may not have many contacts from which to solicit sponsorship. We would like to create a list of names of potential sponsors that students could contact. If you'd like to add your name to the list, please email your contact information and the number of students you're willing to have contact you to RMESHomeAndSchool@gmail.com. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used for the RMES carpet upgrade project (90%) and Home & School activities (10%). If you’d like to make a general donation to this fundraiser, mark your tithe envelope RMES Bike-a-Thon.

Something In Common Sabbath School

Relat(able)-video series with Louie Giglio. What if instead of looking for the right person, we become that person, that friend or spouse everyone is looking for? What if we start holding ourselves to the standards we expect of those around us? We only have one life to leave a permanent mark on eternity; why not make our relationships count? 

Sessions include:

September 3 - The Shovel and the Spoon
September 10 - The Man/Woman in the Mirror
September 17 - A God to Call Father
September 24 - The Friend Everyone Longs For
October 1 - Becoming Someone vs. Finding Someone
October 8 - Handshake of Peace
October 15 - Why Date?
October 22 - Marriage with a Mission

Everyone is welcome.

Pioneer Room 141
Sabbath, 10:30-11:30 AM

Romans 8 - The Mountaintop of Scripture

Beginning on Wednesday (7PM), August 17, House of Prayer/PM will slowly climb the summit of the Bible, Romans chapter 8. It will be a simple word by word reflection. Through discussion and meditation you’re invited to recover and revisit the heart of the gospel, the heart of God. Join the conversation and prayers in the youth chapel any Wednesday you’re free.

Food Donation for Funerals

Would you like to be a blessing to someone during difficult times? Sign up to be placed on the list to donate food for funeral receptions. This is an easy way to share and such a blessing for the families. Call the church office at 269-471-3133 (Heidi Ha) with your name and phone number or email them to members@pmchurch.org.

Homebound Ministry Reaching Out

Pioneer's Homebound Ministry is looking for names and contact information of people who are homebound and in need of some personalized attention. Text your information to 262-825-3632.

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