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, January 06, 2018
Program: 
Praise
Days of Elijah • Open the Eyes of My Heart • Power of Your Love
Prayer
José Bourget
Adopt a Student / GROW Groups
José Bourget
Children's Story
Prelude • Edvard Grieg / B. McBrien
Dwight K. Nelson
Worship in Music
What Wondrous Love Is This?
Kenneth Logan, piano
Sermon
"Bring Your Heart to Life"
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Holy Spirit, Gracious Guest • 589

"Bring Your Heart to Life"
www.newperceptions.tv

  • The Dream
  • The Promise
    • Romans 5:5—God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
    • Christian Wiman: "In any true love—a mother's for her child, a husband's for his wife, a friend's for a friend—there is an excess energy that always wants to be in motion. Moreover, it seems to move not simply from one person to another but through them, toward something else. . . . This is why we can be so baffled and overwhelmed by such love (and I don't mean merely when we fall in love; in fact, I'm talking more of other, more durable relationships): it wants to be more than it is; it cries out inside of us to make it more than it is. And what it is crying out for, finally, is its essence and origin: God. Love, which awakens our souls and to which we cling like the splendid mortal creatures that we are, asks us to let it go, to let it be more than it is if it is only us. To manage this highest form of loving does not mean that we will be showered with earthly delights or somehow be spared awful human suffering. But for as long as we can live in this sacred space of receiving and releasing, and can learn to speak and be love's fluency, then the greater love that is God brings a continuous and enlarging air into our existence." (My Bright Abyss: Meditation of a Modern Believer 23-24)
    • Spence Reece: "All I know now / is the more he loved me the more I loved the world." (23)
    • Philip Yancey:  "When she enters a room Susan assumes that, bidden or not, God is already present. 'We love because he first loved us,' she says, quoting John, 'and I picture God pouring his pitcher into me so that I can pour out to others, and then be replenished with God's love. I enter with a smile, feeling privileged to share the sacred ground on which someone clings to life. If I forget that God goes ahead of me, and think instead that I am bringing God into the room, I can have an air of smugness. I feel pressure to say the right thing, try to impress the patient and staff—in short, I take myself too seriously. I need the constant reminder that God precedes me in that room, and that the person in the bed has a story I can learn from." (Vanishing Grace: What Ever Happened to the Good News? 66-67)
    • "What is a saint? I like Reynolds Price's definition: someone who, however flawed, 'leads us by example, almost never by words, to imagine the hardest thing of all: the seamless love of God for all creation, including ourselves.'" (Yancey 71)
    • Duncan Hamilton: "Amid the myriad moral dilemmas in Weihsien, [Eric] Liddell's forbearance was remarkable. No one could ever recall a single act of envy, pettiness, hubris, or self-aggrandizement from him. He bad-mouthed nobody. He didn't bicker. He lived daily by the most unselfish credo, which was to help others practically and emotionally. Liddell became the camp's conscience without ever being pious, sanctimonious, or judgmental. He forced his religion on no one. He didn't expect others to share his beliefs, let alone live up to them. . . . 'You came away from his meetings as if you'd been given a dose of goodness,' said a member of the camp congregation. 'Everyone regarded him as a friend,' said another, giving voice to that unanimous verdict." (For the Glory: The Untold and Inspiring Story of Eric Liddell, Hero of Chariots of Fire 8-9)
  • The Strategy
    • #1—Ask to be filled (in the morning).
      • Ellen White: "Our heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. It is our privilege to drink largely at the fountain of boundless love." (Steps to Christ 94)
      • Romans 5:8—"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us."
      • Picture the cross in your mind, kneel there, ask to be filled with God's love.
      • www.steps-to-personal-revival.info
    • #2—Ask to be unfilled (through the day).
      • Next Steps on your Connect Card

"Ask to be filled—and then unfilled"

 

(Flyer, TV, Google search, name of person who invited you, etc.)
This New Year I would like to pour out the love God pours in by:
Fellowship Dinner

There will not be any fellowship dinner this Sabbath.

Offering for October 12, 2024

Michigan Radio Ministries

Over 3 billion people in the world listen to radio weekly, and that number continues to trend upward despite digital media growth. Radio remains the top media format in the United States, where over 200 million people listen to radio weekly! Two of those 200 million are Ryan and Sidney.

Ryan walked into his mom’s home one Saturday evening and was captivated by a program playing on her radio, which was tuned to Strong Tower Radio, 90.7 FM, WBHL. The radio evangelist captured his attention by connecting Bible prophecy with current economic and societal problems. Wanting more, Ryan began regularly listening to Strong Tower Radio for the next several years. He compared what he heard on the broadcast with what the Bible says, and everything matched!

Ryan shared what he was learning with his girlfriend Sidney, who started listening to Strong Tower Radio to find out more. This led to Bible studies with pastor Jacob, and both Ryan and Sidney were baptized in December 2020. They married one year later and are active members of the Cedar Lake Seventh-day Adventist church! Praise God as He reaches more souls seeking Jesus through the radio broadcast!

The Michigan Conference has selected Strong Tower Radio to receive this year’s Michigan Radio Ministry offering. Your generous giving today will help Strong Tower Radio continue to reach thousands of listeners with the everlasting gospel tomorrow! By God’s grace, your decision will change the world.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Pioneer Safety Training

All Pioneer volunteers in ministry are requested to attend Safety Training on Sabbath, October 19, 3:00-6:00 pm in the Youth Chapel. This will include team drills for emergency preparedness. Thank you for planning to participate.

The Bridegroom is Coming!

The wedding of eternity is happening soon! Are you ready? Ladies are invited to a fascinating seminar by Dr. Jo Ann Davidson, sponsored by Pioneer Women’s Ministry. We will take a fresh look at the parable of the Ten Virgins and what it means to us today. Haystack supper will be provided, with vegan and gluten free options. Space is limited so register soon! Text the word “WOMEN” to 269.281.2345 to register. Questions can be emailed to women@pmchurch.org.

Blood Drive

We invite you to join us in an upcoming blood drive! Your donation can make a difference in the lives of those in need. The Center for Faith Engagement is partnering with Versiti to provide an opportunity for you to give the gift of life to others. We hope to see you there!

Honoring Our Past - Wind Symphony Fall Concert

Andrews University Wind Symphony presents a concert of music that honors our past as we celebrate 150 years. We begin with an exciting piece that embodies the spirit of our pioneers, followed by two pieces composed by our very own Dr. Max Keller,  Assistant Professor of Music, Theory and Composition Area Coordinator, and Chair of the Department of Music and Dr. Kenneth Logan, Organ Instructor and Minister of Music at Pioneer Memorial Church. Sharing his arrangement of Advent hymn tunes, Dr. Keller’s work weaves in The Morning Trumpet and Oh When Shall We See Jesus. Dr. Logan’s original composition, We, From Battle Creek highlights in four movements important places in Battle Creek SDA history. The second half of the program begins with a march commemorating 150 years of Michigan history, and ends with the Travis Cross arrangement of Be Thou My Vision, a collaboration with singers from the Battle Creek Tabernacle and Pioneer Memorial Church. We hope you will join us for a wonderful evening on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 8:00 PM at the Howard Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at howard.andrews.edu.

Help Pack 8,000 Bags for Christmas Behind Bars

Please join Pioneer Memorial Church,  the Center for Faith Engagement and many other groups on Sunday, October 27, 2024 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at Johnson Gym to help assemble care packages for men and women who are behind bars.

We don't often get the opportunity to respond to Jesus' invitation to serve those in prison. Families are welcome; Please fill out a separate registration for each person participating and select ALL the time slots for which you'll be present.

We also need a good crew to help with the clean-up at the end. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle. Bring a happy spirit and a heart ready to serve. "I was in prison and you visited me [with your care package]." -Matthew 25:36

Sign Up

Care for Cuba

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!

Healthy, Happy Holiday Meals

Healthy, Happy Holiday Meals plus International Dishes for Special Gatherings presented by leading nutritionist Evelyn Kissinger on Sunday, November 3 from 4:00 to 6:30 PM here at PMC. Discover some healthy, delicious ideas, all plant-based, for Special
Gatherings.  Those who register will receive food samples. Please register by texting VEGAN to 269-821-2345. And invite a friend to register and come with you.

ASM October 13th Meeting

Adventist Seniors, 55 years old and up, are invited to come for fellowship and inspiration at the October meeting featuring Dr. Ann Hamel.  Dr. Hamel’s talk about her supporting work with missionaries is entitled “Caring for the Body of Christ.” Bring a dish, a friend and join the potluck at 1 pm October 13 in the Village Church Fellowship Hall. For further information call Cheryl Doss 269-277-0767.

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