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The Heart Series

Game of Hearts: Can You Feel the Love?

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Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Dwight 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

Saturday, February 10, 2018
Program: 
Praise
Better Is One Day • Holy Is the Lord • Holy Ground/Holy, Holy, Holy • We Fall Down
Worship in Music
Alleluia • Ralph Manuel/K. LaBrie
Prayer
Sabine Vatel
GROW Groups
Children's Story
Scenes from Vivaldi's "Winter" • Antonio Vivaldi/T. Parrish
Praise
"Fruitful Trees, the Spirit's Sowing" • 414 (tune of 334)
Sermon
"Game of Hearts: Can You Feel the Love?" • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
Tithes & Offerings
"Holy Spirit, Gracious Guest" • 589 (tune of 305)

More In This Series

03/10/2018
Teach Your Heart to Sing Again
03/03/2018
Church of Hearts: Can You Feel the Love?
02/24/2018
King of Hearts: Can You Feel the Love?
02/03/2018
Tell Your Heart to Beat Again
01/06/2018
Bring Your Heart to Life
All Sermons
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"Game of Hearts: Can You Feel the Love?"
www.newperceptions.tv

  • The one-liner
    • Mark 10:21—"Jesus looked at him and him."
    • The testimony of Rosaria Champagne Butterfield
    • Philip Yancey: "The uncommitted share many of our core values, but if we do not live out those values in a compelling way, we will not awaken a thirst for their ultimate Source. Christians can do no better than follow the example set by Jesus, who specialized not in techniques and arguments but in spirit and example. He took skeptics seriously, listening to them and responding forthrightly and yet compassionately. The gospel of Mark adds a telling detail to a scene in which a potential wealthy convert rejects Jesus’ message and walks away: ‘Jesus looked at him and him.'" (Vanishing Grace: What Ever Happened to the Good News? 59)
    • An anonymous note
    • The Samaritan woman
    • Philip Yancey: ". . . turn again to the conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman who had found some solace in an alternative religion. What if Jesus had engaged in an argument with her about their differences over where to worship? Instead he summoned up a thirst already evident in her troubled life of five failed marriages. ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,’ he said, referring to the well water she was drawing for him, ‘but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’. . . We dare not disdain the choices others have made, for that would not show . Instead, we should tune in to the underlying thirst.” (Ibid)
    • Jerry Cook: "The minimal guarantee we must make to people is that they will be —always, under every circumstance, with no exception. The second guarantee is that they will be totally accepted, without reservation. The third thing we must guarantee is that no matter how miserably they fail or how blatantly they sin, unreserved forgiveness is theirs for the asking with no bitter taste left in anybody’s mouth.... A church that can make that commitment to every person is a church that’s learning to love and a church that will be a force for God" (Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness 11, 13).
    • Jesus: "'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven'" (Matthew 18:22).
    • Clearly, God does not intend to attach a statute of to how often we are to love, to accept and to forgive fellow sinners.
    • Remember—love, acceptance and forgiveness are not about granting license to sinners, but rather about showing to sinners like us.
  • The fruit
    • #1—The Fruit of the
      • Galatians 5:22-23
      • Jesus: "'I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much ; apart from me you can do nothing'" (John 15:5).
    • #2—The Fruit of
      • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
 Galatians 5:22-23 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love Love
Joy Rejoices
Long suffering Suffers long
Kindness Kind
Goodness Does not delight in evil
Faithfulness Always trusts
Gentleness Keeps no record of wrongs
Self-control Is not self-seeking
  • "Morning by morning [Jesus] communicated with his Father in heaven, receiving from him a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Lord awakened him from his slumbers in the early hours of the new day, that his soul and his lips might be anointed with grace [love] which he should impart to others" (Signs of the Times November 21, 1895).
  • The two prayers:
  • "Pour God’s love into me today, Holy Spirit."
  • "Pour God’s love out of me today, Holy Spirit."

"Just like Jesus"

(Flyer, TV, Google search, name of person who invited you, etc.)
Offering for February 1, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

Proverbs 3 says, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so, your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10, NKJV).

Author Melvin Santos Speaking: Shortly after our wedding, we flew to Berrien Springs, Michigan to start my seminary classes. We moved into our barely furnished apartment. We just had our clothes and whatever else we could pack in our suitcases. This prompted a shopping excursion.

What struck me was a powerful wave of emotion when we purchased our very first microwave and a set of pots and pans. It was not the objects themselves, but the realization that they were ours, collectively. We owned these items as a married couple, together.

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we enter into a partnership with God spiritually and with our material possessions. Everything we own is God's; we are merely stewards managing these things on His behalf. How we view our possessions, and how we handle them, becomes a litmus test of our faith.

It is through this stewardship plan of giving that we truly “honor the Lord.” When we focus on honoring the Lord, His promise is that we will be abundantly filled to overflowing.

Today, let’s be filled to overflowing by giving back to God and sharing our blessings. North American Division Stewardship Ministries 

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

House of Prayer Mini-series

We are pleased to announce a new House of Prayer Winter Mini-series led by pastor Dwight Nelson entitled "They, Too, Walked with Him". This series begins February 5th and cover the following: 

  • February 5    The Antediluvians (in Terrible Times): Enoch and Noah
  • February 12    The Patriarchs (in Stumbling Times): Abraham and Jacob (and Moses) 
  • February 19    The Prophets and Kings (in Meltdown Times): David and Hezekiah, Micah and Isaiah 
  • February 26    The Disciples (in Crossroad Times): Peter, James, John, and Paul 
  • March 5    The Redeemed (in Eternity-Now Times): Jesus and You and Me 

We meet together for House of Prayer every Wednesday evening from 7 PM - 8 PM in the earliteen loft. Please join us as we enjoy a spiritual shot in the arm in the middle of each week as we worship together through signing, study of God's word, testimonies, and prayer. Hope to see you there!

Andrews University Week of Prayer - "We Believe"

Join us for an inspiring Week of Prayer as we explore what We Believe and celebrate how God is actively working in our lives and our community. Each session will feature powerful testimonies and messages from university faculty and students, sharing how their experiences with God have shaped their faith and beliefs.

Come and be reminded of the amazing ways God reveals Himself to us—and how He continues to move in our lives today.

Join us at the Pioneer Sanctuary at 11:30 AM to hear from Andrews University faculty as they reflect on their journeys of faith:

Monday Vanessa Corredera
Tuesday Anthony Bosman
Wednesday Lucille Sabas
Thursday Shawna McNeily
Friday Doug Taylor

 

You can also join us at Lamson Hall Chapel for evening sessions at 7:30 PM to hear students share their testimonies of faith and the moments God has shown up in their lives.

Monday Evan Keyes
Tuesday Leo Aguilara
Wednesday Nick Gunn
Thursday Jea Erazo

 

Friday night vespers will be in the Pioneer Sanctuary with Professor Rodney Palmer at 7:30 PM.

Master Guide Club

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

Oasis Public School Ministry

Oasis Public School Ministry provides a safe community for real talk, good food, fun activities, and building relationships between students, leaders, and God. This ministry is open to any public school student in grades 7-12 and meets Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 PM in the Commons, beginning January 21. For more information, contact Diane at simplestirrings@yahoo.com.

AU Wind Symphony & SMC Brass Band Winter Concert-Of Legend andLore: Traditions & Cinematic Stories

Time honored traditions and cinematic stories are the theme of this exciting “Of Legends and Lore” musical evening with the Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) Brass Band and the Andrews University (AU) Wind Symphony. Under the direction of Mark Hollandsworth, the SMC Brass Band will present music that represents Scottish and Welsh traditions and legends and lore. The traditional Brass Band sounds and unique instruments are sure to please. In the second half, the AU Wind Symphony, under the direction of Denisse Santos, will present a series of cinematic stories including An American Symphony from Mr. Holland’s Opus, Gabriel’s Oboe from The Mission, and themes from How to Train Your Dragon. Join us for this dramatic evening of traditions and cinematic stories on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 8:00 PM. Tickets available at howard.andrews.edu.

Master Guide Tool Box

The Center for Youth Evangelism will be running a special training weekend where Adventurer Basic Staff, Master Guide Leadership Skills, and Staff Leadership courses will be offered on Febuary 7 and 8.

For more information or to register, please visit cye.org/toolbox

Spelunker Quest: Unearthing the Lost Sanctuary
Pioneer Youth Chapel

Calling all youth! Join us for Spelunker Quest—an escape room adventure! Uncover missing artifacts from the Biblical sanctuary by solving puzzles in a cave system. Experience the Escape Room at one of the time slots every hour starting at 2 pm. Each time slot can accommodate up to 16 participants.

Youth: Please register for a start time by texting "ESCAPE" to 269.281.2345 .

Want to help with decorating on Jan. 25 at 6:30 pm? Contact Pastor Lindsey at lindsey.pratt@pmchurch.org or just join us in the youth chapel.

New Children's Sabbath School Curriculum

Pioneer families with 0 to 3-year-olds are the first to enjoy the new Seventh-day Adventist Church Sabbath School Alive in Jesus Bible lessons. This curriculum will roll out in phases:

2025: Baby Steps (0-18 months) and Beginners (1, 2 & 3 year olds)
2026: Kindergarten (4-6 year old) and Primary (Grades 1-3)
2027: Junior (Grades 4-6) and Earliteen (Grades 7-8)
2028: Youth (Grades 9-12) and Young Adult

Here’s what’s new this year.
Baby Steps Lessons: Our Nursery division begins the first-ever Baby Steps lessons. Our program will continue a half-hour interactive Bible learning for infants and a half-hour of parent training and community building. Download free parent and teacher guides at babies.aliveinjesus.info.


 

Beginners Bible Lessons: Both Beginner rooms and the Kindergarten 3-Year division have begun the new Beginner lessons for 1, 2, and 3-year-olds. This new Adventist curriculum features beautifully illustrated lessons, inspiring stories, practical tips, craft ideas, and activities to support family worship and Bible learning at home. Parent spiritual nurture and community-building activities will also be incorporated.

A new year brings new opportunities! It’s a chance to renew our commitment to spending time with God and helping our children grow in their relationship with Him. Reading and discussing Sabbath School lessons in family worship at home will deepen everyone’s faith.    
Children’s Sabbath School family guides are available at the Welcome Center in Pioneer’s lower entry hall during the first month of each quarter. They are also freely available online for families and teachers, along with engaging songs (Nursery and Beginners Alive in Jesus), videos (for Kinder and Primary GraceLink), and podcasts (for Junior PowerPoints). From a device, you can enjoy lessons anywhere and anytime.

We pray that 2025 will bring a closer walk with God for each member of our church family. May Sabbath School lesson study be a blessing to your home, strengthen faith and family bonds, and welcome friends to join you on this adventure!

Children's Sabbath School Superintendent Team

Howard Center Presents: The King's Singers

England’s premier choral ensemble has long had an unsurpassed tradition of vocal music with roots in both religious and secular singing.  Setting the gold standard in acapella singing on the world’s greatest stages for over fifty years, the King’s Singers are renowned for their unrivalled technique, musicianship and versatility, which stem from both the group’s rich heritage and its drive to bring an extraordinary range of new and unique works, collaborations and recordings to life. They consistently delight audiences around the world with their incomparable musicianship, wit, and charm. Join us for the King's Singers concert at the Howard Performing Arts Center on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM.  Tickets are available at our website: howard.andrews.edu, or by calling our box office at 269-471-3560.

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