At some point, we all worry about the future because we want answers and a sense of control. Yet the future is beyond our control, which can lead to anxiety and a loss of peace. Occasional anxiety is normal, but persistent fear of the unknown can disrupt daily life. Because anxiety develops through complex neuropsychological processes, patience and compassion are essential. If you find yourself being anxious, keep in mind this gentle invitation for the Omniscient One, “Be anxious for nothing…let your requests be made known to God…” (Phil. 4:6–7). He promises peace.
Tales from a Vineyard
Cry Baby, Cry
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight 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, September 08, 2018
Program:
As We Begin
Praise the Lord, God's Glories Show • David Schelat
Praise
Doxology • To You We Sing • For the Beauty of the Earth • None But Jesus
Prayer
John Glass
Children's Story
God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens • Dale Wood
Worship in Music
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light • Kathleen Thomerson / T. Trenney
Sermon
"Tales from a Vineyard: Cry Baby, Cry"
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Draw Me Nearer • 306
More In This Series
“Tales from a Vineyard: Cry Baby, Cry”
www.newperceptions.tv
»The Tale: I Kings 21
»The Truth: John 15:1-5
• Andrew Murray: “So close is the union between the vine and the branch that each is without the other, that each is wholly and only for the .” (Abide in Christ 30-31)
1.“Without the vine the branch can do .” (Abide in Christ 30)
2. “Without the branch the vine can also do .” (Abide in Christ 30)
• Andrew Murray: “A vine without branches can bear no fruit. No indispensable than the vine to the branch is the branch to the vine. Such is the wonderful condescension of the grace of Jesus that, just as His people are dependent on Him, He has made Himself on them. Without His disciples He cannot dispense His blessing to the world; He cannot offer sinners the grapes of the heavenly Canaan.” (Abide in Christ 30)
3. “All the vine possesses to the branches.” (Abide in Christ 30)
• Andrew Murray: “. . . all [the vine] has is at the disposal of the branches. As it is the parent, so it is the servant of the branches. . . . All [Jesus’] fullness and all His riches are for you, O believer; for the vine does not live for itself, keeps nothing for itself, but exists for the branches.”
(Abide in Christ 30-31)
• Ellen White: “Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work. No truth essential to our salvation is withheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed. Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift. The whole of heaven is open to those He seeks to save.” (Desire of Ages 57)
• “This promised blessing [of the Holy Spirit] brings all other blessings in its train . . . according to the riches of the grace of Christ.” (Desire of Ages 672)
4. “And all the branch possesses to the vine.” (Abide in Christ 31)
• Andrew Murray: “The branch does not exist for itself, but it exists to bear fruit that can proclaim the excellence of the vine. It has not reason for existence except to be of service to the vine. . . . As Jesus gives Himself so wholly over to the believer, the believer feels himself urged to be his Lord’s. Every power of his being, every moment of his life, every thought and feeling belong to Jesus—that from Him and for Him he may bring forth fruit.” (Abide in Christ 31)
• “Now let your answer be, ‘Amen, Lord! So be it. From eternity Christ and I were ordained for ; inseparably we belong to . It is God’s will; I shall abide in Christ.’” (Abide in Christ 47)
“All that You have is mine—
And all that I have is Yours.”
With This in Mind...
Happy Birthday Merille Weithers
The flowers this week are in honor of Merille Weithers' 90th birthday. He's celebrating today with his children Debbie, Ted, David and Mimi, along with 4 of his 5 grandkids Simone, Dee & his wife Kailey, Caleb and Joshua. We're giving thanks to God for Merille's 90 years of life and the blessings of family, health, provision, grace and love.
AUSO Young Artists Concert
The Andrews University Symphony Orchestra is presenting its annual Young Artist Competition concert featuring this year Jonathan Clough, tenor, and Aiko Ayla, piano, as well as violinists Nikolaz Feliciano and Claire Yang. Join us on this unique evening of virtuosity and elegance, and enjoy the music of Clara Schumann, W. A. Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Donizetti, and Tchaikovsky. This concert is free, but patrons will have the opportunity to support the students of the Symphony Orchestra as they are currently raising funds for their music tour to California in March.
Offering for February 7, 2026
Pioneer Operating Budget
John Paul Young’s song “Love Is in the Air” became a worldwide hit in 1978. Its opening lines declare: “Love is in the air, everywhere I look around. Love is in the air, every sight and every sound.” Long before this song was written, Christians have been singing about love in the beloved hymn “Love at Home,” composed by John Hugh McNaughton in 1860. Its opening words remind us, “There is beauty all around when there’s love at home; There is joy in every sound when there’s love at home.” Reflecting on love, the Apostle John writes, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19, NIV). Love truly fills the air because God loved us first.
While many express love through flowers and gifts, Christians are reminded that the greatest act of love came from Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for a world He loves without end. The Apostle Paul affirms this when he writes: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25, NIV). Christ’s love, demonstrated on Calvary, is unmatched—its effects are eternal, securing salvation for humanity and restoring the universe.
Today, as we enter God’s loving presence and return our tithes and freewill offerings, let us receive His love with grateful hearts and commit to sharing that love with others. Indeed, love is in the air!
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
New DivorceCare group starting 2/4/26
If you are experiencing the realities that come with divorce or separation and are looking for a safe place to process it all and find a caring community that understands what you are going through, please join us Weds evenings from 6 to 8 PM in the boardroom. You can sign up on divorcecare.org or on at pmchurch.org in the Grow Groups section under Pioneer Life.
You Can Lick Diabetes
Type II diabetes, by far the commonest kind, causes nerve and eye damage which can be completely reversed, along with lowering risk for heart attack and stopping further kidney damage through simple lifestyle changes. Join us on Monday evenings at 7:00 PM in the 6th grade Sabbath School room to learn several ways. The first meeting is this Monday, February 2, so register now by texting "DIABETES" to 269-281-2345, and bring your spouse or a supportive friend.
Sunday Music Series with Carla Trynchuk & Elena Braslavsky
Violinist Carla Trynchuk and pianist Elena Braslavsky will be performing a recital including works by Beethoven, Debussy, and the Jewish Ukrainian composer Meitus. Trynchuk, faculty at Andrews University, has performed internationally as soloist and recitalist in more than 15 countries. Braslavsky, formerly a faculty member at The Juilliard School and the Mannes School of Music, currently serves on the piano faculty of the Mozarteum University of Salzburg. Trynchuk and Braslavsky were classmates together at The Juilliard School. This will be a FREE recital on February 22, at 4:00 PM.
An Acoustic Evening with Sidewalk Prophets
We’re excited to be hosting An Acoustic Evening With Sidewalk Prophets this spring. In partnership with Great Big Family Productions, we’re hosting a night built around connection, stories, and songs. Because this is a small acoustic experience, seating is limited and will move quickly. If you or someone you know is planning to attend, we encourage you to get seats while they’re still available. The Howard Performing Arts Center is pleased to be able to host Sidewalk Prophets at our venue, however, all tickets will be sold online. Please click on the link to purchase your ticket.
Love on the Move
God's Hands 4 Kids, a PMC Grow Group outreach to our community serving foster, adoptive, kinship and guardianship families partnering with Berrien County Department Of Health and Human Services. As a gift to the families served by them and as a gift to the community of ministry leaders and professionals, we will be providing Hope for the Journey, a video conference on Trust Based Relational Intervention - trauma, on Sunday afternoons in February here at PMC. It is produced by Show Hope. For more information and to register go to our website GH4K.org
ZOOM IN! Summer Camp 2026
ZOOM IN! to God’s Amazing World at The Crayon Box Summer Camp, running June 1–August 20, 2026. Children entering Kindergarten through age 12 will enjoy a summer filled with nature, science, creativity, teamwork, and play as they explore how God’s hand is at work all around them. Each themed week encourages campers to notice the small wonders, big ideas, and amazing details of God’s creation. Located on the beautiful campus of Andrews University, The Crayon Box offers a safe, joyful, faith-centered place for children to spend their summer vacation with on-campus adventures, campus field trips, and visits from zoo and wildlife educators. Enrollment is open now at andrews.edu/services/crayonbox/summercamp. Space is limited. Forms are due May 18, 2026.
