Out of His deep love for humanity, God changes our lives and asks us to move His love into our community and world. We are uniquely positioned at Andrews University to share the story of God’s love from the residence halls to the farthest parts of the earth. We accomplish our mission by engaging people across generations to be disciples of Jesus through the process of Connect. Grow. Serve. Go.
We have volunteer teams that help you to serve the church and the neighborhood in a variety of ways. The best place to serve is where you’re using your God-given gifts, talents, and passions the most.
Your financial gift helps support ministry here at Pioneer. From local to global ministry, keeping our facility safe and clean, to outreach and family growth activities, it all provides a space to worship, learn, and grow together. We invite you to Give Purposefully, Give Faithfully, and Give Joyfully.
To purchase a DVD of this sermon please visit our online shopping cart. Proceeds go to support the New Perceptions media ministry.
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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.
»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.”
Pioneer Fellowship Dinner Returns in September
Pioneer Fellowship Dinners Return this September. This time, there's an exciting new twist. Every meal will be an opportunity for fellowship among members and visitors.
Appetizer! Pioneer's large congregation will meet each week in groups of about 135 persons, so that over a year, each group can participate twice. This means more opportunities for fellowship among members and visitors alike.
The scoop! The dinners will be like a traditional potluck. Fellowship Dinner Ministry Team will provide the main course each Sabbath, and members who attend will be asked to bring side dishes. Members who are invited for that week will receive an email or text message listing the menu and suggesting what side dishes are needed. Single members are encouraged, where possible, to bring one side dish to serve at least 12-15 persons; families are encouraged, where possible, to bring 2 dishes—each to serve at least 12-15 persons. A form will be provided to RSVP.
S'More! If your name is not included in the alphabetical list for a particular Sabbath, but you would like to join the meal, that is not a problem—just bring a dish to share and join the fellowship.
Please plan to join us!
District 9 Family Camp
Labor Day weekend is just around the corner and with it comes the District 9 Family Camp. Reserve your spot online or obtain application materials from the church office. The deadline for reservations is Noon on Sunday, August 22. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ric Streelman at 269-208-7172. You will be physically refreshed and spiritually blessed!
September 3–6, 2021
Camp Au Sable
ASM Sweet Corn Feed
IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN! Adventist Seniors of Michiana (60 and up) will hold its annual sweet corn feed at Wolf's Prairie Park, Berrien Springs, by Lake Chapin. (Take Cass Street to the end, and you'll be in the park.) It's a potluck, so fix one of your specialties. We'll provide the sweet corn. This will be the resumption of our regular ASM meetings. Thank you for waiting patiently as we've been apart. Feel free to bring a friend and we'll see you on the 15th.
August 15, 2021, Noon - 2:00 PM
Wolfs Prairie Park, Berrien Springs
Offering for July 31, 2021
Pioneer Operating Budget
A blessing is on the man who puts his faith in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he will be like a tree planted by the waters, pushing out its roots by the stream; he will have no fear when the heat comes, but his leaf will be green; in a dry year he will have no care, and will go on giving fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7, 8 - Bible in Basic English)
One of the fun activities available at Camp AuSable is High Adventure. You can climb a rock wall, glide down the zip line, ride the swing, or leap of faith. If you choose the leap of faith you will climb a pole 26 feet high, stand on the top, and then jump off into the air.
Of course, you are strapped into a harness, and that is where the faith comes in. Someone is on the ground controlling your fall with ropes that are attached to the harness. You are trusting them to bring you smoothly and safely to the ground.
Sometimes it may seem like a great leap of faith to return to God His tithe and our offerings. But God has proven that He is Someone we can have faith in. When we are faithful with tithe and offering we can be confident that God will keep His Word, and our needs will be provided for.
Today, take a leap of faith. Give a faithful offering to the Local Church Budget and trust God to provide for your needs.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
New College Students Welcome Reception
A reception will take place on the lawn in front of Pioneer (Campus Mall) immediately following the 11:45 AM service on August 28. We are looking for volunteers to help furnish 3 dozen cookies for the event. We will serve cookies and lemonade to welcome the new students. To help, please call the church at 269-471-3131 or confirm online. Instructions will be sent to volunteers furnishing cookies. We hope you'll join us in welcoming the new students!
Andrews University is helping to support the SDA church members in southwest Madagascar who are currently experiencing severe drought and famine in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, you can provide food to those in desperate need.
We have been told that some members eat mud, roots, and leaves to try and remove hunger cramps. As a member of the Adventist family, you can feed a family of four for one month for $50, providing vital rice, beans, oil, and other essential food. The neediness of these families is serious. There are eleven churches scattered around the affected area with 494 families and over 1,691 individuals. Even though some food aid was collected and distributed in November 2020, the drought has continued, and that food is now used up.
Give online or write a check to Andrews University with the memo “CIDP-Famine Relief” and send it to:
Office of Development
8903 US Hwy 31
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI 49104-0660
Something in Common Sabbath School is meeting again! For the summer we are temporarily meeting in the Pioneer Commons. We are watching portions of Gary Smalley's classic "Keys to Loving Relationships" and discussing how to apply these principles to our families. Come and join us!
Saturdays, 10:30-11:30 AM
Location: Pioneer Commons
A.U. Eats
A.U. Eats is back! Offering chef made vegetarian/vegan meals delivered to your door. Go to GET.CBORD.com to place your order or for more information call 269-471-3161.
Timeless Tours
Join Timeless Tours next March 16-27, 2022 for an unforgettable tour to ancient Egypt. Two experienced biblical archaeologists will be your guides. For more information contact Timeless Tours through Stefanie Elkins at selkins@andrews.edu. You can also learn more about the tour, find application forms, payments, itineraries and more via our website; www.digtheadventure.com.
Mommy and Me has a New Name!
Mommy and Me is now Preschool Pray & Play! Our goal is for our new name to reflect the way we welcome ALL caregivers--moms, dads, nannies, grandparents, babysitters, etc.—as well as our faith-based approach to friendship and play.
Pray and Play is a great group for caregivers and children ages 0-5 to meet new people, make friends, sing, pray, and play together. This year, we'll be meeting through the summer months, and we'd love you to join us! Text PLAYINFO to 269-281-2345 to be notified about upcoming meetings/events, or join online.
