Keepers of the Kingdom - Standing Strong in Today's Battle for Truth. July 14-18, from 9 - 11:45 AM at Niles Westside Adventist Church (1105 Grant St, Niles) for kids in Pre-K (age 4) - 6th grade. Please register early online at www.nileswestside.org. Email nileswestsidevbs@gmail.com or call 269-683-5998 with questions.
Not Only for Me
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Program:
THE CALL
The Meditation
The Old Year Has Passed Away • Johann Sebastian Bach
The Introit
O God, Our Help in Ages Past • William Croft
The Call
Hebrews 7:23-25 NIV
Bryan von Dorpowski
The Doxology
Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow • 2
The Invocation
John Glass
THE CELEBRATION
In Praising
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross • 154
In Praying
Bryan von Dorpowski
Pioneer Life
Noelle Katherine Graves presented by Byron and Jennifer Graves with José Bourget
In Giving
What Wondrous Love Is This? • Traditional Melody
In Proclaiming
"Not Just for Me"
John Glass
The Cleansing
John 13:12-17 NIV
THE COMMUNION
In Reading
1 Corinthians 15:3-5
Peggy Whidden
In Praying
Woody Whidden
In Partaking
Were You There—st. 1-2 of 158 • Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross—st. 1, 3-4 of 312
THE COMMITMENT
In Singing
Sent Forth by God's Blessing • 407
In Blessing
In Giving
PMC Assistance Fund
In Leaving
O Lamb of God, Unspotted • Johann Sebastian Bach
VBS at Niles Westside Church
Offering for June 28, 2025
Michigan Advance Partners
Author Melvin Santos Speaking: For the longest time, in my early years, I quietly disagreed with this Bible passage in Acts 20, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, NKJV).
I wondered how people can say, “I receive a blessing when I give.” On the contrary, in my younger years, I always enjoyed receiving gifts. To pay for the gift and give it to someone wouldn’t bring me joy. That would cost me time and money.
When I fell in love, got married, and had children, I finally learned that when you’re in love, there is a greater joy in giving gifts to your wife and children. I would do anything for them because I love them.
Then I understood that this is the Spirit of Christ, who sacrificed all to share His love with us. When I participate in giving, or helping someone in need who cannot reciprocate the deed or pay me back, I’m sharing the love of Jesus. Now, that’s the heart of Jesus.
Just seeing the smiles on my family’s faces was enough for me to experience this passage, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Today, let’s share our gifts with a generous heart.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries