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.
Poem of Divine Love • Kenneth Logan
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Welcome & Call to Worship
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
"Greater Grace": A Hymn Cycle
"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"—SDAH 156, st.1, 3 • "Marvelous Grace"—SDAH 109 • "Amazing Grace" & "O How I Love Jesus"—SDAH 108, 248
Songleader: Vladimir Slavujevic, Andrews University alumnus; Erin Penrod, horn, Andrews University student; Kenneth Logan, organ
Congregational Prayer
Terence & Pule Habiri, Andrews University Students
Pioneer Life
Emersond Jean-Baptiste, License Supervisor Berrien Country, Department of Health and Human Services; Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Lianro and Sage WagenerSmith; Prayer: Kayleigh
Worship in Music
"What Wondrous Love Is This?" • Kenneth Logan
Vladimir Slavujevic, baritone; Erin Penrod, horn; Kenneth Logan, organ
Homily
"A 20:21 Mission for a 2021 Movement: Love Story—Return to Sender: 'So I Am Sending You'"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
Communion
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
Scripture Reading
Prayer of Blessing
Anthony Yeboah, Elder
Partaking of Communion
Closing Hymn
Benediction
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
Closing Music
"Fugue on 'Marvelous Grace'" • Kenneth Logan
Kenneth Logan, organ
Opening Music
Poem of Divine Love • Kenneth Logan
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Terence & Pule Habiri, Andrews University Students
Pioneer Life
Emersond Jean-Baptiste, License Supervisor Berrien Country, Department of Health and Human Services; Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Lianro and Sage WagenerSmith; Prayer: Kayleigh
Worship in Music
"What Wondrous Love Is This?" • Kenneth Logan
Vladimir Slavujevic, baritone; Erin Penrod, horn; Kenneth Logan, organ
Homily
"A 20:21 Mission for a 2021 Movement: Love Story—Return to Sender: 'So I Am Sending You'"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
Communion
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
Praise
"Living Hope"
Scripture Reading
Prayer of Blessing
Anthony Yeboah, Elder
Partaking of Communion
Closing Hymn
"Living Hope"
Benediction
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
Closing Music
"Fugue on 'Marvelous Grace'" • Kenneth Logan
Kenneth Logan, organ
Offering for April 17, 2021
One day Jesus saw a widow bring her offering to the temple. She gave two of the smallest coins in the temple monetary system. Embarrassed that her gift was so small, she waited until she thought no one was watching. Yet, Jesus commended her. “Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.” Luke 21:3 How can this be?
The rich gave large coins. But the widow gave her heart as part of her offering. A Christian writer commented on this passage. “A heart of love and genuine faith in a worthy object is more acceptable to God than the most costly gift. The poor widow gave her living to do the little that she did.… It was this unselfish spirit and unwavering faith that won the commendation of Jesus.” {3SP p. 72}
We may think the size of our offering makes it valuable to God. But no, the size of the heart gives value to the gift. God will take the offering we givewith our hearts and magnify our offering into something special for His service.
Does this mean we should not sacrifice as we give? Here are the words of Jesus. “For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” Luke 21:4 The widow sacrificed with her heart. As a result, God blessed her gift.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Ruth Murdoch Elem. School Kindergarten Visitation Days
We are happy to invite you to a Kindergarten Visitation for both parent and child on April 21 and 22 at Ruth Murdoch Elementary School. A $50 coupon will be given to those in attendance—toward the 1st month's tuition. Please call 269-471-3225 to schedule an appointment, with three or four families coming at a time, for a brief meeting. You will be able to meet the teacher, see the room with some projects set out, and meet a few of the other students who will be coming to Kindergarten. There will be a gift for parents and a craft bag for students. Masks required. A Zoom meeting will be available for those who can't attend.
Pioneer Live on Roku
We are pleased to announce the availability to view worship, both 9:00 AM and 11:45 AM services, on Roku® devices and enabled TVs! On your Roku device simply search for "Pioneer Memorial Church Live" and add the channel to your Home screen. You can also sign into your Roku account and add it here. If you need assistance adding our channel please send an email to webteam@pmchurch.tv.
If you earned $57,000 or less you can have your 2020 income tax prepared for free by IRS certified volunteers at Andrews University. This is a drop-off only site with limited space. Please call 269-471-6538 Thursday, Friday or Sunday 12:30 – 5:00 PM (don’t leave a message) or email Cidfreetax@gmail.com to schedule an appointment to drop off your documents. Appointments can be made for any Sunday afternoon March 21 – April 11 (12:30 – 4:30 PM). Drop-off site will be at Andrews University, Buller Hall, room 203 by appointment only.
Will Prepare
Wages, salaries, etc. (Form W-2)
Interest Income (Form 1099-INT)
Dividends Received (Form 1099-DIV)
State Tax Refunds (Form 1099-G)
Unemployment Benefits (Form 1099-G)
IRA Distributions (Form 1099-R)
Pension Income (Forms 1099-R, RRB-1099, CSA-1099)
Social Security Benefits (Form SSA-1099) (RRB-1099)
Gambling Winnings (Form W-2G)
Education Credits (Form 1098-T)
Child Tax Credit
Earned Income Credit
Health Insurance Statements (Forms 1095-A, B or C)
What to Bring
For married filing joint, both spouses must be present
Photo identification for you and your spouse (if filing joint return)
Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number documents for you, your spouse, and dependents
Birth dates for you, spouse, and dependents
A copy of last year’s tax return
All Forms W-2, 1098, and 1099 Form 1095-A (Marketplace Health Insurance)
Information for other income
Information for all deductions/credits
Total paid to day care provider and their tax ID number
For direct deposit of refund, proof of account
40 Days of Prayer Challenge
The Pioneer Family is invited to join Stephen Farr and @Unmistakablymelissa for a very special 40 Days of Prayer Challenge March 31 – May 9, 2021. Melissa and Stephen will be going through the devotional book "40 Days Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming," by Dennis Smith. Each day you can join them on Instagram for a Live re-cap and a special time of prayer. Melissa will also be sharing each day on her YouTube channel.
The goal of this challenge is to empower you and a partner to strengthen your prayer time, to encourage you to pray for others, to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and to pray together as a community for the Second Coming of Jesus. By joining this challenge, you are becoming a part of a revival that is beginning right here at Andrews University and is already reaching people around the world. You are joining in our shared mission to be World Changers for a changing world. You are joining in praying that Andrews University, its staff, faculty and students will be blessed now and, in the years, to come with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We want to see revival. We want to see "His Kingdom Come and His will Done on Earth as it is in Heaven." We want to be part of preaching the gospel to the world as a witness to all the nations and we want to see Jesus coming again in the clouds. Amen
If you'd like to join in the challenge, the book can be ordered on Amazon or at www.spiritbaptism.org. Live sessions will be recorded each day and uploaded to Instagram, YouTube, and Andrews University Graduate Student Association Facebook Page and multiple other platforms.
"Thank you so much for joining us in this 40 Days of Prayer Challenge. I can't wait to hear and share the miracle stories that happen during and after this challenge."
–Stephen William Farr, Andrews University Graduate Student Association Student Chaplain
Media Team Volunteers
The Pioneer Media Team is looking for additional volunteers for its local audio and global television ministry. Members volunteer at least 1 time every 3 Sabbaths, for both the 9:00 AM and 11:45 AM services. Current needs include Platform Manager, and various Audio Technician positions. Extensive experience is not required to volunteer and training is provided. Volunteers should be at least a Junior in high school for media roles.
If you have not been able to connect with your Sabbath School Class due to the pandemic, we would like to hear from you so that we can put you back in touch with your class. Please email member@pmchurch.org or contact Heidi Ha, Pioneer's Member Engagement Coordinator on 269-471-3133. Some Sabbath School classes are meeting face-to-face in the Seminary on Sabbath mornings. These classes follow the CDC and State of Michigan protocols for social distancing; other classes are meeting virtually through Zoom. We are happy to connect you with any of these classes.
-Mordekai Ongo, Sabbath School Superintendent
Foster Baskets for Berrien County
This spring, our Grow Groups ministry is leading a project to put together a gift basket for each active foster family in Berrien County (75 total). These families are meeting a very special need in our community, and Pioneer wants to support them in their love on the move.
Each basket will have an outdoor exploration theme, and will include a Bible story book, snack items, outdoor activities, a certificate redeemable for a family membership at Sarett Nature Center or another local nature area, information about Pioneer’s Grow Groups and Children and Family Discipleship programs, our Mommy and Me events, and more!
Mommy and Me are meeting again now that the weather is warming up! This is a group for kids 0-5 years old and their parents to come to make friends, learn, and play! Pre-registration is required this year so we can effectively communicate changes in location and schedule. The location will vary. Dads are welcome. Invite a friend! Register now to receive invitations to our meetings: Text "MOMINFO" to 269-281-2345 or register below.
