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.
A 20:21 Mission for a 2021 Movement
Love Story—Return to Sender: 'So I Am Sending You'
Resources
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, March 27, 2021
More In This Series
Opening Music
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
Welcome & Call to Worship
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
Praise
"Champion"
William Dos Reis, praise leader; Shelby Huse, Eryncia Welsh, Itumeleng Gabasiane, vocals; Shadrach Agol, guitar; Sammy Duany, cajon; Jamison Moore, cello; Brianna Seawood, bass
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
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
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