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.
The Greatest Catch Ever!
Resources
Pastor
Taurus MontgomeryTaurus Montgomery is the pastor of Pioneer’s Benton Harbor Outreach, Harbor of Hope. Having grown up in the southern inner city of Mobile, Alabama, Taurus is familiar with the struggles and challenges facing urban youth today.
Offering
Opening Music
Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music
Welcome, Call to Worship & Prayer
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
"Loving to Tell the Story": A Hymn Cycle
"Come, Thou Almighty King"—SDAH 71, all st. • "And Can It Be?"—SDAH 198, all st. • "I Love to Tell the Story"—SDAH 457, st. 1, 4
Pioneer Sanctuary Choir, Brenton Offenback, director; Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Congregational Prayer
Debbie Michel, Pioneer Elder
Pioneer Life
"The Tent 2021"
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Elena, Daryna and Loren, AU Animal Science Students; Prayer: Kena
Scripture Reading
Gale Hackworth, Pioneer Member
Worship in Music
"Beautiful Savior" • Lloyd Larson
Pioneer Sanctuary Choir, Brenton Offenback, director; James North, Jr., piano
Message
"The Greatest Catch Ever"
Taurus Montgomery, Associate Pastor
Hymn of Commitment
"Rescue the Perishing" • no. 367, all stanzas
Connect Card/Prayer
Benediction
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
Closing Music
Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music
Opening Music
Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music
Welcome, Call to Worship & Prayer
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
Praise
Come, Thou Almighty King—SDAH 71, st. 1, 2 & 4 • Glorify Thy Name / Majesty
Pioneer Sanctuary Choir; Brenton Offenback, director
Congregational Prayer
Debbie Michel, Pioneer Elder
Baptism
Ana Shantell Sibley with Pastor Ben Martin
Pioneer Life
"The Tent"
Worship in Music
"Beautiful Savior" • Lloyd Larson
Pioneer Sanctuary Choir, Brenton Offenback, director; James North, Jr., piano
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Elena, Daryna, and Loren, AU Students; Prayer: Kena
Praise
And Can It Be?—SDAH 198 1, 2 & 4 • My Savior's Love
Pioneer Sanctuary Choir
Scripture Reading
Luke 5:1-11 NIV
Judy & Dave Nowack, Pioneer Members
Praise
"Oh How He Loves You and Me"
Pioneer Sanctuary Choir, Brenton Offenback, director
Message
"The Greatest Catch Ever"
Taurus Montgomery, Associate Pastor
Connect Card
Closing Hymn
"A Diligent and Grateful Heart"—SDAH 639, st. 1-4
Blessing
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
Closing Music
Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music
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