Backpacks for Berrien will be collecting single-serve, non-parishable food items for Berrien Springs school children in need throughout the month of December. Please see the collection bins and needs lists in The Commons and inside the entrance to the office. Thank you for your help!
Everyone Is Called
Playing to an Empty Stadium
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
Opening Music
"I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light" • Wayne Wold
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Welcome, Call to Worship & Prayer
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
Hymn of Praise
"Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" • 4
Lisa Jardine, Pioneer Member
Congregational Prayer
Duane & Lori Covrig, Pioneer Members
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Jennifer Bokon, Teacher, Ruth Murdoch Elementary; Prayer: Arlo
Scripture Reading
Hebrew 12:1-2 NIV
Harold Smith & Jeannie Pedersen-Smith
Worship in Music
"Run the Straight Race Through God's Good Grace" • Christian Fink / Kenneth Logan
Alan Mitchell, trombone; Kenneth Logan, organ
Message
"Everyone is Called: Playing to an Empty Stadium (Lessons from the Olympiad)" • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
Hymn of Response
"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" • 290
Lisa Jardine
Benediction
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor, Pioneer Memorial Church
Closing Music
"My Jesus" • Johannes Brahms
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Opening Music
"I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light" • Wayne Wold
Kenneth Logan, Organ, Minister of Music
Welcome, Call to Worship & Prayer
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
Praise
"Blessed Assurance"
Congregational Prayer
Trey and Galaletsang Mbaiwa, Pioneer Members
Pioneer Life
Baptism of Andrew Tidwell with Rodlie Ortiz
Baptism of Joshua Smalley with Rodlie Ortiz
Worship in Music
"Run the Straight Race Through God's Good Grace" • Christian Fink / Kenneth Logan
Alan Mitchell, trombone; Kenneth Logan, organ
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Jennifer Bokon, Teacher, Ruth Murdoch Elementary; Prayer: Arlo
Praise
"Wonderful, Merciful Savior" • "The Power of Your Love" • "Fill My Cup Lord"
Scripture Reading
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Message
"Everyone is Called: Playing to an Empty Stadium (Lessons from the Olympiad)"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor, Pioneer Memorial Church
Closing Hymn
"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"
Closing Remarks/Blessing
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor, Pioneer Memorial Church
Closing Music
"My Jesus" • Johannes Brahms
Kenneth Logan, Organ, Minister of Music
Backpacks for Berrien Food Collection
Community Christmas Celebration in Eau Claire
Eau Claire Student Activity Center
Come experience a celebration of Christ's birth from 3–6 PM, on Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Student Activity Center in downtown Eau Claire located at 6295 West Main Street, Eau Claire, MI. The event features a FREE Live Nativity from 3:30–5:30 PM with live animals the kids can pet, FREE hot cider/hot chocolate, popcorn and cookies, a FREE Christmas ornament craft for the kids, FREE LIVE Christmas music, FREE photo backdrops for Christmas family photos, and silent auctions (items from local businesses to bid on). 269-405-5026 or eauclairecritters@gmail.com
Pioneer 2024 Contribution Statements
Contribution Statements for 2024 will be emailed to you toward the end of January 2025. Please ensure that your email address is current. Should you have any questions regarding your email, please contact the church office. If you require a paper copy of your statement, please notify claudia.sowler@pmchurch.org.
Christmas Breakfast
Pioneer Commons
On December 21 before our main worship service, let's come together from 9:00-10:45 AM to celebrate the season with a delicious breakfast potluck. Bring your favorite breakfast dish to share and let’s enjoy good food, fellowship, and the joy of the Christmas season!
A-H Breads, muffins, pastries
J-P Fruit tray or fruit salad
Q-Z Breakfast casserole or hot/cold cereal
Pioneer will provide hot and cold drinks and nuts. We’re looking for extra hands to help make our Christmas Breakfast Potluck a success! If you’re available to volunteer, please text BREAKFAST to 269-281-2345. Thank you very much!
Communion Service
On Sabbath December 28, we will celebrate the Communion service together during the 11:45 AM service. Associate Pastor, John Glass, will present his message, "God Will Provide."
2024 Financial Gifts
Thank you for your charitable giving in 2024! December 28 will be the last worship service to return your tithes and offerings. If you wish to mail your donation, please ensure it is post-marked by December 31 to be included in your 2024 tax-deductible receipts. For an online contribution, go to www.pmchurch.org/giving. You will have until 11:59 PM EST, December 31, 2024.
Note: The Pioneer Memorial Church offices will be closed from Tuesday, December 31, through Thursday, January 2, and will resume normal operating hours on Friday, January 3, 2025.
AdventistGiving Online (AGO) Contributions
Your faithfulness is very much appreciated. To ensure that your donations are properly credited to your account, when contributing through Adventist Giving, please log in under your name, instead of contributing as a "Guest."
Nativities From Around the World Exhibition at James White Library
James White Library
The James White Library presents a display of Nativity sets from 45 countries. The sets are from the collections of Ruth & Ray Roberts. Visit the library for an appreciation of the world’s cultural expressions of the birth of Jesus from Nov. 25, 2024, to Dec. 23, 2024
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
Following the second worship service, there will be a fellowship dinner in the commons on the lower level. Visitors are welcome!
Transportation to GYC – Generation. Youth. Christ.
Are you interested in attending GYC, December 27-31 in Columbus Ohio? Pioneer is checking to see if there is enough interest to do group transportation to GYC Conference. To express interest and learn more please text "GYC" to 269-281-2345 to be sent further information.