Not everyone who acts inappropriately, harshly, or indifferently is “out to get you” or intends to cause emotional harm. Many people carry silent burdens, and some are unaware of the struggles they face. Often, what we perceive as personal offense is the expression of someone else’s unresolved inner conflict. This is why it is so important to approach one another with kindness, compassion, and without judgment. Be gentle—you never know what someone is going through. One day, you’ll need that same grace shown to you. ( See Titus 3: 2, Ephesians 4:2)
How to Become an Influencer: Paul—A Biography
Thanksgiving Behind Bars
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, November 20, 2021
More In This Series
OPENING MUSIC IN JOY
“I Believe in One God” • Wolfgang Mozart
“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” • Kenneth Logan
CHORAL INVITATION TO JOY
“O Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord” • anon. Irish
CALL TO JOYFUL WORSHIP
Psalm 100
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
LEADER: Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PEOPLE: Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
LEADER: Know that the Lord He is God:
PEOPLE: it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
LEADER: Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
PEOPLE: For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations.
HYMN OF JOY
“Sing Praise to God” • anon. / Kenneth Logan
PRAYER OF JOY
Gianna Bacchiocchi, Andrews University student
“BRING JOY!”: A HYMN CYCLE
“Praise to the Lord” • “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” • “Jesus Saves”
MISSION REPORT WITH JOY
William Dos Reis with Dwight K. Nelson
HYMN OF JOY
“Joyful, Joyful”
THANKSGIVING MESSAGE
“Thanksgiving Behind Bars”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
NOTEWRITING IN THANKSGIVING
“Now Thank We All Our God”H. W. Tauscher / Kenneth Logan
Shania Watts, viola; Kenneth Logan, piano
CHORAL THANKSGIVING ANTHEM
“The River of the Water of Life” • Malcolm Archer
“GIVE THANKS!”: A HYMN CYCLE
“For the Beauty of the Earth” •. “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” • “We Plow the Fields and Scatter” • “Come, Sing a Song of Harvest”
COMMUNITY THANKS-GIVING
Pioneer Evergreens Pathfinders
Errol Prentice, Director Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor
HYMN OF THANKSGIVING
“Now Thank We All Our God”
THANKSGIVING BLESSING
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
FINAL THANKSGIVING
“Now Thank We All Our God” • Wilhelm Teschner
With This in Mind...
Adventist Seniors of Michiana August 10 Meeting
Andrews Grove Pavilion
Calling all seniors aged 55+ to the annual Adventist Seniors of Michiana Corn Roast to be held Sunday, August 10 at 1 PM in the Andrews Grove Pavilion. Bring a dish to share, enjoy the corn provided, and learn who will be our new officers for next year. Early registration for the 2025-2026 membership year will be available. Despite inflation dues remain at $20 per person. Call Cheryl Doss with any questions 269-277-0767.
Offering for August 2, 2025
Pioneer Operating Budget
Birthdays were always a special and happy occasion in our home. When it is one of the sibling’s birthdays, we give all our kids gifts to enjoy, not just the celebrant. But when it was our birthday, our children would draw pictures and color them expressing their creativity and love for us. They didn’t have the money to purchase gifts or nice Hallmark cards. Yet when they presented them to us, we cherished those handmade cards more than all the commercial cards produced by Hallmark. Why? Because they were our children’s expression of love from the heart.
It’s hard not to express this love without giving a gift. Likewise, every offering gift should be measured by the unfathomable Gift of heaven. The greatest offering one could make would then appear as nothing in comparison. “How vain the endeavor to measure with mathematical rules, time, money, and love against a love and sacrifice that is measureless and incomputable!" (Testimonies for the Church, Vol.4, p.119). If we can catch a glimpse of just how much God loves us, we would faint. All self-interest and selfish motives will disappear, we will be lost in awe and wonder. It would spur us to shower our Lord with more gifts and with praise and thanksgiving.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Register Now for Andrews Academy
Andrews Academy is now enrolling students in grades 9 - 12 for the 2025/2026 school year. We invite you to join the AA family! You will be blessed by what Andrews Academy has to offer. Students consistently score above state and national levels on standardized testing, they are involved in many spiritual and service activities throughout the school year. Our Seventh-day Adventist school’s mission is to inspire our students to think deeply, live fully, serve unselfishly and to honor God completely. School begins August 18. Registration day is August 13. Financial assistance may be available. Call 269-471-3138 for more information or visit https://www.andrews.edu/aa/ and click on “apply today”.
Help Us Welcome New Students
Many new faces will soon join us as they begin their academic journey at Andrews University. We are preparing to welcome them with our traditional Welcome Picnic on Sabbath, August 23. You can support Belong by signing up to be a table host, preparing food, becoming a general volunteer—or all of the above! Text the word “PICNIC” to 269-281-2345
Looking for a Prayer Group to Join?
Join us for the Midweek House of Prayer, held online every Wednesday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 AM. We are currently studying the Gospel of Mark. Come and see how your contributions can benefit everyone in the group! The Zoom link is https://andrews.zoom.us/j/9889172131.
Something in Common Sabbath School
Better Decisions/ Fewer Regrets video series by Andy Stanley continues
- July 19–The The Conscience Question
- July 26–The Maturity Question
- August 2–The Relationship Question
Everyone is welcome in PMC Boardroom off of the Fellowship Commons Room from 10:30-11:30 AM on Sabbath.
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
There will not be a fellowship dinner during the months of July and August, 2025.