There will be a fellowship dinner following the second worship service in the commons.
Children’s Celebration of Christmas: “A Story to Tell”
Resources
Speaker
Ben MartinBen Martin is on the pastoral team of Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University where he is the Pastor for Children and Family Discipleship. He is passionate about engaging youth in ministry. He believes that every member should be a functioning part of the body of Christ. Over the last few years he has been intentionally thinking through what it means to disciple the next generation. He enjoys photography, camping and spending time with his wife, Brianna. Together, they have 2 children.
Offering
OPENING MUSIC
“O Come, Little Children” Johann Schulz
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
WELCOME
Ben Martin
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
Horton Family
“Angels We Have Heard on High” • “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
CHILDREN’S STORY
Rich Aguilera
SCRIPTURE READING
Emmett Martin
Luke 2:13,14
MESSAGE
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
The Shepherd’s Spiritual
RMES Choir
SCRIPTURE READING
Joy Nyirenda
Luke 2:20
SPECIAL MUSIC
Three Holiday Glorias
RMES Choir
PRAYER
Lainah Korave
Pauline Habiri
Micaiah Beckford
Hadassa de Galiza
MESSAGE
Ezra Jean-Baptiste
SPECIAL MUSIC
“Jesus, the Light of the World”
Pioneer Adventurer Club
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 2:30-32
Marlon Williams
SPECIAL MUSIC
“O Sing a Song of Bethlehem”
Pioneer Adventurer Club
MESSAGE
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
CLOSING HYMN
“Go Tell It on the Mountain”
Press Family
CLOSING PRAYER
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
CLOSING MUSIC
“Gloria!” • trad. melody
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Religious Liberty
Seventh-day Adventists have stood firmly for religious liberty—for everyone—for more than 150 years. But do you know the reason why? Part of the reason is that, when our church was founded, almost every American state had Sunday-keeping laws on the books. Adventist pastors, farmers, laborers, and others were arrested, jailed, or fined for doing “secular work” on Sunday. Even Wille White, son of James and Ellen, was arrested in Oakland, California, in 1882 for keeping the Pacific Press Publishing presses operating on a Sunday! But that’s not the full story. The deeper reason why we continue to stand for religious liberty—in the courts, before legislatures, and through the pages of Liberty magazine—is because we want to reflect the character of the God we serve. He’s a God who created us in His image and who has given each one of us the freedom to choose whom we will worship. He’s a God who, in the words of Ellen White, “desires only the service of love,” which “cannot be won by force or authority” (The Desire of Ages, 22).
Today, please help support this vital ministry of religious liberty. It’s a ministry that defends not only the rights of individual conscience, but also the ability of our church to continue to do its mission. And as we face uncertain days ahead, your prayers and support are needed now, more than ever.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries