Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Dwight 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, December 25, 2021

More In This Series

12/18/2021
12/04/2021

OPENING MUSIC

“The Holy Boy (A Carol of Nativity)” • John Ireland
Organ: Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music

CHRISTMAS WELCOME

 

CHRISTMAS CALL

PASTOR: “Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light, to herald our salvation;”

PEOPLE: “He stoops to earth—the God of might, our hope and expectation.”

PASTOR: “He comes in human flesh to dwell, our God with us, Immanuel,”

PEOPLE: “The light of darkness breaking, our fallen race befriending.”

PASTOR: “O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”

PEOPLE: Amen.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS:“BORN TO SAVE”

“Good Christians, Now Rejoice"  •  “Now Is Born the Divine Christ Child”  •  “O Little Town of Bethlehem”  •  “Angels from the Realms of Glory”
Leanne Miller, soprano; Byron Graves, clarinet, Kenneth Logan, organ

CHRISTMAS FAMILY PRAYER

Rhonda, Aron, and Stella Tomenko
Sonia Badenas and Marco Sciarabba*

CHRISTMAS BAPTISM*

Do Hyun (Paul) Cho with Hong Pal Ha

CHRISTMAS CAROL

“Away in a Manger”

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS STORY

Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

CHRISTMAS READING

Pavel and Sam Tomenko • Davide Sciarabba*
Luke 2:1-7 NKJV

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

CHRISTMAS MUSIC

“What Child Is This?” • Kenneth Logan
Betania Cañas, flute; Kenneth Logan, organ

CHRISTMAS HOMILY

“Peace on Earth All Over Again—Redux 3”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

CHRISTMAS COMMITMENT

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” • anon. melody
Elizabeth Wilson, mezzo-soprano

CHRISTMAS BLESSING

 

CLOSING MUSIC

“IN DULCI JUBILO” (“In Sweet Jubilation”)Johann Sebastian Bach
Organ: Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music

*Indicates 11:45 AM Service

 

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

 There will be a fellowship dinner following the second worship service in the commons.

Offering for January 10, 2026

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