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
Andrews Academy & Ruth Murdoch Elementary 2022 Baccalaureate
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
Saturday, May 28, 2022
Livestream Archive available on Facebook
OPENING MUSIC
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” • Anthony Showalter / Carl Strommen
WELCOME
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
PROCESSIONAL
“Trumpet Tune” • David Johnson
CALL TO WORSHIP
Audrey Simpson
INVOCATION
Andressa Gomes De Sousa, RMES Student
PRAISE
“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”
“What a Beautiful Name”
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Ellis Chun & Eric Kacelenga
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“Sinfonia” • Georg Telemann / R. Matthews
BAPTISM
David Beatty with Ben Martin
CALL FOR CHILDREN’S OFFERING
Sarah Ayaz, RMES Student
CHILDREN’S STORY
“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” • Wayne Wold
Story: Dylan Bergmann, RMES Student
SCRIPTURE READING
Lauren Sahly
Jeremiah 29:11
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“All Things Bright and Beautiful” • John Rutter
Ruth Murdoch Elementary School Choir, Marcelo Martins, director; Shari Lyons, conductor
MESSAGE
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” • 334
RECESSIONAL
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” • Paul Manz
CLOSING MUSIC
“Allegro maestoso e vivace” • Felix Mendelssohn
OPENING MUSIC
“Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” attr. H. Purcell
PROCESSIONAL
“Christ for the World” • Kenneth Logan
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Kleber Gonçalves
Parent of Nichollas Gonçalves
PRAISE
“He’s Able” • “Wait On You” • “It Is Well”
PRAYER
Jose Diaz
Parent of Joseph Diaz
OFFERING
Lemon Family
Family of Christopher Lemon
OFFERTORY
“Crown Him With Many Crowns • A. Sherman
Andrews Academy Resound, Marcelo Martins, Director
SCRIPTURE READING
Gordon Thorpe
Parent of Gwendolyn Thorpe
I Peter 4:10-11, NIV
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“Help Us To Love” • T. Kelly
SERMON
Edward Woods, III
Parent of Megan Woods
SERMON RESPONSE
“More Than Anything” • L. Campbell
Andrews Academy Praise Team
BENEDICTION
Carol Woolford-Hunt
Parent of Samantha Woolford-Hunt
PRAYER RESPONSE
“The Lord Bless You” • 669
RECESSIONAL
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” • P. Manz
CLOSING VOLUNTARY
“Choral Song” • S. Wesley
Help Us Welcome New Students
Primary & Junior Sabbath School Relocations
As we begin essential pipe and HVAC renovations in the Primary and Junior Sabbath School (SS) wings, we want to thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility. To ensure all our children and young people continue to have a meaningful Sabbath School experience, several classes will be temporarily relocated beginning Sabbath, July 5, 2025:
New Sabbath School Locations During Renovations Kindergarten 5 & 6 Sabbath School will now include Grade 1 children until the Primary Grade 1 room is ready. Primary Grades 2 & 3 will meet together in the Kindergarten room used by the Something in Common class. Junior Grades 4 & 5 will meet together in the center section of the Commons. Junior Grade 6 will meet in the sanctuary end of the Commons. Young Adults Sabbath School will meet in the Youth Chapel end of the Commons. Something in Common will meet in the Board Room.
Facilities Use During Construction During renovation months, the Commons and kitchen, Primary and Junior SS rooms will be unavailable for reservations, and the central hallway will be closed under the Sanctuary. We are grateful for your continued prayers, understanding, and support during this important project. Your generosity is helping provide a safe and comfortable environment for all ages to worship and grow in faith.
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”.
District Nine Family Camp
Register soon for an uplifting and spirit-filled weekend at Camp Au Sable. The annual District Nine Family Camp is Labor Day weekend, August 29 - September 1, 2025. For the first time this year, registration will be available online at www.midistrictnine.com, beginning July 20, at 10:00 AM through August 17, at 12:00 PM.
Offering for July 19, 2025
Pioneer Operating Budget
Someone came to their pastor and complained, “Pastor, we can’t afford to give our tithes and offerings. We’re just barely making it from week to week. I wish we just had extra money to give, but we don’t.”
When finances are tight, it requires more faith to return your tithes and offerings. Some will rationalize, “God really does not need my funds.” That’s true, our God is wealthy. But it is especially important to remember that when funds are tight, that is when it is critical that you return your tithe and offerings. We can’t expect to steal from God and be blessed. We all need God’s blessings.
Tough times force us to demonstrate our faith that God as our Partner will come through to provide even when it seems impossible. This is His part of the covenant. Trust in the Lord that He will provide as He promised.
"The more we bring to God's treasure house, the more we shall have to bring; for He will open ways before us, increasing our substance"(Our High Calling, p. 197).
Millions of Christians have put their faith into action with God. Not once has He failed to make it possible. Let’s live in faith so that God can bless us beyond our wildest imagination!
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
God's Hands 4 Kids
"Love on the Move" is more than just a slogan. It is a way of life. It is at least for God's Hands 4 Kids. We work closely with Berrien County Department of Health and Human Services as well as other area agencies. We extend our caring to other counties as well. There are many ways you as a caring person can make a difference in our community. Today I will suggest two ways you can make that difference. You can do respite, take care of foster kid(s) for a few hours or a few days. No foster license required. Or you could offer to drive someone to an appointment. For more information email Godshands4kids@gmail.com
Hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church
You are invited to a hymn sing on July 19 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at The Old Rugged Cross Church, 61041 Vermont St., Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. A freewill offering will help support the church. For more information, please contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com.
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.
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
There will not be a fellowship dinner during the months of July and August, 2025.