Ladies, make time to unwind and get lost in the RIGHT direction...Camp Au Sable in Grayling, Michigan! Let us find the joy in the journey as we make our way toward our happy place, Heaven!! Glamping (glamour camping) in style! Together we will be blessed by Tami Milligan and the great seminar line-up. Dates are April 14-16 and April 21-23 (same programs/presenters/seminars each weekend). Visit michiganwm.com to learn more. Jesus says…"I will guide you along the best path for your life." Psalm 32:7,8
The Magi’s Guide to Gift Giving
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 of Youth Ministries. 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
Saturday, December 10, 2022
WELCOME & PRAYER
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
MUSIC
“The First Noel” • arr. Lena Eckhoff
*”Joy to the World” • arr. Lena Eckhoff
RMES Junior Bells
OPENING HYMN
“What Child Is This?” • 141
PRAYER
Salema Faiai, Samuel Fiuza, Grace Zhang, Philbert Ansu
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 1:23 NIV
Aaron Dormus, Adventurers
MUSIC
“Carol of the Bells” • arr. Michael Hopkins
RMES Strings
MESSAGE 1
“The Greatest Gift”
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
MUSIC
“Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child/Go Tell it on the Mountain”
Pioneer Adventurers - Solo Jaliyah White
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 2:11
Genavive Beckford
MUSIC
“For Unto Us A Child Is Born”
Pioneer Adventurers
*BAPTISM
Samuel Reed Miller with W. G. Nelson
MUSIC
“Three Holiday Glorias” • arr. Donald Moore
RMES Grades 4-6 Choir
MESSAGE 2
“The Right Gift”
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
GIFT COLLECTION
“Away in a Manger” • William Kirkpatrick
“O Come, Little Children” • Johann Schulz
MUSIC
“Who Would Imagine a King”
Jaliyah White, Gabriella Langat, Adventurers
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 2:2
Joanna Jacques
MUSIC
“When We Seek Him”
Pioneer Adventurers - Solos Isabella Mpita, Lucas and Nathan Lovanantenaina, Lena Engelkemier
MESSAGE 3
“The Perfect Gift”
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
CLOSING HYMN
“Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” • 140, st. 1, 2 & 5
CLOSING MUSIC
“Good Christians, Now Rejoice” • anon. melody
Michigan Women's Retreat Registration Open
Cherishing Our Loved Ones
Pioneer Women’s Ministries invites the PMC ladies to attend with us in a “LOVE ON THE MOVE” project as we show appreciation and support for our beloved church family members who are homebound and grieving by creating encouraging gifts and cards for them. NO MEAL WILL BE SERVED.
Location: Teen Loft
Date: Sunday, February 12
Time: 9:45 AM to 11:30 AM (Check-in at 9:15 am)
Registration: Text “CHERISH” to 269-281-2345
Registration is Open for Spring Grow Groups!
Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:20 that where 2 or 3 of us are gathered in His name, He is there with us! I’d like you to enter into the presence of Jesus this Spring by joining a Grow Group, one of Pioneer’s small groups that are designed to help you share a passion, make new friends, and grow in your faith.
Grow Groups are for everyone! We have groups for all ages, and a wide variety of interests. Many of our groups meet online, so even if you’re not part of our local community, you can still join a group here.
Registration is now open for the spring session (February 5-April 29). You can find all the available groups by texting the word JOIN to 269-281-2345 or head to pmchurch.org/grow and find the button that says “Join a Group.”
Support Student Missions
Andrews University Student Missions Department encourages students to expand their worldviews and deepen their faith by engaging in service and volunteering opportunities domestically and around the world. For more information or to support our program please see https://www.andrews.edu/faith/missions/index.html or contact sm@andrews.edu
Red Cross Blood Drive Feb. 22
Andrews University is hosting the spring Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Johnson Gym. We welcome you to sign up at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time
Offering for February 4, 2023
Pioneer Operating
We Seventh-day Adventists have a reputation of being faithful in returning our tithes to God, at least compared to most other Christian denominations. However, our tithing might contradict what’s in our hymnal, and I’m talking about a well-known hymn. Either we need to change our giving or we need to change the lyrics in the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, specifically song #309.
Here’s how the revised version of this song should go: “10% to Jesus I surrender, 10% to Him I freely give.” Join me on the chorus, “I surrender 10%, I surrender 10%, 10% to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender 10%.” Something about that just doesn’t sound right, does it? Jesus never asked us for 10%; He’s always asked for everything. That’s why the hymn goes, “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give.”
Yes, the Bible talks about a tithe being 10% as a practice of worship and reminds us that everything comes from God, but let’s remember that everything belongs to God, including the local church offering. With what’s left, I buy food to take care of my body or to pay my bills; even this belongs to Jesus. When we bring our offerings to God, we acknowledge that EVERYTHING comes from Him and we can trust Him to supply everything we need. Today I invite you to give everything to Jesus and allocate a portion of that to the offerings at this church as you actively worship God.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
The Wooden Structure(s) on Ararat
ASM members and guests are invited to hear Dr. Randall Younker discuss his team's recent visit to Mt. Ararat and what they found, on February 12, at 1 PM. It's sure to be an exciting program. Bring some food and enjoy a potluck with your friends. Bring a new friend and invite them to join ASM for the remainder of the present term for only 1/2 of the annual dues.
Howard Center Presents: Charles Reid & Friends
Isn't It Romantic? In anticipation of Valentine's Day, join internationally renowned tenor, Charles Reid, and friends from the Andrews University Department of Music in an eclectic and fun evening on the theme of love.
Pioneer Reception Has Moved!
Thanks to our exciting elevator project, Pioneer has temporarily relocated our Reception to the Lower Level Welcome Center.
You may visit the Lower Level Welcome Center by using the internal stairs via the main Awning Entrance or by using the external stairs adjacent to the Awning Entrance. Heidi Ha will continue to provide you with excellent service with key & card access, Sabbath School resources, volunteer engagement, facilities use, and much more. Contact phone numbers will remain the same—269-471-3133 and 269-471-6565.
We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience as we collaborate on the exciting and much-anticipated elevator project.
Pioneer Piloting Alive in Jesus Children's Sabbath School
We are excited to be one of 80 churches around the globe piloting the new Alive in Jesus Sabbath School curriculum for the first quarter of 2023. Our Kindergarten 5-6 Year, Primary Grade 3, and Junior Grade 5 Sabbath Schools are leading our pilot, fulling implementing, with parents and our volunteer teams providing research feedback. The Gracelink curriculum, developed 25+ years ago, will be replaced with new lessons for 0 to 18 years olds by 2025. The Alive in Jesus Curriculum is being developed to better assist families in discipling kids in this 21st century to deeply love and fully live for Jesus.
We invite members to pray for our parents and volunteers as they reflect on this pilot experience to provide rich data to improve the lessons for global use. Feel free to watch an introductory video and explore the online materials at https://pilot.aliveinjesus.info/, or come visit or volunteer in a Sabbath School this quarter.