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

OPENING MUSIC

“Allegro maestoso e vivace” • Felix Mendelssohn
“Arise, My Soul, Arise!” • Dale Wood

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP

Jenifer Daley, Associate Pastor

“HELP FOR THE HELPLESS”: A HYMN CYCLE

“Power in the Blood” • 294, st. 1,3
“Just As I Am” • 314
“Amazing Grace” • 108, st. 1
“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” • 522, st. 1, 3
“To God Be the Glory” • 341, st. 1, 3

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

Heidi Ha, Pioneer Member
“Rescue the Perishing” • 367, st. 1

OFFERTORY

“Fugue on ‘Marvelous Grace’” • Kenneth Logan

CHILDREN’S STORY

 

SCRIPTURE READING

Tanya Neri, Pioneer Member
Mark 8:34-36 NIV

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“And Can It Be” • Dan Forrest

MESSAGE

“Mission: Impossible (Maybe)—Sign Me Up (Not)!”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

CONNECT CARD & PRAYER

 

HYMN OF COMMITMENT

“Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” • 328

CLOSING MUSIC

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” • Max Reger

 

OPENING MUSIC

“Allegro maestoso e vivace” • Felix Mendelssohn
“Arise, My Soul, Arise!” • Dale Wood

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP

Jenifer Daley, Associate Pastor

CHORAL INTROIT

“Cantate Domino”

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

Heidi Ha, Pioneer Member
“We Gather Together” • 8

BABY DEDICATION

Livio Henri-Johnson, presented by Tantely Henrisse Lovanantenaina and Jasmina Lantomandimby with Jenifer Daley

OFFERTORY

“Fugue on ‘Marvelous Grace’” • Kenneth Logan

CHILDREN’S STORY

 

PRAISE

“Holy Spirit”
“Champion”
“Indescribable”

SCRIPTURE READING

John Bitterman, Andrews Academy Student
Mark 8:34-36 NIV

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“And Can It Be” • Dan Forrest

MESSAGE

“Mission: Impossible (Maybe)—Sign Me Up (Not)!”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

CONNECT CARD & PRAYER

 

CLOSING SONG

“Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” • 328

CLOSING MUSIC

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” • Max Reger

 

Offering for December 20, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

My then six-year-old son came up to me and said, “Dad, I need a lot of money, and I need to make it fast!” I smiled and inquired, “Why do you need a lot of money quickly?” I didn’t know what my son was thinking of doing with all this fast cash and why he needed the funds so urgently. I thought maybe he wanted to buy a new toy or bike for himself. He said, “Well, Mom’s birthday is coming up and I want to buy a nice gift for her!” That sure cheered my heart, and so I gave him the funds! My son was asking for money, not for selfish reasons but out of love for his mom.

When I think about church offerings, every gift we give should be measured by the unfathomable Gift of heaven. The greatest offering we received from God is Jesus, and there is no way we can measure His love and sacrifice for us. Anything we give would 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). Let’s return our tithes and offerings in response to the abundance of God’s love for us. 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Church Office Holiday Closure: 12/22-12/26 & 12/29-01/02

Please note that the church office will be closed from December 22 to 26 and again from December 29 to January 2 for the holiday season. We will reopen on January 5. Our church services will proceed as always. If you have any announcements, please submit those no later than December 19. Thank you for your understanding. We wish you a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year!

Christmas Blessing Opportunity

Be part of a Christmas blessing this year! Chiang Mai Adventist Academy, which serves primarily Buddhist students from around the country, is looking for a set of Bible story felts to use in teaching the Bible in their Sabbath schools. FARM STEW missionaries will be going to Thailand in January and deliver them. If you have a felt set you would like to donate or would like to donate towards buying a new set, please contact Deby Andvik. (andvik@andrews.edu or call/text 269-277-4145

Pioneer Women's Ministries 2025 Advent Devotionals

Pioneer Women’s Ministries’ Advent devotionals will highlight a few of the promises of Jesus. To receive the “Red Letter Promises” daily devotionals by email for the first 25 days of December, text the word “ADVENT” to 269-281-2345. You can also receive a short daily text message preview of each day's devotional by providing your cell phone number when you register. We pray you will sense the nearness of Jesus during this holy season through these devotionals.

House of Prayer
Pioneer Earlyteen Loft

Please join us for House of Prayer Wednesday evenings at 7pm in the Earliteen Loft for a time of singing, Bible study and prayer.