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

“Wake, Awake! A Voice Is Calling”
Robert Hobby and Wayne Wold

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP

Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor

“BEARERS OF LIGHT”: A HYMN CYCLE

“Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” • 4
“The Lord Is My Light” • words 515, mel. 83
“We Would See Jesus” • 494, st. 1, 3
“Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service” • 363, st. 1, 3

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

“Rescue the Perishing” • 367, st. 1

OFFERTORY

“Joy and Elation” • Cynthia Dobrinski

CHILDREN’S STORY

Tiago Rossendy, Andrews Univ. Graduate Student
Nathan Peña, RMES Student
Kudzani Mbaiwa, RMES Student

SCRIPTURE READING

Feno Hanitriniala Ravaoharisoa, Pioneer Member
Isaiah 60:1-3 NIV

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“Share Your Faith” • Donald Phillips

MESSAGE

“Mission: Impossible (Maybe)—Born for Battle—The Saga of a Peace-loving People”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

CONNECT CARD

 

HYMN OF COMMITMENT

“Am I a Soldier of the Cross?” • words 609, tune 587

BENEDICTION

 

CLOSING MUSIC

“Work, For the Night Is Coming” • Sharon Elery Rogers

 

OPENING MUSIC

“Wake, Awake! A Voice Is Calling” • Robert Hobby and Wayne Wold

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP

Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor

PRAISE

“Ancient of Days / Days of Elijah”
“We Fall Down”

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

 

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“Share Your Faith” • Donald Phillips

OFFERTORY

“Joy and Elation” • Cynthia Dobrinski

CHILDREN’S STORY

Tiago Rossendy, Andrews Univ. Graduate Student

PRAISE

“Goodness of God”
“Ancient Words”

SCRIPTURE READING

Isaiah 60:1-3 NIV

MESSAGE

“Mission: Impossible (Maybe)—Born for Battle—The Saga of a Peace-loving People”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

CONNECT CARD

 

CLOSING SONG“Am I a Soldier of the Cross?” • words 609, tune 587

BLESSING

 

CLOSING MUSIC

“Work, For the Night Is Coming” • Sharon Elery Rogers

 

Offering for December 27, 2025

Michigan Advance Partners

When I was in my teens, I read a powerful promise, "Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service of God supreme, will find perplexities vanish and a plain path before their feet" (Ministry of Healing, p.481).

It really was not relevant to me then because my parents provided my food, lodging, and basic needs. But after I got married and had our three children, many expenses ate our income rapidly. Every dollar mattered. I remembered wishing that our babies would hurry up and get out of the “diaper stage” because every diaper cost money.

It would be easy to rationalize that our children are part of our ministry, therefore, we didn’t need to give our offerings for several months. But that would put me in charge of running “God’s business” instead of allowing God to take care of our needs. We learned to step out in faith and depend on Him.

Now that I look back on those days, it is amazing how God came through in thousands of ways to provide for our needs! It was fun to see how He provided all our needs then and continues to do so now. Today, let’s not rationalize our commitment to God. Let’s trust God with all our needs by returning our tithes and offerings faithfully. 

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

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.