Keepers of the Kingdom - Standing Strong in Today's Battle for Truth. July 14-18, from 9 - 11:45 AM at Niles Westside Adventist Church (1105 Grant St, Niles) for kids in Pre-K (age 4) - 6th grade. Please register early online at www.nileswestside.org. Email nileswestsidevbs@gmail.com or call 269-683-5998 with questions.
Mission: Impossible (Maybe)
Born for Battle—The Saga of a Peace-loving People
Resources
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight 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
More In This Series
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
Michigan Advance Partners
Author Melvin Santos Speaking: For the longest time, in my early years, I quietly disagreed with this Bible passage in Acts 20, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, NKJV).
I wondered how people can say, “I receive a blessing when I give.” On the contrary, in my younger years, I always enjoyed receiving gifts. To pay for the gift and give it to someone wouldn’t bring me joy. That would cost me time and money.
When I fell in love, got married, and had children, I finally learned that when you’re in love, there is a greater joy in giving gifts to your wife and children. I would do anything for them because I love them.
Then I understood that this is the Spirit of Christ, who sacrificed all to share His love with us. When I participate in giving, or helping someone in need who cannot reciprocate the deed or pay me back, I’m sharing the love of Jesus. Now, that’s the heart of Jesus.
Just seeing the smiles on my family’s faces was enough for me to experience this passage, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Today, let’s share our gifts with a generous heart.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries