All Sermons

Return to Calvary

The Blind Portal (How to See Beyond the Grave)

Resources

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

“Jubilee (Variations on ‘Saints Bound for Heaven’)”  •  James Curnow

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP

 

HYMN OF PRAISE

“Christ Is Alive!” • 182

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” • 290, chorus only
Jenifer Daley, Associate Pastor

BAPTISM*

Joel Samuel Peckham with John Peckham

OFFERTORY

“When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder”  •  Ronald Johnson

CHILDREN’S STORY

Jenifer Daley, Associate Pastor

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“Joy in All Things” (“Come, Christians, Join to Sing”)  •  Brian Balmages

PROCESSION OF HOPE

Dwight & Karen Nelson

HYMN OF RESURRECTION HOPE

“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” • 166

MESSAGE

“Return to Calvary: The Blind Portal (How to See Beyond the Grave)”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

HYMN OF COMMITMENT

“The Day of Resurrection” • melody of 619

BENEDICTION

 

CLOSING MUSIC

“Be Not Afraid” • Felix Mendelssohn

 

A British Winter's Night: Wind Symphony Winter Concert

A British Winter’s Night concert will be an evening of lively traditional British tunes and ballads.  From the popular Vaughan Williams Sea Songs and English Folk Song Suite, to the rousing tunes of the Irish Washerwoman and Country Gardens, this evening is sure to delight! The Andrews University Wind Symphony, under the direction of Denisse Santos-Gooden, will once again collaborate with the Southwestern Michigan College Brass Band under the direction of Mark Hollandsworth. The two ensembles will take the stage at the Howard Performing Arts Center on January 31, 2026 at 8:00 PM. Start off your new year with toe-tapping tunes and swaying sweet melodies! Tickets are available at howard.andrews.edu.

Standout Event

Andrews University invites homeschool and public high school students to attend Standout, taking place February 20–22. This event is designed to serve as a spiritual refueling experience for students who may not have regular access to Adventist revival programs or daily religious instruction. We invite you to learn more and register for this impactful weekend at: https://www.andrews.edu/splash/standout

Offering for January 17, 2026

Religious Liberty Offering

Seventh-day Adventists have stood firmly for religious liberty—for everyone—for more than 150 years. But do you know the reason why? Part of the reason is that, when our church was founded, almost every American state had Sunday-keeping laws on the books. Adventist pastors, farmers, laborers, and others were arrested, jailed, or fined for doing “secular work” on Sunday.

Even Wille White, son of James and Ellen, was arrested in Oakland, California, in 1882 for keeping the Pacific Press Publishing presses operating on a Sunday!

But that’s not the full story. The deeper reason why we continue to stand for religious liberty—in the courts, before legislatures, and through the pages of Liberty magazine—is because we want to reflect the character of the God we serve.

He’s a God who created us in His image and who has given each one of us the freedom to choose whom we will worship. He’s a God who, in the words of Ellen White, “desires only the service of love,” which “cannot be won by force or authority” (The Desire of Ages, 22).

Today, please help support this vital ministry of religious liberty. It’s a ministry that defends not only the rights of individual conscience, but also the ability of our church to continue to do its mission. And as we face uncertain days ahead, your prayers and support are needed now, more than ever.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries