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

 

Offering for January 3, 2026

Pioneer Operating Budget

There is something special about the beginning of a new year. It’s the energy and the excitement. It’s the opportunities that it offers. It provides the chance to forget the past and its challenges, while we embrace the possibility to start over.

The New Year offers the opportunity for us to look at the future with optimism and gratefulness. For this reason, I like new, don’t you? Paul liked the idea of new also. That’s why he encourages us to look towards the future instead of looking back. He says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3: 13, 14, NIV), we should press toward the goal to win.

The encouraging thing is, when Christ is in the lead, we must succeed. For this reason, we can embrace the possibilities of the new year– striving to be better stewards for God. So may our goals this year include spending consistent time in worship and developing a relationship of steel with God. May we take care of our wellbeing (physically and psychologically) and witness about His love by using our talents and gifts.

May we faithfully return to God the designated portion of our wealth and take care of our world and the environment. Let’s determine to make 2026 an exceptional year of sacrificial generosity, in our local church and worldwide. 

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!