OPENING MUSIC
“Allegro in D” • Antonio Vivaldi / Frackenpohl
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor
“JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED”: A HYMN CYCLE
“Praise Him! Praise Him!” • 249, st. 1-2
“It Is Well With My Soul” • 530, st. 1-2
“My Jesus, I Love Thee” • 321, st. 1-2, 4
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Rick Loenser, Pioneer Member
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” • 290, chorus only
OFFERTORY
“Sinfonia in A Minor” • Georg Telemann / Matthews
CHILDREN’S STORY
Sanna Ortega, AA Student
SCRIPTURE READING
RaeAnne Prentice, Pioneer Member
Luke 9:23-25 NIV
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“Entrance of the Queen of Sheba” (from “Solomon”) • Georg Frideric Handel / Fisher
MESSAGE
“Return to Calvary: The Extra Cross (How to Radicalize Your Future)
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
CONNECT CARD & PRAYER
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” • 328
CLOSING MUSIC
“O Love How Deep, How Broad, How High” • David Johnson
OPENING MUSIC
“Allegro in D” • Antonio Vivaldi / Frackenpohl
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor
PRAISE
“I Will Follow You”
“Be Thou My Vision”
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Rick Loenser, Pioneer Member
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“Entrance of the Queen of Sheba” (from “Solomon”) • Georg Frideric Handel / Fisher
OFFERTORY
“Sinfonia in A Minor” • Georg Telemann / Matthews
CHILDREN’S STORY
Sanna Ortega, AA Student
PRAISE
“The Wonderful Cross”
“Total Praise”
MESSAGE
“Return to Calvary: The Extra Cross (How to Radicalize Your Future)
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
CONNECT CARD & PRAYER
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” • 328
CLOSING MUSIC
“O Love How Deep, How Broad, How High” • David Johnson
Offering for December 13, 2025
Adventist Community Services
In Luke 10:30-37 Jesus tells a parable about a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan who came upon a man who had been beaten and robbed. When the priest and the Levite saw the man, they concluded that their help was optional. They could help, but they did not have to help, and in the face of competing priorities, they opted not to help. The Samaritan, on the other hand, did not see his help as optional. Not even the hatred between his country and the other man’s could overcome his compassion. He saw no alternative but to help. In Luke 10:37 Jesus tells us all to “go and do likewise.” As Christians we see each person in need as a beloved son or daughter of God and we are compelled to help.
Adventist Community Services, or ACS, is part of this response, serving communities in Christ’s name. ACS is the Adventist Church—you and me—helping our neighbors in need. Across the North American Division our offerings go to work, helping the hurting. Whether by providing food, teaching literacy, distributing diapers, organizing job fairs, or opening dental clinics, our help is not optional. It is the extension of God’s love to His creation. Today’s offering is an invitation to join the ACS team through your gift; to bring relief and comfort to your neighbors and to make compassion your priority.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
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)
Christmas Breakfast
Let’s celebrate the joy of Christmas with good food, warm community, and grateful hearts! Join us on December 20, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM, before our main worship service. Bring your favorite breakfast dish to share and enjoy a wonderful time of fellowship as we celebrate the season together.
Toy Collection for Christmas Care--Sabbath, December 13
On Sabbath, December 13, we will be having our annual Children’s Celebration of Christmas. This is the worship service where we bring a new unwrapped toy for a child up to age 16. Each year we partner with "Christmas Care" in providing gifts to 300+ families in our community who are not able to purchase their own. This is yet another way that Pioneer can participate in the 2nd part of our PIONEER strategic plan of Interacting and partnering with those in our community.
Annual Seniors Christmas Banquet
The annual Christmas Banquet for Seniors (ages 55+) is taking place on December 14 in the Village SDA Church fellowship hall at 1:00 PM. Pioneer members wishing to attend please call the church office to sign up at 269.471.6565 by Monday, December 8.
Belong: Angel Tree
Thank you for choosing a tag from our Angel Trees! Please remember to text “BLESS” to 269-281-2345 to let us know who you selected. This helps us stay organized and coordinate gift collection if you won’t be dropping off your unwrapped gift during one of our services on Sabbath, December 13.
Andrews Academy Invites You to the Feast of Lights Concert
Andrews Academy will be presenting the 52nd annual Feast of Lights program on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM. The community is invited to attend this spectacular night of music, Scripture and drama honoring the King of Kings. It is an evening of lights, bells, instruments, choral singing, congregational singing, shepherds, a Nativity scene, and the retelling of a glorious Christmas story. Chorale and Orchestra will end the program with the Hallelujah chorus. The church sidewalks will be arrayed in Christmas lighting. The program will speak to your hearts of His wondrous love. All are invited to attend this free program held at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University.
Journey to Bethlehem - Live Nativity Walk in Eau Claire
Walk into the advent story... Share in the expectation... Experience God's Glory... Journey to Bethlehem - Come join take this FREE 1 hour walking journey through the Advent Story on December 14 from 5-8 PM. Meet shepherds, the wisemen, Roman soldiers, a Biblical marketplace, Mary and Joseph and discover why Christ came to this earth. Groups Leave from the Student Activity Center located at 6295 W Main St, Eau Claire, MI 49111. Tours leave every 10 minutes between 5 & 8 PM, December 14. No Reservations required, ALS interpreter available, please contact us in advance. Wheelchair accessible journey on paved sidewalk. Questions? Call or text 269-405-5026 or email us at Eauclairecritters@gmail.com.
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.
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