We at Pioneer were richly blessed by the ministry of Pastor Ben Martin. Unfortunately, due to tithe shortfalls (not at Pioneer, but in other portions of the conference), Michigan Conference administration has determined that his position will not be filled at this time. Please combine your prayers and patience with mine as we work to cover Pastor Ben’s duties with existing pastoral staff members and volunteers. - Pastor Shane
AU 2023 Baccalaureate
Saturday, May 06, 2023
OPENING MUSIC
“O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing” • Healey Willan
PROCESSIONAL
“Lift High the Cross” • Donald Busarow
HYMN OF PRAISE
“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” • 27
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
*Nadia Nosworthy, Associate Professor ofEducational Psychology
**Jean Cadet, Associate Professor of Population Health, Nutrition and Wellness
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
*“The Lord’s Prayer” • Albert Hay Malotte, arranged by Paul Langford
Jason Marquez, BMus, clarinet; Jamison Moore, BMus, cello; Tyler Ninalga, piano
**“He Shines” • Grant Steinweg
Baccalaureate Choir, Stephen Zork, conductor; Grant Steinweg, BA, piano
SCRIPTURE
Genesis 1:1
*Robert D. Bates, Adjunct Professor of Archaeology
**Jenica Joseph, Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
HYMN OF MEDITATION
“Be Thou My Vision” • 547
INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER
Andrea Luxton, President
BACCALAUREATE SERMON
“Created for Greatness” • Garth Gabriel, President, Lake Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
HYMN OF COMMISSIONING
“Go Forth, Go Forth With Christ” • 377
BENEDICTION
*Nathan Hess, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
**A. Rahel Wells, Associate Professor of Old Testament
RECESSIONAL
“Dialogue” • Gilbert Martin
CLOSING MUSIC
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” • Kenneth Logan
Update on Pastoral Transition at Pioneer
Honduras Mission Team January 2026
The Pioneer Youth Missions team is getting ready for the January 2-12 project in Honduras. The team will be conducting a camp directed by Scott Schalk for about 100 children from the Hogar de Niños and the surrounding community. Additionally there will be many worships, activities and projects at the children's home. Your financial support and prayers are requested. For more information, contact Glenn Russell (glenn@andrews.edu)
Belong: Soup for Students
Soup for Students is just around the corner! Sunday, December 7, at 6 PM in the PMC Commons. We’d love to know what you’re planning to bring—soup, bread, your smile, or all of the above! Simply text “NOURISH” to 269-281-2345 to sign up
Belong: Angel Tree
This holiday season, help make Christmas special for a student/student family by selecting a card from one of the Christmas trees at church. Each card includes a family’s list of needs and wishes—simply choose a card, shop, and deliver your items by December 14th. No need to wrap—we’ll handle that for you! Let’s spread joy together with Belong Ministries this Christmas!
Spring Semester GROW Groups
Spring semester GROW Groups will begin the 1st week of February. If you would like to lead a group please text LEAD to 269-281-2345 or click the link below to submit the attached form on or before December 15. https://pmchurch.org/ministries/growgroups/register
Dr. Woodrow Whidden, 10/15/1944 - 11/11/2025
Woodrow Whidden died peacefully at home beside his loving wife, Peggy, on Tuesday, November 11. He lived a full life devoted to his family, the ministry, teaching and academic writing. Pioneer has been his home church since 1990 when he began teaching at Andrews. Your love, generosity and comforting presence in the days since Woody's passing have meant so much to our family. Everyone is invited to a public memorial service here at Pioneer on Friday, December 5, at 1 PM. Love and Thanks from The Whidden Family
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.
Sabbath School Volunteers Needed
Give our Pioneer kids a gift this holiday season - your time, teaching or supporting Sabbath Schools, 10:30-11:30 AM each Sabbath. Text CHILDREN to 269-281-2345 or email childrenss@pmchurch.org to learn more.
Seeking Voices for Sabbath Video Series!
Adventist Learning Community is producing a short series exploring Sabbath keeping and its impact on everyday life. We're looking for individuals to interview who joined the Adventist Church within the last 15 to 20 years and are comfortable on camera. If you're open to sharing your experience and how Sabbath has shaped your life, please contact Luke Bowers at lbowersweb@gmail.com, we'd love to hear from you!
Adventist-Muslim Relations Group
Join us to pray for active missionaries and explore how to build bridges between Adventists and Muslims. We meet at 6:30 PM on the first and third Monday each month in the Leadership Lab of the Campus Center at Andrews University.
