Saturday, February 08, 2025
OPENING MUSIC
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" • J. Rosamond Johnson
WELCOME & PRAYER
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
CHORAL INTROIT
"The Light of the World is Jesus" • Philip Paul Bliss
HYMN OF PRAISE
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" • 191, st. 1, 3, 4
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
"I Want Jesus to Walk With Me" • 624, st. 1
Juliette Horton, Pioneer Member
OFFERTORY
"There Is a Balm in Gilead" • African-American Spiritual / Kenneth Logan
CHILDREN'S STORY
Asher Steely, 6th Grader, Ruth Murdoch Elementary School & Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
MORE+ CONFERENCE
Bryan and Becky von Dorpowski, Co-Head Elders
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
"I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" • T. Trenney
SCRIPTURE READING
Revelation 14: 6-7 NIV
Wanda Poole Ferguson, Pioneer Member
HYMN OF PREPARATION
"Give Me Jesus" • 305, st. 1, 2
MESSAGE
"To Preach the Gospel"
Dwain N. Esmond, Associate Director, Ellen G. White Estate
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
"Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace" • words 588, mel. 227
CLOSING MUSIC
"Partita on DETROIT": Hymn & Variation • David Hurd
OPENING MUSIC
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" • J. Rosamond Johnson
WELCOME & PRAYER
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
CHORAL INTROIT
"The Light of the World is Jesus" • Philip Paul Bliss
HYMN OF PRAISE
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" • 191, st. 1, 3, 4
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
"I Want Jesus to Walk With Me" • 624, st. 1
Juliette Horton, Pioneer Member
OFFERTORY
"There Is a Balm in Gilead" • African-American Spiritual / Kenneth Logan
CHILDREN'S STORY
Asher Steely, 6th Grader, Ruth Murdoch Elementary School & Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
MORE+ CONFERENCE
Bryan and Becky von Dorpowski, Co-Head Elders
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
"I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" • T. Trenney
PRAISE
Revelation 14: 6-7 NIV
"Power Of Your Love" • "My Worship" "Been So Good" • "Jesus Paid It All"
MESSAGE
"To Preach the Gospel"
Dwain N. Esmond, Associate Director, Ellen G. White Estate
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
"Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace" • words 588, mel. 227
CLOSING MUSIC
"Partita on DETROIT": Hymn & Variation • David Hurd
Offering for May 16, 2026
Pioneer Operating Budget
Our churches should be sanctuaries, places of safety, not only in their physical structure but also in their psychological and spiritual atmosphere. Every person who enters, whether a regular attendee or a visitor, should feel genuinely welcomed and valued. We must be careful not to judge or criticize others based on appearances or perceived shortcomings. The church is not a place for the perfect—it is a hospital for sinners in need of healing and grace. Kathryn Davis, host of the Magnify podcast and seminary teacher, reminds us that “hiding our imperfections or harshly judging ourselves or others for those imperfections can be [harmful] to our mental health.”1
Jesus Himself faced criticism for spending time with sinners. His response was clear: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17, NIV).
As a church, our mission is to reflect Christ’s love and create a space where people can grow in faith without fear of rejection. Jesus was patient and kind, while Satan, the “accuser of the brethren,” seeks to bring shame and make us feel unworthy. Yet, Jesus reassures us, just as He did the woman condemned by the Pharisees: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no
more” (John 8:11, NKJV).
As we return our offerings today, let us also recommit to supporting a church that embodies Christ’s love—a safe and welcoming home for all.
1 https://www.ldsliving.com/how-to-make-our-church-communities-the-safest-place-to-make mistakes/s/11798
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Something in Common Sabbath School
Join us for the “Love Like You Mean It” Series! Sessions will be held in the Pioneer Commons each Sabbath morning from 10:30 to 11:30. Everyone is welcome!
- March 28: Session One - Everything Minus Love = Nothing
- April 11: Session Two - Love is Patient
- April 18: Session Three - Love is Kind
- April 25: Session Four - Love is Humble
- May 2: Session Five - Love is Generous
- May 9: Session Six - Love is Easy Going
- May 23: Session Seven - Love is Virtuous
- May 30: Session Eight - Love is Honest
- June 6: Session Nine - Love is Tenacious
- June 13: Session Ten - Love Never Fails