Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Barry Wilson after 35 remarkable years of service with the fire department, including his dedicated tenure as liaison to Andrews University. A retirement party will be held in his honor on Sunday, May 31, 1:00 PM at the Berrien Springs Oranoko Fire Dept.
Yes Can Do
How to Dare with an Attitude
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight 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
More In This Series
"YES CAN DO: How to Dare with an Attitude"
www.newperceptions.tv
Attitude
- Charles Swindoll: "This may shock you, but I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my successes or failures, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances or my position. Attitude is that ‘single string’ that keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitudes are right, there’s no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me."
- Job 42:1-2—"Then Job replied to the LORD, ‘I know You all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.'"
Attitude Adjustment
- 1 Samuel 14:1-15
- Matthew 16:18—"'I will build My church, and the of Hades will not overcome it.'"
- Ellen White: "The battle raged. Victory alternated from side to side. Now the soldiers of the cross gave way, 'as when a standardbearer fainteth.' Isaiah 10:18. But their apparent retreat was but to gain a more advantageous position. Shouts of joy were heard. A song of praise to God went up, and angel voices united in the song, as Christ’s soldiers planted His banner on the walls of fortresses held by the enemy. The Captain of our salvation was ordering the battle and sending support to His soldiers. His power was mightily displayed, encouraging them to press the battle to the ."
- Erwin Raphael McManus: "Jonathan had an unwavering confidence in God’s capacity. He had absolute trust in God’s character. He seemed resolute about whether God could be trusted. That was settled for him. Jonathan’s focus was not, What is God’s will for my life? but How can I give my life to fulfill God’s will?" (Seizing Your Divine Moment 64)
- "I know this may be a real stretch, but it is always right to do what’s right, even if it turns out ." (65)
- "We should not be surprised that a lifelong journey with God might bring us suffering and hardship. If the Cross teaches us anything, it teaches us that sometimes God comes through we’ve been killed!" (65)
- "Jonathan wasn’t choosing to die, but he was choosing how he would live. He left the consequence of his actions in the hands of God. He chose to do what he knew was right. . . . God was doing something in history, and Jonathan gave his life to it." (66)
- Oswald Chambers: "When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say ''. Never let the limitation of natural ability come in. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be manifested in us." (My Utmost for His Highest 111)
- Ellen White: "We need to pray as we have never prayed before for the baptism of the Holy Spirit; for if ever there was a time we needed this baptism, it is now. There is nothing the Lord has more frequently told us He would bestow upon us, and nothing He would be more glorified in bestowing, than the Holy Spirit." "It is beyond the power of language to express the it brings to God’s people.” (Signs of the Times 10-11-1899, Manuscript Releases 2:15)
WE CAN DO
. . . because . . .
HE CAN DO.
Congratulations, Andrews Academy seniors! May the same Lord who got you here lead you into the uncharted adventure ahead! “I am with you always,” is His promise. Everyone is invited to attend graduation weekend events. Class Night May 21, 7:00 PM at Andrews Academy, Consecration May 22, 8:00 PM at Village SDA Church, Baccalaureate May 23, 11:45 AM at PMC, Commencement May 24, 11:00 at PMC.
You are invited to a Hymnsing on 23 May, 4:00 PM at The Old Rugged Cross Church, 61041 Vermont Street, Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-Day Adventist Hymnal. For further information, contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com.
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.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
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!
- 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

