Resources

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

Poem of Divine Love  •  Kenneth Logan
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music

Welcome & Call to Worship 

Ben Martin, Associate Pastor

"Greater Grace": A Hymn Cycle

"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"—SDAH 156, st.1, 3  •  "Marvelous Grace"—SDAH 109  •  "Amazing Grace" & "O How I Love Jesus"—SDAH 108, 248  
Songleader: Vladimir Slavujevic, Andrews University alumnus; Erin Penrod, horn, Andrews University student; Kenneth Logan, organ

Congregational Prayer

Terence & Pule Habiri, Andrews University Students

Pioneer Life

Emersond Jean-Baptiste, License Supervisor Berrien Country, Department of Health and Human Services; Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor

Children's Story & Prayer

Story: Lianro and Sage WagenerSmith; Prayer: Kayleigh

Worship in Music

"What Wondrous Love Is This?"  •  Kenneth Logan
Vladimir Slavujevic, baritone; Erin Penrod, horn; Kenneth Logan, organ

Homily

"A 20:21 Mission for a 2021 Movement: Love Story—Return to Sender: 'So I Am Sending You'"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

Communion

Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

Scripture Reading

 

Prayer of Blessing

Anthony Yeboah, Elder

Partaking of Communion

 

Closing Hymn

 

Benediction

Ben Martin, Associate Pastor

Closing Music

"Fugue on 'Marvelous Grace'"  •  Kenneth Logan
Kenneth Logan, organ

Opening Music

Poem of Divine Love  •  Kenneth Logan
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music

Welcome & Call to Worship 

Ben Martin, Associate Pastor

Praise

"Champion"
William Dos Reis, praise leader; Shelby Huse, Eryncia Welsh, Itumeleng Gabasiane, vocals; Shadrach Agol, guitar; Sammy Duany, cajon; Jamison Moore, cello; Brianna Seawood, bass

 

Congregational Prayer

Terence & Pule Habiri, Andrews University Students

Pioneer Life

Emersond Jean-Baptiste, License Supervisor Berrien Country, Department of Health and Human Services; Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor

Children's Story & Prayer

Story: Lianro and Sage WagenerSmith; Prayer: Kayleigh

Worship in Music

"What Wondrous Love Is This?"  •  Kenneth Logan
Vladimir Slavujevic, baritone; Erin Penrod, horn; Kenneth Logan, organ

Homily

"A 20:21 Mission for a 2021 Movement: Love Story—Return to Sender: 'So I Am Sending You'"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

Communion

Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

Praise

"Living Hope"

 

Scripture Reading

 

Prayer of Blessing

Anthony Yeboah, Elder

Partaking of Communion

 

Closing Hymn

"Living Hope"

 

Benediction

Ben Martin, Associate Pastor

Closing Music

"Fugue on 'Marvelous Grace'"  •  Kenneth Logan
Kenneth Logan, organ

Offering for December 20, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

My then six-year-old son came up to me and said, “Dad, I need a lot of money, and I need to make it fast!” I smiled and inquired, “Why do you need a lot of money quickly?” I didn’t know what my son was thinking of doing with all this fast cash and why he needed the funds so urgently. I thought maybe he wanted to buy a new toy or bike for himself. He said, “Well, Mom’s birthday is coming up and I want to buy a nice gift for her!” That sure cheered my heart, and so I gave him the funds! My son was asking for money, not for selfish reasons but out of love for his mom.

When I think about church offerings, every gift we give should be measured by the unfathomable Gift of heaven. The greatest offering we received from God is Jesus, and there is no way we can measure His love and sacrifice for us. Anything we give would appear as nothing in comparison. “How vain the endeavor to measure with mathematical rules, time, money, and love against a love and sacrifice that is measureless and incomputable!” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol.4, p.119). Let’s return our tithes and offerings in response to the abundance of God’s love for us. 

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!

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

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.

House of Prayer
Pioneer Earlyteen Loft

Please join us for House of Prayer Wednesday evenings at 7pm in the Earliteen Loft for a time of singing, Bible study and prayer.