At some point, we all worry about the future because we want answers and a sense of control. Yet the future is beyond our control, which can lead to anxiety and a loss of peace. Occasional anxiety is normal, but persistent fear of the unknown can disrupt daily life. Because anxiety develops through complex neuropsychological processes, patience and compassion for self and others are essential. If you find yourself being anxious, keep in mind this gentle invitation for the Omniscient One, “Be anxious for nothing…let your requests be made known to God…” (Phil. 4:6–7). He promises peace.
2 B Friends
2 B Friends: Ready or Not–Here We GROW!
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
Saturday, January 12, 2013
More In This Series
“2 B Friends:
Ready or Not—Here We GROW!”
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□ The Research
- The British National Child Development Study (a longitudinal study tracking individuals born in the same week in 1958) reported in 2012 that of the men and roughly a of the women said they now have more than friends and relatives they get together with once a month or more.
- Regarding psychological health, these people ranked themselves significantly than the others with less friends.
- The researchers concluded: “Having fewer than friends at age 45 predicted significantly poorer psychological well-being at age 50.”
- The education men had, the more likely they were to have a larger social network—but the opposite was true for women.
- Being was associated with a smaller circle of friends.
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□ The Reason
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John 15:12-17
- “[Jesus is] our best and most sympathizing friend.” (5T 201)
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vv 13, 14 The Voice: “‘[13] There is no greater way to love than to give your life for your friends. [14] You
celebrate friendship if you obey this command.”
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I.e., when you read v 13 and v 14 together, Jesus isn’t so much describing His death the day
as He is commanding our willingness to die for our friends day.
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Craig Keener: John 15:12 “is emphatic that believers must love one another in the same way that Jesus loved
them (cf. 13:34), which means dying for their , as Jesus would die for them (15:13-14).”
(The Gospel of John 1004)
- John 15:5
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John 15:12-17
Friends and fruit—what do they have in common? You must them both.
Because friends and fruit are all about .
Acts 2:38-47
3000 brand new radical followers/disciples of Jesus Christ
And how do they GROW? (Acts 2:42)
o They share .
o They share .
o They share .
o They share .
Just as Jesus taught in John 15—first, you with Me and then you with each other, and thus you .
The simple mission of the church in Acts: CONNECT.GROW.SERVE.GO.
□ The Result
- Five VIP points about GROW Groups:
#1—They are about friendship, not .
#2—They are about short-term, not .
#3—They are about “interesting,” not “.”
#4—They are about growing spiritually and . #5—They are about growing together, not .
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Desire of Ages: “Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. It was to impart this love, to make us children of one family, that the King of glory became one with us. And when His parting words are fulfilled, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’ (John 15:12); when we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts.” (641)
Friends and fruit are all about GROW
With This in Mind...
AU Music Festival Finale Concert
Please join us this Sabbath afternoon, at 4:00 PM in the HPAC for the finale concert of the 2026 AU Music Festival! This year's group includes over 100 band and keyboard students from around the USA and Canada who will present the culmination of their hard work this afternoon under the direction of Byron Graves, Denisse Santos, Chi Yong Yun, and Kenneth Logan.
Howard Center Presents...The Collingsworth Family
The Collingsworth Family April 8, 2026, 7:00 PM. The Collingsworth Family is a southern gospel group started by Phil and Kim Collingsworth and features their family as the group. Their ministry and music tours have reached all over the United States as well as internationally. Excitement, family-emphasis, and musical excellence are what you can expect when you come to The Collingsworth Family concert. Phil and Kim’s entire purpose is to give the talent God has loaned them back to their Creator as a sacrifice of praise. Tickets for this concert are available at iTickets.com
Howard Center Presents...K-Anthony
K-Anthony March 29, 2026, 7:00 PM. Kevin Anthony Fowler is a Jamaican-Canadian contemporary Christian singer and songwriter. In 2024, K-Anthony celebrated his most recent Juno Award – Canada’s equivalent of a Grammy – for Gospel Contemporary album of the year. Influenced by the island music, you can hear his love of Reggae, R&B and the sounds of his teenage years of bands such as Boys II Men. K-Anthony’s career is buoyed by faith, resilience, and the deep-rooted values of his upbringing. The underlying theme of K-Anthony’s music is his love for God and hope for the future in his return. Please go to https://howard.andrews.edu to purchase your tickets or you can drop by the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University, in person, to purchase your tickets.
Sunday Music Series...Andrews University Composers
Andrews University Composers 4:00 PM Sunday, March 8, 2026 Free Admission Feel the buzz, thrill and chancy emotions of contemporary music. This program showcases the contemporary works of budding artists from Andrews University, as well as music composed by faculty members.
Second Quarter Sabbath School Lessons Review
Second quarter Sabbath School lessons overview including major themes will be presented by Dr Andrew Tompkins on March 28, 4:00-5:30 PM in the PMC Commons. Although targeted to the Sabbath School teachers, everyone is invited. For additional information, contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com.
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
A fellowship dinner will follow the second worship service in the Commons. Visitors are welcome!
Offering for March 7, 2026
Pioneer Operating Budget
Have you ever experienced being abandoned? Do you sometimes feel forsaken? Dr. Jen Theule, a psychologist of the Canadian Psychological Association, when writing about child attachment describes it as an emotional relationship between two people in which one is dependent on the other to fulfil their needs and provide nurture and protection.1 In the case of children, they depend on their parents or significant caregiver (such as a teacher) to provide for their needs over time. When this is not forthcoming, the child experiences several emotional disconnects, which can cause an adverse impact on how they operate in relationships in later years. However, when the process of attachment is successful, children grow up feeling secure. When it is not successful, they grow up experiencing various types of insecurities.
The Scripture assures us in many places that our Creator will never abandon us. One such scripture is Isaiah 49:15, which says, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you” (ESV). God will never forsake us, and we can trust His word. So, as we return our tithes and offerings today, let us give with a willing heart to our local church budget, so that our children and youth can be nurtured for the glory of God.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Adventist Seniors of Michiana (ASM) Meeting
Our next ASM Potluck and Program will take place on Sunday, March 8, beginning 1:00 PM at the Village SDA Church Family Center, and moving at 2:00 to the Sanctuary, where Douglas Macomber will play an organ concert of some of the 18 Great Organ Chorales by J. S. Bach that show Bach's deep faith in God and his commitment to his Lutheran faith. All Seniors ages 55+ are invited to join us, and bring a dish to pass.
Moms of Littles Bible Study
Join us for a Moms Bible Study where little ones are welcome! We'll gather together in God's Word, pray together and encourage one another in this season of motherhood. Moms of Littles meet every Wednesdays at 10 AM in the Youth Room. Location: Youth Room at the Village Seventh-day Adventist Church in Berrien Springs. Contact call or text Erin Saraun 269-246-1059 for more information.