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

Part 1 of this 4-part series.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Program: 
As We Begin
That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright • Sharon Rogers
Praise
Christ Is Alive • Mighty to Save • How Deep the Father's Love for Us • Because He Lives
Prayer
Ben Martin
Children's Story
That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright • David Johnson
Processional of Hope
Dwight & Karen Nelson / Christ the Lord Is Risen Today • 166
Sermon
“Chasing Hope: From An Empty Tomb” • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
He Lives • 251
As We Depart
Alleluia • Théodore Dubois

More In This Series

04/23/2016
Part 4 of this 4-part series.
04/16/2016
Part 3 of this 4-part series.
04/09/2016
Part 2 of this 4-part series.

“Chasing Hope: From an Empty Tomb”

www.newperceptions.tv

 

  •  “The Instinct of Hope”

Is there another world for this frail dust
To warm with life and be itself again?
Something about me daily speaks there must,
And why should instinct nourish hopes in vain?
'Tis nature's prophesy that such will be,
And everything seems struggling to explain
The close sealed volume of its mystery.
Time wandering onward keeps its usual pace
As seeming anxious of eternity,
To meet that calm and find a resting place.
E'en the small violet feels a future power
And waits each year renewing blooms to bring,
And surely man is no inferior flower
To die unworthy of a second spring?

                              —John Clare (1793-1864)

  • The Narrative of Hope
    • Matthew 28:1-10
    • Desire of Ages: “The earth trembles at his approach, the hosts of darkness flee, and as he rolls away the stone, heaven seems to come down to the earth. The soldiers see him removing the stone as he would a pebble, and hear him cry, Son of God, come forth; Thy Father calls Thee. They see Jesus come forth from the grave, and hear Him proclaim over the rent sepulcher, ‘I am the resurrection, and the life.’ As He comes forth in majesty and glory, the angel host bow low in adoration before the Redeemer, and welcome Him with songs of praise.” (780)
  • The Promise of Hope
    • 1 Peter 1:1-3
    • 1 Corinthians 15:13-19
    • Earnest Becker: “The soberest conclusion that we could make about what has been taking place on the planet for about three billion years is that it is being turned into a vast pit of fertilizer.” (The Denial of Death 283/in Lewis Smede’s How Can It Be All Right When Everything Is All Wrong? 132)
    • 1 Peter 1:3-5 The Message: “What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.”
    • Lewis Smedes: “We may as well be very candid: Christian hope is fixed on the last square of our date book. Hope bets that the last square is not that closed closet commonly called a coffin, but a front door into a new world where everything is right, right in all its dimensions. There will be an intermission, of course, between my arrival at my own private last square and the arrival of the new world. But I will not feel as if I need to wait for it to come. In fact, when I find myself in the new earth, I will feel as if I got there at the moment I left the last square of my calendar. It may be light years away, but in the new dimension it will seem like tomorrow.” (How Can It Be All Right, When Everything Is All Wrong? 124)
    • Rubem A. Alves: “Hope is hearing the melody of the future. Faith is to dance to it.”

 

“And the future starts now!”

 

Offering for May 9, 2026

Disaster and Famine Relief (GC and NAD)

Imagine being trapped on the second story of your home, with rising floodwaters at your chin, after being told that no rescue boats were in your area. That was the terrifying reality for a couple in Tennessee after a devastating hurricane. They were saying their goodbyes to each other, believing their time had come, when an unexpected rescue boat called out to them, offering them a lifeline! Later, this couple arrived at an Adventist Disaster Response distribution site seeking emergency supplies.

They shared their story with volunteers, expressing their gratitude and calling the help they received a miracle. Along with the food and supplies, ACS volunteers prayed with them and encouraged them on their journey of faith.

When crisis strikes, Adventist Disaster Response teams serve communities across the United States—providing practical aid and spiritual care after hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, floods, and even mass shootings. In moments of devastation, our volunteers stand beside survivors, reminding them they are not alone.

Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (NIV). When disaster strikes, we have the opportunity to reflect God's love by standing with those who are hurting. Let your neighbors know they are not alone in their time of need. Give today through your local church offering or at www.communityservices.org and bring relief, comfort, and Christ's love to your neighbors. Stand by your neighbors today through your gift. Your offering makes a difference. Together, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

ZOOM IN! Summer Camp 2026

 ZOOM IN! to God’s Amazing World at The Crayon Box Summer Camp, running June 1–August 20, 2026. Children entering Kindergarten through age 12 will enjoy a summer filled with nature, science, creativity, teamwork, and play as they explore how God’s hand is at work all around them. Each themed week encourages campers to notice the small wonders, big ideas, and amazing details of God’s creation. Located on the beautiful campus of Andrews University, The Crayon Box offers a safe, joyful, faith-centered place for children to spend their summer vacation with on-campus adventures, campus field trips, and visits from zoo and wildlife educators. Enrollment is open now at andrews.edu/services/crayonbox/summercamp. Space is limited. Forms are due May 18, 2026.