It is with deep sadness that we inform you that Barbara Hamlin passed away on Tuesday, January 28,2025. A family funeral service will be held at a later date. We look forward to seeing her when Jesus comes again.
Tattoos on the Heart
Tattoos on the Heart: A Case for Apocalyptic Compassion - 3
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
“Tattoos on the Heart:
A Case for Apocalyptic Compassion”—3
□ Luke 15:1 ,2
- “‘This man welcomes immoral people and enjoys their company over a meal!’” (v 2 The Voice)
□ Luke 19:1-10
- “‘For the Son of Man came to seek and to liberate the lost.” (v 10 The Voice)
□ Luke 5:17-26
- Desire of Ages: “ . . . this paralytic had lost all hope of recovery. His disease was the result of a life of sin, and his sufferings were embittered by remorse. . . . The Pharisees regarded [his] affliction as an evidence of divine displeasure, and they held themselves aloof from the sick and the needy. Yet often these very ones who exalted themselves as holy were more guilty than the sufferers they condemned.” (267)
- Gregory Boyle: “Compassion isn’t just about feeling the pain of others; it’s about bringing them in toward yourself. If we love what God loves, then, in compassion, margins get . ‘Be compassionate as God is compassionate,’ means the dismantling of barriers that exclude. . . . The focus of the story [Luke 5:17-26] is, understandably, the healing of the paralytic. But there is something more significant than that happening here. They’re ripping the roof off the place, and those are being let in.” (Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion 75)
- That was the mission of Jesus—and that is the mission of those who : margins get erased, and those outside get let in.
□ Three prayers you can pray to love the lost back to Jesus (Luke 15:20)
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Prayer #1—Ask God to open your to see the one in need.
- Luke 15:20—“The father looked off in the distance and the young man returning.”
Matthew 9:36 The Message: “When [Jesus] out over the crowds his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.”
- Prayer #2—Ask God to open your to love the one in need.
Luke 15:20—“He felt for his son.”
Luke 6:36 The Voice: “‘So imitate God and be truly , the way your Father is.’”
Gregory Boyle: “God is compassionate, loving kindness. All we’re asked to do is to be in the world who God is. Certainly compassion was the wallpaper of Jesus’ soul, the contour of his heart, it was who he was. I heard someone say once, ‘Just assume the answer to every question is .’” (Tattoos on the Heart 62)
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Prayer #3—Ask God to open your to hold the one in need.
- Luke 15:20—“He enfolded him in an , and kissed him.”
- When Jesus lepers, the news sent shock waves through the community of the untouchables as well as the circles of the respectables—because conveys a solidarity that words can never prove.
Ellen White: “The strongest argument in favor of Christianity is a loving and lovable Christian.” (Last Day Events 191)
Just like Jesus
Following the second worship service, there will be a fellowship dinner in the commons on the lower level. Visitors are welcome!
Adventist Television Ministries Evangelism
In 1 Corinthians 9:22 Paul says, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” (NIV). As one of those possible means to save some, the Adventist church in North America is using television. There are millions of people who watch Adventist media programs every year. If the Apostle Paul would have been alive in the 21st century, he would be sharing a Christ-centered message of hope and wholeness through technology and media. Jesus told the Apostle Peter, “Feed my sheep.” Peter would also be using the internet and social media to feed His lambs. We are living in a time when people are watching more TV than reading books or pamphlets.
The average person watches TV for around 2 hours and 51 minutes while reading for no more than 16 minutes and 48 seconds during the average day. Ellen White said this in 1914, “the circulation of the printed page has come to be a mighty factor in the dissemination of the truths of the third angel's message.” (Review & Herald. November 5, 1914). If she was alive today, Mrs. White would point to TV as the mighty factor in preaching the three angels’ message. Your offering today will help Adventist Television Ministries continue to reach millions of people around the world and help spread the gospel to those who are searching and those who are lost. Help us fulfill the great commission.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Tim Parton, pianist and singer for 3ABN television, will present a free concert at the Battle Creek Tabernacle on Saturday, February 15, at 7:30 PM. The church is located at 264 West Michigan Avenue in Battle Creek.
The Andrews University Symphony Orchestra is giving a free concert, Saturday February 8, at 8 PM in the Howard Performing Arts Center. Colin Cha, Jonathan Clough, Jonathan Watson and Carlos Lugo—all winners of the Young Artist Competition—will be featured as soloists with the orchestra under the direction of Dr. Marc Élysée. The program will include works by Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Saint-Saëns, and Brahms. Bring your friends and neighbors, admission is free.
Adventist Seniors of Michiana invites all seniors, 55 and up, to a Musical Valentine program with Charles Reid and Friends, Sunday, February 9. Bring a dish for the potluck beginning at 1 PM in the Village Church Fellowship Hall and enjoy food, fellowship, and beautiful music. Call Cheryl Doss at 269-277-0767 with any questions.
We are pleased to announce a new House of Prayer Winter Mini-series led by pastor Dwight Nelson entitled "They, Too, Walked with Him". This series begins February 5th and cover the following:
- February 5 The Antediluvians (in Terrible Times): Enoch and Noah
- February 12 The Patriarchs (in Stumbling Times): Abraham and Jacob (and Moses)
- February 19 The Prophets and Kings (in Meltdown Times): David and Hezekiah, Micah and Isaiah
- February 26 The Disciples (in Crossroad Times): Peter, James, John, and Paul
We meet together for House of Prayer every Wednesday evening from 7 PM - 8 PM in the earliteen loft. Please join us as we enjoy a spiritual shot in the arm in the middle of each week as we worship together through signing, study of God's word, testimonies, and prayer. Hope to see you there!
Dr. Gibbs passed away unexpectedly. For the past 20+ years has been the primary Radiologist covering Lakeland Hospital Niles. He was a Clinical Assistant Professor at Michigan State University and helped train the next generation of doctors. Dr. Gibbs was known to be a kind and soft spoken man. A private ceremony was held in Colorado.
Do you want to complete your Master Guide Program? If so, please consider joining the Master Guide Club that meets weekly on campus to help you complete the requirements.
For more information or to join, please visit cye.org/toolbox
The Center for Youth Evangelism will be running a special training weekend where Adventurer Basic Staff, Master Guide Leadership Skills, and Staff Leadership courses will be offered on Febuary 7 and 8.
For more information or to register, please visit cye.org/toolbox