There will be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath in the commons. Visitors are welcome!
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
Saturday, March 09, 2013
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
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
Offering for February 14, 2026
Adventist Television Ministries Evangelism
The Bible records different methods of spreading the gospel, and in today’s society, media plays a vital role in fulfilling that mission. For many years, the North American Division has partnered with life-changing ministries such as It Is Written, Voice of Prophecy, Breath of Life, Faith for Today, La Voz de la Esperanza, Jesus 101, and LifeTalk Radio. These ministries cast the net far and wide, reaching people who might never set foot in a church. Many of the souls they touch become interested leads for local churches to nurture and bring to Christ.
Jesus illustrated this principle in Matthew 13:47-48 (NIV), “The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore.” Adventist Television Ministries are modern-day fishers of men, casting the gospel net into cities, homes, and even the “concrete jungles” where traditional methods may not reach. Ellen White emphasized this work over a century ago, “Again and again I am instructed to present to our churches the work that should be done in our large cities. There is a great work to be done, not only where we have churches already established, but also in places where the truth has never been fully presented.” (Evangelism, p. 32). Brothers and sisters, we are all called to be fishers of men. Today, through our offerings, we can support Adventist Television Ministries as they continue to spread God’s message of salvation. Let’s give generously.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Young Adult Mission Trip in Peru!
Maranatha Volunteers International invites young adults, ages 18-28, to join Catalyst, a service experience for their age group. Build a church for the Calapuja Adventist Church, operate medical clinics, and lead VBS programs. Learn more at Maranatha.org/volunteer or call 916-774-7700.
Andrews Symphony Fundraising Concert
Thursday February 19 at 7:30 PM, the AUSO will be giving a free performance of movie soundtracks and broadway tunes to raise funds for their music tour to California this coming March. This short performance is kid's friendly and promises to be an exceptional evening of great music. Bring your cellphone!
Academy Day March 3
All eighth-grade students are invited to attend Academy Day on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Come and see the exciting programs Andrews Academy offers and experience one day with us. While there, you will worship together, go to several classes, and participate in some games and activities. Lunch will be served, and T-shirts and prizes will be given. Registration begins in the gym at 7:30 AM, the full day of activities will begin at 8:00 am and will conclude by 3:15 PM. Call 269-471-3138 to RSVP or with any questions you may have. (Eighth graders in NAS, RMES, VAES, and Eau Claire SDA schools are already preregistered). Drop off/pick up is either in the circle drive or in the parking lot (8833 Garland Ave, Berrien Springs).
With This in Mind...
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 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.
Ruth Murdoch Elementary School Visitor's Day
Students who will be in the first through eighth grades next school year are invited to visit Ruth Murdoch Elementary School on March 3. Make friends, meet teachers and have fun! Grades 1–6: 8:15–11:30 AM; Grades 7–8: 8:15 AM–3:30 PM. Parents, please call 269-471-3225 to register. (A special Kindergarten Visitors' Day is being planned for April 8).
Happy Birthday Merille Weithers
The flowers this week are in honor of Merille Weithers' 90th birthday. He's celebrating today with his children Debbie, Ted, David and Mimi, along with 4 of his 5 grandkids Simone, Dee & his wife Kailey, Caleb and Joshua. We're giving thanks to God for Merille's 90 years of life and the blessings of family, health, provision, grace and love.
AUSO Young Artists Concert
The Andrews University Symphony Orchestra is presenting its annual Young Artist Competition concert featuring this year Jonathan Clough, tenor, and Aiko Ayla, piano, as well as violinists Nikolaz Feliciano and Claire Yang. Join us on this unique evening of virtuosity and elegance, and enjoy the music of Clara Schumann, W. A. Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Donizetti, and Tchaikovsky. This concert is free, but patrons will have the opportunity to support the students of the Symphony Orchestra as they are currently raising funds for their music tour to California in March.
New DivorceCare group starting 2/4/26
If you are experiencing the realities that come with divorce or separation and are looking for a safe place to process it all and find a caring community that understands what you are going through, please join us Weds evenings from 6 to 8 PM in the boardroom. You can sign up on divorcecare.org or on at pmchurch.org in the Grow Groups section under Pioneer Life.