If you ordered fruits during the Pathfinder Fruit Fundraiser and requested shipment to PMC, the orders are anticipated to arrive on Tuesday, December 5th. The fruits may be picked up between 6 PM and 8 PM in the PMC Commons.
How To Quantify Your Happiness
How To Quantify Your Happiness: Alchemy of Virtue
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonSince 1983, Dwight Nelson has served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University. He preaches on the “New Perceptions” telecast, teaches at the theological seminary and has written some books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
More In This Series
“How to Quantify Your Happiness: The Alchemy of Virtue”
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□ NT—Acts 20:35
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University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School study: “Regardless of how much income
each person made [in the national sample], those who spent money on reported greater happiness, while those who spent more on did not. . . . The employees [in the Boston firm] who devoted more of their bonus to gifts for or toward charity consistently reported greater benefits than employees who simply spent money on needs. . . . Participants [in the random $5 and $20 giveaway] who spent the windfall on reported feeling happier at the end of the day than those who spent the money on .” (www.publicaffairs.ub.ca/media/releases/2008/mr-08-032.html)
- Study conclusion: “You are happier when you give than when you receive”
- Jesus: “It is more blessed to than to .” (Acts 20:35)
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Three benefits from the blessing of giving:
#1—Whenyougive,youaredrawnawayfromyourown.
o Ed Gungor: “ touches a nerve in us that nothing else does. We look a lot likeGod when we do it. When you give, you defy the fear that you won’t have enough. You insult greed, the impulse to acquire or possess more than one needs or deserves. If you really believe that God owns it all and that he is your source and provider, giving will be a simple matter. . . . According to Jesus, giving keeps your heart in motion toward God and away from material things. . . . Your heart will follow the direction of your giving.” (Quoted in The Chosen 354)
- #2—When you give, you give play to the part of your nature.
- #3—When you give, you receive the of God.
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God is the unlimited of the universe.
- Genesis 22:14—“So Abraham called the place The LORD Will And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.’”
- Acts14:17—“‘Hehasshownkindnessbygivingyourainfromheavenandcropsintheirseasons; He you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.’”
- Philippians4:19—“AndmyGodwill[provide]allyourneedsaccordingtoHisriches in glory through Christ Jesus.”
- Since God is the unlimited Provider, is a God-like act.
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University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School study: “Regardless of how much income
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□ OT—Malachi 3:10
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Arthur C. Brooks: “In 2003 while working on a book about charitable giving, I stumbled across a
strange pattern in my data. Paradoxically, I was finding that donors ended up with more income after making their . This was more than correlation; I found solid evidence that stimulated prosperity.” (http://nyti.ms/1iBHCYm)
- Malachi 3:10—“Test Me, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out that there will not be room enough to store it.”
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“The 90-day Tithe Challenge.”
TitheyourwayintototheLordofCalvarywhohasbeensofaithfultoyou. Tithing is a statement of radical in your omnipotent Creator, your unlimitedProvider, and your never-failing Savior and Friend.
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“Everything that God could do was done to save a perishing world. ‘God so loved the world, that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ God has made it impossible for it to be said that He could have done more than He has done for the fallen race. When He gave His Son, He gave Himself. In one great gift He poured out the whole treasure of heaven. He has revealed a love that defies all , a love that should fill our hearts and lives with gratitude.” (Review and Herald January 14, 1902)
“Test Me!”
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Arthur C. Brooks: “In 2003 while working on a book about charitable giving, I stumbled across a
There will be a fellowship dinner, following the second worship service in the commons on the lower level. Visitors are always welcome.
Pioneer Operating Budget
December starts off the Christmas season in earnest for many people, even if merchants have been pushing the need to buy gifts for weeks already. What makes the Christmas season special for you? Is it the music, the decorations, special foods, family gatherings, or the gifts—what you might receive, as well as what you might give?
Gift-giving can be problematic. What if someone gives you a gift, but you don’t have one to give in return or vice versa?! Which matters more: the amount of money you spend on the gift or giving a “perfect gift” to a particular person? Let’s reverse that; what if someone gives you a gift and it’s not something you’ve ever wanted or will ever use? Should you put on a happy face and say something like, “How can I ever thank you enough for this gift?”
Each Sabbath we collect an offering as you give your gifts to God. We don’t limit this to the Christmas season because Christmas happens every time we come to church. We come to worship the greatest gift of all time—the gift of God coming to this earth in the form of Jesus Christ.
Our gifts, whether they are wrapped in beautiful Christmas paper or given as cash or checks or through online giving with a credit card, show our thankfulness to God.
So, “Merry Christmas!” And let’s take this opportunity to give our gifts to God.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Pioneer Young Adult Ministries is hosting Soup for Students. All Collegiate-aged individuals are welcomed to attend and enjoy soup and a touch of home while studying for finals. Volunteers can contact Prescott Khair (prescott.khair@pmchurch.org)
Jesus said, "When I was in prison, you visited Me." If you have a heart for reaching out to a lonely person in need of encouragement while incarcerated, have I got a person for you! Please contact Sue Wein (whitewsu@andrews.edu). I will give you the details and help you in connecting with her.
In just a few weeks, on December 9, we will be having our annual Children’s Celebration of Christmas. This is the worship service every year where we bring a new unwrapped toy for a child up to age 16. These gifts will go to families in our community who are not able to purchase gifts. This is yet another way that Pioneer can be Love on the Move!
It is time to join the 4th Annual "First Advent Reflections". This Christmas season the Pioneer Women’s Ministries Team is delighted to invite you to reflect on Handel's "Messiah".
A daily email and a text will be sent to the ladies who sign-up. To register text the word "Hallelujah" to 269-281-2345
Bring in the sounds of the season with the Wind Symphony’s Christmas concert, “Christmas Through the Ages” on Saturday, December 2nd at 8:00 PM at the Howard Performing Arts Center. The program will feature familiar holiday tunes that will have you tapping your toes and singing along! Selections include a lively version of Carol of the Bells by Sean O’Loughlin, a fun arrangement of a famous John Philip Sousa march, Christmas and Sousa Forever by Julie Giroux, the ever popular Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, as well as a few other surprises. We look forward to having you join us as we begin to celebrate the Christmas season.
Would you like to show "Love on the Move" to foster, adoptive, kinship families in our community? This is your invitation to join God's Hands 4 Kids in doing just that. Could you make a pan of lasagna for GH4K's Connect Support Group Christmas Celebration on December 8 delivering ready to serve. For details and to sign up go to our website GH4K.org There will be more opportunities to give shared there. Godshands4kids@gmail.com
The award-winning Andrews University Singers and Chorale conducted by Stephen Zork collaborate with the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marc Élysée in the 25th annual presentation of Welcome Christmas. The theme of the concert is “Peace on Earth” and comprised of a festive garland of heartwarming and endearing sacred and secular symphonic choral works and carols. The variety of musical offerings encompass Giacomo Puccini’s “Gloria” to Harry Simeon’s choral setting of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”. Join us for this special concert featuring special guest soloists and presenters.