Looking for a luxurious and thoughtful Christmas gift? These limited-edition, 100% wool blankets are crafted from the wool of the sheep raised at the AU Agriculture Education Center to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Andrews University. Made at
Mountain Meadow Wool Mill with natural, undyed wool, these high-quality blankets are perfect for family, friends, or anyone who values something special and meaningful. With only 45 still available, they’re truly one-of-a-kind! To learn more, go to the Made at Andrews store (www.madeatandrews.com) and search for "Logo blanket."
Galaxy Three: Why What Is Happening a Billion Light Years Away Right Now Matters to You
Galaxy Three: The HP Factor
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
“Galaxy Three:
Why What Is Happening a Billion Light Years Away Right Now Matters to You” [The HP Factor]
www.pmchurch.tv
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□ Hebrews 1:1—“Long ago God spoke.”
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Two universal realities embedded in this four-word opening salvo:
#1—God is.
#2—God speaks.
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“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. . . . And God said, ‘Let there be
light.’” (Genesis 1:1-3)
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“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . .
Through Him all things were made.” (John 1:1-3)
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“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must
believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
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“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you.”
(Jeremiah 29:13, 14)
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Two universal realities embedded in this four-word opening salvo:
- □ “Yet hope is not lost. The King mysteriously rises from the dead, Conqueror of the Rebel and evil. Now, returned to the throne, the King commands the endgame of the final battle to save the rebel planet, rescue Galaxy Three and restore freedom to the universe . . . .”
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□ Hebrews 1:1-4
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Chiasm—a literary device that utilizes a unique parallel pattern for
clarification and/or emphasis: A-B-C- . . . C’-B’-A’.
A The Son contrasted with the (vv 1-2a) B The Son as messianic (v 2b)
C The Son’s work (v 2c)
D The Son’s threefold mediatorial relationship to(vv. 3a-b)
C’ The Son’s work (v 3c)B’ The Son as messianic (v 3d) A’ The Son contrasted with the (v 4)
- The Son is the great divine on behalf of the Throne of the universe and all intelligent life.
- Peter O’Brien: “The Son is the exact representation, the embodiment of God, as he really is. His being is made manifest in Christ, so that to see the Son is to see what the Father is like. . . . Together, then, these magnificent affirmations [at the heart of this chiasm] show that the Son manifests the person and presence of God. He is able to be God’s historical self- revelation because he is identified with Yahweh [the great I AM] himself.” (The Letter to the Hebrews 55)
- Only in Hebrews is Jesus Christ called the great of the fallen human race.
- “‘The whole argument of the Epistle revolves around the idea of the Son who has become the perfect high priest by his death and exaltation.’” (O’Brien 59)
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No wonder the author of Hebrews repeatedly appeals to us to look at Him! Hebrews 2:9—“But we Jesus.”
Hebrews 3:1—“Fix your on Jesus.”
Hebrews 12:2—“Let us fix our on Jesus.” - Steps to Christ: “Such is the character of Christ as revealed in His life. This is the character of God. It is from the Father’s heart that the streams of divine compassion, manifest in Christ, flow out to the children of men. Jesus, the tender, pitying Saviour, was God ‘manifest in the flesh.’ It was to redeem us that Jesus lived and suffered and died.” (12)
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Chiasm—a literary device that utilizes a unique parallel pattern for
We invite you to join us in spreading joy this holiday season! Please bring your unwrapped toys for children in our community to our Annual Toy Collection on December 14.
Your generosity will make a difference in the lives of children and families this season. Thank you for sharing the gift of giving!
We are collecting new or gently used musical instruments to support the creation of the Andrews Academy of Music in Cuba. If you have an instrument you no longer use, please consider donating it to help bring the gift of music to underprivileged children.
Instruments can be dropped off at the church office or at the seminary by December 9, 2024. For more information, please contact us at: careforcuba@andrews.edu, or www.careforcuba.org. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!
In the Spring 2025 semester, the Berrien Springs Parent Partnership will be offering all school students aged 8+ the opportunity to participate in a real archeological Dig right here in Berrien Springs. There is no cost for students who live in the Berrien Springs school district who attend private, public, or church schools, or who are homeschooled. Registration is from December 2 until December 13 at the Parent Partnership website.
There will be a fellowship dinner, following the second worship service in the commons on the lower level. Visitors are welcome!
Pioneer Operating Budget
Recently a friend of mine had major surgery on her jaw, which would prevent her from eating normal food. She lived far away from me, so I encouraged her in her recovery with texts and my prayers. When she recovered enough to be able to talk, she shared with me how well her local church had cared for her.
From the moment she went into surgery, to the days that followed, they provided her with rides and round-the-clock care. She lived alone at the time, and she had been quite concerned about the logistics, but her local church family had acted as her own family would have, making sure she had everything she needed.
They even went as far as providing her with a gift card to purchase smoothie drinks for the weeks that followed, until she could go back to eating solid food. When I think of what it means to be a church family, my friend’s recovery from surgery comes to mind.
Not everyone is blessed to live in a loving family with others in their household. When the church steps in to provide that necessary comfort and care, our faith takes on a whole new meaning! Today’s offering is for our local church budget.
As you give today, give with an open heart, and consider all the ways our own church is touching lives.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Your prayers and financial support are requested for the Pioneer Youth Mission Honduras team. The team will partner with the Hogar de Niños to provide a Friendship Camp. Scott Schalk and Glenn Russell will lead the Friendship Camp for about 75 children from the surrounding community. There will also be a special camping retreat for the Hogar de Niños, something these youth have never experienced before. The Hogar desperately needs a bus. Donations should be made to Pioneer Youth Missions Honduras.
Join the Andrews University Department of Music for an unforgettable Christmas Extravaganza to welcome the season! This event will feature the University Singers and Chorale under the direction of Stephen Zork, the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Marc Elysée, the Wind Symphony under the direction of Denisse Santos, as well as students from the piano studio of Chi Yun and string ensembles from the studio of Carla Trynchuk.
The concert will feature music favorites such as Of The Father’s Love Begotten and Patapan, scenes from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and the ever popular Leroy Anderson Sleigh Ride.
Join us at the Howard Performing Arts Center on Saturday evening, December 7, or for a repeat performance Sunday evening, December 8. Both concerts begin at 7:30 PM For tickets and more information, visit howard.andrews.edu.
Andrews Academy Invites You to the Feast of Lights Concert
Andrews Academy will be presenting the 51st annual Feast of Lights program on Friday, December 13, 2024 at 7:00 PM. The community is invited to attend this spectacular night of music, Scripture and drama honoring the King of Kings. It is an evening of lights, bells, instruments, choral singing, congregational singing, shepherds, a Nativity scene, and the retelling of a glorious Christmas story. Chorale and Orchestra will end the program with the Hallelujah chorus. The church sidewalks will be arrayed in Christmas lighting. The program will speak to your hearts of His wondrous love. All are invited to attend this free program held at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University.
You are also invited to an evening of popular Christmas music on Saturday, December 14, at 7:00 PM at the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University. Join us for this free program as we bring in the holidays with a variety of well-known Christmas songs including a grand finale played by the combined musical groups.
Pioneer Women's Ministries invites you to share in the joy of the season by registering for this year's Advent devotionals, "Why Did Jesus Come? Going beyond John 3:16." Women and men are invited to join us as we dig deeper into God's amazing love, care, and deep desire to spend eternity with us. Devotionals will be sent daily December 1-25, 2024. You can receive a brief synopsis of each day's devotional by text and the full devotional by email by texting the word ADVENT to 269-281-2345. We look forward to sharing this blessed season with you.