We are not having fellowship dinner this Sabbath.
"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat:"
Longue Durée
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, April 25, 2015
Program:
As We Begin
Adagio
Felix Mendelssohn
Praise
Our God
Beautiful
How He Loves
In Christ Alone
In Christ Alone
Prayer
Don Dronen
Thank you!
Children's Story
Prelude on HOLY MANNA [Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners]
Dale Wood
Worship in Music
I Waited for the Lord (from Lobgesang)
Felix Mendelssohn
Sermon
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Longue Durée”
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
Day by Day • 532
As We Depart
Allegro assai vivace
Felix Mendelssohn
More In This Series
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Longue Durée”
- Genesis 50:15-20
- “The you planned to do to me has by God’s design been turned to .” (Genesis 50:20 New Jerusalem Bible)
- “And we know that God causes to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28 New Living Translation)
- Thomas Schreiner: “The text does not say that all things are intrinsically good or pleasant, but instead that the most agonizing sufferings and evils inflicted on believers [those who trust God] will be to their good by God. It is correct to say, then, that agathon [GK: “good”] is eschatological, since the ‘good’ will be evident and fully realized only at the end of time.” (Romans 450)
- God has the capacity to everything (no matter how evil, no matter how long) to mysteriously work together ultimately for our !
- John R. W. Stott: “‘Thus all that is negative in this life is seen to have a positive purpose in the execution of God’s eternal plan.’ is beyond the overruling, overriding scope of his providence.” “We do not always understand what God is doing, let alone welcome it. Nor are we told that he is at work for our comfort. But we know that in all things he is working towards our .” (Romans 247, 248)
- The longue durée (French for “long term”) concept of history
- The six last words of God
- No matter what happens to you in this life, remember that God’s last word is this: “ .”
- God can turn the for you into the for you.
- God can get from your “” to His “”.
- For He is El Shaddai, the (Genesis 48:3).
- In the suffering death of Jesus, God took the of the very worst and turned it into the of the very best.
- Ellen White: “All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the world to come be made plain. The things hard to be understood will then find explanation. The mysteries of grace will unfold before us. Where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken promises, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. We shall know that infinite love ordered the experiences that seemed most trying. As we realize the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (9T 286 emphasis supplied)
- Walter Bruggemann: “The riddle and insight of biblical faith is that only anguish leads to life, only grieving leads to joy, and only embraced endings permit new beginnings.” (Prophetic Imagination 56)
“I can get there from here”
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
Sanctuary Flower
The flowers in the Sanctuary today are as a celebration of Jim and Carol Curry's 70th anniversary. And to thank God for their lives together, from their family.
Sabbath School Lesson Overview on the Book of Joshua
Everyone is invited to the overview of the Fourth Quarter Sabbath school lesseon presented by Dr. Rahel Wells on the Book of Joshua. We hope you can join us on October 4 at 4:00 PM in the Pioneer Youth Chapel. For further information contact Melchizedek Ponniah, 269-876-7476, melponniah@gmail.com.
Hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church
You are invited to the last a hymn-sing for 2025 at The Old Rugged Cross Church on September 20, Sabbath, 4:00 - 5:15 PM. The Old Rugged Cross Church is located at 61041 Vermont Street, Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. A free will offering will help to maintain this historic church where the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” was introduced to the public by the composer. For further information, please contact Melchizedek Ponniah, melponniah@gmail.com, or 269-876-7476.
Howard Center Presents: Heritage Singers
Heritage Singers is a non-profit gospel music ministry based in California with a goal to bring people closer to Jesus by praising Him through music. When founders Max and Lucy Mace began this ministry, they never thought they would still be doing this 54 years later. Heritage Singers has had the opportunity to travel to over 80 different countries, travel over two million miles, and perform over 7,500 concerts. Max Mace believed that “If there ever was a time to share the Good News about Jesus, it’s now.” For tickets, information and a complete listing of performances, call the box office or visit our website: https://howard.andrews.edu
Micro-tour of renovated pipes
Seminary Chapel
This coming Sabbath, there will be the opportunity to view some of the newly installed pipes and insulation. The micro-tours start at the double doors that lead to the central hallway under the church in the downstairs Welcome Center. The tours will last about 5-10 minutes and will begin immediately after first and second service. The tours will end 30 minutes after each service. Most of the new piping will be hidden by ceiling tiles and behind closed doors so this may be your only chance to see what all the fuss and expense is about. See you there!
Offering for September 6, 2025
Pioneer Operating Budget
My mother was a great cook. Growing up in a big family of eight, my mother cooked meals using the largest pots. I was amazed by how she could create big meals from a very small pantry.
I called my mom the miracle chef. I was often intrigued by how Jesus performed the miracle of the five loaves and two fish.
One of the powerful lessons I learned from this story was not about the miracle, but why Jesus chose to focus on the generosity of the little boy who gave up his lunch! The disciples didn’t coerce the boy or purchase his lunch. The boy freely gave his lunch to Jesus. Andrew even questioned the size of the offering, “…but what are they among so many?” (John 6:9, NKJV).
Now, Jesus could have performed the miracle from nothing, but instead He chose to use the boy’s lunch offering to multiply it into a feast to feed thousands of men, women, and children.
God looks at our willingness to give. This is the basis upon which Jesus performs His great miracle.
I believe that every time we give out of love to God and ask Him to bless the offerings, He blesses and multiplies them so that they can reach thousands for His kingdom. Today, let’s share with the Lord our five loaves and two fish. Let’s ask God to multiply these funds for His glory.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Michigan Women's Ministries Events
Michigan Women's Ministries is hosting two events in September.
On September 6 there will be a One-Day Getaway on September 6 at the Opera House in Grand Ledge, MI. The features speaker is Pioneer member Debbie Michel, and her theme is "Grace, Gratitude, & Grit. For more information visit: michiganwm.com/odg-2025
The Mother/Daughter weekend will be September 19-21 at Camp AuSable in Grayling, MI. The theme is, "Jesus is Our Anchor," and the speaker is Dee Ann Bragaw, Director for NAD Women's Ministries. For more information visit: michiganwm.com/copy-of-mother-daughter-weekend
Music in Worship at Pioneer
We would like to invite all members to answer two questions survey regarding music in the Worship service. If you would like to be more involved in music at Pioneer you can also note how you would like to be involved so we can contact you.
Women’s Ministry Kickoff Brunch
Women of all ages are invited to the first women’s ministry gathering for this school year. Enjoy brunch while Silvia Bacchiocchi shares thoughts on our theme for this year: “Stronger Together.” Please register by texting the word BRUNCH to 269-281-2345 so we can plan enough food. We look forward to seeing you there!