Think Local, Act Global:

Recalibrating What Matters - Mission or Method

Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Since 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

When the Apostle Paul saw Peter refuse to sit with the uncircumcised Gentiles, he set in motion one of the great theological debates of his time. When faced with divisive issues of our own, how will we respond? What can we learn from the example of the Early Church?
Saturday, June 06, 2015
Program: 
As We Begin
The Church's One Foundation
Robert Hobby
Praise
Prayer
Sharon Terrell
Farwell to the Wolfers
Nick, Katy and Mark
Children's Story
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Albert Travis
Worship in Music
O Lord, Most Holy
César Franck
Sermon
“Think Local, Act Global: Recalibrating What Matters—Mission or Method”
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
Rise Up, O Church of God • 615
As We Depart
Toccata on Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Albert Travis

More In This Series

06/27/2015
Is God a farmer? After all, it's one of the most common comparisons Jesus made in His parables. If so, what does that mean for those of us He's asked to bring in His harvest?
06/20/2015
When Christ prayed His last and longest prayer in the book of John, He made four petitions to His Father. How can those petitions guide our church today?
05/09/2015
As Christians, we've never called this world our home. We are as exiles in a foreign land. But how do we reach a culture that is so wholly secular, so different from what we have been called to? How do we engage this culture without conforming to it?

“Think Local, Act Global: Recalibrating What Matters—Mission or Method”

www.pmchurch.tv

 

  • Acts 15
    • Galatians 2:12
    • F. F. Bruce: “[Peter’s] example was bound to have a disastrous effect on others; it would, unless checked, endanger the whole principle of Christian unity. . . . Paul saw quite clearly that the concession in the matter of table fellowship was bound in the long run to compromise the basic gospel principle that salvation was the gift of God’s grace in Christ, to be received by faith alone [and not by circumcision as well].” (Acts 303-304)
    • Two characteristics of a Holy Spirit guided faith community:
      • Acts 15:7—“after much .”
      • Acts 15:2—“sharp and .”
    • F. F. Bruce: “Peter, as leader of the Twelve, . . . reminded the company that the fundamental principle which they were discussing had already been decided. . . . Cornelius and his household had not even made an oral confession of faith when the Holy Spirit came upon them. . . [W]hy should further conditions now be imposed on them which God Himself plainly did not require?” (Acts 306-307)
    • Ellen White: “Thus, without controversy, prejudice was broken down, the exclusiveness established by the of ages was abandoned, and the way was opened for the gospel to be proclaimed to the Gentiles.” (Acts of the Apostles 142)
  • Does circumcision end?
    • Acts 16:3-4—For the sake of the Jews, not wanting to put a stumbling block or wall between him and them, Paul Timothy.
    • Galatians 2:3, 4—For the sake of the Gentiles, not wanting to put a stumbling block or wall between him and them, Paul to circumcise Titus.
    • Paul changed his   depending on cultural circumstances and societal values.
  • The Jerusalem Council models for us an essential truth for the church of God today: unity in , but diversity in .
    • To fulfill the same the same church/the same denomination can practice two very different in the very different cultures and countries of the world and still remain united under the divine guidance of the same Holy Spirit the whole time.
    • You can be a global faith community and practice very methods in your shared mission to “seek and save the lost.”

 

Unity in Mission—Diversity in Method

(Flyer, TV, Google search, name of person who invited you, etc.)
Fruit Delivery Next week

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.

Fellowship Dinner

There will be a fellowship dinner, following the second worship service in the commons on the lower level. Visitors are always welcome.

Offering for December 2, 2023

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

Soup for Students

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)

You Visited Me

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.

Bring a Toy, Spread some joy.

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!

4th Annual "First Advent" Reflections

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

Wind Symphony Christmas Concert: Christmas Through the Ages

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.

Love on the Move - GH4K

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

Howard Center Presents "Welcome Christmas: Peace on Earth"

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.

Pages