Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Dwight 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, September 26, 2015
Program: 
As We Begin
Stani Nine Gospodine • Traditional Bulgarian / Adela Peeva
Praise
Even So Come • Indescribable • Great Is The Lord • Cornerstone
Prayer
Ben Martin ('15)
Alumni Welcome
Niels-Erik Andreasen ('65, '66)
"By the Word of Their Testimony"
Brian & Becky Von Dorpowski ('88)
Children's Story
The Lord's My Shepherd • Harold Darke
Worship in Music
Angel Band • Traditional American / Shawn Kirchner
Sermon
“The Pugwash Factor: How to Discern the Pope's Agenda for America” • Dwight K. Nelson ('76, '86)
Connect Card, Tithes, & Offerings
Hymn
I Will Follow Thee • st.1-3 of 623
As We Depart
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God • Dudley Buck / Sharon Rogers

More In This Series

08/29/2015
Learn 7 reasons why the mission in your life is to fulfill His mission of seeking to save the lost.

“The Pugwash Factor: How to Discern the Pope’s Agenda for America”

www.pmchurch.tv

  • The Last Divine Appeal to the World
    • Ellen White: “The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of [God’s] character of love.” (Christ’s Object Lessons 415)
    • Pope Francis: “The proclamation of the saving love of God comes before moral and religious imperatives.” (My Door Is Always Open 58)
    • Paul: “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” (Philippians 1:18)
  • The First Papal Address to Congress
    • “Today I would like not only to address you, but through you the entire people of the United States.” (http://time.com/4048176/pope-francis-us-visit-congress-transcript/)
    • ““Yours is a work which makes me reflect in two ways on the figure of Moses. On the one hand, the patriarch and lawgiver of the people of Israel symbolizes the need of peoples to keep alive their sense of unity by means of just legislation. . . . Moses provides us with a good synthesis of your work: you are asked to protect, by means of the law, the image and likeness fashioned by God on every human face.” (Emphasis supplied)
    •  “I will end my visit to your country in Philadelphia, where I will take part in the World Meeting of Families. It is my wish that throughout my visit the family should be a recurrent theme. How essential the family has been to the building of this country! And how worthy it remains of our support and encouragement! Yet I cannot hide my concern for the family, which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without.”
  • The Last Prophecies to the Church
    • Revelation 13
    • Catechism of the Catholic Church #2188: “In respecting religious liberty and the common good of all, Christians should seek recognition of Sundays and the Church's holy days as legal holidays. They have to give everyone a public example of prayer, respect, and joy and defend their traditions as a precious contribution to the spiritual life of society.” (Emphasis supplied)
    • Pope Francis: “The obsession with economic profit and technical efficiency puts the human rhythms of life at risk.  Moments of rest, especially on Sunday, are sacred because in them we find God. . . . May we always recognize the family as the privileged place to understand, guide and sustain the gifts which arise from our celebrations, especially the Sunday Eucharist.” (http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/08/12/pope_francis_at_audience_cele...)
    • Ellen White: “Let the principle once be established in the United States [the second power] that the church may employ or control the power of the state; that religious observances may be enforced by secular laws; in short, that the authority of church and state is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome [the first power] in this country [the second power] is assured.” (Great Controversy 581)
    • “We did not follow cunningly devised fables . . . . [but] we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:16, 19)
    • “I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.” (John 14:29).
    • “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
    • “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12)
    • “Even so, come Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:20-21)
Offering for December 13, 2025

Adventist Community Services

In Luke 10:30-37 Jesus tells a parable about a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan who came upon a man who had been beaten and robbed. When the priest and the Levite saw the man, they concluded that their help was optional. They could help, but they did not have to help, and in the face of competing priorities, they opted not to help. The Samaritan, on the other hand, did not see his help as optional. Not even the hatred between his country and the other man’s could overcome his compassion. He saw no alternative but to help. In Luke 10:37 Jesus tells us all to “go and do likewise.” As Christians we see each person in need as a beloved son or daughter of God and we are compelled to help.

Adventist Community Services, or ACS, is part of this response, serving communities in Christ’s name. ACS is the Adventist Church—you and me—helping our neighbors in need. Across the North American Division our offerings go to work, helping the hurting. Whether by providing food, teaching literacy, distributing diapers, organizing job fairs, or opening dental clinics, our help is not optional. It is the extension of God’s love to His creation. Today’s offering is an invitation to join the ACS team through your gift; to bring relief and comfort to your neighbors and to make compassion your priority.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Christmas Blessing Opportunity

Be part of a Christmas blessing this year! Chiang Mai Adventist Academy, which serves primarily Buddhist students from around the country, is looking for a set of Bible story felts to use in teaching the Bible in their Sabbath schools. FARM STEW missionaries will be going to Thailand in January and deliver them. If you have a felt set you would like to donate or would like to donate towards buying a new set, please contact Deby Andvik. (andvik@andrews.edu or call/text 269-277-4145

Christmas Breakfast

Let’s celebrate the joy of Christmas with good food, warm community, and grateful hearts! Join us on December 20, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM, before our main worship service. Bring your favorite breakfast dish to share and enjoy a wonderful time of fellowship as we celebrate the season together.
 

Toy Collection for Christmas Care--Sabbath, December 13

On Sabbath, December 13, we will be having our annual Children’s Celebration of Christmas. This is the worship service where we bring a new unwrapped toy for a child up to age 16. Each year we partner with "Christmas Care" in providing gifts to 300+ families in our community who are not able to purchase their own. This is yet another way that Pioneer can participate in the 2nd part of our PIONEER strategic plan of Interacting and partnering with those in our community. 

Annual Seniors Christmas Banquet

The annual Christmas Banquet for Seniors (ages 55+) is taking place on December 14 in the Village SDA Church fellowship hall at 1:00 PM. Pioneer members wishing to attend please call the church office to sign up at 269.471.6565 by Monday, December 8.

Belong: Angel Tree

Thank you for choosing a tag from our Angel Trees! Please remember to text “BLESS” to 269-281-2345 to let us know who you selected. This helps us stay organized and coordinate gift collection if you won’t be dropping off your unwrapped gift during one of our services on Sabbath, December 13.

Andrews Academy Invites You to the Feast of Lights Concert

Andrews Academy will be presenting the 52nd annual Feast of Lights program on Friday, December 12, 2025 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.  

Journey to Bethlehem - Live Nativity Walk in Eau Claire

Walk into the advent story... Share in the expectation... Experience God's Glory... Journey to Bethlehem - Come join take this FREE 1 hour walking journey through the Advent Story on December 14 from 5-8 PM. Meet shepherds, the wisemen, Roman soldiers, a Biblical marketplace, Mary and Joseph and discover why Christ came to this earth. Groups Leave from the Student Activity Center located at 6295 W Main St, Eau Claire, MI 49111. Tours leave every 10 minutes between 5 & 8 PM, December 14. No Reservations required, ALS interpreter available, please contact us in advance. Wheelchair accessible journey on paved sidewalk. Questions? Call or text 269-405-5026 or email us at Eauclairecritters@gmail.com

Spring Semester GROW Groups

Spring semester GROW Groups will begin the 1st week of February. If you would like to lead a group please text LEAD to 269-281-2345 or click the link below to submit the attached form on or before December 15. https://pmchurch.org/ministries/growgroups/register

Pioneer Women's Ministries 2025 Advent Devotionals

Pioneer Women’s Ministries’ Advent devotionals will highlight a few of the promises of Jesus. To receive the “Red Letter Promises” daily devotionals by email for the first 25 days of December, text the word “ADVENT” to 269-281-2345. You can also receive a short daily text message preview of each day's devotional by providing your cell phone number when you register. We pray you will sense the nearness of Jesus during this holy season through these devotionals.

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