From March 16-27, the PMC Youth Missions Team served the campuses of Middle East University and the Adventist School Bouchrieh in Beirut, Lebanon. Most days began at 6:30 AM as the team presents 3 or 4 meetings each day for elementary, secondary, college and community groups. This was the 23rd year that Pioneer has sponsored the Friendship Team to Lebanon. Team members led worship, preached, prayed and made friends with students on the two campuses. Additionally they ministered to children at the ALC Syrian refugee center in nearby Beirut. Evening and morning meetings included special prayer times and prayer journaling. The team also spent time with the over 700 Muslim students at the Adventist School Mouseitbeh and visited a local mosque to learn more about ministry in a Muslim context. Though Lebanon is experiencing a severe financial crises, the country allows religious freedom for Christians and Muslims. There are many challenges for missions in this cross-cultural context but there were so many answers to prayer. We were able to give four Andrews Study Bibles to theology majors from Iran, Iraq, and Egypt. These Bibles are precious treasurers for these pastors in training. For example, Jackie, one of the team members, became friends with a couple of high-school age girls and invited them to the Friday evening meeting. They came, bringing their mother
who had graduated from Middle East University over 20 years ago and had not been back since. She was so thankful to be on campus and rejoiced in worshipping with the church family again. We continue to pray for her spiritual journey with Jesus. Glenn Russell, team leader, states that this mission trip would have been impossible without the prayer and financial support of the PMC congregation.
Charmed into Righteousness
The Greatest Forgiver
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
“Charmed into Righteousness: The Greatest Forgiver”
- The Stunning Promises
- Isaiah 43:25—“‘I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins .’”
- Isaiah 38:17—“You have put all my sins .”
- Isaiah 44:22—“‘I have swept away your offenses like a , your sins like the .’”
- Jeremiah 31:34—“‘For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins .’”
- Micah 7:18, 19—“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl our iniquities into the .”
- 1 John 1:9—“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to us our sins and us from all unrighteousness.”
- Isaiah 1:18—“‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as ; though they are red as crimson, they shall be as .’”
- Hebrews 10:17/8:12—“‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember .’”
- The Stunning Proof
- Psalm 51:1-2
- 1 Kings 14:8—“‘. . . but you [Jeroboam] have not been like my servant David, who [1] kept my and [2] followed me with his heart, [3] doing what was right in my eyes.’”
- Steps to Christ: “If you give yourself to [Jesus], and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ’s character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if .”
- The Stunning Prayer
- C. S. Lewis: “We must lay before Him what is in us, not what to be in us. . . . The prayer preceding all prayers is ‘May it be the real who speaks. May it be the real that I speak to.” (Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer 22, 82)
- What if—in the light of this breath-taking portrait of God—we made the choice right now to practice spiritual and emotional when we are alone with God in prayer?
- Philip Yancey: “Unless I level with God . . . that relationship [with Him] will go nowhere. I may continue going to church, singing hymns and praise choruses, even addressing God politely in formal prayers, but I will never break through the intimacy barrier. . . . We must trust God with what God already .” (Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? 42)
- Luke 23:34—“Father, forgive them—for they do not know what they are doing.”
- Desire of Ages: “That prayer of Christ for His enemies embraced the world. It took in every sinner that had lived or should live, from the beginning of the world to the end of time. Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the Son of God. To , forgiveness is freely offered. ‘Whosoever will’ may have peace with God, and inherit eternal life.” (745)
“No better time than Now”
There is no fellowship dinner this Sabbath, April 1.
The Project: The foundation for the elevator is poured. The entrance to the elevator waiting area is open but not finished. The new offices for the media team are painted. It’s getting done! Fundraising: As of 3/28/23, there is $570,566.00 that’s been given. Thank You! Please remember Renovate 2.0 in your giving plans and pray for its success!
Pioneer's main entrance at the canopy will be closed on Sabbath, April 1, 2023. There will be no access to the Lower Level via the stairs from the reception booth on the main level. (This entrance also remains closed Mondays to Fridays until further notice). We look forward to having you join us for in-person worship at Pioneer on April 1 as we celebrate the truth, beauty, and transforming power of the Cross. Please use the entrance at the Lower-Level Welcome Center and the stairs or the elevator to access the Sanctuary and Earliteen Loft, and the entrance opposite Andreasen Wellness Center for access to the Youth Chapel, Media Suite, and Collegiate SS. Thank you for your patience and ongoing prayers as together we continue to be Love on the Move.
Community Messiah Sing - The Eau Claire SDA Church is celebrating the sacred glory of the Easter season by hosting a Community Sing-Along of Handel's Messiah Sing-Along. You are invited to this inter-faith Christian sing-along in celebration of the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. We will sing to the recorded “accompaniment” of a Baroque Chamber Orchestra featuring the type of instrumentation the original performance of Handel’s Messiah oratorio had. Come join us on Saturday, April 8 from 5-6 PM at 6562 Naomi Road in Eau Claire. Bring a Messiah score if you have one or one will be provided. A light vegetarian supper will be served afterwards in the Fellowship Hall. More info? 269-405-5026
Pioneer Operating
Happy April Fools’ Day—a day of frequent pranks followed by someone gleefully spouting, “April Fools!” The Bible mentions the term “fool” a number of times, but never in a glib or “happy trickster” sort of way. Twice in the Psalms we read, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Ps. 14:1 and Ps. 53:1). If you’re in church today, you probably aren’t the fool found in Psalms. We’re more susceptible to being the “fool” found in Luke 12. Christ’s parable warns against the natural trigger called “greed.” In this story, a farmer realized some bumper crops, so he decided to enlarge his storage capacity, then take an early retirement so he could just “eat, drink and be merry” (Luke 12:19).
Sound inviting?
Jesus came down harshly, not because of what the farmer had, but because of what he didn’t have. According to v. 21 (NLT), “A person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” One way to have a rich relationship with God is to give offerings with a thankful heart.
Does this mean we’re fools if we don’t put everything we have into the offering? Not necessarily. It does mean that when we make our relationship with God our highest priority, the result is wisdom (Prov. 9:10) rather than being a fool—on April Fools’ Day or on any other day.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Pioneer Women’s Ministries
Easter Reflections 2023
April 1-9
“Who Is This King Of Glory?”
Psalm 24:8-10
This is our third year of Easter Reflections. You will receive a daily email and a text meditation for nine days on the events that happened during the Passion week. Let us reflect on what Jesus did for us. How does it relate to me today? To receive this daily short blessing, text "GLORY" to 269-281-2345
In light of the nearness of the Second Coming of Jesus, we need to do everything possible to improve our prayer life. Come hear and see for yourself the "Miracles of Prayer," as presented by Sari Butler, former Andrews Academy Counselor. Bring a friend and a dish or two for the potluck and enjoy Sari's presentation as together we learn what we can do to have an intimate connection with Jesus. The monthly ASM is open to all Adventists in Michiana (age 55 or more) and next meets at 1 PM on Sunday, April 9 in the Village SDA Church Fellowship Hall. We will see you there! --Cleon White, President, 269-471-5553, whitehkaa@gmail.com
Former AU faculty and PMC member, Dr. Sandra Camp, passed away March 9, 2023, in Walla Walla, WA. All 4 of her daughters were with her. She had recently moved to Walla Walla from Berrien Springs. A small family memorial gathering was held in Walla Walla. During her career at AU (1978-1988), Dr.Camp was Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy in the Music Dept. Dr. Camp also taught piano lessons to countless area students for many decades, until her move in June, 2022. There are plans to establish a memorial scholarship in her name. Dr. Camp is survived by her daughters Connie (Ben) Gish, Tonya (Marty) Wessman, Jill (Jeff) Howell, and MerrieLi (Michele) Camp; 6 grandchildren, and 9 great
grandchildren. Messages may be sent to 817 SE Tuscany Dr, College Place, WA 99324.
Celebrate Christ's death and resurrection with the PMC francophone group in a special Easter service at the Seminary Chapel on April 8. Sabbath School is at 10:30am, and the worship service at 11:45am. A simple Agape meal will follow. Tout le monde est bienvenu!