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

Part 1 of this 4-part series.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Program: 
As We Begin
That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright • Sharon Rogers
Praise
Christ Is Alive • Mighty to Save • How Deep the Father's Love for Us • Because He Lives
Prayer
Ben Martin
Children's Story
That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright • David Johnson
Processional of Hope
Dwight & Karen Nelson / Christ the Lord Is Risen Today • 166
Sermon
“Chasing Hope: From An Empty Tomb” • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
He Lives • 251
As We Depart
Alleluia • Théodore Dubois

More In This Series

04/23/2016
Part 4 of this 4-part series.
04/16/2016
Part 3 of this 4-part series.
04/09/2016
Part 2 of this 4-part series.

“Chasing Hope: From an Empty Tomb”

www.newperceptions.tv

 

  •  “The Instinct of Hope”

Is there another world for this frail dust
To warm with life and be itself again?
Something about me daily speaks there must,
And why should instinct nourish hopes in vain?
'Tis nature's prophesy that such will be,
And everything seems struggling to explain
The close sealed volume of its mystery.
Time wandering onward keeps its usual pace
As seeming anxious of eternity,
To meet that calm and find a resting place.
E'en the small violet feels a future power
And waits each year renewing blooms to bring,
And surely man is no inferior flower
To die unworthy of a second spring?

                              —John Clare (1793-1864)

  • The Narrative of Hope
    • Matthew 28:1-10
    • Desire of Ages: “The earth trembles at his approach, the hosts of darkness flee, and as he rolls away the stone, heaven seems to come down to the earth. The soldiers see him removing the stone as he would a pebble, and hear him cry, Son of God, come forth; Thy Father calls Thee. They see Jesus come forth from the grave, and hear Him proclaim over the rent sepulcher, ‘I am the resurrection, and the life.’ As He comes forth in majesty and glory, the angel host bow low in adoration before the Redeemer, and welcome Him with songs of praise.” (780)
  • The Promise of Hope
    • 1 Peter 1:1-3
    • 1 Corinthians 15:13-19
    • Earnest Becker: “The soberest conclusion that we could make about what has been taking place on the planet for about three billion years is that it is being turned into a vast pit of fertilizer.” (The Denial of Death 283/in Lewis Smede’s How Can It Be All Right When Everything Is All Wrong? 132)
    • 1 Peter 1:3-5 The Message: “What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.”
    • Lewis Smedes: “We may as well be very candid: Christian hope is fixed on the last square of our date book. Hope bets that the last square is not that closed closet commonly called a coffin, but a front door into a new world where everything is right, right in all its dimensions. There will be an intermission, of course, between my arrival at my own private last square and the arrival of the new world. But I will not feel as if I need to wait for it to come. In fact, when I find myself in the new earth, I will feel as if I got there at the moment I left the last square of my calendar. It may be light years away, but in the new dimension it will seem like tomorrow.” (How Can It Be All Right, When Everything Is All Wrong? 124)
    • Rubem A. Alves: “Hope is hearing the melody of the future. Faith is to dance to it.”

 

“And the future starts now!”

 

Offering for February 28, 2026

Michigan Advance Partners

The Seventh-day Adventist Church operates many educational institutions, at the kindergarten, middle, secondary, and tertiary levels in the conferences of the North America Division territory.

These schools are supported financially by a number of sources. For example, generous donors, organizations, subsidies from local conferences, union conferences, and—importantly—local church members, who believe in the educational philosophy of our church.

The philosophy says true education is redemptive in nature, and does not only focus on academic learning, but also on helping students to develop faith in God and a commitment to serve others. Ellen G. White supports this view when she says, “In the highest sense the work of education and the work of redemption are one” (Education, p. 30). That is to say, both the effort to share Christ with students and the mission to present Jesus to the world have the same purpose of rebuilding the image of God in His children.

The wise man Solomon states it best, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10, ESV). Dear brothers and sisters, our children, and future generations will call us blessed because we faithfully support our education system, giving them an opportunity to learn about Christ at their most impressionable age. Let us give to support Michigan Advance today. 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Moms of Littles Bible Study

Join us for a Moms Bible Study where little ones are welcome! We'll gather together in God's Word, pray together and encourage one another in this season of motherhood. Moms of Littles meet every Wednesdays at 10 AM in the Youth Room. Location: Youth Room at the Village Seventh-day Adventist Church in Berrien Springs. Contact call or text Erin Saraun 269-246-1059 for more information.

Sing Praise! Wind Symphony Vespers Concert

 “Sing Praise!” Wind Symphony Vespers is quickly becoming an annual tradition, inviting audiences to experience the joy of music-making through both listening and singing together. This year’s event brings the Wind Symphony together with the University Singers and the Spanish SDA Church Praise Team, creating a powerful shared musical experience. This year’s program features beloved hymn favorites such as “Rejoice the Lord Is King” and “Lead On, O King Eternal,” alongside contemporary works inspired by texts from the Psalms and other scriptures. Bring a friend or family member and join the Wind Symphony for this meaningful and uplifting evening on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 7:30 PM, in the Howard Performing Arts Center. Admission is free.

Care for Cuba—Urgent Need

Partner with Care for Cuba to bring much-needed resources to Cuba such as food, medicines and places of worship. Donate online at careforcuba.org

Young Adult Mission Trip in Peru!

Maranatha Volunteers International invites young adults, ages 18-28, to join Catalyst, a service experience for their age group. Build a church for the Calapuja Adventist Church, operate medical clinics, and lead VBS programs. Learn more at Maranatha.org/volunteer or call 916-774-7700

Academy Day March 3

All eighth-grade students are invited to attend Academy Day on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Come and see the exciting programs Andrews Academy offers and experience one day with us. While there, you will worship together, go to several classes, and participate in some games and activities. Lunch will be served, and T-shirts and prizes will be given. Registration begins in the gym at 7:30 AM, the full day of activities will begin at 8:00 am and will conclude by 3:15 PM. Call 269-471-3138 to RSVP or with any questions you may have. (Eighth graders in NAS, RMES, VAES, and Eau Claire SDA schools are already preregistered). Drop off/pick up is either in the circle drive or in the parking lot (8833 Garland Ave, Berrien Springs).

Ruth Murdoch Elementary School Visitor's Day

Students who will be in the first through eighth grades next school year are invited to visit Ruth Murdoch Elementary School on March 3. Make friends, meet teachers and have fun! Grades 1–6: 8:15–11:30 AM; Grades 7–8: 8:15 AM–3:30 PM. Parents, please call 269-471-3225 to register. (A special Kindergarten Visitors' Day is being planned for April 8).

Something in Common Sabbath School

Resolving Everyday Conflict by the Peacemakers Ministries.  

  • January 31– Facing the flames of conflict
  • February 7- A new way of thinking
  • February 14- Go to higher ground
  • February 21-Get real about yourself
  • February 28- Accepting responsibility: Making an effective apology
  • March 7- Gently engage others
  • March 14- Get together
  • March 21- Overcome evil will good

Everyone is welcome in the PMC Commons Rooms each Sabbath morning from 10:30-11:30. 

ZOOM IN! Summer Camp 2026

 ZOOM IN! to God’s Amazing World at The Crayon Box Summer Camp, running June 1–August 20, 2026. Children entering Kindergarten through age 12 will enjoy a summer filled with nature, science, creativity, teamwork, and play as they explore how God’s hand is at work all around them. Each themed week encourages campers to notice the small wonders, big ideas, and amazing details of God’s creation. Located on the beautiful campus of Andrews University, The Crayon Box offers a safe, joyful, faith-centered place for children to spend their summer vacation with on-campus adventures, campus field trips, and visits from zoo and wildlife educators. Enrollment is open now at andrews.edu/services/crayonbox/summercamp. Space is limited. Forms are due May 18, 2026.