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!
#RxF4Now
Jolly Old St Nicholas Goes to Bethlehem
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, December 03, 2016
Program:
As We Begin
On This Day Earth Shall Sing • Gustav Holst / Smith
Praise
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing • st. 1 & 3 of 122 / O Come, All Ye Faithful • st. 1 & 2 of 132 / Silent Night • st. 1 & 4 of 143 / Joy to the World • all st. of 125 / I Will Exalt You
Prayer
José Bourget
"Go!"
Rodlie Ortiz
Tithes & Offerings
Joy to the World • Daniel Kallman
Children's Story
Michael Bryson
Bible Reading
2 Corinthians 1:18-20 NIV
Worship in Music
What Child Is This? • Alfred Reed
Sermon
#RxF4Now: “Jolly Old St Nicholas Goes to Bethlehem” • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
What Child Is This? • 141
As We Depart
Symphonic Prelude on Adeste Fideles • Claude Smith
More In This Series
“Jolly Old St Nicholas Goes to Bethlehem”
- Proverbs’ One Prayer
- Proverbs 30:8—“O Lord, give me neither nor , but give me only my .”
- A Christmas prayer asking God to keep me in because (v 9):
- The great danger in wealth is that it tends to make us feel of God. (Psalm 73:12; Job 21:13-15)
- The great danger in poverty is that it tends to make us feel by God. (Isaiah 8:21)
- “O God—give me neither poverty nor riches—but give me only my daily bread.”
- Joshua Becker, The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own” (Loc 199-213):
- www.becomingminimalist.com
- In the US we now consume as many material goods as we did 50 years ago.
- Over the same period the size of the average American home has nearly tripled and today contains about items.
- On average our homes contain more than people.
- The US Department of Energy reports that due to clutter, % of people with two-car garages don’t have room to park cars inside, and another % have room for only one vehicle.
- One out of 10 American households rents off-site —the fastest growing segment of the commercial real estate industry over the past four decades.
- The average household’s credit card debt stands at over $, while the average mortgage debt is over $.
- Will Rogers: “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned to buy things they don’t want to impress people they don’t like.”
- “My daily bread”:
- Born in a village whose name meant “House of ”(Beth-lehem).
- A fitting birthplace for Him who one day would teach us to pray: “Our Father who is in Heaven, give us this day our daily .” (Matthew 6:11)
- A fitting prayer from Him who one day would declare: “I am the of Life—whoever comes to Me will never go hungry.” (John 6:35)
- God’s One Promise
- 2 Corinthians 1:20—YES! and AMEN!
- Psalm 33:6, 9
- Isaiah 55:11
- John 6:63
- Jesus: “Give and it will be given to you—pressed down, shaken together and running over!” (Luke 6:38)
- AMEN!
- Joshua Becker, The More of Less: “It’s true that the less we , the more we can . But what if the inverse is also true? What if the more we give away, the less we need? In other words, what if leads to contentment?”
- God: “Bring the whole tithe into My storehouse and test Me and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” (Malachi 3:10)
- AMEN!
- Tweet: “The antidote 2 Black Friday is 4 words long. Memorize them—you’ll have no problem driving past a shopping mall 2day: “I don’t need it.” (@DwightKNelson)
- 2 Corinthians 1:20—YES! and AMEN!
“Give me Jesus”
Women’s Ministry Kickoff Brunch
Adventurers is About to Start!
The New Year is here—calling all boys and girls ages 4-9 to join the Forever Friends Adventurer Club for a year of faith, fun, and friendship! Meet us for games, crafts, nature hikes, and so much more as we grow closer to Jesus as a family. In-Person registration opens September 7 at 9 AM in the Pioneer Memorial Church Welcome Center, with the first meeting at 10 AM. Scan the QR code or text “ADVENTURERS” to 269-281-2345 to sign up today!
PMC Sanctuary Choir
Come join the Pioneer Sanctuary choir for a place to sing and worship together. We're looking for new voices to join our musical family, so whether you've been singing for years or have always wanted to try, now is the perfect time to get involved. All skill levels are welcome! Rehearsals are Tuesdays (starting Sept. 2) from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Early Teen Loft. Come share your talent and help us bring music to our church. We can't wait to sing with you!
Offering for August 30, 2025
Pioneer Operating Budget
Data from a Barna Group research project called “Why Giving Is Good” reveals that generosity is reciprocated. This is especially true among practicing Christians—the 65% majority—say they have been the recipient of someone’s generosity and now are motivated to model generosity for others.1
If this is true, have you ever wondered how much we should give? In Deuteronomy it states, “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you” (Deuteronomy 16:17, NKJV).
How has God blessed you this month and this year? Let’s give according to the blessings He has given us. We are encouraged to expect larger blessings from the Lord for the sake of His kingdom.
Listen to this promise, “The time has come when we are to expect large blessings from the Lord. We must rise to a higher standard on the subject of faith… The word of God is our endorsement. We must take it, simply believing every word. With this assurance we may claim large things, and according to our faith it will be unto us” (That I May Know Him, p. 226).
Today, why not ask God to bless you for the sake of His kingdom?
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Howard Center Presents... Phil Keaggy
One of the most admired guitarists in music today, Phil Keaggy continues to delight audiences all over the US, performing primarily acoustic shows and occasional concerts with a band. Aware that God gave him a calling to deliver the Gospel through his music, Phil has been grateful to do just that for the last 40 years, and will hopefully continue to do so. Please go to https://howard.andrews.edu to purchase your tickets or you can drop by the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University, in person, to purchase your tickets.
Howard Center Presents... Cerus Quartet
Cerus Quartet is dedicated to showcasing the dynamic and versatile sound of the saxophone quartet. They champion both new music and timeless repertoire. With a repertoire spanning contemporary compositions and transcriptions of classical masterworks, the quartet seeks to establish the saxophone quartet as a leading voice in 21st century classical music. Among many other awards, the quartet has recently received the Gold Medal in the 2025 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. Please go to https://howard.andrews.edu to purchase your tickets; or you can drop by the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University, in person, to purchase your tickets.
Something in Common Sabbath School
Overcoming Emotions that Destroy - a DVD series with Chip Ingram
We all struggle with angry feelings, brought on by tension, pressure, and the blocked goals and frustrations of day-to-day life. The broken and stressed relationships that result from these feelings can overwhelm us. But there is hope. With the right help, you too can overcome those emotions that destroy. Everyone is welcome to join us each Sabbath through October 11. We meet in Pioneer Board Room.
Calling All Families: Sabbath Delight Challenge
Pioneer Children and Family Discipleship is excited to embark on a special journey of intentionally experiencing the delight of the Sabbath during the 2025-2026 school year. Please sign up for occasional notices about Pioneer-sponsored Sabbath Delight events as well as ideas for things you and your family can do to cultivate a deeper appreciation for Sabbath. We will also look forward to hearing from you about what you and your family are doing each week to call the Sabbath a delight. All are welcome. To sign up for the challenge, please text SABBATH to 269-281-2345.
Looking for a Prayer Group to Join?
Join us for the Midweek House of Prayer, held online every Wednesday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 AM. We are currently studying the Gospel of Mark. Come and see how your contributions can benefit everyone in the group! The Zoom link is https://andrews.zoom.us/j/9889172131.
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
There will not be a fellowship dinner during the months of July and August, 2025.