You are invited to a special Nathan Greene Art Studio Christmas Open House. The studio is located at 8458 Painter School Road, Berrien Center, MI. All are welcome to attend!
December 4 & 11, 6:00 PM
Storm
Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 4
DVDs
To purchase a DVD of this sermon please visit our online shopping cart. Proceeds go to support the New Perceptions media ministry.Buy DVD Online Buy series
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
Saturday, February 04, 2017
Program:
As We Begin
Fanfare and Flourishes (We Praise You) • James Curnow
Praise
Whom Shall I Fear • It Is Well With My Soul • No Longer Slaves
Prayer
José Bourget
Tithes & Offerings
Variations on a Shape Note Tune • John Vinson
Children's Story
John Kent, Andrews Academy
Bible Reading
Hebrews 5:7-9 NIV
Worship in Music
Precious Lord, Take My Hand • James Dorsey / Robert Smith
Sermon
“STORM: Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark”—4 • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
Trust and Obey • 590
As We Depart
Alleluia Laudamus Te ( We Praise You) • Alfred Reed
More In This Series
“STORM: Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark”—4
- Two four-letter words
- 1 Samuel 15:22-23—“To is better than sacrifice . . . for rebellion [disobedience] is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry [the worship of ].”
- At the heart of our trouble with the 4-letter word “obey” is our trouble with the 4-letter word “ .”
- After all doesn’t “obey” mean you must accept someone else’s authority over your ?
- Romans 6:16-18—“. . . you are slaves of the one you —whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to , which leads to righteousness.”
- Bob Dylan is right—“You’re gonna have to serve somebody”—so pick your carefully.
- John 15:5—“‘I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you abide and I , you will bear much fruit.’”
- John 14:15—“‘If you Me, [obey] My commandments.’”
- 1 Samuel 15:22-23—“To is better than sacrifice . . . for rebellion [disobedience] is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry [the worship of ].”
- One four-letter example
- Obedience is by —i.e., obeying God comes through God.
- Hebrews 2:13—“I will put My trust in Him” is called “the of Jesus.”
- Hebrews 5:7-9
- F. F. Bruce: “. . . Son of God though he was—even he was granted no exemption from the common law that learning comes by suffering.” (Hebrews 130)
- “Son though He was, He learned from what He suffered.”
- “He became the source of eternal salvation for all who Him.”
- F. F. Bruce: “We learn to be obedient because of the unpleasant consequences which follow disobedience. It was not so with him. . . . He set out from the start on the path of obedience to God, and learned by the sufferings which came his way in consequence just what obedience to God involved in practice in the conditions of human life on earth.” (Hebrews 131)
- Yes, but what if the Tempter comes to me and whispers, ‘Indulge your desire’—what do I do then?”
- You call upon “the faith of Jesus.”
- “How do I do that?”
- Repeat the 7 words: “I will put my trust in Him.”
- And then walk away.
- “But what if the devil follows me?”
- Keep repeating “the faith of Jesus”—“I will put my trust in Him.”
- Illus: Desire of Ages 668: “All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims [Christ in us], so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will [we in Christ], that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. . . . When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of obedience. Through [1] an appreciation of the character of Christ, through [2] communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.”
“I will put my trust in Him.”
Nathan Greene Christmas Art Studio
Fellowship Dinner
There will be fellowship dinner served in the Pioneer commons on the lower level following second service this Sabbath. Bring a dish to share and join the fellowship. Visitors are always welcome.
Offering for December 3, 2022
Pioneer Operating Budget
Special Provider
Psalms 145:15 “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.”
We worship God with our resources because He often makes provision for our needs even before they arise. In a dream, the Lord informed Pharoah about the 7 years of severe famines that would strike Egypt. However, before the beginning of the crisis, he provided 7 years of abundance. Under the inspired leadership of Joseph, they could save the surplus and adequately prepare for the crisis. God provided before the need. Joseph told his brothers about the God who acted in anticipation: “But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance (Gen 45:7). Our needs and emergencies of today never take God by surprise or put Him off balance.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, a family had witnessed how God acted in anticipation of their needs. Because they were staying in a foreign country, the wife had to renew her employment authorization. The process took much longer than expected. After some few months of waiting, her current work authorization expired, and she was terminated from her job. The family budget was not balancing anymore. At first, they thought that the authorization would come in a few days. It was not so. Interestingly, exactly 7 months before she lost her job, the week that many companies were closing down and dismissing employees, causing a record high unemployment rate, she miraculously held onto her job. This allowed the family to consolidate their emergency fund not knowing the challenge they would soon face. Regularly, they would check the status of her application. The waiting time grew from 3 months to 4 months, 5 months, and finally up to 9 months. It was a testing time. During this extended time, their consolidated emergency fund kept them afloat. More accurately, it was the work of God who makes provision even before needs arise.
This week as we worship with our tithe and regular offerings let us show our gratitude to the Provider who already has solutions for our unforeseen crises.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Update#1 for Renovate 2.0
At the end of November, the Renovate 2.0 project and fundraising is as follows. The Project: The final guaranteed cost, as submitted by the general contractor, Weigand Construction, is $929,641.00. This amount includes a 3% contingency. The project begins on Tuesday, Dec. 27, and is to keep on-budget. The elevator is on order and should be here mid-May 2023. Fundraising: As of this week, there are $225,627.00 that have been given. This amount includes one portion of a $100,000 matching grant. Update #2 will be Dec. 3. Remember Renovate 2.0 in your year-end giving plans and pray for its success.
Christmas Banquet for Seniors
If you did not attend the last ASM potluck at the Village Fellowship Hall on November 13, you probably have not had a chance to RSVP for the Christmas Banquet to be held at the Village Fellowship Hall on Sunday, December 11, at 1:00 PM. Aside from the 55 people who already put their names on the Banquet list that day, here is how to RSVP now and be included: *Call PMC (269-471-3133 if you are a member at PMC). The deadline for calling these numbers is December 6, in order that the caterer can order and prepare enough food for all who are coming. This is a PMC-sponsored program and the food is paid for by PMC and Village churches. Thank you very much, and we look forward to fellowshipping together with PMC and Village pastors!
Flowers for This Sabbath (December 3)
Pastor Eric and Mrs. Ruth Webster wish to express gratitude to God for 72 years of happy marriage. They are contributing flowers for the church service this week.
Memorial Service for Sharon Dudgeon
The memorial service for Sharon Dudgeon will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at Pioneer Memorial Church. The family will start receiving family and friends at PMC starting at 1:00 PM. All are invited to attend to celebrate the life of Sharon.
Volunteers for Weight-Loss Program
This January our Health and Wellness Ministry will launch a weight management program for the church and community called Best Weigh. It’s a proven system that combines spiritual principles with nutrition and weight management. It will be led by Dr Ken
Kelln. We’re looking for up to 20 volunteers who can serve as greeters, weigh-in helpers, a/v, parking help, and more. To get more information or to register as a volunteer, text the word HEALTH to 269-281-2345 or you can call 801-513-8809.
Soup for Students is back!
Can you believe that our last Soup for Students was three years ago? If you’re new, Soup for Students is a practical way for Pioneer to show love and care for our University students during final’s week by providing some fresh hot soup and salad. This is taking place on Tuesday, December 13th, at 6 PM in our PMC Commons. We need 30 volunteers who are willing to bring a pot of soup. You can also be involved by helping serve or clean up afterwards. For more information or to register text the word SOUP to 269-281-2345.
Bring a Toy, Spread Some Joy
On Sabbath December 10, during both services, we are bringing back the toy collection to give and share with the children in our community. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to share for ages newborn through 16. These will be given to the children in our
community.