The flowers for the Sanctuary are in celebration of Greg and Nadine Offenback's 50th anniversary and to thank God for His love and care.
Gone Fishin'
Part 1
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
“Gone Fishin’”—1
www.newperceptions.tv
- The Mission
- John 17:18 Message—“‘In the same way that You [Father] gave Me a in the world, I give them a in the world.’”
- 2 Corinthians 5:18 TEV—“Christ changed us from enemies into His friends and gave us the of making others His friends also.”
- John 20:21 NIV—“‘As the Father has sent Me, I am you.’”
- Matthew 28:19-20 CEV—“‘Go to the people of all and make them My disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you.’”
- Mark 1:17 NIV—“‘Come,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to for people.’”
- We were born again to , because that is His metaphor for mission.
- 3 John 4 NIV—“I have no greater than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (“Nothing could make me .” Message)
- The Story
- Luke 5:1-5: “Push out into water”—because that is where the fish are.
- Luke 5:6-10: “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people with Me.”
- Desire of Ages: “The deeper lesson which the miracle conveyed for the disciples is a lesson for us also—that He whose could gather the fishes from the sea could also impress human hearts, and draw them by the cords of His love, so that His servants might become ‘fishers of men.’” (249)
- Desire of Ages: “The first thing to be learned by all who would become workers together with God is the lesson of self- .” (250)
- Desire of Ages: “There is to the usefulness of one who, by putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God.” (250-251)
“Don’t be afraid—from now on you will fish for people with Me.”
Keepers of the Kingdom - Standing Strong in Today's Battle for Truth. July 14-18, from 9 - 11:45 AM at Niles Westside Adventist Church (1105 Grant St, Niles) for kids in Pre-K (age 4) - 6th grade. Please register early online at www.nileswestside.org. Email nileswestsidevbs@gmail.com or call 269-683-5998 with questions.
Michigan Advance Partners
Author Melvin Santos Speaking: For the longest time, in my early years, I quietly disagreed with this Bible passage in Acts 20, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, NKJV).
I wondered how people can say, “I receive a blessing when I give.” On the contrary, in my younger years, I always enjoyed receiving gifts. To pay for the gift and give it to someone wouldn’t bring me joy. That would cost me time and money.
When I fell in love, got married, and had children, I finally learned that when you’re in love, there is a greater joy in giving gifts to your wife and children. I would do anything for them because I love them.
Then I understood that this is the Spirit of Christ, who sacrificed all to share His love with us. When I participate in giving, or helping someone in need who cannot reciprocate the deed or pay me back, I’m sharing the love of Jesus. Now, that’s the heart of Jesus.
Just seeing the smiles on my family’s faces was enough for me to experience this passage, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Today, let’s share our gifts with a generous heart.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
The Family Life Committee invites our church family to get to know each other better! We will begin with "speed friending," where we will rotate to different tables around the room to ask each other questions (sample questions will be provided). Then we'll eat a light meal together and end with a captivating hammered dulcimer concert. Ted Yoder will be sharing an eclectic set of impressive originals, fun pop songs, and moving hymns. Sunday, June 29, 4:00-6:30 PM, Pioneer Commons. Registration information will be coming soon.