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

Saturday, April 06, 2019
Program: 
Praise
I Believe • 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) • O Come to the Altar
Children's Story
Praise to the Lord • Anon. Melody
Worship in Music
Ride On, King Jesus! • Howard Helvey
Sermon
"How to Survive the Coming Economic Crisis: If I Were a Rich Man"
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Draw Me Nearer • 306

“How to Survive the Coming Economic Crisis:
If I Were a Rich Man”

www.newperceptions.tv

 

»3 Short Stories

»The Punchline

• Luke 12:13-21

• Headline: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of  . Life does not consist in an  of possessions.” (v 15)

• “Another [happiness] factor is what positive psychologists refer to as the ‘ [pleasure-seeking] treadmill.’ Through the same process of habituation [decrease in our response to a stimulus after being repeatedly exposed to it], the happiness associated with a new purchase, a new job, or a new house soon fades. Trying to recapture and retain feelings of excitement and happiness results in the pursuit of more new things, which becomes a never-ending task, like being on a continuous treadmill.” (www.happify.com/hd/can-money-ever-buy-you-happiness/)

• Tagline: “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for   but is not toward God.” (v 21)

• Investopedia: “According to the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report 2018, the top  percent of adults account for more than 47 percent of household wealth globally. This raises an interesting question: Who exactly are the   percent worldwide? The surprising answer: If you’re an American, you don’t have to even be close to being uber-rich to make the list. . . . An income of $ a year will allow you to make the cut. . . . So if you’re an accountant, a registered nurse or even an elementary school teacher, congratulations. The average wage for any of these careers falls well within the top             percent worldwide.” (www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/050615/are-you-top-one-pe...)

•Punchline: When you combine the headline to Jesus’ parable with the tagline of His parable, you very quickly come to His punchline: !

• Ed Gungor:  “ touches a nerve in us that nothing else does.  We look a lot like God when we do it [John 3:16].  When you , you defy the fear that you won’t have enough.  You insult  , the impulse to acquire or possess more than one needs or deserves.   If you really believe that God owns it all and that he is your source and provider,  will be a simple matter. . . . The arena of   is the only place where exactly what’s going on in your heart is revealed.  According to Jesus, keeps your heart in motion toward God and away from material things. . . . Your heart will follow the direction of your  .” (Religiously Transmitted Diseases)

• Luke 12:32-34.

• Ellen White: “Let us surrender ourselves a living sacrifice, and   our all to Jesus. It is His; we are His purchased possession. Those who are recipients of His grace, who contemplate the cross of Calvary, will not question concerning the proportion to be given, but will feel that the richest offering is all too meager, all disproportionate to the great  of the only-begotten Son of the infinite God. Through self-denial, the poorest will find ways of obtaining something to to God.” (RH July 14, 1896)

• Be rich toward the God who’s been rich toward you.

www.pmchurch.org/renovate

 

"Be rich toward God"

 

Update on Pastoral Transition at Pioneer

We at Pioneer were richly blessed by the ministry of Pastor Ben Martin. Unfortunately, due to tithe shortfalls (not at Pioneer, but in other portions of the conference), Michigan Conference administration has determined that his position will not be filled at this time. Please combine your prayers and patience with mine as we work to cover Pastor Ben’s duties with existing pastoral staff members and volunteers. - Pastor Shane

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

 There will not be any fellowship dinner this Sabbath.

Honduras Mission Team January 2026

The Pioneer Youth Missions team is getting ready for the January 2-12 project in Honduras. The team will be conducting a camp directed by Scott Schalk for about 100 children from the Hogar de Niños and the surrounding community. Additionally there will be many worships, activities and projects at the children's home. Your financial support and prayers are requested. For more information, contact Glenn Russell (glenn@andrews.edu)

Belong: Soup for Students

 Soup for Students is just around the corner! Sunday, December 7, at 6 PM in the PMC Commons. We’d love to know what you’re planning to bring—soup, bread, your smile, or all of the above! Simply text “NOURISH” to 269-281-2345 to sign up

Belong: Angel Tree

This holiday season, help make Christmas special for a student/student family by selecting a card from one of the Christmas trees at church. Each card includes a family’s list of needs and wishes—simply choose a card, shop, and deliver your items by December 14th. No need to wrap—we’ll handle that for you! Let’s spread joy together with Belong Ministries this Christmas!

Spring Semester GROW Groups

Spring semester GROW Groups will begin the 1st week of February. If you would like to lead a group please text LEAD to 269-281-2345 or click the link below to submit the attached form on or before December 15. https://pmchurch.org/ministries/growgroups/register

Dr. Woodrow Whidden, 10/15/1944 - 11/11/2025

Woodrow Whidden died peacefully at home beside his loving wife, Peggy, on Tuesday, November 11.  He lived a full life devoted to his family, the ministry, teaching and academic writing. Pioneer has been his home church since 1990 when he began teaching at Andrews. Your love, generosity and comforting presence in the days since Woody's passing have meant so much to our family. Everyone is invited to a public memorial service here at PMC on Friday, December 5, at 11 AM. Love and Thanks from The Whidden Family 

Offering for November 22, 2025

Michigan Advance Partners

I remember the moment when my wife and I said, “I do” on our wedding day. We made a covenant promise and pledge before God that we would love and be faithful and true to each other. We expressed this covenant of love with words, actions, and gifts to each other! The day we all accepted the Lord, we too made a covenant of love with Him. We honor Him when we take time to worship Him and share His love with others by acts of kindness. But another way we develop our relationship with God and honor and glorify Him is when we return our gifts of time, talents, and our tithes and offerings to Him. "The Lord made a special covenant with men, that if they would regularly set apart the portion designated for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, the Lord would bless them abundantly, so there would not be room to receive His gifts" (Counsels on Stewardship, p.77).

God has given us this opportunity to enter into a partnership with the Ruler of the universe who is not only interested in the orderly operation of the great galaxies of heaven but also interested in every detail of our lives. Have you set aside your gifts for Him today? Let’s support the ministries around our conference that help people learn more about our God of love.

—Melvin Santos, Kansas/Nebraska Conference in partnership with the North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Happy Health Cooking Demonstration

The Happy, Healthy Holiday 2025 Cooking demonstration will be on Sunday, Nov. 23 from 3:00 to 5:30 PM in the Youth Chapel, with samples for everyone downstairs. They are featuring vegan foods suitable for festive events. This event is being co-hosted by Pioneer Health and Wellness, Healthy Together Friends, and RMES Home and School. To register text "FOOD" to 269-281-2345. Questions: please contact Evelyn Kissinger at evelynkissinger@gmail.com.

Pioneer Women's Ministries 2025 Advent Devotionals

Pioneer Women’s Ministries’ Advent devotionals will highlight a few of the promises of Jesus. To receive the “Red Letter Promises” daily devotionals by email for the first 25 days of December, text the word “ADVENT” to 269-281-2345. You can also receive a short daily text message preview of each day's devotional by providing your cell phone number when you register. We pray you will sense the nearness of Jesus during this holy season through these devotionals.

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