Since 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.
More In This Series
"How to Survive the Coming Economic Crisis:
He Is Risen—Breaking the Chains of Financial Bondage"
www.newperceptions.tv
» The Story
• Luke 24:1-8
» The Stats
• At the end of last year million Americans had a credit card(s).
• The average credit-card debt per borrower is $—up about 7.5 percent from 2015.
• If you paid only the minimum payments on a $5000 credit card debt, you would be in debt for more than years and end up paying $ in interest based on national averages.
• According to a NerdWallet study, the average American household has more than $ in credit card debt.
• Millennials (18-34) carry around $ in debt (student loans, credit cards, mortgages).
• Total student debt now exceeds $ .
• Thus % of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck.
• More than have less than $1000 reserved for emergency purposes.
• According to USA Today some million Americans—or 16% of the adults—think they will miss at least one credit card due date in 2019.
• www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/02/27/student-loan-debt-4-things-keep-...) (www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2019/03/12/national-debt-ri...) (www.investopedia.com/investing/early-warning-signs-next-financial-crisis/)
» The Scripture
• "'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of , be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" (Luke 24:8)
• Isaiah 53:6—"And the LORD has laid on Him the of us all."
• 2 Corinthians 5:21—"God made Him who had no sin to be for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
• He died a Debtor, so that we might live free.
• 2 Corinthians 8:9—"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was , yet for your sake He became , so that you through His poverty might become ."
» The Steps
• Jesus: "Seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
• #1—Perform what Dave Ramsey calls a " ."
• www.thriventcu.com offers this practical counsel: (1) Do not use debt (credit cards) to buy short-term consumer goods, such as clothing, entertainment or electronics; (2) avoid debt over items with a short life span and little resale value; and (3) avoid debt which comes with a very high interest rate.
• Dave Ramsey: "There is NO positive side to credit card use. You will spend more if you use credit cards instead of cash. If you 'have to' use plastic, I suggest a debit card. I use them for travel and the occasional convenience of ordering something over the Internet or phone. Other than that, I use ." (www.daveramsey.com)
• #2—Always pay more than the .
• #3—Pay off your credit cards beginning with the lowest in order to experience success as soon as possible.
• #4—Reduce the rate.
• #5—Beware of debt settlement companies.
• #6— to somebody.
• James Scurlock: "Maybe it’s because of what Dave Ramsey calls the intense that everybody feels about debt—the false certainty that everyone else has got it together. Or maybe it's what Bob, the Debtors Anonymous member I interviewed, told me: debt is simply not a socially acceptable topic; one can talk about one's sex life or even one's drug addiction as though it were fashionable, but owning up to one's financial troubles means being ostracized from the world of polite conversation." (Maxed Out 123)
• National Foundation for Credit Counseling (800-388-2227)
• #7—When you make God . . . He will make it .
• Malachi 3:10-12
Make God First
We will show a four part series How to Be Rich by Andy Stanley 1/15 "Congratulations" 1/22 "Side Effects" 1/29 "Dollar Cost Living" 2/5 "Diversify"
Come and learn the Bible way: “I will not put my trust in riches but in HIM who richly provides.”
Something In Common Sabbath School meets in Room 141 at 10:30 am
Adventist Engaged Encounter (AEE) is a fun weekend intensive workshop for seriously dating, engaged, and newlywed couples. AEE is not group therapy, no sharing with the group required, and it IS a private, safe environment with 12 guided sessions by marriage mentors. AEE is a great tool to add to your relationship toolbox, but AEE IS NOT CRISIS COUNSELING. AEE IS designed to help you take your relationship to the next level of love, connection, focus, and commitment. Meetings will be held in the lower level of Nethery Hall at 6:30 PM.
I hope you will join us (online or in-person) for a worship journey we may never have been on together. "A Banner Unfurled" will be a fresh plunge into the shining truth about our Creator-Savior and His gift of the seventh day, the Sabbath, to humanity.
We won’t be arguing over which Day—we already know. But we will be creatively exploring how existentially/experientially the treasure of Christ embedded in the Day can reignite our pandemic-shadowed lives with new light and meaning this New Year.
I'm praying we'll never be the same again as a result of this exploration. And I hope you invite your friends and family to join us.
For your handy reference here is the lineup of our Pioneer winter Sabbaths in 2022:
–Pastor Dwight
Andrews University’s Children’s Learning Center, The Crayon Box, is looking for a dedicated, responsible, loving and creative individual to join our staff to teach and care for our Pre-K (4 year old) children. Must meet Michigan LARA requirements for Lead Caregiver. Must be available to work 9:00-3:00 Monday - Thursday. This position is temporary with the possibility leading to full time employment. Background check, finger printing, TB test and additional job related trainings required. Job requires much physical activity and a high energy level and accuracy and efficiency is required
The applicant:
Must be at least 18 years of age with high school diploma. Must meet LARA requirements for lead caregiver: a bachelor's degree or higher in early childhood education, child development, or a child-related field, associate’s degree or higher in early childhood education or child development or high school diploma with coursework in child-related field and experience. Must love children. Must have a warm and friendly personality with sensitivity to the feelings and needs of both children and adults. Must display a willingness to fulfill responsibilities in accordance with the center's philosophy and mission. Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.
Apply online: https://www.andrews.edu/admres/jobs/show/staff_hourly
Pioneer Memorial Church is a place where serving others is its reason for being. There is a healing power in serving others. In the next few weeks, you will hear of opportunities to serve and heal. Respond to the call on your mind and heart. Serve as God leads you. Heal as God heals you.
Pioneer Operating Budget
Supernatural Protection
2 Timothy 4:18 “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
God has protected us from multiple supernatural powers. The apostle Paul speaks about his assurance concerning God’s protection and deliverance from every evil attack. God’s rescue from such supernatural powers was one motive leading Paul to constantly give God glory and worship. As a young boy, Eric struggled with frequent nightmares, dreaming of attacks by strange animals that looked like some of the divinities worshipped in his culture.
Frequently, he would wake up sweating and crying. As soon as he went back to sleep, the nightmares would return. To make things worse, Eric’s family would often hear strange noises on the steel roof of their house, like someone running or a stone rolling. The parents were convinced that their home was haunted and that the evil spirit wanted to kill their son. They tried every possible means to ensure protection from these supernatural attacks. Among many things, the parents would bring the boy to a Hindu priest for regular rituals, and once a year, they would do a pilgrimage to the grave of a priest. They vowed not to cut Eric’s hair until he turned 7.
Apparently, these strategies did not bring the little boy peace. Finally, they resolved to seek help from the God of the Bible. At bedtime, the mother would read Psalm 91 while laying hands on the boy’s head. Gradually, Eric began making the connection between a night without nightmares and prayers before sleeping. He became convinced of the existence of a God who is more powerful than the evil forces which were harassing him. For complete security, he dedicated his life to the powerful God.
Evil attacks may be visible or invisible, known or unknown, but they are a reality that many experiences. However, everyone and everything dedicated to God can be securely preserved. This week, as we worship with our tithe and regular offerings let us express thankfulness for the divine protection.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Celebration of Life service for Norm Perry will be Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Village SDA Church. Visitation at noon and the service at 1:00 PM.
It's a fresh new year, and it's time for a fresh new Grow Groups season! Grow Groups are Pioneer’s small groups that incorporate 5 S's: Shared interest, Spiritual touchpoint, Service project, Social event, Semester-based. That’s it, in a nutshell! Grow Groups are for EVERYONE—church members and nonmembers, local folks and our friends around the world are all welcome to join.
Right now we’re looking for leaders for both in-person and online groups. If you are passionate about something and want to use that passion to foster community and lead others to Jesus, we can probably help you turn that passion into a Grow Group! Let us know as soon as possible, because the deadline to sign up to lead a group is January 20. For more information please email growgroups@pmchurch.org or register your group today!
Erin Dockerty, a Pioneer member, is coordinating a virtual event in a private Facebook community where you’ll receive daily scripture & encouragement. Participate in the community at the level you are comfortable. Let's fight the overwhelm of this world with more of Jesus. Join at https://forms.gle/iMAQ2tFGMHqfuL9r8
Pioneer member, and now author, Joseth Howell, is excited to announce the release of her new children's science book, Water Wonderful World that would make a great experience gift for the holidays and beyond. Water Wonderful World is a beautifully designed heartwarming children’s nonfiction science book that will captivate young readers, parents, and teachers. Filled with lots of interesting facts about water from land and sea to the underground and air, colorful photographs, and wrapped in poetic flair to make science more appealing, it is poised to set young minds buzzing, and inspire them to appreciate the world all around. Children will learn about water conservation, the water cycle, water states, chemical composition of water, tides, water habitats and so much more. Also contained within its pages are fun-filled hands-on activities of water games, experiments, and art that kids and their families can enjoy together further strengthening family bonds and getting them exciting about STEM; and review
questions at the end of each chapter that parents and teachers can use to reinforce comprehension and mastery of concepts learned. Readers will also learn interesting facts about the continent where they live while discovering amazing facts about other continents too.
Enticing pictures and text a child can relate to makes Water Wonderful World a great read-aloud for the new reader and the perfect read-aloud book for all children. Available on Amazon and barnesandnoble.com.
Author Joseth Howell is a graduate of Rutgers and Columbia Universities.
