In Exile: Cadences of Home

Really, Really Faithful Under Fire

Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

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.

Offering

Saturday, May 18, 2019
Program: 
Opening Voluntary
Be Not Afraid (from Elijah) • Felix Mendelssohn
* Introit
Be Thou My Vision • Traditional Irish Melody
* Call to Worship
John Glass
* Doxology
Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow • 2
* Invocation
Dwight K. Nelson
Hymn of Praise
Great Is Thy Faithfulness • 100
Praise
You Are Holy (Prince of Peace) • Whom Shall I Fear • I Give You My Heart
Congregational Prayer
John Glass
GROW Groups
Rodlie Ortiz
Children's Offertory
Dare to Be a Daniel • Philip Bliss
Children's Story
Michael Hales
* Scripture Reading
Daniel 4:34-35 NIV
William Helbley and Andrew Burrill
Worship in Music
Give Me Jesus • Spiritual / Moses Hogan
Julie Reid, Kenneth Logan
Homily
"In Exile: Cadences of Home—Really, Really Faithful Under Fire"
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
PMC Operating Budget
Closing Hymn
So I Send You • 578
Closing Voluntary
Allegro Maestoso e Vivace • Felix Mendelssohn
* First Service Only

“In Exile: Cadences of Home—
Really, Really Faithful Under Fire”
www.newperceptions.tv

»Four very short stories

»Four very simple reasons

• #1—Persecution is the expected modus operandi of the devil (“evil”
with a “d”) in his “great controversy” warfare to the divine allies and exiles on earth.

• 2 Timothy 3:12—“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be .”

• #2—Trials and tribulations character and dependency
on God.

• John 16:33—“‘I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have . But take heart! I have the world.’”

• 1 Peter 4:12-13—“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to you [as gold purified in the fire—1:6-7], as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

• #3—Persecution keeps the line of demarcation between the exiles and the culture of the captor .

• Walter Brueggemann: “The great problem for exiles is cultural . The primary threat to those ancient Jews was that members of the community would decide that Jewishness was too demanding, or too dangerous, or too costly, and simply accept Babylonian definitions and modes of reality.” (Cadences of Home: Preaching among Exiles 41)

• Lee Beach: “While integration with culture is necessary, to it in all aspects is not.” (The Church in Exile: Living in Hope After Christendom 89)

• #4—Persecution actually the Kingdom of God on earth!

• Esther 8:17—“And many people of other nationalities became because fear of the Jews had seized them.”

• Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar’s dream—the king at Daniel’s feet in obeisance to Daniel’s God (Daniel 2:46).

• Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and Nebuchadnezzar’s image—the king their God above all other gods (Daniel 3:29).

• Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar after his insanity—“I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and the King of heaven, because everything he does is right” (Daniel 4:37).

• Daniel and Darius the Great—“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of .” (Daniel 6:26)

• Tertullian: “The blood of Christians is .”

• Frederick Dale Bruner: “In Matthean and biblical teaching the tribulation of the latter days is a Christian experience and ‘runs from the first advent to the second.’ We’re in it! . . . The tribulation of persecution is the essence of Christian . . . . A winnowed, persecuted, purged, minority church—paradoxically,
evangelically— .”
(Matthew: A Commentary 2:483-484, 292)

• Acts 8:1, 4—“On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were throughout Judea and Samaria. . . . Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

• Ellen White: “The two armies [faith communities] will stand distinct and separate, and this distinction will be so marked that many who shall be convinced of truth will come on the side of God’s commandment-keeping people. When this grand work is to take place in the battle, . . . many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be for Christ’s sake in standing in defense of the truth.” (Maranatha 199)

• Jesus: “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute also.”
(John 15:20)

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and .” (Cost of Discipleship 99)

• Frederick Dale Brunner: “Though the church is winnowed down, betrayed, arrested, and martyred, nevertheless, like the betrayed, arrested, and executed Jesus himself, it experiences resurrection after crucifixion. The slaughtered lamb becomes a lion!” (492)

If persecution grows the Kingdom—
why not?

 

(Flyer, TV, Google search, name of person who invited you, etc.)
Fellowship Dinner

There will not be any fellowship dinner this Sabbath.

Offering for October 12, 2024

Michigan Radio Ministries

Over 3 billion people in the world listen to radio weekly, and that number continues to trend upward despite digital media growth. Radio remains the top media format in the United States, where over 200 million people listen to radio weekly! Two of those 200 million are Ryan and Sidney.

Ryan walked into his mom’s home one Saturday evening and was captivated by a program playing on her radio, which was tuned to Strong Tower Radio, 90.7 FM, WBHL. The radio evangelist captured his attention by connecting Bible prophecy with current economic and societal problems. Wanting more, Ryan began regularly listening to Strong Tower Radio for the next several years. He compared what he heard on the broadcast with what the Bible says, and everything matched!

Ryan shared what he was learning with his girlfriend Sidney, who started listening to Strong Tower Radio to find out more. This led to Bible studies with pastor Jacob, and both Ryan and Sidney were baptized in December 2020. They married one year later and are active members of the Cedar Lake Seventh-day Adventist church! Praise God as He reaches more souls seeking Jesus through the radio broadcast!

The Michigan Conference has selected Strong Tower Radio to receive this year’s Michigan Radio Ministry offering. Your generous giving today will help Strong Tower Radio continue to reach thousands of listeners with the everlasting gospel tomorrow! By God’s grace, your decision will change the world.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Pioneer Safety Training

All Pioneer volunteers in ministry are requested to attend Safety Training on Sabbath, October 19, 3:00-6:00 pm in the Youth Chapel. This will include team drills for emergency preparedness. Thank you for planning to participate.

The Bridegroom is Coming!

The wedding of eternity is happening soon! Are you ready? Ladies are invited to a fascinating seminar by Dr. Jo Ann Davidson, sponsored by Pioneer Women’s Ministry. We will take a fresh look at the parable of the Ten Virgins and what it means to us today. Haystack supper will be provided, with vegan and gluten free options. Space is limited so register soon! Text the word “WOMEN” to 269.281.2345 to register. Questions can be emailed to women@pmchurch.org.

Blood Drive

We invite you to join us in an upcoming blood drive! Your donation can make a difference in the lives of those in need. The Center for Faith Engagement is partnering with Versiti to provide an opportunity for you to give the gift of life to others. We hope to see you there!

Honoring Our Past - Wind Symphony Fall Concert

Andrews University Wind Symphony presents a concert of music that honors our past as we celebrate 150 years. We begin with an exciting piece that embodies the spirit of our pioneers, followed by two pieces composed by our very own Dr. Max Keller,  Assistant Professor of Music, Theory and Composition Area Coordinator, and Chair of the Department of Music and Dr. Kenneth Logan, Organ Instructor and Minister of Music at Pioneer Memorial Church. Sharing his arrangement of Advent hymn tunes, Dr. Keller’s work weaves in The Morning Trumpet and Oh When Shall We See Jesus. Dr. Logan’s original composition, We, From Battle Creek highlights in four movements important places in Battle Creek SDA history. The second half of the program begins with a march commemorating 150 years of Michigan history, and ends with the Travis Cross arrangement of Be Thou My Vision, a collaboration with singers from the Battle Creek Tabernacle and Pioneer Memorial Church. We hope you will join us for a wonderful evening on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 8:00 PM at the Howard Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at howard.andrews.edu.

Help Pack 8,000 Bags for Christmas Behind Bars

Please join Pioneer Memorial Church,  the Center for Faith Engagement and many other groups on Sunday, October 27, 2024 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at Johnson Gym to help assemble care packages for men and women who are behind bars.

We don't often get the opportunity to respond to Jesus' invitation to serve those in prison. Families are welcome; Please fill out a separate registration for each person participating and select ALL the time slots for which you'll be present.

We also need a good crew to help with the clean-up at the end. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle. Bring a happy spirit and a heart ready to serve. "I was in prison and you visited me [with your care package]." -Matthew 25:36

Sign Up

Care for Cuba

A group of students from Andrews University are preparing to embark on a life-changing mission in March of 2025. They will engage in evangelism, health care, and community outreach in Cuba. This mission trip has been going on for 11 years, and the impact has been tremendous, thanks to your help. Would you support this mission once again by donating right here in your church or give at www.careforcuba.org/donate? Thank you for your prayers as they prepare to send off students to serve and share Jesus!

Healthy, Happy Holiday Meals

Healthy, Happy Holiday Meals plus International Dishes for Special Gatherings presented by leading nutritionist Evelyn Kissinger on Sunday, November 3 from 4:00 to 6:30 PM here at PMC. Discover some healthy, delicious ideas, all plant-based, for Special
Gatherings.  Those who register will receive food samples. Please register by texting VEGAN to 269-821-2345. And invite a friend to register and come with you.

ASM October 13th Meeting

Adventist Seniors, 55 years old and up, are invited to come for fellowship and inspiration at the October meeting featuring Dr. Ann Hamel.  Dr. Hamel’s talk about her supporting work with missionaries is entitled “Caring for the Body of Christ.” Bring a dish, a friend and join the potluck at 1 pm October 13 in the Village Church Fellowship Hall. For further information call Cheryl Doss 269-277-0767.

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