Advent

In the Shadowland of Death a Light

Resources

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, December 05, 2020
Program: 
Opening Music
"O Magnum Mysterium (O Great Mystery)" • Morten Lauridsen / Reynolds
Andrews University Wind Symphony; Byron Graves, director
Welcome & Call to Worship
Jenifer Daley, Associate Pastor, Pioneer Memorial Church
* "Advent Light in Darkness": A Hymn Cycle
"O Come, O Come, Immanuel"—SDAH 115, st. 1 & 2 • "What Child Is This?"—SDAH 141 • "Angels From the Realms of Glory"—SDAH 119, st. 1-3 • "As With Gladness Men of Old"—SDAH 123 st. 1
Lisa Jardine, William Fagal, vocals; Kilim Chung, cello, Andrews University student; Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music, Pioneer Memorial Church
Praise
"Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)" • "He Shall Reign Forevermore" • "O Come O Come Emmanuel"
Kelly Miller, praise leader; Giancarlo Leonor, Grace Dockerty, vocals; Zachariah Schnepp, cajon; Johnny Schnepp, cello; Ben Loenser, piano; Hadassah Schnepp, violin
Congregational Prayer
José Bourget, Chaplain, Andrews University; Kyle Smith, Assistant Chaplain, Andrews University
Pioneer Life
Michelle Odinma, student
Children's Story & Prayer
Craig Harris; Junesuh
Scripture Reading
Davide Sciarabba, Pioneer Elder
Worship in Music
"Jesu, Joy" • Johann Sebastian Bach / Reed
Andrews University Wind Symphony; Byron Graves, director
Message
"Advent: In the Shadowland of Death a Light"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor, Pioneer Memorial Church
Closing Hymn
"Joy to the World" • SDAH 125, st. 1, 3-4
Charles Reid, tenor, Andrews University Professor; Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music
Closing Music
"O Come, O Come, Immanuel" • anon. French melody
Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music, Pioneer Memorial Church
* First Service Only

More In This Series

Standout Event

Andrews University invites homeschool and public high school students to attend Standout, taking place February 20–22. This event is designed to serve as a spiritual refueling experience for students who may not have regular access to Adventist revival programs or daily religious instruction. We invite you to learn more and register for this impactful weekend at: https://www.andrews.edu/splash/standout

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

 There will be a fellowship dinner following the second worship service in the commons.

Offering for January 10, 2026

Pioneer Operating Budget

You may have heard it said, and it is true that patience is a virtue. What is also true and closely linked to patience is found in the opening verse of the parable of Luke 18:1-8 (NIV). Jesus told his disciples that they should “always pray and not give up” (verse 1). In today’s fast paced, instant, and have-to-get-it-now world, learning to be patient and not lose heart or become discouraged is surely a quality that is desirable. The widow in this parable showed the importance of being patient in one’s petitions and pursuits.

In her attempt to get the judge to defend her against her enemy, who seemed to have been making her life difficult, she kept on asking for his defense. Finally, the judge yielded to her persistence and vindicated her.

The same is true of God. When we are diligent in our prayer life, longsuffering when we are seeking to invoke Christ’s intervention, and faithful in honoring Him in our stewardship, He will move to positive action. Let us remember that unlike the judge we cannot wear out God. 

Today, as we worship Him through the return of our tithes and giving of our offerings, let us practice being persistent in honoring Him with our substance and the first fruit of our increase.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries