Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Barry Wilson after 35 remarkable years of service with the fire department, including his dedicated tenure as liaison to Andrews University. A retirement party will be held in his honor on Sunday, May 31, 1:00 PM at the Berrien Springs Oranoko Fire Dept.
A 20:21 Mission for a 2021 Movement
Love Story—Return to Sender: 'So I Am Sending You'
Resources
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
Saturday, March 27, 2021
More In This Series
Opening Music
Poem of Divine Love • Kenneth Logan
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Welcome & Call to Worship
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
"Greater Grace": A Hymn Cycle
"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"—SDAH 156, st.1, 3 • "Marvelous Grace"—SDAH 109 • "Amazing Grace" & "O How I Love Jesus"—SDAH 108, 248
Songleader: Vladimir Slavujevic, Andrews University alumnus; Erin Penrod, horn, Andrews University student; Kenneth Logan, organ
Congregational Prayer
Terence & Pule Habiri, Andrews University Students
Pioneer Life
Emersond Jean-Baptiste, License Supervisor Berrien Country, Department of Health and Human Services; Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Lianro and Sage WagenerSmith; Prayer: Kayleigh
Worship in Music
"What Wondrous Love Is This?" • Kenneth Logan
Vladimir Slavujevic, baritone; Erin Penrod, horn; Kenneth Logan, organ
Homily
"A 20:21 Mission for a 2021 Movement: Love Story—Return to Sender: 'So I Am Sending You'"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
Communion
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
Scripture Reading
Prayer of Blessing
Anthony Yeboah, Elder
Partaking of Communion
Closing Hymn
Benediction
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
Closing Music
"Fugue on 'Marvelous Grace'" • Kenneth Logan
Kenneth Logan, organ
Opening Music
Poem of Divine Love • Kenneth Logan
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Welcome & Call to Worship
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
Praise
"Champion"
William Dos Reis, praise leader; Shelby Huse, Eryncia Welsh, Itumeleng Gabasiane, vocals; Shadrach Agol, guitar; Sammy Duany, cajon; Jamison Moore, cello; Brianna Seawood, bass
Congregational Prayer
Terence & Pule Habiri, Andrews University Students
Pioneer Life
Emersond Jean-Baptiste, License Supervisor Berrien Country, Department of Health and Human Services; Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Lianro and Sage WagenerSmith; Prayer: Kayleigh
Worship in Music
"What Wondrous Love Is This?" • Kenneth Logan
Vladimir Slavujevic, baritone; Erin Penrod, horn; Kenneth Logan, organ
Homily
"A 20:21 Mission for a 2021 Movement: Love Story—Return to Sender: 'So I Am Sending You'"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
Communion
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
Praise
"Living Hope"
Scripture Reading
Prayer of Blessing
Anthony Yeboah, Elder
Partaking of Communion
Closing Hymn
"Living Hope"
Benediction
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
Closing Music
"Fugue on 'Marvelous Grace'" • Kenneth Logan
Kenneth Logan, organ
Wilson Retirement
Andrews Academy’s Graduation Weekend Events
Congratulations, Andrews Academy seniors! May the same Lord who got you here lead you into the uncharted adventure ahead! “I am with you always,” is His promise. Everyone is invited to attend graduation weekend events. Class Night May 21, 7:00 PM at Andrews Academy, Consecration May 22, 8:00 PM at Village SDA Church, Baccalaureate May 23, 11:45 AM at PMC, Commencement May 24, 11:00 at PMC.
Hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church
You are invited to a Hymnsing on 23 May, 4:00 PM at The Old Rugged Cross Church, 61041 Vermont Street, Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-Day Adventist Hymnal. For further information, contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com.
Offering for May 16, 2026
Pioneer Operating Budget
Our churches should be sanctuaries, places of safety, not only in their physical structure but also in their psychological and spiritual atmosphere. Every person who enters, whether a regular attendee or a visitor, should feel genuinely welcomed and valued. We must be careful not to judge or criticize others based on appearances or perceived shortcomings. The church is not a place for the perfect—it is a hospital for sinners in need of healing and grace. Kathryn Davis, host of the Magnify podcast and seminary teacher, reminds us that “hiding our imperfections or harshly judging ourselves or others for those imperfections can be [harmful] to our mental health.”1
Jesus Himself faced criticism for spending time with sinners. His response was clear: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17, NIV).
As a church, our mission is to reflect Christ’s love and create a space where people can grow in faith without fear of rejection. Jesus was patient and kind, while Satan, the “accuser of the brethren,” seeks to bring shame and make us feel unworthy. Yet, Jesus reassures us, just as He did the woman condemned by the Pharisees: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no
more” (John 8:11, NKJV).
As we return our offerings today, let us also recommit to supporting a church that embodies Christ’s love—a safe and welcoming home for all.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Something in Common Sabbath School
Join us for the “Love Like You Mean It” Series! Sessions will be held in the Pioneer Commons each Sabbath morning from 10:30 to 11:30. Everyone is welcome!
- May 23: Session Seven - Love is Virtuous
- May 30: Session Eight - Love is Honest
- June 6: Session Nine - Love is Tenacious
- June 13: Session Ten - Love Never Fails