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

Opening Music

"Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated"  •  Paul Thompson
Andrews Academy Orion Strings, Elsy Gallardo-Díaz, director

Welcome, Call to Worship & Prayer

Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor

"Good Shepherd": A Hymn Cycle

 

"The King of Love My Shepherd Is"—SDAH 197, st. 3-4  •  "In Heavenly Love Abiding"—SDAH 513 mel. SDAH 316, st. 2-3  •  "Hark! 'Tis the Shepherd's Voice I Hear"— SDAH 361, st. 2-3
Annelise Burghardt, soprano, Andrews University student; Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music

Congregational Prayer

Milton & Neela Bairagee, Pioneer Members

Pioneer Life

Taurus Montgomery, Harbor of Hope

Children's Story & Prayer

Story: Don Goodbrad; Prayer: Julie Habiri

Scripture Reading

Don Starlin, Elder, Pioneer Memorial Church

Worship in Music

"To God Be the Glory"  •  Paul Thompson
Andrews Academy Orion Strings, Elsy Gallardo-Díaz, director

Message

"Marriage: An Answer to My Eleven Year Old Parishioner"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

Connect Card/Prayer

 

Closing Hymn

"O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go"  •  76

Benediction

Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor

Closing Music

Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music

Opening Music

"Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated"  •  Paul Thompson
Andrews Academy Orion Strings, Elsy Gallardo-Díaz, director

Welcome, Call to Worship & Prayer

Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor

Worship in Music

"To God Be the Glory"  •  Paul Thompson
Andrews Academy Orion Strings, Elsy Gallardo-Díaz, director

Congregational Prayer

Milton & Neela Bairagee, Pioneer Members

Pioneer Life

Taurus Montgomery, Harbor of Hope

Pioneer Life: Baptism

Jordynn Wright with Rodlie Ortiz

Children's Story & Prayer

"Holy Water"  •  "Yes and Amen"
Sinegugu Katenga, Annelise Burghardt, Abel Siamubi, vocals; Joshua Goines, piano; Joel Wallace, electric guitar; Trevor Furst, cajon; Jamison Moore, cello; Philip Wekesa, keyboard

 

Scripture Reading

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13 NIV
Abel Siamubi

Praise

"Falling In Love With Jesus"

Message

"Marriage: An Answer to My Eleven Year Old Parishioner"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

Connect Card/Prayer

 

 

Closing Hymn

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go  •  76

Blessing

Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor

Closing Music

Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music

 

Offering for January 3, 2026

Pioneer Operating Budget

There is something special about the beginning of a new year. It’s the energy and the excitement. It’s the opportunities that it offers. It provides the chance to forget the past and its challenges, while we embrace the possibility to start over.

The New Year offers the opportunity for us to look at the future with optimism and gratefulness. For this reason, I like new, don’t you? Paul liked the idea of new also. That’s why he encourages us to look towards the future instead of looking back. He says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3: 13, 14, NIV), we should press toward the goal to win.

The encouraging thing is, when Christ is in the lead, we must succeed. For this reason, we can embrace the possibilities of the new year– striving to be better stewards for God. So may our goals this year include spending consistent time in worship and developing a relationship of steel with God. May we take care of our wellbeing (physically and psychologically) and witness about His love by using our talents and gifts.

May we faithfully return to God the designated portion of our wealth and take care of our world and the environment. Let’s determine to make 2026 an exceptional year of sacrificial generosity, in our local church and worldwide. 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries