Let’s celebrate the joy of Christmas with good food, warm community, and grateful hearts! Join us on December 20, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM, before our main worship service. Bring your favorite breakfast dish to share and enjoy a wonderful time of fellowship as we celebrate the season together.
Everyone Is Called
Playing to an Empty Stadium
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
Opening Music
"I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light" • Wayne Wold
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Welcome, Call to Worship & Prayer
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
Hymn of Praise
"Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" • 4
Lisa Jardine, Pioneer Member
Congregational Prayer
Duane & Lori Covrig, Pioneer Members
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Jennifer Bokon, Teacher, Ruth Murdoch Elementary; Prayer: Arlo
Scripture Reading
Hebrew 12:1-2 NIV
Harold Smith & Jeannie Pedersen-Smith
Worship in Music
"Run the Straight Race Through God's Good Grace" • Christian Fink / Kenneth Logan
Alan Mitchell, trombone; Kenneth Logan, organ
Message
"Everyone is Called: Playing to an Empty Stadium (Lessons from the Olympiad)" • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
Hymn of Response
"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" • 290
Lisa Jardine
Benediction
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor, Pioneer Memorial Church
Closing Music
"My Jesus" • Johannes Brahms
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Opening Music
"I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light" • Wayne Wold
Kenneth Logan, Organ, Minister of Music
Welcome, Call to Worship & Prayer
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
Praise
"Blessed Assurance"
Congregational Prayer
Trey and Galaletsang Mbaiwa, Pioneer Members
Pioneer Life
Baptism of Andrew Tidwell with Rodlie Ortiz
Baptism of Joshua Smalley with Rodlie Ortiz
Worship in Music
"Run the Straight Race Through God's Good Grace" • Christian Fink / Kenneth Logan
Alan Mitchell, trombone; Kenneth Logan, organ
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Jennifer Bokon, Teacher, Ruth Murdoch Elementary; Prayer: Arlo
Praise
"Wonderful, Merciful Savior" • "The Power of Your Love" • "Fill My Cup Lord"
Scripture Reading
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Message
"Everyone is Called: Playing to an Empty Stadium (Lessons from the Olympiad)"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor, Pioneer Memorial Church
Closing Hymn
"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"
Closing Remarks/Blessing
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor, Pioneer Memorial Church
Closing Music
"My Jesus" • Johannes Brahms
Kenneth Logan, Organ, Minister of Music
Christmas Breakfast
Toy Collection for Christmas Care--Sabbath, December 13
On Sabbath, December 13, we will be having our annual Children’s Celebration of Christmas. This is the worship service where we bring a new unwrapped toy for a child up to age 16. Each year we partner with "Christmas Care" in providing gifts to 300+ families in our community who are not able to purchase their own. This is yet another way that Pioneer can participate in the 2nd part of our PIONEER strategic plan of Interacting and partnering with those in our community.
Annual Seniors Christmas Banquet
The annual Christmas Banquet for Seniors (ages 55+) is taking place on December 14 in the Village SDA Church fellowship hall at 1:00 PM. Pioneer members wishing to attend please call the church office to sign up at 269.471.6565 by Monday, December 8.
Belong: Angel Tree
Thank you for choosing a tag from our Angel Trees! Please remember to text “BLESS” to 269-281-2345 to let us know who you selected. This helps us stay organized and coordinate gift collection if you won’t be dropping off your unwrapped gift during one of our services on Sabbath, December 13.
Andrews Academy Invites You to the Feast of Lights Concert
Andrews Academy will be presenting the 52nd annual Feast of Lights program on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM. The community is invited to attend this spectacular night of music, Scripture and drama honoring the King of Kings. It is an evening of lights, bells, instruments, choral singing, congregational singing, shepherds, a Nativity scene, and the retelling of a glorious Christmas story. Chorale and Orchestra will end the program with the Hallelujah chorus. The church sidewalks will be arrayed in Christmas lighting. The program will speak to your hearts of His wondrous love. All are invited to attend this free program held at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University.
Journey to Bethlehem - Live Nativity Walk in Eau Claire
Walk into the advent story... Share in the expectation... Experience God's Glory... Journey to Bethlehem - Come join take this FREE 1 hour walking journey through the Advent Story on December 14 from 5-8 PM. Meet shepherds, the wisemen, Roman soldiers, a Biblical marketplace, Mary and Joseph and discover why Christ came to this earth. Groups Leave from the Student Activity Center located at 6295 W Main St, Eau Claire, MI 49111. Tours leave every 10 minutes between 5 & 8 PM, December 14. No Reservations required, ALS interpreter available, please contact us in advance. Wheelchair accessible journey on paved sidewalk. Questions? Call or text 269-405-5026 or email us at Eauclairecritters@gmail.com.
Spring Semester GROW Groups
Spring semester GROW Groups will begin the 1st week of February. If you would like to lead a group please text LEAD to 269-281-2345 or click the link below to submit the attached form on or before December 15. https://pmchurch.org/ministries/growgroups/register
Pioneer Women's Ministries 2025 Advent Devotionals
Pioneer Women’s Ministries’ Advent devotionals will highlight a few of the promises of Jesus. To receive the “Red Letter Promises” daily devotionals by email for the first 25 days of December, text the word “ADVENT” to 269-281-2345. You can also receive a short daily text message preview of each day's devotional by providing your cell phone number when you register. We pray you will sense the nearness of Jesus during this holy season through these devotionals.
Sabbath School Volunteers Needed
Give our Pioneer kids a gift this holiday season - your time, teaching or supporting Sabbath Schools, 10:30-11:30 AM each Sabbath. Text CHILDREN to 269-281-2345 or email childrenss@pmchurch.org to learn more.
House of Prayer
Pioneer Earlyteen Loft
Please join us for House of Prayer Wednesday evenings at 7pm in the Earliteen Loft for a time of singing, Bible study and prayer.