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.
Andrews Academy & Ruth Murdoch Elementary 2022 Baccalaureate
Pastor
Taurus MontgomeryTaurus Montgomery is the pastor of Pioneer’s Benton Harbor Outreach, Harbor of Hope. Having grown up in the southern inner city of Mobile, Alabama, Taurus is familiar with the struggles and challenges facing urban youth today.
Offering
Livestream Archive available on Facebook
OPENING MUSIC
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” • Anthony Showalter / Carl Strommen
WELCOME
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
PROCESSIONAL
“Trumpet Tune” • David Johnson
CALL TO WORSHIP
Audrey Simpson
INVOCATION
Andressa Gomes De Sousa, RMES Student
PRAISE
“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”
“What a Beautiful Name”
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Ellis Chun & Eric Kacelenga
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“Sinfonia” • Georg Telemann / R. Matthews
BAPTISM
David Beatty with Ben Martin
CALL FOR CHILDREN’S OFFERING
Sarah Ayaz, RMES Student
CHILDREN’S STORY
“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” • Wayne Wold
Story: Dylan Bergmann, RMES Student
SCRIPTURE READING
Lauren Sahly
Jeremiah 29:11
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“All Things Bright and Beautiful” • John Rutter
Ruth Murdoch Elementary School Choir, Marcelo Martins, director; Shari Lyons, conductor
MESSAGE
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” • 334
RECESSIONAL
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” • Paul Manz
CLOSING MUSIC
“Allegro maestoso e vivace” • Felix Mendelssohn
OPENING MUSIC
“Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” attr. H. Purcell
PROCESSIONAL
“Christ for the World” • Kenneth Logan
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Kleber Gonçalves
Parent of Nichollas Gonçalves
PRAISE
“He’s Able” • “Wait On You” • “It Is Well”
PRAYER
Jose Diaz
Parent of Joseph Diaz
OFFERING
Lemon Family
Family of Christopher Lemon
OFFERTORY
“Crown Him With Many Crowns • A. Sherman
Andrews Academy Resound, Marcelo Martins, Director
SCRIPTURE READING
Gordon Thorpe
Parent of Gwendolyn Thorpe
I Peter 4:10-11, NIV
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“Help Us To Love” • T. Kelly
SERMON
Edward Woods, III
Parent of Megan Woods
SERMON RESPONSE
“More Than Anything” • L. Campbell
Andrews Academy Praise Team
BENEDICTION
Carol Woolford-Hunt
Parent of Samantha Woolford-Hunt
PRAYER RESPONSE
“The Lord Bless You” • 669
RECESSIONAL
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” • P. Manz
CLOSING VOLUNTARY
“Choral Song” • S. Wesley
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.
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.
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
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