We at Pioneer were richly blessed by the ministry of Pastor Ben Martin. Unfortunately, due to tithe shortfalls (not at Pioneer, but in other portions of the conference), Michigan Conference administration has determined that his position will not be filled at this time. Please combine your prayers and patience with mine as we work to cover Pastor Ben’s duties with existing pastoral staff members and volunteers. - Pastor Shane
AU Summer 2022 Baccalaureate
Saturday, August 06, 2022
OPENING MUSIC
“Cantilena” • Josef Rheinberger
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
HYMN OF PRAISE
“The Lord Is My Light” • 515. st. 1, 3-4
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
“Lead Me, Lord” • 691
PIONEER LIFE
Baptism of Sarah Arika by Rodlie Ortiz
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“I Want Jesus to Walk With Me” • African-American Spiritual
CHILDREN’S STORY
“Be Thou My Vision” • Traditional Irish Melody
Story: Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
SCRIPTURE READING
Julie Clayburn, Pioneer Member
Nehemiah 6:15-16 NKJV
MESSAGE
“Never Give Up the Dream”
Kenneth Denslow, President, Lake Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists;
Vice Chair, Andrews University Board of Trustees
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee” • 574
BENEDICTION
CLOSING MUSIC
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” • Kenneth Logan
OPENING MUSIC
“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” • Kenneth Logan
PROCESSIONAL
“Lift High the Cross” • Donald Busarow
HYMN OF PRAISE
“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” • 27
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Jochebed Ade-Oshifogun, Associate Professor of Nursing
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“Psalm 34:7—Hymn Celebration”Iván Rachath, MA, piano
SCRIPTURE READING
Nehemiah 6:15–16, NKJV
Twyla Smith, Assistant Professor of Social Work
HYMN OF MEDITATION
“Be Thou My Vision” • 547
INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER
Andrea Luxton, President
MESSAGE
“Never Give Up the Dream”
Kenneth Denslow, President, Lake Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists;
Vice Chair, Andrews University Board of Trustees
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Go Forth, Go Forth With Christ” • 377
BENEDICTION
Roy E. Gane, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages
RECESSIONAL
“Dialogue” • Gilbert Martin
CLOSING MUSIC
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” • Kenneth Logan
Update on Pastoral Transition at Pioneer
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
There will not be any fellowship dinner this Sabbath.
Honduras Mission Team January 2026
The Pioneer Youth Missions team is getting ready for the January 2-12 project in Honduras. The team will be conducting a camp directed by Scott Schalk for about 100 children from the Hogar de Niños and the surrounding community. Additionally there will be many worships, activities and projects at the children's home. Your financial support and prayers are requested. For more information, contact Glenn Russell (glenn@andrews.edu)
Belong: Soup for Students
Soup for Students is just around the corner! Sunday, December 7, at 6 PM in the PMC Commons. We’d love to know what you’re planning to bring—soup, bread, your smile, or all of the above! Simply text “NOURISH” to 269-281-2345 to sign up
Belong: Angel Tree
This holiday season, help make Christmas special for a student/student family by selecting a card from one of the Christmas trees at church. Each card includes a family’s list of needs and wishes—simply choose a card, shop, and deliver your items by December 14th. No need to wrap—we’ll handle that for you! Let’s spread joy together with Belong Ministries this Christmas!
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
Dr. Woodrow Whidden, 10/15/1944 - 11/11/2025
Woodrow Whidden died peacefully at home beside his loving wife, Peggy, on Tuesday, November 11. He lived a full life devoted to his family, the ministry, teaching and academic writing. Pioneer has been his home church since 1990 when he began teaching at Andrews. Your love, generosity and comforting presence in the days since Woody's passing have meant so much to our family. Everyone is invited to a public memorial service here at Pioneer on Friday, December 5, at 1 PM. Love and Thanks from The Whidden Family
Offering for November 22, 2025
Michigan Advance Partners
I remember the moment when my wife and I said, “I do” on our wedding day. We made a covenant promise and pledge before God that we would love and be faithful and true to each other. We expressed this covenant of love with words, actions, and gifts to each other! The day we all accepted the Lord, we too made a covenant of love with Him. We honor Him when we take time to worship Him and share His love with others by acts of kindness. But another way we develop our relationship with God and honor and glorify Him is when we return our gifts of time, talents, and our tithes and offerings to Him. "The Lord made a special covenant with men, that if they would regularly set apart the portion designated for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, the Lord would bless them abundantly, so there would not be room to receive His gifts" (Counsels on Stewardship, p.77).
God has given us this opportunity to enter into a partnership with the Ruler of the universe who is not only interested in the orderly operation of the great galaxies of heaven but also interested in every detail of our lives. Have you set aside your gifts for Him today? Let’s support the ministries around our conference that help people learn more about our God of love.
—Melvin Santos, Kansas/Nebraska Conference in partnership with the North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Happy Health Cooking Demonstration
The Happy, Healthy Holiday 2025 Cooking demonstration will be on Sunday, Nov. 23 from 3:00 to 5:30 PM in the Youth Chapel, with samples for everyone downstairs. They are featuring vegan foods suitable for festive events. This event is being co-hosted by Pioneer Health and Wellness, Healthy Together Friends, and RMES Home and School. To register text "FOOD" to 269-281-2345. Questions: please contact Evelyn Kissinger at evelynkissinger@gmail.com.
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.
