There will be a fellowship dinner following the second worship service in the commons.
The Right Way to Start the New Year
Resources
Speaker
Rodlie OrtizRodlie Ortiz is on the pastoral team of Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University where he oversees evangelism and Grow Groups. He recently finished his Doctor of Ministry degree in Missional Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. He blogs regularly on modernekklesia.com and enjoys connecting with people that don't know God. He is married to Iveth, a special education teacher, and has two boys—Jonathan and Daniel.
Offering
Saturday, December 31, 2022
OPENING MUSIC
”The Old Year Has Passed Away” • Johann Sebastian Bach
CALL TO WORSHIP & PRAYER
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
“FOR TIME AND FOREVER”:A HYMN CYCLE
“O God, Our Help in Ages Past” • 103
“Amazing Grace” • 108, st. 3-4
“Marching to Zion” • 422, st. 1, 4
“Amazing Grace” • 108, st. 5
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
”Of Fortitude and Faith” • Kenneth Logan
MESSAGE
”The Right Way to Start the New Year”
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
THE LORD’S SUPPER
FOOTWASHING DISMISSAL
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
FOOTWASHING
LORD SUPPER INTRODUCTION
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 26: 26-30 NIV
Vida Giddings, Pioneer Elder
PRAYER
Philip Giddings, Pioneer Elder
MUSICAL MEDITATION
”What Wondrous Love Is This?” • anon. melody
PARTAKING OF ELEMENTS
AND OFFERING APPEAL
Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” • 407
BLESSING
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
CLOSING MUSIC
“O God, Our Help in Ages Past” • William Croft
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
Offering for January 10, 2026
Pioneer Operating Budget
You may have heard it said, and it is true that patience is a virtue. What is also true and closely linked to patience is found in the opening verse of the parable of Luke 18:1-8 (NIV). Jesus told his disciples that they should “always pray and not give up” (verse 1). In today’s fast paced, instant, and have-to-get-it-now world, learning to be patient and not lose heart or become discouraged is surely a quality that is desirable. The widow in this parable showed the importance of being patient in one’s petitions and pursuits.
In her attempt to get the judge to defend her against her enemy, who seemed to have been making her life difficult, she kept on asking for his defense. Finally, the judge yielded to her persistence and vindicated her.
The same is true of God. When we are diligent in our prayer life, longsuffering when we are seeking to invoke Christ’s intervention, and faithful in honoring Him in our stewardship, He will move to positive action. Let us remember that unlike the judge we cannot wear out God.
Today, as we worship Him through the return of our tithes and giving of our offerings, let us practice being persistent in honoring Him with our substance and the first fruit of our increase.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries