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

“Allegro maestoso e vivace” • Felix Mendelssohn
“Arise, My Soul, Arise!” • Dale Wood

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP

Jenifer Daley, Associate Pastor

“HELP FOR THE HELPLESS”: A HYMN CYCLE

“Power in the Blood” • 294, st. 1,3
“Just As I Am” • 314
“Amazing Grace” • 108, st. 1
“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” • 522, st. 1, 3
“To God Be the Glory” • 341, st. 1, 3

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

Heidi Ha, Pioneer Member
“Rescue the Perishing” • 367, st. 1

OFFERTORY

“Fugue on ‘Marvelous Grace’” • Kenneth Logan

CHILDREN’S STORY

 

SCRIPTURE READING

Tanya Neri, Pioneer Member
Mark 8:34-36 NIV

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“And Can It Be” • Dan Forrest

MESSAGE

“Mission: Impossible (Maybe)—Sign Me Up (Not)!”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

CONNECT CARD & PRAYER

 

HYMN OF COMMITMENT

“Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” • 328

CLOSING MUSIC

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” • Max Reger

 

OPENING MUSIC

“Allegro maestoso e vivace” • Felix Mendelssohn
“Arise, My Soul, Arise!” • Dale Wood

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP

Jenifer Daley, Associate Pastor

CHORAL INTROIT

“Cantate Domino”

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

Heidi Ha, Pioneer Member
“We Gather Together” • 8

BABY DEDICATION

Livio Henri-Johnson, presented by Tantely Henrisse Lovanantenaina and Jasmina Lantomandimby with Jenifer Daley

OFFERTORY

“Fugue on ‘Marvelous Grace’” • Kenneth Logan

CHILDREN’S STORY

 

PRAISE

“Holy Spirit”
“Champion”
“Indescribable”

SCRIPTURE READING

John Bitterman, Andrews Academy Student
Mark 8:34-36 NIV

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“And Can It Be” • Dan Forrest

MESSAGE

“Mission: Impossible (Maybe)—Sign Me Up (Not)!”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

CONNECT CARD & PRAYER

 

CLOSING SONG

“Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” • 328

CLOSING MUSIC

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” • Max Reger

 

Offering for December 27, 2025

Michigan Advance Partners

When I was in my teens, I read a powerful promise, "Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service of God supreme, will find perplexities vanish and a plain path before their feet" (Ministry of Healing, p.481).

It really was not relevant to me then because my parents provided my food, lodging, and basic needs. But after I got married and had our three children, many expenses ate our income rapidly. Every dollar mattered. I remembered wishing that our babies would hurry up and get out of the “diaper stage” because every diaper cost money.

It would be easy to rationalize that our children are part of our ministry, therefore, we didn’t need to give our offerings for several months. But that would put me in charge of running “God’s business” instead of allowing God to take care of our needs. We learned to step out in faith and depend on Him.

Now that I look back on those days, it is amazing how God came through in thousands of ways to provide for our needs! It was fun to see how He provided all our needs then and continues to do so now. Today, let’s not rationalize our commitment to God. Let’s trust God with all our needs by returning our tithes and offerings faithfully. 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Church Office Holiday Closure: 12/22-12/26 & 12/29-01/02

Please note that the church office will be closed from December 22 to 26 and again from December 29 to January 2 for the holiday season. We will reopen on January 5. Our church services will proceed as always. If you have any announcements, please submit those no later than December 19. Thank you for your understanding. We wish you a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year!

Christmas Blessing Opportunity

Be part of a Christmas blessing this year! Chiang Mai Adventist Academy, which serves primarily Buddhist students from around the country, is looking for a set of Bible story felts to use in teaching the Bible in their Sabbath schools. FARM STEW missionaries will be going to Thailand in January and deliver them. If you have a felt set you would like to donate or would like to donate towards buying a new set, please contact Deby Andvik. (andvik@andrews.edu or call/text 269-277-4145

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.