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

“Jubilate Deo” (“Rejoice in God”) • Kenneth Logan

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP

John Glass, Associate Pastor

“GUIDE ME, GUIDE US”: A HYMN CYCLE

“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” • 538, st. 1
“Lead On, O King Eternal” • 619, st. 1
“Awake, My Soul! Stretch Every Nerve”  •  words 611, st. 1-2, 4; melody 229
“Fight the Good Fight” • 613, st. 2-4, mel. 227
“Be Still, My Soul” • 461, st. 2

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

“Rescue the Perishing” • 367, st. 1

OFFERTORY

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”  •  Max Reger and S. Rogers

CHILDREN’S STORY

Douglas Janssen

SCRIPTURE READING

Cindy Hill, Pioneer Member
Matthew 27:24-26 NIV

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“Fight the Good Fight” • Kenneth Logan

MESSAGE

“Mission: Impossible (Maybe)—Detente and the Slackened Bowstrings”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

HYMN OF COMMITMENT

“There Is a Fountain” • 336, st. 1,2, 4

BENEDICTION

 

CLOSING MUSIC

“Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow”  •  attr. Henry Purcell

 

OPENING MUSIC

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”  •  Max Reger and S. Rogers

CHORAL INTROIT

“Jubilate Deo” (“Rejoice in God”) • Peter Anglea

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP

John Glass, Associate Pastor

PRAISE

“Friend of God” • “Indescribable”
“Good Good Father” • “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

 

BABY DEDICATION

Luka Gabriel Henri-Saturne, presented by Sebastian and Aileen Henri-Saturne with Ben Martin

OFFERTORY

“Jubilate Deo” (“Rejoice in God”) • Kenneth Logan

CHILDREN’S STORY

 

SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 27:24-26 NIV

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“O Day of Peace That Dimly Shines”  •  Charles Parry / Jantz Black

PRAISE

“All Hail the Power of Jesus Name” • 229

MESSAGE

“Mission: Impossible (Maybe)—Detente and the Slackened Bowstrings”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

CLOSING SONG

“There Is a Fountain” • 336, st. 1,2, 4

BLESSING

 

CLOSING MUSIC

“Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow”  •  attr. Henry Purcell

 

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

 There will be a fellowship dinner following the second worship service in the 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