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

“Now Thank We All Our God” • Carl Piutti *
“Prelude in F Major” • Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel **

WELCOME

Rodlie Ortiz, Associate Pastor

CALL TO WORSHIP

Lindsey Pratt, Associate Pastor

OPENING PRAYER

Taurus Montgomery, Associate Pastor Harbor of Hope

OPENING HYMN

“Lift High the Cross” • 362

REMARKS

Bryan von Dorpowski, co-Head Elder

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

Jenifer Daley, Associate Pastor
“Now Thank We All Our God” • 559, st. 1

CALL FOR CHILDREN’S OFFERING

Prescott Khair, Associate Pastor

OFFERTORY

“O Lamb of God, Unspotted”  •  Johann Sebastian Bach

CHILDREN’S STORY & PRAYER

Ben Martin, Associate Pastor

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“Declare Your Maker’s Praise!” • arr. Lloyd Larson

PRAISE

“In Christ Alone”
“How Great is Our God”

MESSAGE

“Return to Calvary: The Done Deal (How to Find Peace of Mind)”
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor

HYMN OF COMMITMENT

“We Have This Hope” • 214

BENEDICTION

John Glass, Associate Pastor

CLOSING MUSIC

“Be Thou My Vision” • traditional Irish melody *
“Now Thank We All Our God” • Carl Piutti **

 

Offering for January 3, 2026

Pioneer Operating Budget

There is something special about the beginning of a new year. It’s the energy and the excitement. It’s the opportunities that it offers. It provides the chance to forget the past and its challenges, while we embrace the possibility to start over.

The New Year offers the opportunity for us to look at the future with optimism and gratefulness. For this reason, I like new, don’t you? Paul liked the idea of new also. That’s why he encourages us to look towards the future instead of looking back. He says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3: 13, 14, NIV), we should press toward the goal to win.

The encouraging thing is, when Christ is in the lead, we must succeed. For this reason, we can embrace the possibilities of the new year– striving to be better stewards for God. So may our goals this year include spending consistent time in worship and developing a relationship of steel with God. May we take care of our wellbeing (physically and psychologically) and witness about His love by using our talents and gifts.

May we faithfully return to God the designated portion of our wealth and take care of our world and the environment. Let’s determine to make 2026 an exceptional year of sacrificial generosity, in our local church and worldwide. 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries