Keepers of the Kingdom - Standing Strong in Today's Battle for Truth. July 14-18, from 9 - 11:45 AM at Niles Westside Adventist Church (1105 Grant St, Niles) for kids in Pre-K (age 4) - 6th grade. Please register early online at www.nileswestside.org. Email nileswestsidevbs@gmail.com or call 269-683-5998 with questions.
The Healing of Forgiveness
Saturday, March 23, 2024
OPENING MUSIC
“Cantilena” • Josef Rheinberger
WELCOME, CALL TO WORSHIP, & PRAYER
Prescott Khair, Associate Pastor
HYMN OF PRAISE*
“Lift High the Cross” • 362, st. 1, 2, 4, 5
“’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” • 524, st. 2
SONG OF PRAISE**
”Doxology”
PRAYER
Prescott Khair, Associate Pastor
OFFERTORY
“There Is a Balm in Gilead” • African-American Spiritual / Kenneth Logan
CHILDREN’S STORY
Brian Strayer, Professor Emeritus, Andrews University
PRAISE**
“Oh Magnify the Lord”
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
MESSAGE
“The Healing of Forgiveness”
John Glass, Associate Pastor
ORDINANCE OF HUMILITY
FOOTWASHING
Jonathan Burt
HYMNS OF THE CROSS*
”Marvelous Grace” • 109, st. 1, 2
“Power in the Blood” • 294, st. 1, 3
“Worthy, Worthy Is the Lamb” • 246
PRAISE**
”I Sing Praises”
“I Just Want to Praise You”
“We Exalt Thee”
THE LORD’S SUPPER
SCRIPTURE
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NIV
Ronald Knott, Pioneer Elder
PRAYER
Esther Knott, Pioneer Elder
PASSING OF EMBLEMS
Fugue on “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” • Spiritual / Kenneth Logan
PARTAKING OF ELEMENTS
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” • 407
BENEDICTION
John Glass, Associate Pastor
CLOSING MUSIC
“Lift High the Cross” • Charles Callahan
VBS at Niles Westside Church
Offering for June 28, 2025
Michigan Advance Partners
Author Melvin Santos Speaking: For the longest time, in my early years, I quietly disagreed with this Bible passage in Acts 20, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, NKJV).
I wondered how people can say, “I receive a blessing when I give.” On the contrary, in my younger years, I always enjoyed receiving gifts. To pay for the gift and give it to someone wouldn’t bring me joy. That would cost me time and money.
When I fell in love, got married, and had children, I finally learned that when you’re in love, there is a greater joy in giving gifts to your wife and children. I would do anything for them because I love them.
Then I understood that this is the Spirit of Christ, who sacrificed all to share His love with us. When I participate in giving, or helping someone in need who cannot reciprocate the deed or pay me back, I’m sharing the love of Jesus. Now, that’s the heart of Jesus.
Just seeing the smiles on my family’s faces was enough for me to experience this passage, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Today, let’s share our gifts with a generous heart.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries