The flowers for the Sanctuary are in celebration of Greg and Nadine Offenback's 50th anniversary and to thank God for His love and care.
AU 2024 Baccalaureate
Saturday, May 04, 2024
OPENING MUSIC
“O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing” • Healey Willan
PROCESSIONAL
“Lift High the Cross” • Donald Busarow
HYMN OF PRAISE
“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” • 27
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
*Trevor O’Reggio
Professor of Church History
**Katherine Koudele
Professor of Animal Science
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
“Munera Pacis” (“Gifts of Peace”) from Illuminare Elaine Hagenberg
Baccalaureate Choir
Cyril Punay, MMus, conductor
TITHES AND OFFERING
Prescott Khair, Associate Campus Chaplain
OFFERTORY
“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” • Kenneth Logan
SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV
*John W. Reeve
Associate Professor of Church History
**Stephanie A. Carpenter
Professor of History
HYMN OF MEDITATION
“Be Thou My Vision” • 547
INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER
John Wesley Taylor V
President
BACCALAUREATE SERMON
“World Changers”
Jim Micheff
President, Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
HYMN OF COMMISSIONING
“Go Forth, Go Forth With Christ” • 377
BENEDICTION
*Brynja Davis
Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology
**Pedro Navia
Professor of Spanish
RECESSIONAL
“Go in Joy to Serve the Lord” • Kenneth Logan
CLOSING MUSIC
“Choral Song” • Samuel Sebastian Wesley
Sanctuary Flower
VBS at Niles Westside Church
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.
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
"Speed Friending" and Dulcimer Concert
The Family Life Committee invites our church family to get to know each other better! We will begin with "speed friending," where we will rotate to different tables around the room to ask each other questions (sample questions will be provided). Then we'll eat a light meal together and end with a captivating hammered dulcimer concert. Ted Yoder will be sharing an eclectic set of impressive originals, fun pop songs, and moving hymns. Sunday, June 29, 4:00-6:30 PM, Pioneer Commons. Registration information will be coming soon.