Speaker

Dwain N. Esmond

Offering

Saturday, August 03, 2024

OPENING MUSIC

“’O Rest in the Lord’, ‘Be Not Afraid’” (Elijah) • Felix Mendelssohn

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP

Jacob Gibbs, Associate Pastor

HYMN OF PRAISE

“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” • 191, st. 1, 3, 4

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

“Be Still, My Soul” • 461, st. 2
Erhard Gallos, Pioneer Member

OFFERTORY

“Offertory” • Simon Luke Brown

CHILDREN’S STORY & PRAYER

Jacob Gibbs, Associate Pastor

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“Stand Fast in the Freedom of Christ” • Kenneth Logan

SCRIPTURE READING

Jonah 1:16 to Jonah 2:2 NKJV
Ildiko Gyeresi, Pioneer Elder

HYMN OF PREPARATION

“We Have Heard a Joyful Sound” • 340

MESSAGE

“A Big Fish Story”
Dwain N. Esmond, Associate Director, Ellen G. White Estate, Inc.

HYMN OF COMMITMENT

“So Send I You” • 578

BENEDICTION

 

CLOSING MUSIC

“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” • Kenneth Logan

 

OPENING MUSIC & PROCESSIONAL

“O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing” • Healey Willan
“Lift High the Cross” • Donald Busarow

WELCOME & HYMN OF PRAISE

“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” • 27

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

Kevin Ferreira, Flight Instructor

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“Stand Fast in the Freedom of Christ” • Kenneth Logan

OFFERTORY

“Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart” • Kenneth Logan

CHILDREN’S STORY & PRAYER

Jacob Gibbs, Associate Chaplain

WORSHIP IN MUSIC

“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” • Thomas Trenney

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 10:1-8 NKJV
Aimee Vitangcol Regoso, University Registrar

HYMN OF MEDITATION

“Be Thou My Vision” • 547

INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER

 

BACCALAUREATE SERMON

“Graduation Day”
Dwain N. Esmond, Associate Director, Ellen G. White Estate, Inc.

HYMN OF COMMISSIONING

“Go Forth, Go Forth With Christ” • 377

BENEDICTION

Alyssa Palmer, Asst. VP for Campus & Student Life

RECESSIONAL

“Dialogue” • Gilbert Martin

CLOSING MUSIC

“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” • Kenneth Logan

 

Help Us Welcome New Students

Many new faces will soon join us as they begin their academic journey at Andrews University. We are preparing to welcome them with our traditional Welcome Picnic on Sabbath, August 23. You can support Belong by signing up to be a table host, preparing food, becoming a general volunteer—or all of the above! Text the word “PICNIC” to 269-281-2345

Primary & Junior Sabbath School Relocations

As we begin essential pipe and HVAC renovations in the Primary and Junior Sabbath School (SS) wings, we want to thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility. To ensure all our children and young people continue to have a meaningful Sabbath School experience, several classes will be temporarily relocated beginning Sabbath, July 5, 2025:

New Sabbath School Locations During Renovations Kindergarten 5 & 6 Sabbath School will now include Grade 1 children until the Primary Grade 1 room is ready. Primary Grades 2 & 3 will meet together in the Kindergarten room used by the Something in Common class. Junior Grades 4 & 5 will meet together in the center section of the Commons. Junior Grade 6 will meet in the sanctuary end of the Commons. Young Adults Sabbath School will meet in the Youth Chapel end of the Commons. Something in Common will meet in the Board Room.

Facilities Use During Construction During renovation months, the Commons and kitchen, Primary and Junior SS rooms will be unavailable for reservations, and the central hallway will be closed under the Sanctuary. We are grateful for your continued prayers, understanding, and support during this important project. Your generosity is helping provide a safe and comfortable environment for all ages to worship and grow in faith. 

Register Now for Andrews Academy

Andrews Academy is now enrolling students in grades 9 - 12 for the 2025/2026 school year. We invite you to join the AA family! You will be blessed by what Andrews Academy has to offer. Students consistently score above state and national levels on standardized testing, they are involved in many spiritual and service activities throughout the school year. Our Seventh-day Adventist school’s mission is to inspire our students to think deeply, live fully, serve unselfishly and to honor God completely. School begins August 18. Registration day is August 13. Financial assistance may be available. Call 269-471-3138 for more information or visit https://www.andrews.edu/aa/ and click on “apply today”. 

District Nine Family Camp

Register soon for an uplifting and spirit-filled weekend at Camp Au Sable. The annual District Nine Family Camp is Labor Day weekend, August 29 - September 1, 2025. For the first time this year, registration will be available online at www.midistrictnine.com,  beginning July 20, at 10:00 AM through August 17, at 12:00 PM.

Offering for July 19, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

Someone came to their pastor and complained, “Pastor, we can’t afford to give our tithes and offerings. We’re just barely making it from week to week. I wish we just had extra money to give, but we don’t.”

When finances are tight, it requires more faith to return your tithes and offerings. Some will rationalize, “God really does not need my funds.” That’s true, our God is wealthy. But it is especially important to remember that when funds are tight, that is when it is critical that you return your tithe and offerings. We can’t expect to steal from God and be blessed. We all need God’s blessings.

Tough times force us to demonstrate our faith that God as our Partner will come through to provide even when it seems impossible. This is His part of the covenant. Trust in the Lord that He will provide as He promised.

"The more we bring to God's treasure house, the more we shall have to bring; for He will open ways before us, increasing our substance"(Our High Calling, p. 197).

Millions of Christians have put their faith into action with God. Not once has He failed to make it possible. Let’s live in faith so that God can bless us beyond our wildest imagination!

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

God's Hands 4 Kids

 "Love on the Move" is more than just a slogan. It is a way of life. It is at least for God's Hands 4 Kids. We work closely with Berrien County Department of Health and Human Services as well as other area agencies. We extend our caring to other counties as well. There are many ways you as a caring person can make a difference in our community. Today I will suggest two ways you can make that difference. You can do respite, take care of foster kid(s) for a few hours or a few days. No foster license required. Or you could offer to drive someone to an appointment. For more information email Godshands4kids@gmail.com

Hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church

 You are invited to a hymn sing on July 19 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at The Old Rugged Cross Church, 61041 Vermont St., Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. A freewill offering will help support the church. For more information, please contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com.

Looking for a Prayer Group to Join?

Join us for the Midweek House of Prayer, held online every Wednesday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 AM. We are currently studying the Gospel of Mark. Come and see how your contributions can benefit everyone in the group! The Zoom link is https://andrews.zoom.us/j/9889172131.

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

 There will not be a fellowship dinner during the months of July and August, 2025.