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
AU Summer 2024 Baccalaureate
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
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.