There will not be any fellowship dinner this Sabbath.
Accepting the Gift
Resources
Speaker
Ben MartinBen Martin is on the pastoral team of Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University where he is the Pastor for Children and Family Discipleship. He is passionate about engaging youth in ministry. He believes that every member should be a functioning part of the body of Christ. Over the last few years he has been intentionally thinking through what it means to disciple the next generation. He enjoys photography, camping and spending time with his wife, Brianna. Together, they have 2 children.
Offering
Saturday, December 14, 2024
OPENING MUSIC
"O Come, Little Children" • Johann Schulz / Kenneth Logan
WELCOME
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
MUSIC
"A Festive Holiday Overture" • Joe Snyder
RMES Concert Band, Elsy Gallardo-Diaz, director
PRAYER
Darryl Fio, Nana Amaniampong, Nyla-Jade Fowler, and Nasya Ruedinger-Quispe
MUSIC
* "Joy to the World" • RMES Jr. BellsShari Lyons, director" Angels We Have Heard on High" • French carol
Grace Yuxin Zhang and Kenneth Logan, organ duet
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 2:1-3
Josiah Florvilus
MUSIC
* "Christmas Medley" • arr. Daniel Cerna K-2nd Choir, Daniel Cerna, director
** "Love is Born Tonight" • Daniel Cerna RMES 3rd and 4th Choir, Daniel Cerna, director
"NOT ON THE WISHLIST"
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
MUSIC
"Let There Be Peace on Earth"
Pioneer Adventurer Choir
SCRIPTURE
Luke 2:8-11
Kushata Mbaiwa
MUSIC
"Jesus Light of the World"
Pioneer Adventurer Choir
"THE GIFT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING"
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
MUSIC
"Messiah"
Pioneer Adventurer Choir
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 1:23
Samuel Fiuza
MUSIC
"God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman" • arr. Daniel Cerna
7th and 8th Grade Choir, Daniel Cerna, director
"ACCEPTING THE GIFT"
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
CAROL CYCLE
"Away in a Manger" • words of 124, st. 1, 3
"As With Gladness Men of Old" • 123, st. 1-3
"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" • 140, st. 1, 2
BENEDICTION
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
CLOSING MUSIC
"While By My Sheep I Watched at Night" • trad. carol
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
Spring Semester GROW Groups
Spring semester GROW Groups will begin the 1st week of February. If you would like to lead a group please text LEAD to 269-281-2345 or click the link below to submit the attached form on or before December 15. https://pmchurch.org/ministries/growgroups/register
Dr. Woodrow Whidden, 10/15/1944 - 11/11/2025
Woodrow Whidden died peacefully at home beside his loving wife, Peggy, on Tuesday, November 11. He lived a full life devoted to his family, the ministry, teaching and academic writing. Pioneer has been his home church since 1990 when he began teaching at Andrews. Your love, generosity and comforting presence in the days since Woody's passing have meant so much to our family. Everyone is invited to a public memorial service here at PMC on Friday, December 5, at 1 PM. Love and Thanks from The Whidden Family
Offering for November 22, 2025
Michigan Advance Partners
I remember the moment when my wife and I said, “I do” on our wedding day. We made a covenant promise and pledge before God that we would love and be faithful and true to each other. We expressed this covenant of love with words, actions, and gifts to each other! The day we all accepted the Lord, we too made a covenant of love with Him. We honor Him when we take time to worship Him and share His love with others by acts of kindness. But another way we develop our relationship with God and honor and glorify Him is when we return our gifts of time, talents, and our tithes and offerings to Him. "The Lord made a special covenant with men, that if they would regularly set apart the portion designated for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, the Lord would bless them abundantly, so there would not be room to receive His gifts" (Counsels on Stewardship, p.77).
God has given us this opportunity to enter into a partnership with the Ruler of the universe who is not only interested in the orderly operation of the great galaxies of heaven but also interested in every detail of our lives. Have you set aside your gifts for Him today? Let’s support the ministries around our conference that help people learn more about our God of love.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Happy Health Cooking Demonstration
The Happy, Healthy Holiday 2025 Cooking demonstration will be on Sunday, Nov. 23 from 3:00 to 5:30 PM in the Youth Chapel, with samples for everyone downstairs. They are featuring vegan foods suitable for festive events. This event is being co-hosted by Pioneer Health and Wellness, Healthy Together Friends, and RMES Home and School. To register text "FOOD" to 269-281-2345. Questions: please contact Evelyn Kissinger at evelynkissinger@gmail.com.
Pioneer Women's Ministries 2025 Advent Devotionals
Pioneer Women’s Ministries’ Advent devotionals will highlight a few of the promises of Jesus. To receive the “Red Letter Promises” daily devotionals by email for the first 25 days of December, text the word “ADVENT” to 269-281-2345. You can also receive a short daily text message preview of each day's devotional by providing your cell phone number when you register. We pray you will sense the nearness of Jesus during this holy season through these devotionals.
Sabbath School Volunteers Needed
Give our Pioneer kids a gift this holiday season - your time, teaching or supporting Sabbath Schools, 10:30-11:30 AM each Sabbath. Text CHILDREN to 269-281-2345 or email childrenss@pmchurch.org to learn more.
13th Annual Voice Vespers
Come worship with the AU Dept. of Music voice students for their annual voice vespers: "For Unto Us A Child Is Born". Focusing on songs celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Seeking Voices for Sabbath Video Series!
Adventist Learning Community is producing a short series exploring Sabbath keeping and its impact on everyday life. We're looking for individuals to interview who joined the Adventist Church within the last 15 to 20 years and are comfortable on camera. If you're open to sharing your experience and how Sabbath has shaped your life, please contact Luke Bowers at lbowersweb@gmail.com, we'd love to hear from you!
Adventist-Muslim Relations Group
Join us to pray for active missionaries and explore how to build bridges between Adventists and Muslims. We meet at 6:30 PM on the first and third Monday each month in the Leadership Lab of the Campus Center at Andrews University.
