There will be a fellowship dinner at Pioneer this Sabbath following second worship service in the commons on the lower level. Bring a dish to share and join the fellowship. Visitors are always welcome.
Chasing Hope
From an Empty Tomb
DVDs
To purchase a DVD of this sermon please visit our online shopping cart. Proceeds go to support the New Perceptions media ministry.Buy DVD Online Buy series
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonSince 1983, Dwight Nelson has served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University. He preaches on the “New Perceptions” telecast, teaches at the theological seminary and has written some books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Program:
As We Begin
That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright • Sharon Rogers
Praise
Christ Is Alive • Mighty to Save • How Deep the Father's Love for Us • Because He Lives
Prayer
Ben Martin
Children's Story
That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright • David Johnson
Processional of Hope
Dwight & Karen Nelson / Christ the Lord Is Risen Today • 166
Sermon
“Chasing Hope: From An Empty Tomb” • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
He Lives • 251
As We Depart
Alleluia • Théodore Dubois
More In This Series
“Chasing Hope: From an Empty Tomb”
- “The Instinct of Hope”
Is there another world for this frail dust
To warm with life and be itself again?
Something about me daily speaks there must,
And why should instinct nourish hopes in vain?
'Tis nature's prophesy that such will be,
And everything seems struggling to explain
The close sealed volume of its mystery.
Time wandering onward keeps its usual pace
As seeming anxious of eternity,
To meet that calm and find a resting place.
E'en the small violet feels a future power
And waits each year renewing blooms to bring,
And surely man is no inferior flower
To die unworthy of a second spring?
—John Clare (1793-1864)
- The Narrative of Hope
- Matthew 28:1-10
- Desire of Ages: “The earth trembles at his approach, the hosts of darkness flee, and as he rolls away the stone, heaven seems to come down to the earth. The soldiers see him removing the stone as he would a pebble, and hear him cry, Son of God, come forth; Thy Father calls Thee. They see Jesus come forth from the grave, and hear Him proclaim over the rent sepulcher, ‘I am the resurrection, and the life.’ As He comes forth in majesty and glory, the angel host bow low in adoration before the Redeemer, and welcome Him with songs of praise.” (780)
- The Promise of Hope
- 1 Peter 1:1-3
- 1 Corinthians 15:13-19
- Earnest Becker: “The soberest conclusion that we could make about what has been taking place on the planet for about three billion years is that it is being turned into a vast pit of fertilizer.” (The Denial of Death 283/in Lewis Smede’s How Can It Be All Right When Everything Is All Wrong? 132)
- 1 Peter 1:3-5 The Message: “What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.”
- Lewis Smedes: “We may as well be very candid: Christian hope is fixed on the last square of our date book. Hope bets that the last square is not that closed closet commonly called a coffin, but a front door into a new world where everything is right, right in all its dimensions. There will be an intermission, of course, between my arrival at my own private last square and the arrival of the new world. But I will not feel as if I need to wait for it to come. In fact, when I find myself in the new earth, I will feel as if I got there at the moment I left the last square of my calendar. It may be light years away, but in the new dimension it will seem like tomorrow.” (How Can It Be All Right, When Everything Is All Wrong? 124)
- Rubem A. Alves: “Hope is hearing the melody of the future. Faith is to dance to it.”
“And the future starts now!”
Fellowship Dinner
Offering for December 10, 2022
Adventist Community Services
1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.”
A man, beaten down by the rain, came to our Food Pantry for clothes & food. He was wearing a thin jacket, no shirt or socks, and we were able to serve him. He was so happy to receive the clothes that he put them on in the parking lot. Then he sat in the parking lot and ate an entire 16 oz. jar of peanut butter. He left a little more full, dressed, and hopeful than when he arrived. Thank God for the Better Living Center. (Spokane, Washington) This is only one story of many that is a result of Adventist Community
Services Centers around the North American Division that commit to serving God’s children.
Community Services is God’s invitation to do amazing things with Him. Hard times come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and Adventist Community Services is responding to individual needs, developing relationships, and committing to make a difference in people’s lives.
ACS supports community outreach programs by funding development projects that make a major impact in your communities. A washer/dryer serves thousands of homeless to bring dignity and value to their lives. A shelter provides protection and offers hope. A portable shower trailer prepares someone for abjob interview. And so much more.
“I love this facility (New Life Food Pantry, Fultondale, AL) because their Christian walk shows in their attitude of the volunteers and the way they treat the pantry participants.” – Client A
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10 By supporting ACS, you can make a lasting impact and know that your dollars are going to something that is making a difference in someone’s life.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Something In Common: Who Needs Christmas
Something In Common Sabbath School presents “Who Needs Christmas” video series with Andy Stanley
December 10- The World Did
December 17-God Did
December 24-We Do
The details of the Christmas story can seem unbelievable. So now, thousands of years after shepherds watched their flocks and wise men followed the star, you may be asking, “Who needs Christmas?”
Well, as it turns out, we all do. In the 3-part series, Andy Stanley shows us that the world needed Christmas, God needed Christmas, and we still need Christmas—but maybe not for the reason you think. Everyone is welcome. Sabbath mornings from 10:30-11:30 in PMC room 141.
Fellowship CHRISTMAS Breakfast
Let’s gather before the main worship service for a Christmas breakfast potluck on Saturday morning, December 24 from 9:00 – 10:15 AM at the Pioneer Commons. Bring your favorite breakfast items.
A – G – bread, muffin, or pastries
H – P – breakfast casserole or hot/cold cereal
Q – Z – fruits
Pioneer will provide hot and cold drinks and nuts.
Dec 10 Groupe Francophone
The Groupe Francophone D’Andrews will host a French sabbath school at 10:30, a francophone worship service at 11:45, and a fellowship potluck at 1:30 on Sabbath, Dec 10 in the Seminary Chapel. All speakers, learners, and lovers of the French language are invited to attend. Please bring a dish to share for potluck as able. RSVP to Lucile Sabas at sabas@andrews.edu if you can help with the meal.
Celebrate Community Christmas and Live Nativity
Celebrate Community Christmas - Come experience a celebration of Christ's birth from 3-6 pm on Sunday, December 18 at the Student Activity Center in downtown Eau Claire located at 6295 West Main Street Eau Claire, MI. The event also features a FREE Live Nativity from 3:30 to 5:30 PM with live animals the kids can pet, FREE Hot Cider/Hot Chocolate, popcorn and cookies, FREE Christmas Ornament Craft for the Kids, FREE Christmas Music/Karaoke, FREE Photo Backdrops for Christmas Family Photos, Silent Auctions and a Christmas Market, and Blacksmithing Demonstration. Admission: FREE Sponsored by the Eau Claire Critters Pathfinder Club and the Eau Claire SDA Church. Questions? Call or text 269-405-5026 or email Eauclairecritters@gmail.com
Garden Club Christmas Cookie Exchange Dec 11
The Berrien Springs Garden Club cordially invites you to attend our annual Christmas cookie exchange from 2-5pm on Sunday, December 11 at Love Creek Nature Center. Come learn tips and tricks from fellow local gardeners and share delicious bakery next to the festive fireplace. All ages and abilities welcome.
The BSGC is a registered non-profit affiliated with Michigan Garden Clubs and National Garden Clubs which focuses on encouraging community gardening skills, appreciation of nature, and protection of native species and pollinators.
Nathan Greene Christmas Art Studio
You are invited to a special Nathan Greene Art Studio Christmas Open House. The studio is located at 8458 Painter School Road, Berrien Center, MI. All are welcome to attend!
December 4 & 11, 6:00 PM
Update for Renovate 2.0
At the end of November, the Renovate 2.0 project and fundraising is as follows:
The Project: The final guaranteed cost, as submitted by the general contractor, Weigand Construction, is $929,641.00. This amount includes a 3% contingency. The project begins on Tuesday, Dec. 27, and is to keep on-budget. The elevator is on order and should be here mid-May 2023.
Fundraising: As of this week, there are $225,627.00 that have been given. This amount includes one portion of a $100,000 matching grant. Update #2 will be Dec. 3. Remember Renovate 2.0 in your year-end giving plans and pray for its success.
Volunteers for Weight-Loss Program
This January our Health and Wellness Ministry will launch a weight management program for the church and community called Best Weigh. It’s a proven system that combines spiritual principles with nutrition and weight management. It will be led by Dr Ken
Kelln. We’re looking for up to 20 volunteers who can serve as greeters, weigh-in helpers, a/v, parking help, and more. To get more information or to register as a volunteer, text the word HEALTH to 269-281-2345 or you can call 801-513-8809.