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
Storm
Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark - 1
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, January 07, 2017
Program:
As We Begin
Andante moderato • Marcel Dupré
Prayer
Rodlie Ortiz
Baptism
Gianna Williams with Ben Martin
Tithes & Offerings
Christ Is the World's Light • Robert Hobby
Children's Story
Bible Reading
Psalm 46 NIV
Worship in Music
If With All Your Hearts (from Elijah) • Felix Mendelssohn
Sermon
“Storm: Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark”—1 • Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
O for That Flame of Living Fire • 264
As We Depart
Be Not Afraid (from Elijah) • Felix Mendelssohn
More In This Series
“STORM: Finding Jesus in the Gathering Dark”—1
- The Storm
- Mark 4:35-40
- Desire of Ages: “Absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, they had forgotten that Jesus was on board. Now, seeing their labor vain and only death before them, they remembered at whose command they had set out to cross the sea. In Jesus was their only hope. In their helplessness and despair they cried, ‘Master, Master!’” But the dense darkness hid Him from their sight. Their voices were drowned by the roaring of the tempest, and there was no reply. Doubt and fear assailed them. Had Jesus forsaken them? Was He who had conquered disease and demons, and even death, powerless to help His disciples now? Was He unmindful of them in their distress? Again they call, but there is no answer except the shrieking of the angry blast. Already their boat is sinking. A moment, and apparently they will be swallowed up by the hungry waters.” (334)
- The Prayer
- Jim Cymbala: “I have come to the sad conclusion that Christians have lost faith in God’s promises concerning prayer. How else can we explain why prayer isn’t paramount in our lives and in our churches? If we believed his promises, wouldn’t we sometimes preach entire series about prayer? Wouldn’t we make room for prayer in [Sabbath] services and set aside weekly times where we could together learn to call on God for his help? We would—unless we are convinced that the status quo is acceptable and we don’t need help from heaven. The key to prayer that changes things is a deep sense of inadequacy and helplessness among God’s people.” (STORM: Hearing Jesus for the Times We Live In 42)
- Paul Miller: “God wants us to come to him empty-handed, weary, and heavy-laden. Instinctively we want to get rid of our helplessness before we come to God. . . . If we think we can do life on our own, we will not take prayer seriously. Our failure to pray will always feel like something else—a lack of discipline or too many obligations. But when something is important to us, we make room for it. Prayer is simply not important to many Christians because Jesus is already an add-on. That is why . . . suffering is so important to the process of learning how to pray. It is God’s gift to us to show us what life is really like.” (A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World 54, 59)
- Jim Cymbala: “If we look at society today, if we look at the challenge of a country becoming more godless by the week, if we look at laws being passed that mock any form of morality—instead of lamenting and protesting, wouldn’t it be better for us to plead with God to visit his people? We need to move toward God, and it begins with desperate prayer.” (Ibid 43)
- 1 Samuel 1:10, 15, 16
- Ellen White: “We are to pray for the impartation [gift] of the Spirit as the remedy for sin-sick souls. The church needs to be converted, and why should we not prostrate ourselves at the throne of grace, as representatives of the church, and from a broken heart and contrite spirit make earnest supplication that the Holy Spirit shall be poured out upon us from on high? Let us pray that when [the Holy Spirit] shall be graciously bestowed, our cold hearts may be revived, and we may have discernment to understand that it is from God, and receive it with joy.” (Ye Shall Receive Power 321)
The New Year Gift
Nathan Greene Christmas Art Studio
Fellowship Dinner
There will be fellowship dinner served in the Pioneer commons on the lower level following second service this Sabbath. Bring a dish to share and join the fellowship. Visitors are always welcome.
Offering for December 3, 2022
Pioneer Operating Budget
Special Provider
Psalms 145:15 “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.”
We worship God with our resources because He often makes provision for our needs even before they arise. In a dream, the Lord informed Pharoah about the 7 years of severe famines that would strike Egypt. However, before the beginning of the crisis, he provided 7 years of abundance. Under the inspired leadership of Joseph, they could save the surplus and adequately prepare for the crisis. God provided before the need. Joseph told his brothers about the God who acted in anticipation: “But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance (Gen 45:7). Our needs and emergencies of today never take God by surprise or put Him off balance.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, a family had witnessed how God acted in anticipation of their needs. Because they were staying in a foreign country, the wife had to renew her employment authorization. The process took much longer than expected. After some few months of waiting, her current work authorization expired, and she was terminated from her job. The family budget was not balancing anymore. At first, they thought that the authorization would come in a few days. It was not so. Interestingly, exactly 7 months before she lost her job, the week that many companies were closing down and dismissing employees, causing a record high unemployment rate, she miraculously held onto her job. This allowed the family to consolidate their emergency fund not knowing the challenge they would soon face. Regularly, they would check the status of her application. The waiting time grew from 3 months to 4 months, 5 months, and finally up to 9 months. It was a testing time. During this extended time, their consolidated emergency fund kept them afloat. More accurately, it was the work of God who makes provision even before needs arise.
This week as we worship with our tithe and regular offerings let us show our gratitude to the Provider who already has solutions for our unforeseen crises.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
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.
Christmas Banquet for Seniors
If you did not attend the last ASM potluck at the Village Fellowship Hall on November 13, you probably have not had a chance to RSVP for the Christmas Banquet to be held at the Village Fellowship Hall on Sunday, December 11, at 1:00 PM. Aside from the 55 people who already put their names on the Banquet list that day, here is how to RSVP now and be included: *Call PMC (269-471-3133 if you are a member at PMC). The deadline for calling these numbers is December 6, in order that the caterer can order and prepare enough food for all who are coming. This is a PMC-sponsored program and the food is paid for by PMC and Village churches. Thank you very much, and we look forward to fellowshipping together with PMC and Village pastors!
Flowers for This Sabbath (December 3)
Pastor Eric and Mrs. Ruth Webster wish to express gratitude to God for 72 years of happy marriage. They are contributing flowers for the church service this week.
Memorial Service for Sharon Dudgeon
The memorial service for Sharon Dudgeon will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at Pioneer Memorial Church. The family will start receiving family and friends at PMC starting at 1:00 PM. All are invited to attend to celebrate the life of Sharon.
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.
Soup for Students is back!
Can you believe that our last Soup for Students was three years ago? If you’re new, Soup for Students is a practical way for Pioneer to show love and care for our University students during final’s week by providing some fresh hot soup and salad. This is taking place on Tuesday, December 13th, at 6 PM in our PMC Commons. We need 30 volunteers who are willing to bring a pot of soup. You can also be involved by helping serve or clean up afterwards. For more information or to register text the word SOUP to 269-281-2345.
Bring a Toy, Spread Some Joy
On Sabbath December 10, during both services, we are bringing back the toy collection to give and share with the children in our community. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to share for ages newborn through 16. These will be given to the children in our
community.