Pioneer Women's Ministries invites you to share in the joy of the season by registering for this year's Advent devotionals, "Why Did Jesus Come? Going beyond John 3:16." Join us as we dig deeper into God's amazing love, care, and deep desire to spend eternity with us. Devotionals will be sent daily December 1-25, 2024. You can receive a brief synopsis of each day's devotional by text and the full devotional by email by texting the word ADVENT to 269.281.2345. We look forward to sharing this blessed season with you.
The Secret of the Seed
The Secret of the Seed: Unleashing the Divine Potential in You - 2
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
Saturday, April 06, 2013
More In This Series
“The Secret of the Seed: Unleashing the Divine Potential in You”—2
□ One Verse
- Ecclesiastes 11:1 NIV—“Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.”
□ Three Calls
- #1—a call from God to international students
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#2—a call from God to all
- “The home missionary work [work for Christ at home] will be farther advanced in every way when a more liberal, self-denying, self-sacrificing spirit is manifested for the prosperity of foreign missions [work for Christ across the sea]; for the prosperity of the home work depends largely, under God, upon the reflex influence of the evangelical work done in countries afar off.” (Christian Service 170)
- Sabbath School Missions: www.pmchurch.org (click on to “adventist giving”)
- Adventist Frontier Missions: www.afmonline.org
- REACH International: www.reach.org
- Quiet Hour: www.qhministries.org
- Student Missions: www.andrews.edu/cm/change/missions
- #3—a call from God to a select group
Hudson Taylor:
“How are we going to treat the Lord Jesus Christ with reference to this command [Mark 16:15—‘Go to every creature’]? Shall we definitely drop the title Lord as applied to Him, and take the ground that we are quite willing to recognize Him as our Savior, so far as the penalty of sin is concerned, but are not prepared to own ourselves ‘bought with a price’ (1 Cor 6:20), or Him as having any claim to our unquestioning obedience? Shall we say that we are our own masters, willing to yield something as His due, who bought us with His blood, provided He does not ask too much ? Our lives, our loved ones, our possessions are our own, not His; we will give Him what we think fit, and obey any of His requirements that do not demand too great a sacrifice? To be taken to heaven by Jesus Christ we are more than willing, but we will not have this Man to reign over us [Luke 19:14]?
“The heart of every Christian will undoubtedly reject the proposition, so formulated ; but have not countless lives in each generation been lived as though it were proper ground to take? How few of the Lord's people have practically recognized the truth that Christ is either Lord of all, or is not Lord at all! If we can judge God's Word instead of being judged by that Word, if we can give to God as much or as little as we like, then we are lords and He is the indebted one, to be grateful for our dole and obliged by our compliance with His wishes. If, on the other hand, He is Lord, let us treat Him as such. `Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?’ (Luke 6:46).” (Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor 375-376)
Will you go?
The Secret of the Seed:
The farther away the planting, the greater by far the reaping.
2024 Advent Devotionals
Fellowship Dinner
Following the second worship service, there will not be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath.
Offering for November 23, 2024
Michigan Advance Partners
“Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”(Exodus 40:34) Years ago, members of Metropolitan Church in Plymouth, Michigan, decided to build a “tabernacle” to praise His holy name!
Unfortunate things happen on this side of eternity – sometimes to earthly tabernacles. Regrettably, water dripping from a leaking roof drenched the carpeting in various parts of the church building. This prompted the church to initiate a fundraising campaign for the repairs and updating of the church interior. Simultaneously, an indoor pipe burst, producing serious flooding to the entire interior, which caused the immediate need for major repair of the entire church interior.
Given the serious water damage, the Church Board requested financial assistance from the Michigan Conference MAP Department. It was inspiring to witness firsthand the benefits of the monthly, sacrificial giving to MAP by the members of the Michigan Conference. The church was granted $8,536.50, which was used to defray part of the large expense of roof repair. Michigan Advance Partnership is integral to sustaining our churches in Michigan. True to its name, it does act as a Partner when one of the churches requires assistance. Funds used to assist the churches are generated through generous donations by members of all Michigan churches during a special appeal made every last Sabbath of every month. Therefore, when you contribute – you are MAP.
The Book of Exodus records; “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do, and the people were restrained from bringing more . . . “(Ex. 36:5-7) Thank you for your faithful support of MAP and all of our sister churches.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Women and Friends Outdoors Group— Walk With Us!
Would you enjoy meeting sister outdoors-people? Group membership is for women but members are welcome to bring along friends or family members on the hikes. We welcome people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. No experience needed. During the winter we will hike once a month.
The Crayon Box Annual Christmas Concert
All are invited to our annual program, "Joy to the World," as our children (ages 0–12) celebrate everything that makes this joyful holiday season: Thanksgiving, Winter, Christmas and New Year's! Following the concert, a donation will be collected for our center. "Joy to the World" will be held in the Howard Performing Arts Center.
"Reminiscence" Voice Recital
Come and enjoy music performed by Raleigh Pettey, baritone, and Jonathan Clough, pianist—an evening celebrating God's gift of music through singing.
Grow Groups Ministry Meeting
On Sabbath, November 23, at 3:30 PM in the PMC Commons, there will be an organizing and planning meeting for Grow Group leaders and for those who are interested in small group ministry.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
We invite you to take part in the Feed the Need, Pioneer’s annual Thanksgiving food collection coordinated by the Evergreen Pathfinder club. The club dropped bags in the community last weekend. They will return to pick them up on November 17.
You can also bring your donation of non-perishable food to church on Sabbath November 23. As part of "A Feast of Hymns" Pathfinders will collect the food bags during the Procession of Thanksgiving.
If you know of a family in the area who needs food this upcoming holiday season call Pioneer at 269.471.6565 to submit their name to receive a food bag/box.
10th Annual 'We Sing' Voice Vespers: A Tribute to Hale & Wilder
Join the AU Department of Music voice students for their annual 'We Sing' Voice Vespers. This year marks the 10th year and features a tribute to the iconic singing duo 'Hale & Wilder'. Robert Hale and Dean Wilder sang over 4,000 sacred concerts. The voice
students and special guests will present selections from their repertoire. Marcelo Martins joins as a guest accompanist.
Dinosaur Encounter
Dinosaur Encounter is coming to Berrien Springs High School on December 7, 2024. Reserve your tickets at dinoencounter.com/pmc
