VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2

Pastor's Blog

Of Drones, Missiles, and Love on the Move

Drones and missiles—intended precision, intended misses?—what just happened? Perhaps the simplest explanation is it’s the New Year. Again. And nothing’s changed really. Not that the world was expecting much of a change. Life goes on, pretty much paying back in the cyclical currency we’re all used to—night and day, hot and cold, wet and dry, happy and sad, up and down, peace and war, strong and weak, love and hate, fear and calm, winners and losers, haves and have-nots, and on and on. Human, planetary cycles—we get it, we live with their ebb and flow.  Read more

Feature Announcement

GROW Group Leaders Wanted!

The spring semester has begun and a new season of GROW Groups is coming! GROW Groups are PMC's small groups that incorporate 5 S's: Shared interest, Spiritual touchpoint, Service project, Social event, Semester-based. GROW Groups are for EVERYONE in our community to enjoy–you don't need to be a church member to join.
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Right now we're looking for leaders. If you are passionate about something and want to use that passion to foster community and lead others to Jesus, we will do our best to help you make it into a GROW Group! Let us know as soon as possible because the deadline to sign up to lead a group is January 24. For more information please email growgroups@pmchurch.org or visit pmchurch.org/grow to sign up.

Feature Announcement

Friday Volunteers Needed

January–March

If you could be available for approximately one hour around noon, possibly a bit longer, to place insert(s) into the bulletins, please call or email Claudia at 269.471.3134 or sowler@pmchurch.org for additional information.

Feature Announcement

Pioneer Member
Engagement Survey

During the month of January 2020, the Volunteer Engagement Committee (VEC) of Pioneer Memorial Church is reminding us of the many opportunities for service at PMC. The reminder is in the form of a survey that you find inserted in this weekend's bulletin. It is also available online. Please fill it out. Your service will bring joy and encouragement to those who you impact.

Feature Announcement

Stewardship: Faithfulness in All Things

"I will put my trust in Him." Each of us has valuable resources and talents. One such resource is trust. Whom do we trust? How much do we trust? When do we trust? There is One that is the answer to each of those questions. Put your whole trust in Him: He will give you the power to be Faithful in All Things.

What happens when faithlessness destroys trust? Is everything lost? Since the time of Adam and Eve, the answer from God is, "No, all is not lost. Believe and trust again in Me from where you are in your life journey and I will respond and I will save." "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Heb. 10:23. God in Christ gives us the ability to believe even in our weakness.

In Mark 9, we read:
17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 
18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
19 "You unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood,” he answered. 
22 "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
23 "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes."
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." 
27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. (NIV)

Faithlessness is destroyed and trust begins again anytime we call out, "help me overcome my unbelief." Power to be Faithful in All Things comes when we call upon Christ. "I will put my trust in Him."

Thank You!

Angel Tree
A big thank you to those who participated in Pioneer’s Angel Tree program. Your gifts, effort and time were truly appreciated. Love was shown in tangible ways to 22 families and 31 kids. The true message of Christmas was conveyed in action to these individuals. We hope and pray for continued blessings to you and your family.

Christmas Breakfast in Church
The Pioneer Annual Christmas Breakfast was well attended. There was lots of food and lots of smiles. It was a perfect day to catch up, to welcome new church members, and a great opportunity to appreciate people who have helped through the year. It was a special time to cultivate the bonds that hold us together as a church family. As a Pioneer family, we are grateful to be able to celebrate Christmas together in this special way. Thank you all for coming and a special to all the volunteers who helped set up, serve, and clean up.