The #1 Thanksgiving

Nobody knows the day in 1621 for that first Thanksgiving on these shores. “. . . it was probably in late September or early October, soon after [the Pilgrim’s] crop of corn, squash, beans, barley, and peas had been harvested” (Nathaniel Philbrick Mayflower 117). The decimated band of immigrant refugees to the New World had by a breath barely survived that treacherous winter before. Read more

Feature Announcement

Feast of Lights

Be inspired by a program of music, Scripture readings, and drama honoring the King of Kings. Feast of Lights is an evening of bells, instrumental music, choral and congregational singing, lights, and a Nativity scene joyfully retelling the Christmas story.

Friday, December 13, 7:00 PM
Location: Pioneer Memorial Church Sanctuary

Feature Announcement

Pastor José to Leave

I've got good news and bad news. Let’s do the bad news first. Jose Bourget, our executive pastor this past year and our associate chaplain for Andrews University the previous seven years, is leaving us. Over these eight years, he has made a major contribution to Pioneer’s life, serving as our second service worship team leader organizing the student leaders and musicians from Sabbath to Sabbath, as well as filling multiple roles as associate chaplain for Campus Ministries. And then this past year his new pastoral role as administrator for Renovate: Heart & House has been huge—as with Carey Carscallen and the Building Committee and Karen Nash, our construction manager, he has helped guide our roof replacement and sanctuary renovation to its successful completion. All associated with this vital project know we could not have done it without Pastor Jose.

Now for the good news. He is moving 100 yards away as the newly appointed Lead Chaplain for Campus Ministries (CM) at Andrews University. With the sudden and unexpected resignations of two of the campus chaplains this summer, the university has faced the challenge of finding a new lead chaplain who could maintain essential continuity and at the same build an expanding vision for the chaplain’s office and role with the students of this university. And so after much prayer, Pastor Jose has accepted the university’s invitation to lead the CM team of chaplains and student leaders beginning January 1, 2020.

Of course, we will miss him, but we will pray for his immediate success and seek to find every way as a congregation to join him in his mission to write a new spiritual-life chapter on this campus. For him and that mission, we claim God’s promise “to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).

Our Pioneer farewell for Pastor Jose and Christine will be on Sabbath, December 7, and will include a church-wide potluck dinner and program after second service. (Be watching for further details.)

Pastor Dwight

Feature Announcement

Feed the Need

Take part in the Feed the Need, PMC’s annual Thanksgiving food collection coordinated by the PMC Evergreen Pathfinder club. Please bring non-perishable food to church on Sabbath, November 23. We will also be passing and collecting out bags in portions of the community for community members who wish to contribute. Afterward, we need your help to deliver the Thanksgiving Food Boxes made by the PMC Evergreen Pathfinder club with the food collected in church. If you can help by delivering the food boxes please come Saturday afternoon, November 23, at 4:00 PM to the PMC main entrance (green awning) and pick up names and boxes to deliver throughout the community. Thank you for being a part of this PMC family service opportunity.

Feature Announcement

Soup for Students

It is that time once again to show love and support to our students during finals week. We are looking for people to commit to a pot of soup. We need approximately 30 pots of soup and volunteers to help serve. If you are willing to participate, please complete the form below before Thursday, December 5. Drop off your pot of soup at the church on December 10, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Soup for Students
December 10, 6:00 PM
Location: Pioneer Commons

Serve

Feature Announcement

Satellite Thanksgiving Vespers

Everyone is invited to the youth-led Satellite Vespers on November 22 at 7:00 PM in the Pioneer Youth Chapel. We will focus on thankfulness and how it relates to our identity in Christ. There will be light refreshments after. See you there!

Feature Announcement

GROW Group Survey

GROW Groups are winding down for the Fall, but we’ll be starting up again in the Spring semester and we need your help! We want to know what kinds of groups you’d like to have available here at PMC so that we can do our best to meet the needs of our community. Have an idea (or two or three?) Text IDEA to 269-281-2345 and fill out the form. It’s a quick and easy way to let us know what you’re looking for in a small group! Don’t like texting? You can find the form here. Thank you for your suggestions!