On Saturday, Jan. 30, the Andrews University Student Association (AUSA) hosted its annual church program at the Pioneer Memorial Church. Community members and Andrews students gathered to be part of the worship experience. Kyara Samuels (senior, nursing), the president of AUSA, warmly welcomed both those attending in-person and watching online. She detailed that the AUSA members worked diligently towards planning and preparing to continue the tradition of AUSA Sabbath. The praise team sang hymns and praise songs, followed by a congregational prayer, where requests and petitions from church members were given to God.
A highlight of the worship service was the engaging children’s story. It was about two individuals who were competing in a heated cooking competition. The takeaway from the children's story was that one should continue to persevere through all the hardships that come his or her way in life. Next, there was a special musical rendition of “All We Ask” with a trio of singers and piano accompaniment. With lyrics such as “Take me home with you my Lord, when my life is through,” it focused our attention towards following Jesus throughout our lives. Cesia Herrera (sophomore, speech-language pathology) commented on her experience during the service, saying, “I learned that people can reach a level of closeness with God so that they reflect His character. We undergo a metamorphosis, a process at our own pace without pressure. By letting the Holy Spirit in, we start the journey towards a real connection with God, which is the key.”
Soon after, Chase Wilder (sophomore, theology, sociology), the speaker for AUSA Sabbath and current religious vice-president of AUSA, was introduced. Chase prayed for the Holy Spirit to use him as a vessel so the Lord could communicate through him, and thanked Dr. Dwight Nelson for allowing them to have AUSA Sabbath. He also thanked the AUSA members, the praise team and singers, and those listening in person and online.
Chase engaged the PMC congregation by asking for answers to questions and feedback throughout his sermon. With humour and Bible verses, he centered his sermon on the Holy Spirit and Galatians 5:22. Gabriel Palacios (junior, piano performance, mathematics) appreciated the message, surmising that “Christians need to focus on living their lives how Jesus would, and should prioritize the teachings of the Bible.” Jakob Kwon (freshman, accounting) also commented on the sermon, expressing that AUSA Sabbath was “exceptional and very immersive, but most importantly spiritual. I have never experienced a PMC service so immersed in the sermon.” At the end of the service, the praise team sang a rendition of “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior,” followed by an appeal given by Chase inviting people to Bible studies and learning more about Jesus.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.