The church service in the Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church on April 27, 2019 began with a welcome and announcements by Clayton Brandt. Lori Brandt, Clifton’s wife, is in Memorial Hospital. The doctors are keeping her comfortable. Joyce Greer is also in Memorial Hospital.
Jeremy Westcott played an introit on the piano. Clayton Brandt had the invocation. The congregation sang “Praise to the Lord”. Brian Traxler had the main prayer; the congregation responded with “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”.
Mark (junior) called for the offering, which will go to local conference. John Ellis and Eldric (sophomore) collected the church offerings. Mark then prayed for the offering.
Lois Davis told everyone a story about David Brainerd, missionary to the Native Americans in the New England area. The Indians decided to send a group to investigate David Brainerd. When the Native Americans arrived at his camp, they heard him praying. A large rattlesnake went into the tent while the Native Americans watched and crawled over David Brainerd’s legs. In a few minutes, the snake left the tent, not biting the missionary. The Indians welcomed David Brainerd, and many of them were converted.
Eliseo (junior) played “I Need Thee Every Hour” on his cello, accompanied by Felix (junior) on the piano for special music.
Mark (junior) read the scripture reading – 2 Chronicles 20:15 “And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle [is] not yours, but God’s.”
Brian Traxler then spoke on the topic “Our Eyes Are Upon You?” The congregation sang “Under His Wings”. Brian Traxler had the closing prayer.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Brian Traxler – nursing home administrator in training
Clayton Brandt – works with Laurelbrook’s heavy equipment
Jeremy Westcott – teaches some of the academy classes and works with the campus music department
Following are some notes from the sermon:
- When he was in his 20s, he was Laurelbrook’s boys’ dean. Many memories of his service here.
- Jehoshaphat faced a crisis.
- 2 Chronicles 20:1-6 “1 ¶ It came to pass after this also, [that] the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them [other] beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they [be] in Hazazontamar, which [is] Engedi. 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask [help] of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. 5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, [art] not thou God in heaven? and rulest [not] thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand [is there not] power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?”
- Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast to clear his mind, he sought the Lord before people from all over his kingdom, and then he prayed, acknowledging his utter helplessness.
- 2 Chronicles 20:12 “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes [are] upon thee.”
- The king didn’t know what to do.
- 2 Chronicles 20:12 (last part) – his prayer shows he didn’t even have a plan. But everyone’s eyes were fixed on God.
- With today’s technology, we feel that we have access to all the answers.
- When the Traxlers were at Heritage, the school needed a new girls’ dorm. The faculty decided to raise the remaining funds for the dorm despite the fact they didn’t know where to get the money. Maranatha was coming to build the dorm.
- In Judah’s case, a prophet had a message. 2 Chronicles 20:15 “And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle [is] not yours, but God’s.
- 2 Chronicles 20:17 “Ye shall not [need] to fight in this [battle]: set yourselves, stand ye [still], and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD [will be] with you.”
- With God’s power, Judah won.
- Brian went into his office and found a $30,000 check from an older staff member. Then came a call from someone connected with McKee’s. She pledged money ($36,000) if a certain property sold. Then the bakery sent $20,000 more.
- Eventually, the money came in to complete the girls’ dorm at Heritage.
- God also provided windows when Laurelbrook needed them to complete the old girls’ dorm that was recently torn down.
- If your eyes are on Jesus, He will see you through.