The church service in the Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church on July 13, 2019 began with John Ellis welcoming everyone and making announcements. There will be a church board meeting Monday at 6:30. All other announcements are on the back of the church bulletin.
Freddy (sophomore) played an introit on the piano. Clayton Brandt had the invocation. The congregation sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. John Ellis had the main prayer.
John Ellis called for the offering, which will go to the North America Division’s women’s ministry. Sebastien Roy-Lavallee and Daryen (senior) collected the church offerings. John Ellis then prayed for the offering.
Lois Davis told the children about a girl who was afraid of going by an old vine-covered house where an old gentleman lived. The girl felt sorry for the old gentleman known for being grouchy. Her mother told her he was just a lonely old person. The girl prayed for him, asking Jesus to come into the old gentleman’s heart. A voice asked if she would be willing to talk to him about Jesus. She eventually knocked on his door and told him that she wanted him to be happy. He grinned and invited her in. She told him about the love of Jesus and how Jesus could make him happy. She prayed for Jesus to come into his heart and make him happy. He then prayed for Jesus to come into his heart. Anyone can share the love of Jesus with anyone.
Leilani (senior) then read John 1:45-46 “45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.”
Clayton Brandt then spoke on the topic “Come and See.” Heissel and Maria (seniors) sang a vocal duet for special music. The congregation sang “We Would See Jesus”. Clayton Brandt had the closing prayer.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Clayton Brandt – works with Laurelbrook’s heavy equipment
John Ellis – retired mechanic / former Laurelbrook staff member
Lois Davis – secretary to the president / puts together the church bulletins each week
Following are some notes from the sermon:
- 2 Peter 1:2-3 “2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”
- Satan has tried to wipe out the knowledge of God.
- The unfallen worlds wondered what God was really like after watching rebellion spread from heaven to earth. Then they saw the wickedness that led to the Flood and God’s witnesses – the Israelites – fail to accomplish God’s plan. Then they saw Christ assume humanity, a painful process for Jesus. These worlds saw Jesus’ agony on the Mount of Olives. Jesus’ agony was so great at the time of the cross that He could see past the death He must die.
- At this point, these unfallen worlds knew what God was like.
- Ellen White says that through the knowledge of God we have hope.
- Apostle John came closer to Jesus than any other disciple. The themes of John’s books concern the love of God.
- The goodness of God changes us.
- John saw majesty and meekness in Jesus. It attracted John to Jesus.
- Ephesians 2:7 “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
- Jesus wants us to be in heaven so He can show us His goodness.
- In a dream, Ellen White saw that Jesus welcomed her, took her up some steep steps, and went through a door into the presence of Jesus. Jesus knew her life very well and told her not to be afraid. She seemed to have reached the peace and happiness. She was given a green cord to put next to her heart when she wanted to be with Jesus. The cord represented faith.
- In Revelation, Jesus says that those who overcome will sit with Him on His throne, the greatest happiness we can experience.
- Ellen White says that we can begin heaven here by coming close to God.
- Being with God in heaven will provide us with ever-increasing happiness.