AUDIO (some noise)
The Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church service on May 12, 2018 began with Ginny Arce having the Ministry Corner. She focused on the mothers in the congregation, the mothers to be, the father to be, and people who are mothering the mothers to be. Ellen White says that while some people don’t care what others think of them, some mothers make a needless display of clothing and ornaments.
Ricardo Reid welcomed everyone and mentioned that most announcements were on the back of the church bulletin. Vespers is at 7:00 p.m. – bring your Bibles. God wants us to reach out to residents of the nursing home; they need friends.
Jeremy Westcott played an introit. The congregation had a silent invocation and then sang “Holy, Holy, Holy”. Rich Sutton had the main prayer; the congregation responded with “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”.
Mark (sophomore) then called for the offering. John Ellis and Clayton Brandt then collected the morning offerings; the loose offering went to the world budget. The congregation sang the doxology, and Mark prayed for the offering.
Citlali (senior) told the children a story. Samantha (sophomore) led the congregation in a responsive reading titled “The Lord’s Work” taken from Isaiah 61.
After compacting the congregation into the front rows of the left-hand section of the church, the sophomore Bible students divided the congregation into five groups to discuss what the mission of the Laurelbrook church is. Jeremy Westcott discussed the mission of the Laurelbrook church and posed four basic questions to the groups. The group members answered questions in writing and handed these in so the sophomore Bible students could see these answers (along with Ricardo Reid, the head elder).
The congregation sang “Rescue the Pershing”, led by Samantha (sophomore) and Lisha Westcott. Jeremy Westcott had the closing prayer.
Personel Other Than Students:
Clayton Brandt – works Laurelbrook’s heavy equipment and trash collection
John Ellis – local church deacon / retired mechanic / former Laurelbrook staff member
Jeremy Westcott – teaches some of the English classes Elementary School teacher
Ricardo Reid – local head church elder / works in the Laurelbrook Nursing Home
Following are some notes on the presentation:
- First question – why does the Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church exist?
- Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
- John 20:21 - “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
- One of the purposes of a church board is to organize evangelistic efforts.
- Adventist church members have definite occupations, but interwoven with these occupations is the carrying of the gospel to the world.
- Church members should be the best they can be in their chosen occupation with introducing God along with whatever they do.
- Ellen White says that a definite aim in any occupation carries a person to new heights and to new methods of introducing God to people
- Within the last two years, what are some activities our church has done which has helped to accomplish this mission?
- Within the next two years, what are some things we can do as a church to help accomplish that mission?
- This could be evangelistic meetings, concerts in the park, or donating time and money to the radio station.
- Ellen White says that service to God can include writing a letter to someone, sending a truth filled paper to someone, giving counsel to those who are in difficulty, or conducting Bible classes.
- What would you like to help the church accomplish by taking part in this activity? Who do you have a passion for? Where are your gifts and capabilities? What have you been able to accomplish in the past? When are you able to begin (you may need to start with gathering materials)?
- Witnessing should start in our families.