Laurelbrook’s church service on February 15, 2020 began with a welcome by Michael (senior who is an elder in training). The baptismal class will be held on Monday evening at 8:00 in the conference room.
Daniel (sophomore) played introduction for the service. Rodney Herra had the invocation. The congregation sang “Not I but Christ”. Michael had the Morning Prayer; the congregation sang “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”.
Iram (senior) announced the time for the church offerings had come. John Ellis and Daryen (senior) collected the tithes and offerings. Any money not designated for a particular purpose went toward the local church budget. The congregation sang “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”. Iram prayed for the offering.
Brenda Herra told the children a story about girls who years ago crossed the dirt road in a Western town to visit someone. When they went to cross the road to return home, they heard a noisy herd of mustang running directly toward them. The girls asked Jesus for help. The horses came near the girls and stopped, allowing them to finish crossing the road. Then the horses resumed their gallop through town.
Eldric (junior) played his saxophone for special music, accompanied by Felix (senior) on the piano. Yzzynne (freshman) read the scripture reading John 13:12 “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?”
Rodney Herra had a few thoughts about the Lord’s Supper. The church then celebrated the communion service. After the foot washing service (held for the women in the church lobby and for the men in the nearby boys’ dorm lobby), Leilani and Daphne (seniors) served as deaconesses during the service. John Ellis, Daryen (senior), Jafet (sophomore), and Harry Vermaak served as deacons during the service. Rodney Herra, Michael (senior), and Clayton Brandt were the elders.
The congregation sang “The Saviour Is Waiting”. Rodney Herra had the closing prayer. Jafet and Daryen collected an offering for the poor at the church door.
Personnel Other Than Students
Brenda Herra – wife of Rodney Hera / student vocational coordinator
Harry Vermaak – works with Laurelbrook’s farm and greenhouse
John Ellis – retired mechanic / former Laurelbrook staff member living nearby
Rodney Herra – local head church elder / runs an auto repair business on Highway 30
Following are some notes on the sermon:
- Isaiah 14:12-14 “12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”
- Lucifer was the closest to God in heaven, yet he wanted more.
- Philippines 2:1-8 “1 ¶ If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. 3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
- Jesus took the form of a slave because He loved us. He became lower than everyone.
- Luke 2:1-7 “1 ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 ([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
- Jesus came from heaven to be born and laid in a feed trough for animals.
- John 13:1-15 “1 ¶ Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s [son], to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe [them] with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also [my] hands and [my] head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash [his] feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for [so] I am. 14 If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
- Jesus became humble even washing Judas’ feet.
- Jesus was honored to take the lowest position because He loved us.
- It is an honor to wash each other’s feet.