Laurelbrook’s church service on November 2, 2019 began with the ministry corner and announcement period by Clayton Brandt. There were no announcements.
Freddy (sophomore) played a musical introduction to the service. Clayton Brandt had the invocation. The congregation sang “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”. Clifton Brandt had the Morning Prayer; the congregation sang “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”.
Sebastian Roy-Lavalle and Eldric (junior) 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”. Clifton Brandt prayed for the offerings.
Clifton Brandt told the children a story about being in the car as a child with his family headed towards a picnic. Suddenly Clifton looked out the window and saw a car in their lane headed straight toward them. His father put the car over the concrete curb. A voice had told his father that a car would be in his lane over a hill. This helped his father avoid a fatal collusion.
Eldric (junior) played his saxophone for special music, accompanied by Freddy on the piano. Clayton Brandt then had a few thoughts on the Last Supper. The congregation then participated in the foot washing, the women in the church and the men in the nearby boys’ dorm lobby.
The congregation then took part in the communion. Heissel and Daphne (seniors) were the deaconesses. Robert D. Zollinger, Clifton Brandt, and Clayton Brandt served as elders. Sebastian Roy-Lavallee and Eldric (junior) passed out the bread and grape juice.
The basic scripture reading used for the service was 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 “23 ¶ For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.”
After the communion service, the congregation sang “The Old Rugged Cross”. Clayton Brandt had the closing prayer. Clifton Brandt mentioned that this service meant a lot to him because of the hope of the resurrection it symbolized. Heissel and Daphne replaced the communion table cover. Sebastian Roy-Lavallee collected an offering for the poor at the back of church sanctuary.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Clayton Brandt – local church elder / works with Laurelbrook’s heavy equipment
Clifton Brandt – works with the water and sewer systems
Robert D. Zollinger – retired Laurelbrook president and board chairman
Sebastian Roy-Lavallee – men’s work coordinator / head local church deacon
Following are some notes on the sermon:
- Jesus had a private meeting with His disciples before His crucifixion to tell them some last thoughts.
- These disciples were to take the gospel to the world.
- But Jesus saw the disciples torn by a desire for power and a question as to who was going to act as a servant. How was He to reach them?
- So He acted the part of a servant, washing the disciples’ feet and filling the disciples with bitter shame. This led to a complete change in their hearts. The disciples moved to a closer fellowship with each other.
- Ellen White says temptation had led the disciples into evil. We have the same problem and must have the same cleansing grace so we are ready for the blessings God has for us.
- If we have wronged someone, we need to make this right. This service helps us cleanse our hearts and draw us closer to Jesus.