The Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church service on September 1, 2018 began with a welcome by Joubert Pierre, who then made a few announcements.
Samantha (sophomore) played an introit. The congregation had a silent invocation and then sang “Sweet By and By”. Joubert Pierre had the main prayer; the congregation responded with “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”.
Isaac (elementary) then called for the offering. Daryll Ellis and Holden (sophomore) then collected the morning offerings; the loose offering went to the local church budget. The congregation sang the doxology, and Elyjah prayed for the offering. Eliseo (junior) on the cello and Eric (senior) and Eric on guitar played an instrumental duet during the collecting of the offerings.
Stephanie Roy-Lavellee told the children a story about stopping at a red light. When she went to go through the light, another car came speeding through even though the person had a red light. She called on Jesus, and her car moved out of the way of the speeding car.
Zayne (9th grader) then read Isaiah 65:24 “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Mark (junior) sang “Fill My Cup, Lord” for special music. The congregation sang along with Mark. Zayne joined Mark part way through the hymn.
Richar Perez discussed the topic “I Encourage You…Son”. The congregation sang “Seeking the Lost”. Richar Perez had the closing prayer.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Daryll Ellis - Laurelbrook graduate working for nearby Majestic Stone Company
Joubert Pierre – one of the academy math teachers
Richar Perez – academy boys’ dean / campus chaplain
Stephanie Roy-Lavellee – academy girls’ dean
Following are some notes on the sermon by Richar Perez:
- Our earth is a very small part of the universe. So how does God hear us?
- Jeremiah 33:3 “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
- Isaiah 65:24 “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”
- It takes just a few seconds for human speech to go from one to another by various devices so how can God answer even quicker.
- Wherever you go in this world, there are problems. But God is there to help us with our problems, seeing them as opportunities.
- Ellen White says that Christians must control their thoughts and, if necessary, force themselves to think positive thoughts about whatever they do or have to do.
- She also says that no matter how bitter our grief or problem we must let Christ’s tranquility permeate our souls.
- She also says that if we want perfect health we must be filled with hope, love, and joy.
- Negative speaking produces a negative effect on ourselves.
- We must look up to God, not downward to the evils of this earth.
- Cheerleaders are supposed to engender positive thoughts in their audiences by encouraging them to do so.
- Matthew 9:2 “And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” Jesus was a cheerleader.
- Some people are like cheerleaders, but some people work for the devil by suggesting negative thoughts.
- Matthew 9:1-2 “1 ¶ And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.”
- 1 John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
- James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.”
- John 1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
- God knows that our greatest need is a Savior because the biggest problem is our sins.
- Matthew 9:22 “But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
- This woman believed in Jesus and was healed due to her faith.
- Matthew 14:26-27 “26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”
- Sometimes it looks like there is no solutions, but Jesus is there.
- Acts 23:11 “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”
- Pray, smile, and give thanks when you have problems.
- Cheerfulness is not a problem but a necessity for a Christian.