On September 7, 2019, the Laurelbrook church service began with a welcome and announcements by Rodney Herra. Next Sabbath there will be a fellowship meal in the cafeteria.
Leilani (senior) played an introit, Rodney Herra had the invocation, and the congregation sang “Jesus Is All the World to Me”. Rodney Herra had the Morning Prayer, and the congregation sang “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”.
Rodney Herra then called for the morning offerings; the loose offerings went toward the local church budget. Leilani played while Daryll Ellis collected the offerings. The congregation sang “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow”, and Rodney Herra prayed for the offerings.
Esther Chun told the children a story about her sister who wanted a dog. Then the family got a “naked” cat, a cat with little or no fur. She was a gentle cat and very friendly despite her appearance. Proverbs 18:24 (in part) “A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly”. Be friendly to those you meet.
Some of the dorm girls sang for special music (the rest of the girls were on Sabbath ministry in the nursing home or elsewhere). Rodney Herra talked about “Who Do You Say I Am?” The congregation sang “Seeking the Lost”. Rodney Herra had the closing prayer.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Daryll Ellis – works for one of the local stone companies / local church deacon
Esther Chun – Laurelbrook Elementary School teacher
Rodney Herra – local head church elder / runs an auto repair business on Highway 30
Following are some notes from the sermon:
- Matthew 16:15 “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?”
- Matthew 16:16-17 “16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”
- Moses is often remembered for being found in a basket or a person who murdered an Egyptian. Then he was a shepherd dealing with non-intelligent sheep for 40 years. Maybe we remember him dealing with Pharaoh or the Red Sea.
- Gideon may be remembered for tearing down Baal’s altar during the night. Maybe we remember Gideon asking the Lord about the fleece. Maybe he is remembered for beating the Midianites with 300 men and God’s help.
- Noah may be remembered for that big ark or telling people the Flood was coming with the people having no experience of rain.
- Joseph may be remembered for a spoiled young man who was sold into slavery or interpreting dreams or being second-in-command in Egypt.
- Abraham may be remembered for his dishonesty or preparing to sacrifice Isaac.
- Why were each of these people brought into existence? Every one of these saved God’s people.
- What will each of us leave behind us when we leave this world?
- We’re here to seek the lost.