The church service in the Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church on August 3, 2019 began with Clayton Brandt welcoming everyone. Lori Brandt is in more pain and in need of our prayers.
Daniel (freshman) played an introit on the piano. Rodney Herra had the invocation. The congregation sang “Don’t Forget the Sabbath. Clayton Brandt had the main prayer.
Clayton Brandt called for the offering; the loose offering will go to the local church budget. Daryll Ellis and Daryen (senior) collected the church offerings. Clayton Brandt then prayed for the offering.
Brenda Herra told the children a story about two little boys climbing a tree. Grandpa came out and warned the boys not to get hurt. The two boys competed in everything. Grandpa complained about a skunk. He felt that you could pick up a skunk by the tail. One boy grabbed the skunk by the tail. Then he put it down. The other boy backed out of range. Unfortunately, the skunk sprayed the boy who had had held by the tail, resulting in a tomato juice bath. The boy learned to be careful about other’s opinions and urgings.
Rebecca Nowdesha led the congregation in singing “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” for special music. Rodney Herra then spoke on the topic “Seeking the Lost”. The congregation sang “Redeemed”. Rodney Herra had the closing prayer.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Brenda Herra – student vocational coordinator
Clayton Brandt – works with Laurelbrook’s heavy equipment
Daryll Ellis – works for the nearby stone company / Laurelbrook graduate / local deacon
Rebecca Nowdesha – assistant girls’ dean
Rodney Herra – former staff member who runs an auto repair business on Highway 30 / local church head elder
Following are some notes from the sermon:
- Luke 15 – parables of The Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son.
- Luke 15:3-32 “3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together [his] friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find [it]? 9 And when she hath found [it], she calleth [her] friends and [her] neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. 11 ¶ And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to [his] father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth [to me]. And he divided unto them [his] living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to [his] father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”
- In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, there are three groups - the shepherd, the 99 living a normal life, and the one lost sheep. It probably wandered off looking for greener grass.
- None of the 99 went looking for the lost sheep.
- We get lost by little compromises. We let our friends interest us in alcohol, for example.
- In the Lost Coin, one piece of silver gets lost. The ten pieces of silver represent the world because they are ignorant of their condition. Are we looking for people who need Jesus?
- In the Prodigal Son, the boys are wishing for an inheritance and wishing dad was dead. The younger son finally was eating pig slop. The dad met the boy far off. He had been watching for the boy and was ready with a celebration.
- The elder son had all the joys of home, but he was lost, too.
- Most of us fit into the 99 or the elder son. Both were enjoying all the comforts possible but doing nothing.
- Is the staff training the students to seek those who are lost?
- Every day dig into God’s Word.