Laurelbrook’s 2019 Baccalaureate began about 11:00 a.m. on Sabbath, May 25, 2019 in the school auditorium. Jeff Sutton, one of Rich Sutton had the invocation. Rich Sutton, Laurelbrook’s president, welcomed everyone.
The congregation sang “Work, for the Night Is Coming”. Mr. Perez, Ashley’s father, had the morning prayer. Ashley Perez translated for her father. Maria Mazariegos, Itzel’s mother, read the scripture reading – Acts 17:6 “And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;”
Citlali Huerta, Itzel’s sister, called for the offering. Gustavo, Saul, and Michael (juniors) and Eldric (sophomore) collected the offerings. While the offering was collected, Denisse (junior) played her violin. Citlali prayed for the offering. Maria and Leilani (juniors) and Yzzynne (freshman) sang “Friends Are Friends Forever” as a vocal trio for special music, accompanied by Jeremy Westcott on the piano.
Jeff Sutton then gave the Baccalaureate Address. The seniors and the congregation sang “Watch, Ye Saints “as a hymn of commitment. Sandra Luz, Jissel’s mother, then had the benediction.
Following are some notes from the Baccalaureate Address:
- I serve the God, the God of the unbelievable.
- Acts 17:6 “And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.”
- Who is turning the world upside down? Is Laurelbrook doing this? What does it take to turn the world upside down?
- William Whiting Borden graduated from high school in 1904, and his parents gave him a trip around the world. At the end of a yearlong tour, he realized the needs around the world. According to one story, in his Bible, he wrote “no reserve”, making the decision to be a missionary.
- In 1905 he enrolled at Yale and began prayer groups. Evenings he would pull people out of bars and pray with them. Yale personnel were amazed.
- At graduation, he turned out ideal jobs and wrote “no retreat” in his Bible, according to one story. Instead he signed up to go to China.
- In 1912, he sailed for China, got a disease in Egypt, and died. His mother found six words in his Bible.
- William Whiting Borden turned the world upside down with his testimony in the newspapers. The family had to have three memorial services to cover those whose lives he had touched.
- Be a world changer
- The greatest message in the world is to serve.
- We tend to put conditions on serving where the Lord wants us to serve. When you land there, will you serve without reserve?
- People always seem to want to run away from what God wants us to do – and gives us what we need to do our jobs.
- 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:”
- God has a course for each person. If we follow God’s course, we have “kept the faith”. No regret.
- We are at war. God is looking for people to turn the world upside down. No reserve. No reserve. No regrets.
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