Services in the Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church on July 13, 2019 began with a song service led by Ernesto (senior), Gustavo (junior), and Eldric (junior) accompanied on the piano by Daniel (freshman). The opening song was “I’ve Found a Friend”, accompanied on the piano by Leilani (senior). Rodney Herra had prayer.
Brenda Herra welcomed everyone. Then she talked about how the Lord raised money for new sewing machines for the home economics class through friends of the school.
Lindsey (junior) read the scripture reading – Proverbs 18:24 “A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.”
Ashley Perez (2018 graduate) read a story about a woman whose body had a lot of bruises. She left her husband but longed to see her baby again. A friend suggested that she read the Bible. Eventually she started praying for her husband. She learned that her husband had planted a big garden, a first for him. He also stopped drinking. The marriage has changed; she and her husband attend church together.
Ashley then called for the Laurelbrook Missions Offering, which was collected by Daryen and Michael (seniors).
Brenda Herra had the theme talk, which was on friends. Brenda Herra then had the closing prayer and announced the classes. Students met behind the glass for their Sabbath School class with Stephanie Roy-Lavallee as their teacher. Rodney Herra taught the Sabbath School class in the church sanctuary.
Following are a few notes on the theme talk:
- Everyone has earthly friends. They share sorrows, joys, and work. They often know what each other’s needs are.
- Find the shy students and make friends with them.
- Ellen White reminds us that the friends we make influence us greatly. Wrong friends can lead us away from God.
- Jesus is the best Friend we can have.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Brenda Herra – student vocational coordinator
Rodney Herra – head local church elder / owns an auto body business on nearby State Route 30
Stephanie Roy-Lavallee – academy girls’ dean / assistant to the president