The Sabbath services on June 23, 2018 began with a song service led by Pedro Arce, accompanied by Jeremy Westcott on the piano and Benny (sophomore) on the trumpet. Jefferson (junior) welcomed everyone. The opening song was “Praise Him! Praise Him!”
David Smith read the scripture reading – Psalm 150 “1 ¶ Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
Andrew Sharon had a mission story from West Virginia. A storekeeper kept putting off an Adventist about going to church, but she did read an Adventist book about the Mark of the Beast and went to church. she began to hold evangelistic meetings with several baptisms. She only uses the computers for the evangelistic series; any other use baffles her.
David Smith had the theme talk on “Let All Things Praise God” and then had members of the audience tell of God’s dealings in their lives. One person thanked God for a book she had gotten, another the reaction of students to the sewing instruction she was giving. Benny (sophomore) had the special music. David Smith had the closing prayer and explained the classes and then collected the Laurelbrook Missions Offering himself. James Brenneman led the lesson study in the main sanctuary and Ricardo Reid “behind the glass” in the rear of the church sanctuary.
Following are a few notes from David Smith’s presentation:
- Acts 3:1-9 “1 ¶ Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, [being] the ninth [hour]. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:”
- The lame man fixed his eyes on the apostles and received healing and rejoiced at his healing.
- Acts 12:5-6 “5 ¶ Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.”
- Acts 12:7-18 “7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon [him], and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from [his] hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and [from] all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 12 And when he had considered [the thing], he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened [the door], and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. 18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.”
- Sometimes we are surprised at the answer to our prayers.
- Romans 10:15 “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
Personel Other Than Students:
Andrew Sharon – maintenance man / missionary in Cambodia
David Smith – husband of Juanita Smith, an academy vice-principal / teaches some academy classes / works with nursing home residents’ transportation
Jeremy Westcott – one of the academy English and Bible teachers
Ricardo Reid – works in the Laurelbrook Nursing Home / local head church elder