Laurelbrook Academy SDA Church

Sabbath services on March 3, 2018 began with a song service led by Eric (junior), accompanied by Jeremy Westcott on the piano.  The opening song was “Marching to Zion”. Isaac(elementary) welcomed everyone and had prayer.

Leilani (sophomore) read the scripture reading – Mark 1:14-15 “14 ¶ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” 

The elementary students then told a mission story. They then called for the Laurelbrook Missions Offering, which was collected by Isaac (elementary) and Joshua (elementary) and which goes to support Laurelbrook mission trips.  

The elementary students and their teacher had the superintendent’s remarks on repentance and faith.  Lisha Westcott then announced the classes and had the closing prayer. 

The congregation then became four Sabbath School classes, one taught by Jester Felarca in the church sanctuary, one in the CNA House taught by Ricardo Reid, and one in the nursing home taught by Elizabeth Castle. 

Following are a few notes from the Sabbath School lesson in the main sanctuary:

1. Psalm 107:1 “O give thanks unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.”
2. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  
3. Can a Christian be selfish? Everyone can be. The root of sin is selfishness, which takes a lifetime with Jesus to eradicate.
4. The motive instead of action is all important.
5. Ways of giving generously to others and to God – giving of time, taking time to stop and help someone in need, giving of yourself (straightening chairs, wiping cafeteria tables), using musical and artistic talents to help others.
6. If you give tithe, you are giving a specific amount (10%) required by God.  Offerings are voluntary and often given in lieu of selfish desires.
7. We should be more cheerful when we give tithe instead of being sad that we have to give it.
8. We should use all our personal finances to God’s glory, thus consecrating our whole income to God.
9. We should be ready to use all our finances to God’s glory at any time.
10. Matthew 6:19-21 “19 ¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
11. Earthly treasures can be very insecure with thieves, moth, and rust working away.
12. Luke 11:13 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
13. Matthew 7:11 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
14. Sometimes if we ask people to give what the Lord impresses them to give instead of a specific goal.
15. The only resource that can be transported to heaven is people who are saved.
16. When you give earthly gifts in the right way, do you expect more gifts in return?

Personnel Other Than Students:
Elizabeth Castle – works with the social services in the Laurelbrook Nursing Home
Jeremy Westcott – one of the academy teachers
Jester Felarca – works as a C.N.A. in the Laurelbrook Nursing Home
Lisha Westcott – Laurelbrook Elementary School teacher