Services in the Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church on August 10, 2019 began with a song service led by Eldric (junior) and Gustavo (junior), accompanied on the piano by Jacqueline Miller. The opening song was “Stand Up for Jesus”.
Freddy (sophomore) welcomed everyone. Ashley Perez had prayer and read the scripture reading – 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
Say Say (freshman) read a mission story from the Solomon Islands. At one Adventist boarding school, a student deaconess along with several others was asked to see if the dormitory girls needed anything. One girl – Mitlyn – didn’t have the proper bed furnishings or school clothes so the church pastor took the inspecting girls to help pick out a proper mattress and other things. Mitlyn was so happy with her new things. Her non-Adventist parents were doing everything they could to support her.
Say Say then called for the Laurelbrook Missions Offering, which was collected by Daryen (senior) and Larron (junior). Wilmer (freshman) played a violin solo, accompanied by Heisler (sophomore) on the piano for special music.
Freddy (sophomore) had the theme talk. Freddy then had the closing prayer and announced the classes. Students met behind the glass for their Sabbath School class with Ruan Swanepoel as their teacher. Clayton Brandt taught the Sabbath School class in the church sanctuary.
Following are a few notes on the theme talk:
- Like the Jews, humans are in slavery to sin.
- God took the Jews out of Egypt during the Exodus. Jesus gives each of us our own exodus from sin.
- The Israelites had no possibility of getting out of slavery without God’s help at the Red Sea. They had to have faith.
- Just like the Israelites, we sometimes think of going back to slavery of sin.
- After the Red Sea, Israel wondered through the desert for 40 years just like we wonder through temptations.
- Exodus 32:1 “And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for [as for] this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.”
- Israel was looking for idols like people today look for phones and programs. We put electronics and people above God. But we are not really happy.
- We need to always be with God and ask for help.
- Israel also had to fight battles like we do In life. If we put faith in God, we win.
- Israel had to conquer Canaan like we need to keep progressing towards our heavenly reward.
- Israel put its faith in God and conquered Jericho, the Promised Land. Eventually we be in the Promised Land, too.
- All the decisions we make we must ask the question “Is this right?”
- Every day we should have a close relationship with God as we advance towards heaven.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Ashley Perez – 2019 Laurelbrook graduate
Clayton Brandt – works with Laurelbrook’s heavy equipment
Jacqueline Miller – semi-retired nurse living on Laurelbrook property
Ruan Swanepoel – farm manager