Sabbath services on December 30, 2017 began with a song service led by Jester Felarca, accompanied by Jacqueline Miller on the piano. The opening song was “Until Then”. Lois Davis welcomed everyone and announced that her topic would be “More Like Jesus”.
Lois Davis read the scripture reading – Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” She then had prayer.
Lois Davis reminded everyone that it was the 13th Sabbath of the quarter. This quarter the 13th Sabbath Offering will go to the Euro-Asian Division, which includes Russia and the countries close to it. One project involves the renovation of an old Soviet health resort into a Pathfinder camp. Next quarter the 13th Sabbath Offering will be for the Inter-American Division projects.
Lois Davis then called for the Laurelbrook Missions Offering, which was collected by Mark Kent and Jester Felarca and which goes to support Laurelbrook mission trips.
Lois Davis had the superintendent’s remarks on “Are You Jesus?” The congregation then sang “I Would Be Like Jesus”. The congregation then became one Sabbath School class taught by Eva Gonzalez.
Following are a few notes from the theme talk:
1. We are supposed to be like Jesus.
2. Salesmen waiting to board a plane inadvertently kicked over a blind girl’s apple stand.
3. Most of the salesmen went on to board their plane, but one stayed back to help the girl.
4. He helped pick up the apples and paid for the damaged apples. The girl asked if he was Jesus.
5. Following Jesus involves living the way Jesus lived and treating people His way.
Following are a few notes from the Sabbath School lesson:
1. In Romans 14, Paul says that we need to be careful that our actions don’t give people who are weaker in the faith a hard time.
2. Romans 14:1-3 “1 ¶ Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, [but] not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.”
3. The Holy Spirit will help us stand in the Time of Trouble if we have invited Him into our lives beforehand.
4. When reading the Bible, pick out the things you understand and concentrate on those ideas and internalize them.
5. When believers have the mind of Christ, then they will be ready to go to heaven.
6. Believers should love each other and work together despite differences such as women’s ordination.
7. Romans 14:5 “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” This may be talking about believers’ attitudes toward the Jewish ceremonial laws.
8. Ellen White says that believers should go to Jesus for answers to many of life’s questions instead of going to ministers or fellow brethren. Going to fellow believers places them in the position of Jesus, who should be the real Counselor.
9. Satan brings in side issues to take attention away from core beliefs God wants us to have and which are necessary for salvation.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Eva Gonzalez – works in the housekeeping department in the Laurelbrook Nursing Home
Jacqueline Miller – semi-retired nurse living on the Laurelbrook campus
Jester Felarca – works as a C.N.A. in the Laurelbrook Nursing Home
Lois Davis – secretary part-time in the school office and part-time in the president’s office
Mark Kent – Laurelbrook IT