The Sabbath services on March 9, 2019 began with a song service led by Gustavo and Luis (sophomores), accompanied by Jacqueline Miller on the piano. The opening song was “Nearer Still Nearer”.
Ashur (sophomore) welcomed everyone. Kelly Ann (freshman) had prayer, and read the scripture reading – Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
Benny (sophomore) read a mission story from Sao Tome and Principe about a construction worker who gradually learned of Adventist beliefs and joined the church. His mother spiced all the food with port so he went hungry many times. But he persevered, and several of his brothers joined the church.
Benny (sophomore) then called for the Laurelbrook Missions Offering, which was collected by Holden (sophomore) and Christopher (freshman) and which goes to support Laurelbrook mission trips. The sophomore boys then sang a hymn without accompaniment. Pastor Richie Perez led them. The congregation sang along with them on the last verse.
Rich Sutton had the theme talk and had the closing prayer. Benny announced the classes. Clayton Brandt led the lesson study in the main sanctuary and Rich Sutton the student class “behind the glass” in the rear of the church sanctuary.
Following are some notes on the theme talk:
- Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
- How do you get the faith of Jesus?
- Rich Sutton called some visiting friends to the platform, the wife being a childhood friend and one of Rich’s first baptisms.
- Her first husband died, she moved to Collegedale and began supervising the campus flower beds, and she started building a house.
- Rich Sutton went to her church and got one person to go to Mexico. Then she joined the group going to Mexico.
- That first trip encountered a temperature swing between 110 and 30 degrees. She met her next husband there.
- She prayed that God would pick her next husband. They were 900 miles apart and read devotionals together at 5:00 a.m.
- The couple has been building churches with Rich Sutton in various places.
- They will also be on the Cuban trip coming up.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Clayton Brandt – deals with Laurelbrook’s heavy equipment
Jacqueline Miller – semi-retired nurse living on the Laurelbrook campus
Rich Sutton – Laurelbrook president