Laurelbrook Academy SDA Church

Sabbath services on January 20, 2018 began with a song service led by Eric (junior), accompanied by Jara (sophomore) on the piano and Jeremy Westcott on the organ.  The opening song was “As Water to the Thirsty”.

Rich Sutton welcomed everyone. He talked about persistent people, including his wife on cold remedies and the girls of the senior class.

Dyaine (senior) had prayer and read the scripture reading – Philippians 1:6“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:” 

Sarah (senior) and Citlali (senior) then told a mission experience from the Mexico Missions trip. The mission trip used up all the toilet paper in one of the houses where they stayed.  The lady was really annoyed that the girls wanted to use the bathroom but changed her attitude when the girls gave her some toilet paper rolls they had purchased. It was certainly an unusual way of witnessing to others.

Sarah then called for the Laurelbrook Missions Offering, which was collected by Josia (senior) and Blake (senior) and which goes to support Laurelbrook mission trips.  The congregation then sang “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go”.

The senior class had the superintendent’s remarks on opportunities and had special music.  Rich Sutton had the closing prayer.  Sarah then announced the classes.

The congregation then became four Sabbath School classes, one taught by Jester Felarca in the church sanctuary,  one in the back of the sanctuary “behind the glass” taught by Rich Sutton, 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 theme talk

1. God gives opportunities, but success depends on our use of those opportunities.
2. Citlali had the opportunity to come to America. She learned how to deal with berries. She also learned how to fix American food and to clean the nursing home toilets really well.
3. Sarah said that she had an opportunity to make sure that most of the food for the day was fixed by the time she came to church.
4. Every nine-weeks the students trade vocational training slots and have opportunities to learn new things.
5. Dyaine explained that she had to take the CNA test several times and finally passed the test.
6. Most Seventh-day Adventists – and other Christians – are determined people.
7. Our lives should be a series of uninterrupted victories in Jesus Christ.
8. Josia decided to make use of the opportunity to come to Laurelbrook so he could become a CNA and have other vocational opportunities. He is excited to have the opportunity to train as a pilot.
9. Blake took the opportunity to grow taller and to shrink his weight.
10. Sarah took the opportunity to have a couple of years at a Christian school. She doesn’t care for heights, but on the Mexico Missions trip she learned to weld roof parts.
11. For the senior trip, the group will build churches in Mexico.

Personnel Other Than Students:
Elizabeth Castle – works in the marketing department of the Laurelbrook Nursing Home
Jester Felarca – works as a CNA in the Laurelbrook Nursing Home
Ricardo Reid – head local church elder
Rich Sutton – Laurelbrook president