Sabbath services on March 10, 2018 began with a song service led by Abril (sophomore) and Felix (9th grader), accompanied by Samantha (sophomore) on the piano. The opening song was “Higher Ground”. Heissel (sophomore) welcomed everyone and had prayer.
Moises (sophomore) read the scripture reading – Philippines 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Mark (sophomore) then read a story about person who went door to door and talked to a lady who came to one door. Despite the rain, he managed to use the correct names for her late dog and her husband even though he hadn’t met them. The lady bought two books, convinced that the young person was an angel.
He then called for the Laurelbrook Missions Offering, which was collected by Isaac and Mark (sophomores) and which goes to support Laurelbrook mission trips. Leilani (sophomore), Samantha, and Moises sang for special music, accompanied by Jeremy Westcott on the piano.
The sophomore Bible class had the superintendent’s remarks on scriptures they liked or an experience where they saw God answering prayer. Jissel (sophomore) then announced the classes and had the closing prayer.
The congregation then became four Sabbath School classes, one taught by Mark Kent in the church sanctuary and one in the back of the sanctuary “behind the glass” taught by Elizabeth Castle, one in the CNA House taught by Rich Sutton, and one in the nursing home taught by Ricardo Reid.
Following are a few notes from the theme talk:
1. Abril – Philippines 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
2. Jara – Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
3. Moises – Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.”
4. Heissel –during the days of prayer, she prayed for the money to go on the Cuban trip. The money came in.
5. Samantha – Romans 8:39 “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
6. Leilani – Hebrews 12:11 “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
7. Isaac – 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
8. Mark – Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:22 “Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, [Ye] men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.”
Personnel Other Than Students:
Elizabeth Castle – works in the social services area of the Laurelbrook Nursing Home
Jeremy Westcott – one of the academy teachers
Mark Kent – Laurelbrook IT specialist
Ricardo Reid – local head church elder / works in the Laurelbrook Nursing Home
Rich Sutton – Laurelbrook president