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 Wayne Coulter Discusses the Essentials of a Christian Community  Services at the Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church on July 4, 2009 began with a Sabbath School song service led by Lois Davis, accompanied by Beth Brandt. Cheryl Orser had prayer and read John 8:31-32, 36 “31 ¶ Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Laura Mae Zollinger welcomed everyone and mentioned that the program was by the Senior Sisters, campus ladies who meet on Sunday morning and Wednesday afternoon to pray. The group employs the POF or Prayer On the Fly system. They can call up one of the other group members and have prayer on the phone at any time. She mentioned that she has been rereading the book The Great Controversy by Ellen White lately.
Rubye Sue and Louise Faatz then had a dialogue about a criminal who found Jesus in jail in Brazil. Beth Brandt played “My Country, Tis of Thee” on her marimba for special music while Jerry (junior) and Karl (sophomore) picked up the Laurelbrook Missions Offering, which helps students and staff members go on mission trips. Laura Mae Zollinger mentioned some of the other Senior Sisters who were not present, including Joyce Sarr, who recently broke her arm and is currently in Collegedale.
Several of the Senior Sisters gave the history of the 4th of July. Ruth Zollinger mentioned John Wycliffe, who advocated the study of the Bible. Judy Frechette talked about John Hus, who upheld the Bible as the rule of faith and was burned as a result. Nancy Brenneman discussed Martin Luther, who stood for truth despite pressure to do otherwise. Barbara Ellis mentioned a Frenchmen who stood for freedom. Brenda Herra talked about Roger Williams, Polly about William Steed (editor of Liberty magazine), and Jean Lowder about Patrick Henry, and Dorothy Palmer, who smiled. Evelyn Wellman closed with prayer.
The congregation broke up into two adult Sabbath School classes to study Jesus in Johnnaine letters; the students studied a lesson from the Young Disciples organization. Beth Brandt played “America the Beautiful” as the congregation left for the various classes.
 When services resumed at 11:00, Wayne Coulter had the invocation or opening prayer. Clayton Brandt welcomed everyone and made the necessary announcements. Rodney Herra and others made a trip to Texas and noticed that Miraya Lujen was making progress (Miraya is currently in a coma from a severe car accident. She attended Laurelbrook for a year and was baptized in Laurelbrook’s lake). Please keep praying for Miraya and her family that the Lord’s Will be done. Clayton Brandt then mentioned that vespers this evening would be at 8:00 in the church. Everyone then sang “I Love Thee”. Clayton Brandt had the Morning Prayer and called for the offering, which was for local church budget; and Jerry (junior) and Argie (junior) collected the offering. The congregation sang the doxology, and John Ellis prayed for the offering.
For the scripture reading, John Ellis read Acts 4:8-12 “8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
The congregation sang “How Great Thou Art” for special music instead of Vasti (senior). Robin Hughes told the children a story. Wayne Coulter preached on “The Essentials of a Christian Community”, the congregation sang “Take the World, But Give Me Jesus”, and John Ellis had closing prayer.
After church, Shymone Moses mentioned to people in the lobby area that Vasti (senior) had been airlifted to Erlanger last night due to a severe attack of appendicitis. No further details are known at this time. Please remember her also in your prayers. Later reports indicate that Vasti was taken to Erlanger by ambulance. She is home at present.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Clayton Brandt – one of Laurelbrook’s maintenance men, currently assigned to the vehicle shop and heavy equipment, local church elder
John Ellis – former Laurelbrook staff member presently working at nearby Majestic Stone Company, local church elder
Judy Frechette – wife of Paul Frechette, Laurelbrook’s current business manager and treasurer
Laura Mae Zollinger – wife of Glenn Zollinger, retired nurse living at the edge of Laurelbrook’s campus
Lois Davis – Laurelbrook Academy registrar
Louise Faatz – wife of retired Laurelbrook purchasing agent Jack Faatz
Nancy Brenneman – Laurelbrook Academy librarian and computer lab supervisor
Robin Hughes – C.N.A. at the Laurelbrook Nursing Home, pianist for the church service
Rubye Sue – member of Laurelbrook’s retirement community
Ruth B. Zollinger – nurse who has held health clinics in India for many years
Shymone Moses – assistant academy principal
Wayne Coulter – retired Illinois Conference president, currently pastor of the Decatur (TN) Seventh-day Adventist Church
Following are notes on the sermon:
1. Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” This text identifies God’s people.
2. The Bible says the saints are those who keep the commandments.
3. We are here this morning because we believe this is God’s True Church.
4. Revelation 12:17 “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
5. The dragon is the devil, the woman is God’s True Church. The remnant is those alive in the Last Days right before Jesus’ Second Coming. Our church name emphasizes this fact.
6. If we are true members, we have to keep all Ten Commandments, including the 4th, which tells us to keep holy the 7th day.
7. Revelation 19:10 “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” We believe that this spirit of prophecy refers to the life and work of Ellen G. White.
8. If we call ourselves Christians, it is important that we embrace the essentials of a Christian community. In the Bible, everything in the Bible must agree with every doctrine.
9. Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” These are the essentials.
10. Peter on the Day of Pentecost had preached a powerful sermon that pricked the hearts of the people. People reacted by asking what they should do. They were told to repent and be baptized. 3000 were baptized – these people were the “they” in Acts 2:42
11. What is the apostles’ doctrine? Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” The apostles pointed to Jesus as the Messiah and the Savior of the world and our savior and Messiah. They also preached that Jesus arose again and went to heaven to prepare for believers in heaven. He would also return to collect His people.
12. We still teach these doctrines the apostles taught. If we are a Christian community, then we must be focused on Jesus as the center of our existence, not on the various other doctrines. Not even our perfection will get us into the kingdom. We are saved through Jesus Christ.
13. The apostles did teach about other things – Sabbath, diet, and so forth – that would follow from a commitment to enshrine Christ as the Savior in hearts. Obedience is a result of our commitment to Jesus.
14. “Fellowship” is essential because we need others as we worship on the Sabbath. These believers were connected together in love with Christ as the Center. This makes up the Christian community.
15. Acts 4:32 “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”
16. Acts 4:35 “And laid [them] down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
17. When we come together as a Christian community, we pool all our resources together.
18. Wonder what a stranger thinks about Laurelbrook when he/she comes to visit you and goes away? Many misunderstand and think the place strange. But it is a wonderful thing we have here. People who come into contact with Laurelbrook should take away the feeling that Laurelbrook is centered on Jesus.
19. “Breaking of bread” may identify the communion service as well as other times as when Christ met his disciples on the road to Emmaus. In this case, Jesus revealed Himself to them possibly by the way He “broke bread”. When He fed the 5000, He “broke bread”. Even social occasions can lead believers to praise God.
20. The early church members also prayed. Christ called the Temple a house of prayer.
21. 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
22. You at Laurelbrook are facing severe challenges, but you serve a powerful God who will forgive and heal. We have the greatest source of power in the entire world to defeat the devil.
23. Elder Coulter couldn’t remember a certain story, but his wife prayed and remembered the story and told it to him.
24. Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
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