|
 Admissions Student Fees News Calendar Academic Classes Vocational Training Development Labor Case Elementary School Alumni Association About Laurelbrook Sabbath School Lesson Nursing Home Contact Us Home |
 Rodney Herra Preaches About Jesus Sabbath services at the Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church on December 12, 2009 beganwith a song service led by Keith and Gladys Ferguson, accompanied by Beth Brandt on the piano. The opening song was “Give of Your Best to the Master”. Keith Ferguson read Luke 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” He also read James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” He then had prayer. Gladys Ferguson then announced that the overall topic would be giving and receiving.
Gladys Ferguson read the mission report about a woman from the Ukraine who went to Dubai. She became a marketing manager and had the good life, but something was missing. She questioned a lot of people about their beliefs. She also wanted a man of high standards to marry. One day she attended a party and met a man that seemed to meet her qualifications. It turned out that he was a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. He introduced her to God and his beliefs. His father, who was a pastor, came to visit. She was baptized. But things were not easy. The couple went to New Zealand where the husband’s business had an office. She has left her career to witness and raise her family. New Zealand has many immigrants, many from Eastern Europe. These people are more open to the gospel than other groups.
Keith Ferguson collected the Laurelbrook Missions Offering. The congregation read a responsive reading on generosity instead of special music.
Gladys Ferguson then had a few remarks on giving and receiving. A lot of children this time of year want and want and want due to advertising and store displays. But the greatest gift is the redemption that Jesus offers us freely. Ellen White says in Messages to Young People that our money is not given to us for our pleasure and our life only. All we possess is the Lord’s. We can’t forget Christmas altogether, but we still should present our offerings to God, possibly as a special present to the Lord. We can give clothing and other necessities to the poor. Children have more fun sometimes with the boxes the presents come in.
Keith Ferguson read “I have two feet; the world is mine”, a poem about what we should be thankful for. The congregation sang “I Gave My Life for Thee”. Gladys Ferguson had closing prayer. The congregation then broke up into two Sabbath School classes to study the week’s lesson on the Israelite apostasy with strange women on the borders of their Promised Land.
The church service proper began with a piano introit by Beth Brandt. Rodney Herra had the invocation. Chuck Hess welcomed everyone and made the necessary announcements. Jean Lowder is transferring to the Decatur Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The congregation sang “There’s a Wideness”. Chuck Hess had the Morning Prayer and called for the offering, which was for Inner City Ministries. Bob Davis and Daryll Ellis collected the morning offerings. The congregation sang the doxology; Chuck Hess had a prayer for the offering. He then mentioned that at the last church board meeting Ron Oxentenko was voted as a church elder, Sharon Oxentenko as Sabbath School superintendent, and Sherry Collins as superintendent for the Sabbath school children’s division. He then read Luke 2:46 “And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.” Barbara Ellis and Brenda Herra had played their instruments for special music.
Chuck Hess then told the children a story about a family with several small children in it. As it drew closer to Christmas, it looked as if the family wouldn’t have much of a Christmas. The family prayed. One day they came home from visiting the father in the hospital and found a large box of food.
When several children heard this story, they went home and asked what they could do for someone else. The parents guided them to a family that needed help. The children found food and some of their toys they could give. They even took glass bottles and redeemed them, getting money from the store in exchange. This money was used to get things for the family in need. They put all the items in a big box and put the box on the family’s porch. The children who gave were happier than those who received the box. This is the time of year for all of us to be helpful to those in need.
Rodney Herra talked about Jesus and the reason He came to this earth, the congregation sang “I Gave My Life for Thee”, and Rodney Herra had the benediction.
There were few students present since the academy choir and band and the elementary choir were singing at the McMinnville and Cumberland Heights Seventh-day Adventist churches. Donna Kanna directs these groups.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Barbara Ellis – wife of John Ellis, the mechanic for nearby Majestic Stone Company
Bob Davis – one of Laurelbrook’s maintenance men; his wife is the academy registrar
Brenda Herra – one of the chefs in the Laurelbrook Nursing Home kitchen
Chuck Hess – retired Laurelbrook president, local church elder
Daryll Ellis – Laurelbrook graduate who is one of the owners and managers of nearby Majestic Stone Company
Gladys Ferguson – retired Laurelbrook nurse, worked in the Laurelbrook Nursing Home for many years
Keith Ferguson – retired Laurelbrook mechanic and plumber currently doing the same jobs
Rodney Herra – former Laurelbrook staff member working at nearby Majestic Stone Company, local church elder
Ron Oxentenko – Laurelbrook president
Sherry Collins - helps organize the student vocational program and student activities
Sharon Oxentenko – works in the school kitchen, wife of Ron Oxentenko
Notes on the sermon:
1. At Christmas we often think about what we get, not what we can give. This holiday is really about Christ, not us.
2. Luke 2:25- “25 ¶ And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [was] Simeon; and the same man [was] just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she [was] a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served [God] with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
3. Simeon recognized that Jesus was the Messiah (Anna also).
4. Luke 2:40 “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”
5. Ellen White says in Desire of Ages that Jesus spent his childhood in a small, despised village. As a child, Jesus showed a loveliness of disposition and a truthfulness in everything he did.
6. Don’t you wish that your childhood had been the same?
7. Luke 2:41-42 “41 ¶ Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.”
8. Ellen White says in Desire of Ages that Jesus at His first Passover saw the temple rites and realized that these rites were bound up with His life. He recognized why He was sent to earth.
9. Luke 2:43-49 “43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not [of it]. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among [their] kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”
10. Ellen White says in Desire of Ages that Jesus’ parents didn’t miss Jesus on the homeward journey until nightfall. They worried that Harold had gotten his chance to get rid of Jesus. They finally found Jesus in the Temple, revealing the light of truth to the Jewish elders. They were astonished at His questions and answers.
11. Luke 2:50-52 “50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
12. Jesus went back and was subject to His parents. His first miracle was turning water to wine.
13. Jesus is recorded as having done 37 miracles, only a part of those He performed.
14. This is one of those miracles. Mark 8:22-26 “22 ¶ And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put [his] hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell [it] to any in the town.”
15. Jesus was able to bring eyesight to those who needed that gift.
16. Matthew 14:14-21 “14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 18 He said, Bring them hither to me. 19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.”
17. Jesus fed multitudes from nothing or very little. We still today get our food from God.
18. Mark 4:37-39 “37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
19. John tells about the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus had to be specific or else all the dead would have been raised at that time. Jesus had the power (and still does) to do just about anything.
20. Jesus’ main focus was not the miracles, however.
21. John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
22. At that point, Jesus finished the plan of salvation.
23. John 16:29-33 “29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. 31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
24. When Jesus said it was finished, the Great Controversy was won. All these miracles were a sign that Jesus had power stronger than that of the devil.
25. Jesus’ business was to come to this world and show us and the universe that Satan and his ways were not the way to happiness. God’s government was the only true way to happiness.
26. How could God allow Jesus to die an eternal death? Because of God’s love for us.
27. Jesus has the power to overcome every problem in our lives. Jesus always gave the glory for anything He did to God and God’s power.
28. It is very good that Jesus was born on this earth because each of us has a hope for eternity. When we do fall, Jesus is there to lift us up.
|
|
 |
|
|