Ministry Updates for Saturday, April 25th, 2020
Worship—Sunday, April 26th at 9:30 a.m.
Please join us as we again will host a virtual worship service through Facebook Live. Reach out to and share this service with friends who might need encouragement. This link will take you to the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/650555092154417/
Scripture for Reflection – Exodus 20:8-9
Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work….
Reflection – The Gift of Sabbath
The practice of Sabbath is an important one in Jewish history. Saturday was and still is the Sabbath in Judaism. It is a day of worship and a day of rest. Orthodox Jews minimize activity as much as possible. Reformed Jews may be comfortable going for a bike ride.
Because Jesus was resurrected on Sunday, Christians redefined the Sabbath as Sunday. In recent centuries this included gathering with family on Sunday afternoon. Shops were closed.
Now we live in an almost 24/7 world. ‘Blue Laws’ are a thing of the past. TV and internet are always available. And this is not just the ‘secular’ issue. Plenty of Christians can be found in restaurants and stores on Sunday. What are we to make of the varied ‘takes’ on Sabbath?
I think about our varied ‘takes’ on diet. We are told with conviction some food or beverage is not good for us, only to be told later it is good for us. But though the details appear to change, we know the overarching message still applies: A healthy diet is worth pursuing.
The same is true of Sabbath. The details appear to change, but a healthy Sabbath is worth pursuing. Jesus said, ‘The Sabbath was created for man, not man for the Sabbath.’ In other words, Sabbath is a gift from God. We need a break from our work, our regular routine. A stay home parent needs the other spouse to give them a break. Worship is needed to renew our souls. People caring for loved ones need a day off from that demanding work. We need time to unwind, decompress, vent, refocus, recharge and reconnect.
Exactly how each of us does that may vary. But my principles of Sabbath are that this day should look different. I read a lot for work, especially if you include e-mails, so I avoid reading on the Sabbath. I am indoors during the week, so I try to get outdoors. You get the picture.
I am thankful for God who knows our needs. I would hope that during this pandemic when many have more time on their hands, that people might reconnect with the gift of Sabbath. God wants us to be healthy and whole, and a weekly break is part of that prescription.
Prayer
God who rested on the seventh day of creation, we give you thanks for the gift of Sabbath. Please forgive us the harm we have done ourselves by ignoring it. Help us find in Sabbath a time of worship, renewal, healing from our hurts, and hope for our future. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.