Last Sunday we gathered around the table. And after hellos, grabbing a seat & of course some laughter we opened in prayer.
Slightly different than usual we did have a few public service announcements including how if you receive money from a disbursement (like retirement, etc) and donate to the church — an option is to have the amount you give the church to be given directly from the account (aka — you never “touch” the monies — but they still do what you want) — this is mentioned because of the tax benefit to you! Questions — talk with Marv Fisher! Another of the public service announcements invited people to sign cards for the folks who actively serve our community as emergency service providers (be sure to sign & say thanks!). The final public service announcement reminded us that we ALL are guests in God’s church & at God’s table & that we are invited to extend the hospitality that we have (already!) received from God — to each other & any who might come! Always a good reminder for us all!
Then we checked in answering the question of how we plan to Sabbath (to stop). Many shared that they don’t (really) plan. It is just something they do. Some noticed that they didn’t like the question because they started thinking more collectively about Sabbath practices, like if they choose not to make dinner but instead go out — then someone else is not longer able to enjoy Sabbath. Some noted how Sabbath practices can and often do have gendered expectations. All in all, those gathered came from contexts where Sabbath was part of life and because of years of living in this rhythm it is not something actively planned for, just enjoyed.
And following this we turned to scripture:
- Ezekiel 20:19-20
- 19 I am the Lord your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 20 Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.”
- Isaiah 58:13-14
- “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, 14 then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
- Romans 14:5
- “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.”
Last Sunday was unique, we listened to 3 different selections of scripture. Continuing to read & discuss Sabbath. And we listened trying to hear more from God about Sabbath. Different elements of the scripture spoke to those gathered & while there did not emerge a universally accepted definition of Sabbath in the group that is the invitation of the first homework assignment question:
- We asked this a few weeks ago and now the question comes again: Define (describe) what Sabbath is (for you). **come ready to share of course!**
- Our 2nd homework assignment is to begin our October rhythm — reading 1 Proverb/day. Oct. began earlier this week & don’t worry…even if you forgot start reading! 1 Proverb/day & then come with whatever God has highlighted in your reading!
Y’all I’m excited to see what God is saying (through y’all!).
In Christ ~
Rev. Sabrina Slater