We promised to start this...and here it is.
For those of you who weren't at Sabbath School this week, Chris and I have committed to writing a blog at least once a week--hopefully more. We like to think of this as a "virtual small group". As parents of lots of kids, we understand how hard it is for us to get together in person--and yet we need quiet, thinking time to contemplate the bigger things of life and to wrestle with hard questions. So, what better way to do that but with an online chat.
In Sabbath School today, Chris started a rather thought-provoking discussion about the meaning of Sabbath. He challenged us to think of questions we wrestle with as we try to define what Sabbath means, how to keep the Sabbath, how to explain it to our kids etc. So...your assignment for this week is to chat about this. Feel free to weigh in here with your thoughts. Several people are going to do research about different Biblical examples about how Sabbath was spent. Please add them to the blog as you find interesting things.
Some business.....
April 21--please plan to be at church. The Cradle Roll kids are going to be featured during the 11 o clock service. We will be "practicing" during SS between now and then. We'll probably do some activity that they are used to doing such as wearing the International hats and marching with flags, etc. We'll keep reminding you. After the church service, we would like to go to the park with everyone. To make it easy, just bring food for your family (or bring something to share if you wish) and plan to enjoy the afternoon at the park.
Next week--The worship committee is planning a special Friday night communion service starting at 6:30. There will be a light supper served. It will be an emotional service hopefully making communion more meaningful and special. Families are welcome. The weekend will continue the next morning at the 11 o'clock service with music and dramatic presentations. If any of you would like to sing with the choir the rehearsals are this week--Wed. at 7:30 pm at our house. Friday night rehearsal will be after the communion service probably around 8 pm.
So......we are anxious to hear from you. We look forward to discussing Sabbath throughout the week here on the blog. Have a wonderful week and we'll see you in person on Friday night.
2 comments:
Hi, this Corina. I love the idea as a way to stay in touch. I just wanted to point out that any after church activity on the 21st conflicts with Adventurers. We already canceled Adventurers for Easter (obvious reasons) so the 21st will be our only April meeting. We would miss having your children there. Melissa and I would be busy 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
I can't answer for her but I know it probably isn't possible for us to go to the park, eat, and be back at church by 1:30. Can we plan such an activity on another sabbath? Not the first or third weeks?
This is great, thanks for getting this blog going.
I personally haven't done any extensive research yet, but I felt I should add my two cents and get a feel of what others think. I must say the question of the Sabbath comes up in our family's life frequently.
Growing up, I always viewed or rather felt that the Sabbath was the day you couldn't do some things - fun things for that matter. At least thats how it appeared to me because the answer to the question why I couldn't go out and do all sorts of stuff that I would have loved to do on Saturday was "you can't do that on the Sabbath"
The Sabbath was sacred - which I believe it is. The Sabbath was holy and separate - which I also believe it is, but what exactly did the sabbath require of me? Why coudn't I do certain specific things on this day and other things were ok to do?
I must admit that while I obeyed my parents an others on matters of the Sabbath, I never truly understood what it meant. Now that I'm older, I have answers to some of those questions that I had, but what concerns me now is whether or not my son understands those answers. I'm sad to say that sometimes I find myself tellin my son not to do some things "because its the Sabbath" and I'm worried that he might develop a negative perspective of this special day as well.
Chris, your question is also my questions. How do we make the Sabbath relevant to our lives today? How do I explain the Sabbath to my little boy so simply that understands its real meaning? Can my five year old boy really understand the meanin of worship?
What about our whole family?
I'm sure I heven't helped matters, but I will stop here and give others a chance!!
Post a Comment