We Need Sabbath to Rest and Renew

It is now Sunday evening.  For me, as a pastor it is my down time.  Sunday morning worship with all that needed to be done has happened.  Several church meetings have ended.  Now I can sit quietly at home and just breathe.   I can relax.  Ahhhhh.  It is a good thing.  Sometimes it seems like these times of relaxing are few.  But relaxing and having this down time is necessary.

I imagine most people go through a similar experience.  You may know this in your life.   Work and family keeps you busy.  You feel pulled this way and that way with various demands.  It then comes down to the weekend as the only time you and perhaps your partner have to slow down and maybe stop from all of life’s hassles.   Sundays are the "rest areas" in our busy week.  And in stopping, it feels good to relax and refresh.

Related to this, there is the Biblical notion of the Sabbath.  From this perspective, the Sabbath was designed and is maintained as a day of rest.  This is based on Genesis 2:2: “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.”  So, it is viewed that if God labored for six days and then rested, we are to do likewise.  In some faith traditions, it is a commandment to be followed.

Some adhere strictly to this biblical mandate by literally doing nothing but rest on the Sabbath which in the Jewish faith begins at sundown Friday night to sundown Saturday night.   Even in the Christian context, my grandparents, who were born at the end of the nineteenth century, religiously observed the Sabbath on Sunday.  On that day they did not work in the fields or do any work and often meals were prepared the night before so no one had to work in the kitchen on Sunday.  This was an old practice that hardly many follow these days.  But for some faithful Jews and Christians, the notion of Sabbath means to take time to stop from all work and rest.

More recently, there is a growing minority in the Christian tradition who are exploring the ancient notion of Sabbath; but as an intentional spiritual Sabbath.  For these Christians, the Sabbath they uphold is not limited to the observance of either Saturday or Sunday but rather it is a symbolic metaphor for resting in Christ.  It still requires the individual to set aside time for rest and renewal of the body and of the soul.  But the emphasis is on taking time for rest and renewal and not on a certain day of the week.

Throughout my twenty three years as a minister, I have listened to people talk about how they view Sunday.  When after a full week working, Sunday comes as a day when it is easier to stay in bed.  It feels good to have that one day when the alarm clock can be turned off.  And one can be lazy.   

But for those who seek out a spiritual Sabbath, Sunday mornings start with communal worship.  Worship does what does not happen throughout the week.  It focuses one’s heart and mind on God.   Worship points the individual in the direction of where their actions need to be.  In worship, we open our minds and our souls to God through prayer and in listening to God’s word.  It is there in the church community we can feel lifted up and embraced by those who care and love us.  There is an experience of grace.  It is really an excellent start to a Sabbath day practice.  Worship is our spiritual rest stop.

As a pastor, I want you to have rest and renewal.  Life is busy and at times hard and difficult.  We all need sacred time to regenerate our energy to face yet another week.  Rest is very important.  I know I need it for myself.  And Sunday evenings are an important time for me.

But as important as it is to rejuvenate the body, our soul needs attention as well.  Our soul needs a Sabbath, too.    Worship is a great beginning point. 

At the Imperial Beach United Methodist Church, we want to help on your journey towards a spiritual Sabbath.   For example, you may find the 9AM worship service at the church helpful.  It is a short thirty minute service including prayers, a brief meditation, a few hymns and the celebration of Holy Communion.   It is an intimate service where all are welcome.  (And ALL means ALL.)

Or you may enjoy the 10:30AM worship service that usually runs approximately an hour and fifteen minutes.  This service contains hymns, prayers, lifting up of joys and concerns, reading of Scripture and preaching.  At this service, Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month.  Again, all are welcome.

And for something completely different, beginning Thursday October 10 at 7PM there will be an hour long Centering Prayer group held in the church office.  This will be held every Thursday.  To this, all are always welcome. 

So, the IB United Methodist Church offers you ways to begin your Spiritual Sabbath.  A rest stop on your life journey.   I hope you will consider participating in this sacred day of rest.

I believe you need rest and restoration that comes with Sabbath, but remember you need Sabbath for the health of your soul as much as you need it for your body.

If you have any questions about Sabbath or anything else, please write me at JonEdwin@aol.com.  I would welcome your questions and/or comments.  

Blessings,

Pastor John

Imperial Beach United Methodist Church

455 Palm Avenue

9:00am – 30-minute Worship with Holy Communion celebrated weekly.

10:30am – worship with Holy Communion celebrated the first Sunday of the month.

9:30am – Sunday School for elementary age school children

www.IBMethodist.com

A Church Where Our Hearts, Our Minds and Our Doors are Always Open.