Friends-
It's Saturday. In Spanish, Sabado. Which is also the word for Sabbath in Spanish. A day of rest. The traditional Jewish day of rest. A good idea! But more... one of the 10 commandments! Apparently, God wants his people to rest.
I don't know about you, but we are usually pretty busy on Saturdays, if it's supposed to be a day of rest. There are lots of things to do and to get done. Like this newsletter, for example. No worries! Let's not be legalistic here. We'll make a different day, the day of rest. Traditionally, Christians have made Sunday the sabbath day to honor Jesus's rising from the grave on Sunday. We worship on Sundays. But do we take the rest of the day to rest, to relax, to spend time with loved ones, to spend time with God? Do we take much of any day to actually stop our busyness and rest?
Jesus did a lot of work on the Sabbath and got in a lot of trouble for it, from legalists and lawyers. He said he was working because his father was still working. He said that Sabbath was made for humans, not the other way around. We also know that Jesus took time away to pray, to rest, to recharge. Sabbath. Do we do that? Do you? Do I? Is it ever ok to stop and do nothing?
I just did. Sitting in the recliner reading, my cat Gus decided to join me. Hard to do much with a lunk like him on your lap. I found myself recalling some good memories. One followed another, and then another... It was a joyful, relaxing. It made me smile. It was a bit of sabbath. Not too long, you understand! I've got a lot to do!
So do you, I know. But the more you have to do, the more you need the gift of sabbath. Slow down. Stop. Find some sabbath. Relax. You won't be disappointed.
Happy March!
Gary
Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday Worship Service -10:30 a.m. in person and via Zoom.
3/1 - Communion Sunday
- Collecting items for Carpenter's Place
3/15 - Special St. Patrick's Day Fellowship downstairs after worship
3/29 - Palm Sunday
Wednesdays - Every Wednesday Bible Study - 7 p.m. via Zoom
Thursdays - 3/5 - Packing lunches for Carpenter's Place - 9 a.m. - church basement
- Church Board Meeting - 7 p.m. - via Zoom
4/2 - Looking ahead - Maundy Thursday Soup Supper and Communion Service
Saturdays - 3/7 - Daylight Saving Time begins tonight - Set your clock ahead one hour before bedtime.
Other News
Zoom - Contact Gary at [email protected] for Zoom links.
Upper Room Devotionals - The March/April Upper Rooms are now available at the church. Be sure to pick one up.
Carpenter's Place Donations - 3/1 and 3/5 - There are 2 more chances to drop off items for Carpenter's Place. This Sunday, or the day we make the lunches. We are collecting: deodorant, men's disposable razors, 8-ounce coffee cups, travel-size shampoo, coffee, sugar, non-dairy powdered creamer, and 16-ounce disposable bowls.
Carpenter's Place Meal Prep - 3/5 - 9 a.m. - We will be making sack lunches to deliver to Carpenter's Place. We will gather in the church basement to get them made and ready to deliver, along with all our collected donations. Many of you have signed up, so we will see you then.
St. Patrick's Day Fellowship - 3/15 - A lot is going on this month and in early April, so we will not do a full-on potluck this year. But we will still gather downstairs after church and have a special fellowship to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Anyone who wants to bring something Irish to share to eat, that would be great. Just be sure to stop down. Talk to Judy or Jennifer if you have questions.
Coffee and Connections - This is a time for women to come together for coffee, conversation, and connecting with one another. We hope to gather later in March and will announce that if plans are made. Stay tuned!
Looking Ahead -
4/2 - Maundy Thursday Soup Supper and Communion Service - This will sneak up on us quickly in April. So we want to plan now and get it on your calendar. We will gather downstairs for a soup supper at 5:30 P.M. We will head up to the sanctuary for a 7 p.m. communion service. A sign-up sheet for the dinner will go out later in March. Please put your name down initially for one item. This allows more people to sign up. Everyone is invited, regardless if you bring something for the meal or not. Don't miss this beautiful time of fellowship over supper and a meaningful service with communion upstairs. If you can't make the meal, please come for the service at 7 p.m.
4/3 - Good Friday Service - The Willow Creek Presbyterian Church has invited us to attend a Good Friday Service at noon. This will be held in the chapel at the Scottish Argyle cemetery. Let Gary know if you are interested.
4/5 - Easter Sunday - This is a glorious day of worship. Plan on coming, and think about who you might want to invite.
It's Saturday. In Spanish, Sabado. Which is also the word for Sabbath in Spanish. A day of rest. The traditional Jewish day of rest. A good idea! But more... one of the 10 commandments! Apparently, God wants his people to rest.
I don't know about you, but we are usually pretty busy on Saturdays, if it's supposed to be a day of rest. There are lots of things to do and to get done. Like this newsletter, for example. No worries! Let's not be legalistic here. We'll make a different day, the day of rest. Traditionally, Christians have made Sunday the sabbath day to honor Jesus's rising from the grave on Sunday. We worship on Sundays. But do we take the rest of the day to rest, to relax, to spend time with loved ones, to spend time with God? Do we take much of any day to actually stop our busyness and rest?
Jesus did a lot of work on the Sabbath and got in a lot of trouble for it, from legalists and lawyers. He said he was working because his father was still working. He said that Sabbath was made for humans, not the other way around. We also know that Jesus took time away to pray, to rest, to recharge. Sabbath. Do we do that? Do you? Do I? Is it ever ok to stop and do nothing?
I just did. Sitting in the recliner reading, my cat Gus decided to join me. Hard to do much with a lunk like him on your lap. I found myself recalling some good memories. One followed another, and then another... It was a joyful, relaxing. It made me smile. It was a bit of sabbath. Not too long, you understand! I've got a lot to do!
So do you, I know. But the more you have to do, the more you need the gift of sabbath. Slow down. Stop. Find some sabbath. Relax. You won't be disappointed.
Happy March!
Gary
Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday Worship Service -10:30 a.m. in person and via Zoom.
3/1 - Communion Sunday
- Collecting items for Carpenter's Place
3/15 - Special St. Patrick's Day Fellowship downstairs after worship
3/29 - Palm Sunday
Wednesdays - Every Wednesday Bible Study - 7 p.m. via Zoom
Thursdays - 3/5 - Packing lunches for Carpenter's Place - 9 a.m. - church basement
- Church Board Meeting - 7 p.m. - via Zoom
4/2 - Looking ahead - Maundy Thursday Soup Supper and Communion Service
Saturdays - 3/7 - Daylight Saving Time begins tonight - Set your clock ahead one hour before bedtime.
Other News
Zoom - Contact Gary at [email protected] for Zoom links.
Upper Room Devotionals - The March/April Upper Rooms are now available at the church. Be sure to pick one up.
Carpenter's Place Donations - 3/1 and 3/5 - There are 2 more chances to drop off items for Carpenter's Place. This Sunday, or the day we make the lunches. We are collecting: deodorant, men's disposable razors, 8-ounce coffee cups, travel-size shampoo, coffee, sugar, non-dairy powdered creamer, and 16-ounce disposable bowls.
Carpenter's Place Meal Prep - 3/5 - 9 a.m. - We will be making sack lunches to deliver to Carpenter's Place. We will gather in the church basement to get them made and ready to deliver, along with all our collected donations. Many of you have signed up, so we will see you then.
St. Patrick's Day Fellowship - 3/15 - A lot is going on this month and in early April, so we will not do a full-on potluck this year. But we will still gather downstairs after church and have a special fellowship to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Anyone who wants to bring something Irish to share to eat, that would be great. Just be sure to stop down. Talk to Judy or Jennifer if you have questions.
Coffee and Connections - This is a time for women to come together for coffee, conversation, and connecting with one another. We hope to gather later in March and will announce that if plans are made. Stay tuned!
Looking Ahead -
4/2 - Maundy Thursday Soup Supper and Communion Service - This will sneak up on us quickly in April. So we want to plan now and get it on your calendar. We will gather downstairs for a soup supper at 5:30 P.M. We will head up to the sanctuary for a 7 p.m. communion service. A sign-up sheet for the dinner will go out later in March. Please put your name down initially for one item. This allows more people to sign up. Everyone is invited, regardless if you bring something for the meal or not. Don't miss this beautiful time of fellowship over supper and a meaningful service with communion upstairs. If you can't make the meal, please come for the service at 7 p.m.
4/3 - Good Friday Service - The Willow Creek Presbyterian Church has invited us to attend a Good Friday Service at noon. This will be held in the chapel at the Scottish Argyle cemetery. Let Gary know if you are interested.
4/5 - Easter Sunday - This is a glorious day of worship. Plan on coming, and think about who you might want to invite.
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