Happy Sabbath ??

[carolaa]

I am wondering if this is perhaps a recent expression, or maybe a regional expression, or maybe a metropolitan expression. I've been an active Adventist all my 40+ years, and honestly, I don't think I EVER heard anyone say "Happy Sabbath" until I moved to Texas six years ago. Maybe I did, but it wasn't anything common, and here it's almost trite, it is so common. Just wondering...

[Nan]

It was never used much in Australia when I was growing up either, but very widely used in eastern Asia - Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia. I am not sure when it originated.

[Woody]

For me personally ... it will never be common. It is FULL of rich meaning. The more I can say it the better.

[Woody]

Another one that is always good ....

God is Good.

God is GOOD.

GOD IS GOOD !!!!

[Morning Glory]

All the time, God is Good!!

[Dottie]

The first time I ever saw people greeting each other in church on a mass scale was when I visited a multi-denominational church. There were three congregations: Catholic, Episcopalian, and Methodist meeting at the same time in the same sanctuary, with the same pastor. They did a "passing of the peace."

Later, I was in an Adventist church where everyone said "Happy Sabbath." Having been in the other church first, it seemed that someone just wanted to do the same thing, but not copy what had been done by Catholics. (You know how we are about Catholics!)

This all happened about 25 years ago. Now it is absolutely necessary that every week we have "howdy time" to greet each other. It has progressed to the point where people are walking all over the sanctuary talking to friends they haven't seen all week, or since yesterday, and it's noisy and so-o-o irreverent.

[Dottie]

The first time I ever saw people greeting each other in church on a mass scale was when I visited a multi-denominational church. There were three congregations: Catholic, Episcopalian, and Methodist meeting at the same time in the same sanctuary, with the same pastor. They did a "passing of the peace."

Later, I was in an Adventist church where everyone said "Happy Sabbath." Having been in the other church first, it seemed that someone just wanted to do the same thing, but not copy what had been done by Catholics. (You know how we are about Catholics!)

This all happened about 25 years ago. Now it is absolutely necessary that every week we have "howdy time" to greet each other. It has progressed to the point where people are walking all over the sanctuary talking to friends they haven't seen all week, or since yesterday, and it's noisy and so-o-o irreverent.

Sorry for the rant.

[Woody]

Dottie ... I think you make a good point. It does present a problem in my mind to greet in the sanctuary. To many ... it is not reverent. And it dishonors the sanctuary. But, the new modern way of thinking is that we need to be less formal and have the sanctuary less rigid and reverent so that people will feel relaxed and friendly. Many new churches are held in warehouses or gyms and this promotes a more friendly atmosphere. They have single chairs instead of "pews". Some actually bring drinks into the main meeting area.

I am not promoting either one. Both have their advantages. I would say to each his own. Which is usually what I say.

Being raised with reverance ... it is harder for me to accept the more relaxed worship. But I have appreciated it some.

But I do love the 'Happy Sabbath" greeting. It has a lot of meaning to me. So ... since it IS Sabbath. Happy Sabbath.!! If you don't like that one ... we could try a differnet one. Could I suggest ... "One for all" then " All for one". Remember the movie?

PS. Your "rants" are welcome. Rant away.

[carolaa]

The first time I ever saw people greeting each other in church on a mass scale was when I visited a multi-denominational church. There were three congregations: Catholic, Episcopalian, and Methodist meeting at the same time in the same sanctuary, with the same pastor. They did a "passing of the peace."

Later, I was in an Adventist church where everyone said "Happy Sabbath." Having been in the other church first, it seemed that someone just wanted to do the same thing, but not copy what had been done by Catholics. (You know how we are about Catholics!)

This all happened about 25 years ago. Now it is absolutely necessary that every week we have "howdy time" to greet each other. It has progressed to the point where people are walking all over the sanctuary talking to friends they haven't seen all week, or since yesterday, and it's noisy and so-o-o irreverent.

Sorry for the rant.

Oh, man, that's one of my worst peeves! I just hate it. I have mixed feelings about the reverence issue, but my main problem with it is that it seems SO contrived and fake. I mean, if I want to say hi to someone, I don't need to be told to do it, and especially *when* to do it. I usually boycott the whole thing, either by leaving the room or by just staying in my seat. Of course, I smile and shake hands with anyone who comes to me (don't want to appear rude), but it doesn't mean anything to me when they have been told to do it. I really have to wonder if some churches do it just to make themselves feel good, that they are a *friendly* church. I say if they are a friendly church, people will know it and they don't need to force it. Anyway, I try to keep my mouth shut and not be too critical of the practice, because I know some people really get warm fuzzies out of it, but between you and me and the gatepost, I really dislike it.

[Woody]

Well said Carolaa. I hate orchastrated fakeness and that is what it appears to be. It is like they want to get that "friendliness" over with and done for so they can go on their unmerry way.

[cricket]

This reminds me of the video I watched a couple of days ago:

[carolaa]

Maybe you're right. I'm more inclined to think that overuse makes a thing become meaningless. Something I used to like saying or doing becomes rote overkill. Another example: I USED to really like the hymn "We Have This Hope" until I was at a church for 4-1/2 years where they sang it *every single week.* C'mon, I like enchiladas and pizza, but if I had them every day, I'd soon want to puke when I saw them. Not surprisingly, that church cared more about traditions and unique doctrines (which made them feel good/smug) than it did about lost people or being ready for the great hope. To me, "Happy Sabbath" was special for a while, but it has become a polite greeting like "How are you?" to which people are simply expected to respond in kind. Nothing wrong with it, per se.

[Woody]

Quote:

Not surprisingly, that church cared more about traditions and unique doctrines (which made them feel good/smug) than it did about lost people

Carolaa ... You have really hit on something very true here.

What good is "doctrine" if we don't have Love?

I think the Bible has something to say along those lines.

[LifeHiscost]

and here it's almost trite, it is so common. Just wondering...

The message of Jesus and the salvation He provides has been around about 2,000 years. There are many in the U.S. who think the message is trite. I believe there is a reason they react that way and it has very little to do with the value of the reality, as is being proven by the millions who are responding to that message with great joy, most in third world countries.

I believe Jesus told the reason many North Americans respond so unenthusiastically.

"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."

Revelation 3:16-18 KJV

Regards!

[LifeHiscost]

It has progressed to the point where people are walking all over the sanctuary talking to friends they haven't seen all week, or since yesterday, and it's noisy and so-o-o irreverent.

Sometimes I wonder where the joy of the Sabbath and of being in the presence of Jesus should be stifled. When we walk through the sanctuary doors, a place where His presence is most prevelant?

There is a place where utmost awe would keep us silent, when directly before Almighty God. At this time and place (on this earth) it seems Jesus being clothed in the garb of humanity gives allowances that would probably be inappropriate in other areas of the Father's kingdom.

"My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62:5 NKJV

"Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart"

Psalm 32:11 KJV

"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD." Psalm 134:2 KJV

"Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power."

Psalm 150:1 KJV

Regards!!

[Woody]

Quote:

"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD." Psalm 134:2 KJV

This is no longer culturally accepted in most conservative SDA churches in the world. But thanks LHC for posting it. The idea is actually a good one.

[LifeHiscost]

Anyway, I try to keep my mouth shut and not be too critical of the practice, because I know some people really get warm fuzzies out of it, but between you and me and the gatepost, I really dislike it.

And that's part of the reason that for many, many years it was so somber in church, because they (the pew warmers) were damned if they did, and damned if they didn't. So the leaders decided to break the stalemate and get people to recognize there were other people to think about that also came to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.

I'll admit I don't get any warm fuzzies from the actions of others who are just there because it's their duty. A next door neighbor brought over a homemade apple pie yesterday. If upon answering the door he had said, 'Here, this is to fulfill my duty as a Christian', I doubt very much that any return call would have been made.

However we expect to return the favor with a quart of applesauce from apples he let us pick from his apple tree. This despite the bottle of Southern Comforts on his kitchen table.

The gospel in a nutshell is love people where they are, and maybe your patience for their lack will give them the encouragement they need to make progress in their own journey of faith.

"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. " Galatians 6:1-4 NASB

Blessings!

[LifeHiscost]

Though it is "canned", perhaps just saying "Happy Sabbath" and greeting one another "because we are told" will do some good.

"Fake it, fake it until you make it!"

You have a good Spirit, Cricket. ROFL

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

" Proverbs 17:22 KJV

Blessings!