Sabbathing

Reminders about Sabbath

What is Sabbath?
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Like worship, communion, baptism, and other Christian practices, 
Keeping Sabbath reminds us whose we are and who we are.
 
Sabbath is rest, community, renewal, celebration, reflection, creativity, gratitude…  It is time set aside - sacred time – time where ends and beginnings meet, where experiences are gathered and shared. 
By honoring time spent in being, rather than doing, 
we move into a way of facing the world and our lives 
with eyes open and spirits ready.
 
“Sabbath time can be a revolutionary challenge to the violence of overwork, mindless accumulation, and the endless multiplication of desires, responsibilities, and accomplishments.  
Sabbath is a way of being in time where we remember who we are, remember what we know, and taste the gifts of spirit and eternity.” 
  • Wayne Muller, Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, & Delight in our Busy Lives
 
 
Practicing Sabbath…
 
To practice Sabbath is to practice mindfulness.
Try to spend these hours aware of what you are feeling, seeing, hearing.
 
To practice Sabbath is to practice ceasing.
As much as possible, do nothing from obligation (e.g., chores, work, returning emails, etc.).
Instead notice the tension that exists within you as you try to resist such compulsions. Offer that tension to God as a prayer.
 
To practice Sabbath is to practice abiding.
These hours are meant for you to simply be not to do.
This is extremely difficult – we tend to feel worthy of the time if we are being productive. That is not your goal today.
Your goal is to simply exist in the grace of God.
 
Sabbath reconnects us 
with God, with ourselves, with others, and with the world.
 
“[At the end of Sabbath time] a cup of spices is passed, the sweet aroma reminding us of the delicious Sabbath time, so that as we leave and reenter the work of our lives, we carry with us the lingering fragrance of rest.  We do not rush back to work, but rather go leisurely, easily, without hurry or haste.  We feel more spacious, and the spices in the nostrils are a sensual reminder of where we have been.”   
- Jacob, as quoted in Wayne Muller’s Sabbath

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BEGINNING & ENDING SABBATH TIME

Pastor Janzen and Highland Community Church in Abbotsford, British Colombia, have compiled our sabbath materials into a lovely liturgy for entering and leaving sabbath time - you can find that here:
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Simple Liturgy for Leaving Sabbath Time
(To be used at the end of the Day)
 
This ritual may be done with a group or alone.

  • Light the Sabbath candle. (Or gather around candle that has been lit through the day).
 
  • Moment of silence.
 
  • Share with one another, or reflect to yourself: 
What was the best part of this Sabbath time for you?

  • Share or reflect: 
What do you look forward to in the week ahead?

  • Pass the spice packet, (bowl of spices, cinnamon stick, etc) and inhale its fragrance deeply.  
Let the smell linger and remind you of the sweet depth of Sabbath rest, to carry the sense of Sabbath with you as you enter your week.

  • End with a simple prayer like, “Thank you God for the blessing of Sabbath time. Thank you for the gift of life, and for sharing all of life with us.  Amen.”
 
  • Extinguish the candle.