Happy Sabbath

[MidnightCry]

Tomorrow is the Sabbath. We are still praying for rain here. I just wanted to let everyone know ahead of time, prayers for rain are greatly appreciated.

 

[Cliff2]

Tomorrow is the Sabbath. We are still praying for rain here. I just wanted to let everyone know ahead of time, prayers for rain are greatly appreciated.

Greetings and Blessings on another Sabbath.

Tomorrow we have communion.

 

[MidnightCry]

Greetings and Happy Sabbath to everyone!

I have something to confess. In case you don't know, I am fairly new to the SDA Church. I was raised a Lutheran my whole life, so alot of stuff I hear at church is new to me.

I love every minute of Sabbath School and our Worship time. I am really enjoying learning so many new things.

I am a nurse and I work everyother Sabbath. That's just the way it is; I cannot change my schedule.

The problem is every time our church has had communion I have missed the service. Can someone tell me what the communion service is like? (my husband does not attend church very often and he is new to the church also, so he doesn't know either.) What does foot washing have to do with it?

I know I could ask at church, but I feel kind of ignorant around everyone who knows this stuff like the back of their hand.

Help, please.

 

[Sophia7]

Greetings and Happy Sabbath to everyone!

I have something to confess. In case you don't know, I am fairly new to the SDA Church. I was raised a Lutheran my whole life, so alot of stuff I hear at church is new to me.

I love every minute of Sabbath School and our Worship time. I am really enjoying learning so many new things.

I am a nurse and I work everyother Sabbath. That's just the way it is; I cannot change my schedule.

The problem is every time our church has had communion I have missed the service. Can someone tell me what the communion service is like? (my husband does not attend church very often and he is new to the church also, so he doesn't know either.) What does foot washing have to do with it?

I know I could ask at church, but I feel kind of ignorant around everyone who knows this stuff like the back of their hand.

Help, please.

Don't feel bad about not knowing everything. None of us do, and I'm sure most people would be happy to answer your questions. I'll try to explain a few things about a typical Adventist communion service.

The Adventist Church begins the communion service with the footwashing because it is a reminder of what Jesus did before the last supper, when He washed His disciples' feet. Some churches refer to this practice as the "ordinance of humility" because it is a time when we remember Jesus' humility and example of service. My husband (who is a pastor) usually encourages people to ask God for forgiveness at that time as well, before participating in the rest of the communion service. This is also an opportunity to resolve any issues we might have with other people and to put aside our differences as we wash their feet. We look at it as a time to prepare our hearts to renew our commitment to Christ, which is what the whole communion service is about.

Most churches have traditionally designated separate rooms for men and women to wash each other's feet (mainly for modesty reasons, I think), and, in addition, many churches now have a third room for couples or families. Our children are too young to participate, but we usually take them to watch us. On a practical note, women today do not usually, as they did years ago, remove their pantyhose, but rather just take off their shoes. (I mention this because it is a point of contention in a few very conservative churches, especially with the fairly recent practice of adding a couples' room.)

After the footwashing, everyone returns to the sanctuary, and the pastor and elders sit in the front at the communion table. My dad used to be a Lutheran (my mom was raised Adventist), and I was baptized as a baby in the Lutheran Church, so we attended Lutheran services many times while I was growing up. I took part in communion there a few times. One big difference that I noticed between the two types of services (apart from the fundamental differences in how we view Christ's presence in the bread and the wine) was the way people received communion. In the Lutheran Church, the people would go up to the front to receive the bread and the wine (and they had both real wine and grape juice for those who didn't want to drink alcohol). On the other hand, in the Adventist Church, the pastor and/or the elders pray and bless the bread. Then the deacons walk from aisle to aisle, passing out the bread. After the bread is eaten, the pastor and/or elders pray for the wine (only grape juice in Adventist services). Then the deacons pass out the juice. There is usually some singing of hymns while the emblems are being distributed and at the end of the service.

The Adventist Church practices open communion, which means that anyone who has accepted Christ is allowed to participate, regardless of their denominational affiliation.

I hope this helps you understand what to expect. When I was a child, I often looked at communion as just a ritual that we did every three months or so, and I didn't really think that much about what it meant. Now, with my own children, I have found that I think about it a lot more as I try to explain it to them in ways that they can understand somewhat. They know that Jesus died on the cross to wash away their sins, so I tell them that communion is when we remember what He did for us. Still, just as I did when I was young, they have a hard time understanding why they can't have some of the bread and juice. And we have communion three times in one month because my husband has three churches!

 

[vera_stone38]

May I be clarified regarding the law on Sabbath and Tithing? I have not read our Lord Jesus preaching these laws in the 4 gospels. However, Jesus said:

Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Could it be that these laws were preached by our Lord spiritually since He said:

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

And, could this refer to what Paul wrote in:

Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

My question is, if indeed these laws “have ended” and are “spiritual,” how could we follow them?

 

[BonnieBee]

I had a nice Sabbath! The Sabbath school was quiet, but I enjoyed playing for the music. It was a fairly peacful day...

 

[Cliff2]

Greetings and Happy Sabbath to everyone!

I have something to confess. In case you don't know, I am fairly new to the SDA Church. I was raised a Lutheran my whole life, so alot of stuff I hear at church is new to me.

I love every minute of Sabbath School and our Worship time. I am really enjoying learning so many new things.

I am a nurse and I work everyother Sabbath. That's just the way it is; I cannot change my schedule.

The problem is every time our church has had communion I have missed the service. Can someone tell me what the communion service is like? (my husband does not attend church very often and he is new to the church also, so he doesn't know either.) What does foot washing have to do with it?

I know I could ask at church, but I feel kind of ignorant around everyone who knows this stuff like the back of their hand.

Help, please.

I am sure that one day you will get to go to the communion service.

When it happens you will be blessed.

In the mean time your church minister should be made aware of your difficult situation and some of the ladies of the Church should come around with the minister and give you the chance to have your own communion service at home.

We have done that before when people have not been able to attend.

You may need to let your Pastor know about your circumstances

 

[Sophia7]

...

 

[Sophia7]

I am sure that one day you will get to go to the communion service.

When it happens you will be blessed.

In the mean time your church minister should be made aware of your difficult situation and some of the ladies of the Church should come around with the minister and give you the chance to have your own communion service at home.

We have done that before when people have not been able to attend.

You may need to let your Pastor know about your circumstances

Great idea!

 

[Cliff2]

Great idea!

It is most important for "midnightcry" that she is not left out of this very important service, particularly as a new Adventist she needs to make sure the Pr. knows about her problem.

I am in Australia so I can't do very much but someone living close maybe able to help.

 

[seangoh]

Hi midnightcry, i had my Sabbath at a resort in Malaysia because of a young adults retreat we had. It was a nice relaxing Sabbath i had. For communion, i figured watching a video on my church's communion service would give you a better idea. We do footwashing outside the sanctuary so it's not recorded but the partaking of the bread and the wine are recorded. jurongsda.org/video

 

[MidnightCry]

Don't feel bad about not knowing everything. None of us do, and I'm sure most people would be happy to answer your questions. I'll try to explain a few things about a typical Adventist communion service.

The Adventist Church begins the communion service with the footwashing because it is a reminder of what Jesus did before the last supper, when He washed His disciples' feet. Some churches refer to this practice as the "ordinance of humility" because it is a time when we remember Jesus' humility and example of service. My husband (who is a pastor) usually encourages people to ask God for forgiveness at that time as well, before participating in the rest of the communion service. This is also an opportunity to resolve any issues we might have with other people and to put aside our differences as we wash their feet. We look at it as a time to prepare our hearts to renew our commitment to Christ, which is what the whole communion service is about.

Most churches have traditionally designated separate rooms for men and women to wash each other's feet (mainly for modesty reasons, I think), and, in addition, many churches now have a third room for couples or families. Our children are too young to participate, but we usually take them to watch us. On a practical note, women today do not usually, as they did years ago, remove their pantyhose, but rather just take off their shoes. (I mention this because it is a point of contention in a few very conservative churches, especially with the fairly recent practice of adding a couples' room.)

After the footwashing, everyone returns to the sanctuary, and the pastor and elders sit in the front at the communion table. My dad used to be a Lutheran (my mom was raised Adventist), and I was baptized as a baby in the Lutheran Church, so we attended Lutheran services many times while I was growing up. I took part in communion there a few times. One big difference that I noticed between the two types of services (apart from the fundamental differences in how we view Christ's presence in the bread and the wine) was the way people received communion. In the Lutheran Church, the people would go up to the front to receive the bread and the wine (and they had both real wine and grape juice for those who didn't want to drink alcohol). On the other hand, in the Adventist Church, the pastor and/or the elders pray and bless the bread. Then the deacons walk from aisle to aisle, passing out the bread. After the bread is eaten, the pastor and/or elders pray for the wine (only grape juice in Adventist services). Then the deacons pass out the juice. There is usually some singing of hymns while the emblems are being distributed and at the end of the service.

The Adventist Church practices open communion, which means that anyone who has accepted Christ is allowed to participate, regardless of their denominational affiliation.

I hope this helps you understand what to expect. When I was a child, I often looked at communion as just a ritual that we did every three months or so, and I didn't really think that much about what it meant. Now, with my own children, I have found that I think about it a lot more as I try to explain it to them in ways that they can understand somewhat. They know that Jesus died on the cross to wash away their sins, so I tell them that communion is when we remember what He did for us. Still, just as I did when I was young, they have a hard time understanding why they can't have some of the bread and juice. And we have communion three times in one month because my husband has three churches!

Thank you so much, Sophia7. I appreciate you taking the time to explain this. Now I will know what to expect when we do have a communion service. I didn't want to go and not know what I was doing.

I am looking forward to communion and hope to attend soon.

 

[MidnightCry]

I am sure that one day you will get to go to the communion service.

When it happens you will be blessed.

In the mean time your church minister should be made aware of your difficult situation and some of the ladies of the Church should come around with the minister and give you the chance to have your own communion service at home.

We have done that before when people have not been able to attend.

You may need to let your Pastor know about your circumstances

Thanks, Cliff2. I will keep that in mind and see what our Pastor thinks. If I continue to miss communion, I may ask them to have the service on the Sabbath that I attend. I was asked to be superintendent for Sabbath Shool, so most people know my schedule for the month.
I will bring it up at church next week.

 

[MidnightCry]

Hi midnightcry, i had my Sabbath at a resort in Malaysia because of a young adults retreat we had. It was a nice relaxing Sabbath i had. For communion, i figured watching a video on my church's communion service would give you a better idea. We do footwashing outside the sanctuary so it's not recorded but the partaking of the bread and the wine are recorded. jurongsda.org/video

You are in Malaysia? Wow, now that's a place I've never been. Sure would like to have Sabbath there myself.

Thank you for the video link, I will check it out. I appreciate your concern.

 

[Cliff2]

Thanks, Cliff2. I will keep that in mind and see what our Pastor thinks. If I continue to miss communion, I may ask them to have the service on the Sabbath that I attend. I was asked to be superintendent for Sabbath Shool, so most people know my schedule for the month.
I will bring it up at church next week.

I am sure your Pr. will help you out. At our Church we have had elderly folk who could not make it to Church and on Sabbath afternoon we have taken the "bread" and "wine" to them so they could take part. We did not worry about the foot washing part as they were confined to bed.

Keep us informed about how you go.

 

[Sophia7]

I am sure your Pr. will help you out. At our Church we have had elderly folk who could not make it to Church and on Sabbath afternoon we have taken the "bread" and "wine" to them so they could take part. We did not worry about the foot washing part as they were confined to bed.

Keep us informed about how you go.

We do this as well. On Sabbaths when we have communion, the pastor and elders take communion in the afternoon to shut-ins who can't make it to church. I hadn't thought of the idea of doing it for those who are able to get out but whose schedules won't allow them to attend church on those Sabbaths.

 

[Sophia7]

Thank you so much, Sophia7. I appreciate you taking the time to explain this. Now I will know what to expect when we do have a communion service. I didn't want to go and not know what I was doing.

I am looking forward to communion and hope to attend soon.

You're welcome!

 

[Cliff2]

We do this as well. On Sabbaths when we have communion, the pastor and elders take communion in the afternoon to shut-ins who can't make it to church. I hadn't thought of the idea of doing it for those who are able to get out but whose schedules won't allow them to attend church on those Sabbaths.

Well now you can, missing the odd one or two is probably not on the list but if a person happens to miss a few because of other activities that stop them from coming along and they want to have communion then I do not see a problem going to them in the afternoon.

There are many that stay away and do not want to take part but "midnightcry" does not fit into that and I am sure her Pr would help out.

It does not even have to be the Pr that takes the communion, an Elder can do the service as well.

 

[smooze]

im listening to southern man - by Neil Young. Will the negro slaves inherit the earth. Happy SAbbath. surely they suffered . Praise GOD they aren't today AMEN Have a great SAbbath every0one TOODLES

 

[seangoh]

You are in Malaysia? Wow, now that's a place I've never been. Sure would like to have Sabbath there myself.

Thank you for the video link, I will check it out. I appreciate your concern.

Well, i live in Singapore actually but i spent easter weekend in Malaysia with church friends.

BTW, you're superintendent already? cool! Do tell me your experience..would love to know..