1. Keeping the rhythm of creation
Livingston United Methodist Church
18th Sunday after Pentecost (A)

3. Oh no! Watching television before classes start
“When our theology is right our sociology will be right”
Exodus 20
Ten Commandments
First three = focus on God
Last six = focus on human community
Need both in balance
Very Wesleyan!

5. Exodus 20 Notice some things
You will not… not… not… … … not… not… not… not… You will not
Negative!?!
Two positive
Honor your father + mother
First says how and why
Remember the Sabbath day to make it holy

6. There for a reason Sam Balentine Placed here for a reason
Bridge between commandments about God and those about people
Holds together love for God + love for neighbor
Seldom talk about this

7. How to continue + thrive
Rod Dreher
How we continue + thrive as people of God in Christ
Keep life giving practices of Christian faith
Jewish people kept sabbath during exile

8. What? How? Why? What? How? Saturday or Sunday? Pick a day and do it!
Remember to make it holy
Treat sabbath day different and special
No work (or chores)
Rest and pray… worship and play

9. What? How? Why? Why? Grounded in creation of heaven + earth
God does… creatures do
Rhythm of creation
Let go!
Let God be God
“Sabbath keeping is creation keeping” (Balentine)

10. Time to rest
Sabbath is the most important discipline for the Christian community to rediscover and practice anew because it affects every other dimension of living as the people of God

11. The sabbath is the day we learn the art of surpassing civilization (Abraham Heschel, The Sabbath)