WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.980 I forgot what time I started. I don't know how long that went for. 00:00:02.980 --> 00:00:09.320 But, okay, so short sermon because we want to talk about a potential change that we're going to work on. 00:00:10.099 --> 00:00:13.099 ! So if you can for me, just settle in for a moment while we do this. 00:00:14.939 --> 00:00:21.160 This change is, after much prayer and consideration, something that we're going to try. 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:27.100 The elders have determined that we need to try to change how we gather as a church. 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:33.439 Because Advent season is quickly approaching, always changes the pace of our meeting anyway. 00:00:34.160 --> 00:00:38.520 We think that trying this change out will go well during that time. 00:00:39.359 --> 00:00:45.200 So during Advent, maybe the Sunday following Christmas, it's that one right before the new year. 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:51.060 So four or five weeks of trying a bit of a different format, right? 00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:55.859 During that time, we want to assess those changes, maybe make some tweaks to it. 00:00:55.859 --> 00:00:59.619 And, really importantly, we want to receive feedback from you. 00:00:59.880 --> 00:01:02.039 Like, how does it go for you? 00:01:02.119 --> 00:01:05.599 Like, what is the good of it? What do you not like about it? 00:01:05.620 --> 00:01:08.900 We really would like to hear your thoughts. 00:01:10.039 --> 00:01:13.379 Advent will begin on December 1st. That's the Sunday after Thanksgiving. 00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:17.019 So we have three weeks to communicate this change. 00:01:17.019 --> 00:01:24.479 We want everybody to be aware of what's going to happen beginning on December 1st for a period of time and maybe beyond. 00:01:24.659 --> 00:01:25.679 We'll see. 00:01:26.099 --> 00:01:32.759 So today, I just want to spend some time kind of setting up the reason for it and then giving you a brief version of the idea. 00:01:33.179 --> 00:01:36.280 And then in the coming weeks, we'll get more detailed information out to you. 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:39.439 So your brain starts to freak out and you're like, but what about this thing? 00:01:39.519 --> 00:01:40.760 And I love it when we do this. 00:01:40.960 --> 00:01:42.140 It's just, I don't wish, wait, okay? 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:44.040 We're going to answer those kinds of questions. 00:01:44.200 --> 00:01:50.219 We really want to, but the undergirding reason needs to be understood, I think, before we get to that spot. 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:51.439 So I'm going to hold out. 00:01:51.519 --> 00:01:53.359 Like, I'm totally being a tease. 00:01:53.420 --> 00:01:55.420 I'm not going to tell you what we're going to change until I give you all the reasons. 00:01:55.760 --> 00:01:57.599 So lock in. 00:01:57.700 --> 00:02:00.299 Pay attention to what's going on right now. 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:09.620 So most of the change, I would say the driving reason for making the change arises from our understanding of the fourth commandment. 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:16.579 So Exodus chapter 20, verse 8, remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 00:02:17.340 --> 00:02:22.199 We would be as a church, those who would suggest that this commandment should still be kept. 00:02:22.340 --> 00:02:24.099 It's not to be disregarded. 00:02:24.259 --> 00:02:26.919 We spent some time a while back asking that. 00:02:26.919 --> 00:02:29.800 I think we spent two whole Sundays saying, should we keep the fourth commandment? 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:31.439 The answer was yes, but how? 00:02:31.580 --> 00:02:33.300 What are we supposed to do in keeping that? 00:02:33.340 --> 00:02:40.660 And I can't quite work all of that out for you this morning, but I want to say a few things about that as I'm setting this up. 00:02:41.200 --> 00:02:50.660 We find in the New Testament the moving of this day of rest, this Sabbath day, this ceasing day. 00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:54.100 Early Christians set themselves apart from Judaism. 00:02:54.100 --> 00:02:59.700 They met on the first day of the week in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:01.900 Which occurred on a Sunday. 00:03:02.980 --> 00:03:03.960 Acts 20 and verse 7. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:10.240 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart the next day. 00:03:10.340 --> 00:03:12.840 And he prolonged his speech until midnight. 00:03:13.060 --> 00:03:14.480 And then poor Eutychus falls out of the window. 00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:14.840 Right? 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:15.800 Acts 20, verse 7. 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:17.540 First day of the week. 00:03:18.600 --> 00:03:21.400 And again, this day came to be known as the Lord's Day. 00:03:21.500 --> 00:03:23.480 Revelation chapter 1 and verse 10. 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:27.900 John says, I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day. 00:03:27.900 --> 00:03:32.780 There is evidence that this was the prominent practice of the early church. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:47.840 Ignatius, who was a first century bishop, said Christians no longer observing the Sabbath, but fashioning their lives after the Lord's Day, on which our life also arose in him, that we may be found disciples of Jesus Christ. 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:54.980 And Tertullian, who was a second century theologian, wrote that for Christians, Sunday is a day of joy. 00:03:55.159 --> 00:04:01.060 And that pagans would not celebrate anything on Sunday for fear they might be mistaken for Christians. 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:04.219 People would think, you're happy on a Sunday? 00:04:04.580 --> 00:04:06.099 You must be a Christian. 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:11.719 So, this is a day meant for remembering. 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:13.280 Exodus chapter 20, verse 8. 00:04:13.460 --> 00:04:15.680 Remember the Sabbath. 00:04:16.279 --> 00:04:19.759 The Westminster Larger Catechism in question 121 says, 00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:23.379 Why is the word remember set in the beginning of the fourth commandment? 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:24.899 Two things. 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:28.500 Number one, partly because of the great benefit of remembering it. 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:33.019 And secondly, partly because we are very ready to forget it. 00:04:33.019 --> 00:04:39.219 We are such slow learners, and we are so very quick to forget. 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:41.859 Anybody feel like their week is a fray? 00:04:42.039 --> 00:04:44.379 It just moves at an incredible rate. 00:04:44.659 --> 00:04:46.279 There's so much going on. 00:04:46.359 --> 00:04:47.819 The information is flying. 00:04:47.979 --> 00:04:49.379 The tasks are overwhelming. 00:04:51.079 --> 00:04:51.459 I do. 00:04:52.060 --> 00:04:55.339 I'm a slow learner, and I'm very quick to forget. 00:04:55.979 --> 00:04:58.159 We are to remember to keep the fourth commandment. 00:04:58.879 --> 00:04:59.479 To remember. 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:03.259 This is a day set apart for the worship of God. 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:04.520 To be gathered together with the church. 00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:08.980 To learn and to be reminded that we have rest in Christ. 00:05:10.439 --> 00:05:12.300 The wicked have no rest. 00:05:12.520 --> 00:05:13.700 They cannot rest. 00:05:13.900 --> 00:05:15.160 Isaiah 57 20 says, 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:18.180 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, for it cannot be quiet. 00:05:18.480 --> 00:05:22.180 And its waters toss up mire and dirt. 00:05:23.280 --> 00:05:24.780 You ever feel like the tossing sea? 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:26.720 It cannot be quiet. 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:29.160 It just tosses stuff up all the time. 00:05:29.700 --> 00:05:30.980 Beloved, this is not us. 00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:32.760 This is not us. 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:36.040 Jesus says in Matthew 11, 28, 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:38.900 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, 00:05:39.260 --> 00:05:42.020 and I will give you rest. 00:05:44.260 --> 00:05:47.100 God modeled this for us in Genesis. 00:05:47.100 --> 00:05:47.260 Genesis. 00:05:48.620 --> 00:05:51.280 It's spoken of in Exodus chapter 20, verse 11. 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:54.660 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, 00:05:55.080 --> 00:05:57.379 and rested on the seventh day. 00:05:57.560 --> 00:06:02.379 Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath and made it holy. 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:06.520 In the creation order, God makes these things. 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:08.480 And in Genesis 1, verse 4, it says, 00:06:08.620 --> 00:06:10.400 And God saw that it was good. 00:06:10.520 --> 00:06:12.379 And verse 10, and God saw that it was good. 00:06:12.420 --> 00:06:14.500 And verse 12, and 18, and 20, and 25, 00:06:14.500 --> 00:06:16.160 and God saw that it was good. 00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:19.920 And then in Genesis chapter 3, things are not so good anymore. 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:25.019 In John chapter 5, in verse 17, Jesus says, 00:06:25.100 --> 00:06:29.740 My Father is working until now, and I am working. 00:06:30.139 --> 00:06:34.639 God has worked and is now working so that we can rest. 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:38.560 Martin Luther once said, 00:06:38.919 --> 00:06:43.319 The spiritual rest, which God particularly intends in this commandment, is this. 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:46.879 That we not only cease from our labor and trade, 00:06:47.019 --> 00:06:50.560 but much more, that we let God alone work in us, 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:54.779 and that we do nothing of our own with all our powers. 00:06:56.060 --> 00:07:02.459 We need to be reminded that God has finished a task on our behalf. 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:05.959 We do not have to work to gain His acceptance. 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:10.159 And He has promised to provide for us all that we need. 00:07:10.299 --> 00:07:12.979 What a wonderful thing that He has ordered for us, 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:20.079 that we would rest, that we would stop from time to time the chaos of our lives. 00:07:21.859 --> 00:07:24.379 John Calvin is helpful in the answer to the question, 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:26.159 Why do we keep the fourth commandment? 00:07:26.679 --> 00:07:29.419 He has said that we observe the Lord's day for three reasons. 00:07:29.420 --> 00:07:32.319 Number one, to depict spiritual rest. 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:36.920 We have spiritual rest, and we're to show that. 00:07:37.840 --> 00:07:40.939 Number two, to preserve ecclesiastical order, 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:44.980 that the church would have a day that it gathers together, 00:07:45.280 --> 00:07:47.980 that we can know, at least with fair certainty, 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:50.379 and barring some emergency, 00:07:50.860 --> 00:07:55.500 that God's people will be together in a particular place at that time. 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:58.180 I think that technology has made us lax in this. 00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:04.519 And three, to provide relief from our labor. 00:08:05.300 --> 00:08:07.540 We need physical rest. 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:10.240 I know that I need to be reminded of my humanity. 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:14.420 I am a human man, an eternal soul, 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:16.899 but I have flesh, and it is frail, 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:20.779 and it is failing me at a rapider and more rapid rate. 00:08:20.920 --> 00:08:23.339 It is happening ever more. 00:08:23.339 --> 00:08:29.659 We need to be reminded that we need physical rest. 00:08:30.419 --> 00:08:33.659 For many, Sundays are not restful days. 00:08:34.459 --> 00:08:35.360 Some of you might go, 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:36.959 Yeah, we're doing that. 00:08:37.500 --> 00:08:40.759 A lot of people in the room don't feel that way on a Sunday. 00:08:40.959 --> 00:08:41.659 It's another day. 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:43.159 We do different things on that day, 00:08:43.299 --> 00:08:46.019 but it's another day that a lot goes on. 00:08:46.799 --> 00:08:48.339 There's particular people, I think, in our fellowship 00:08:48.339 --> 00:08:51.679 that don't tend to feel the day as restful. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:52.740 Just a bunch of servants. 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:55.080 We have a bunch of people who show up early and get stuff done. 00:08:55.220 --> 00:08:57.259 These musicians get here really early, 00:08:57.379 --> 00:08:59.659 way earlier than most of you got here, 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:00.799 hours in advance, 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:02.360 because they're all volunteers, 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:04.019 and they don't have time during the week. 00:09:04.139 --> 00:09:06.820 We don't have full-time musician staff, 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:08.980 and they get to just hang out and play guitars together. 00:09:09.680 --> 00:09:10.740 It's not what they do. 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:11.919 They work jobs. 00:09:12.539 --> 00:09:13.700 They go to school. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:17.080 So they show up early on Sunday morning to help, 00:09:17.180 --> 00:09:17.940 because they love you, 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:19.620 and they want to worship God through music, 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:21.200 and use their talents to serve you. 00:09:21.580 --> 00:09:23.500 But they get here really early. 00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:27.360 And I watch them try to practice all those songs in a limited amount of time, 00:09:27.580 --> 00:09:28.779 and not all the time, 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:30.940 but often they seem stressed. 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:36.100 They don't seem like they're really enjoying trying to pull that off. 00:09:36.100 --> 00:09:38.180 The second group, 00:09:39.139 --> 00:09:39.700 families. 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:44.399 Especially families with young children, right? 00:09:45.019 --> 00:09:46.259 We know that's happening, right? 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:48.540 Everybody heard that going on in the room? 00:09:49.300 --> 00:09:51.720 This kind of snuck up on us, 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:54.080 because when we first started meeting as a church, 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:56.740 and having children join us in our time, 00:09:56.860 --> 00:09:58.000 there were very few children. 00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:03.399 It really was a different culture in the room at that time. 00:10:03.940 --> 00:10:06.159 Sam and I have been reflecting on training our boys, 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:08.399 and teaching them to be able to do this, 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:10.580 and we were able to do it. 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:13.899 But we scheduled their naps. 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:15.139 When they were little, 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:17.039 they napped from 10 to 12. 00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:19.100 We had them downstairs in a room somewhere, 00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:21.139 which was not a hard thing to do. 00:10:21.299 --> 00:10:23.600 The building wasn't super loud, right? 00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:25.519 We knew everybody that was here. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:29.000 There were lots of places where Sam could go tuck in and away 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:30.419 if she needed to feed a baby, 00:10:30.579 --> 00:10:31.699 or do something with the baby. 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:35.139 It was just a bit different environment in that day. 00:10:35.699 --> 00:10:39.799 And most everybody in the room was extremely quiet, right? 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:41.960 Because most everybody in the room was an adult, 00:10:42.340 --> 00:10:44.299 and they understood that. 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:45.819 I think it's a little bit harder. 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:49.120 You'll hear the baby sometimes call and answer each other, right? 00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:51.079 Because the environment is more, 00:10:51.179 --> 00:10:52.340 it's okay to talk, right? 00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:53.379 When they hear other babies talking, 00:10:53.439 --> 00:10:54.360 they think it's okay for them to talk. 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:57.460 And it's just a harder road to be able to do that. 00:10:57.580 --> 00:10:59.120 And we're noticing it, right? 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:00.060 We're seeing it. 00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:02.139 I think a lot of us are feeling it, right? 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:03.800 That it's difficult. 00:11:03.940 --> 00:11:04.940 It's a challenge. 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:07.980 If you were to come to the Lord's Supper gathering 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:12.980 and stay all the way to the end of our often long main gathering, 00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:15.340 you could be here for almost three hours. 00:11:15.419 --> 00:11:16.460 So if you don't have children, 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:19.259 that may not feel anything for you. 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:21.399 But even as I say that, I go, oh, that's a long time. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:26.600 That's a chunk of time, that long, long time together. 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:29.539 So we want to help families, right? 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:31.340 We want, we think it's a good thing 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:33.860 that parents bear the responsibility of training their children, 00:11:34.159 --> 00:11:35.879 that they're engaged in that, 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:37.319 that we're working on having children, 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:40.700 see what's important to us as we gather as God's people. 00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:43.279 Like, we want them to be participating, right, 00:11:43.319 --> 00:11:44.480 in the way that they can. 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:47.399 But it takes work and it takes time. 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:48.960 And moms, we see you. 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:50.500 We see that you're working hard at it. 00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:53.480 We know that you're putting a great deal of effort into this. 00:11:54.600 --> 00:11:56.300 And then finally, leaders. 00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:59.220 Church, you have elders. 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:02.000 Most of them work full-time jobs. 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:04.759 They've got a lot going on in their week as well. 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:07.399 And they show up and they have responsibilities here. 00:12:07.940 --> 00:12:10.200 I put myself very last on the list of this 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:12.520 because I get paid a salary. 00:12:12.640 --> 00:12:14.640 I'm full-time for the church. 00:12:15.060 --> 00:12:16.879 But I'm having a hard time buying the argument 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:19.259 that Sunday shouldn't also be a day of rest for me. 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:21.300 I love gathering with you guys, 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:24.200 but I'd like to do it at a little bit of a different pace. 00:12:24.640 --> 00:12:26.220 I think it'd be good for me as well 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:27.420 to be with you guys 00:12:27.420 --> 00:12:31.340 and resting in the Lord with you guys. 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:34.540 I don't think that it should be exhausting for me 00:12:34.540 --> 00:12:35.460 to preach a sermon 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:38.560 because I'm just using my gifting for your benefit. 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:40.779 And I don't know that it's so much the sermon 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:43.079 as it is everything else going on on a Sunday morning. 00:12:43.719 --> 00:12:44.919 Some of this is my fault 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:46.000 because I don't prepare well. 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:48.159 We hear you, Henry. 00:12:50.339 --> 00:12:51.479 Wait for the changes, buddy. 00:12:58.899 --> 00:13:00.039 Exclamation point, right? 00:13:01.859 --> 00:13:04.719 Some of this is that all of us could be better at preparing 00:13:04.719 --> 00:13:06.559 for coming together on Sunday. 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:09.379 We could learn something from Genesis chapter 1. 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:11.679 We see day as evening and morning. 00:13:12.619 --> 00:13:14.779 The old practice of Sabbath keeping 00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:16.279 by Jews still in this day 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:17.299 and some conservative. 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:21.259 It starts at sundown and goes to sundown, right? 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:23.439 Some of you stayed up way too late last night. 00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:24.679 You're really tired this morning 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:25.519 because you didn't get sleep. 00:13:26.199 --> 00:13:27.919 We can't do anything about that for you. 00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:29.599 We provide coffee, 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:31.759 but that's about the limit of such a thing. 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:35.620 I do too many things last minute on Sunday morning. 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:36.799 If you're ever here early, 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:38.840 you know that I am bouncing around 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:40.259 doing all kinds of things. 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:41.960 I should get that done during the week. 00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:42.460 And I can. 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:43.539 I've got time to do it. 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:44.539 I just need to do it. 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:46.860 Little details, little things like that 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:49.700 that just would allow me to settle in a little bit more, 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.559 be here with everybody, 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:53.240 and enjoy this time 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:57.159 as we're being reminded of God's goodness to us in Christ. 00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:59.339 So what we want to do 00:13:59.339 --> 00:14:00.699 and what we're thinking toward 00:14:00.699 --> 00:14:03.139 is making a bit of a schedule change 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:05.600 because as a structure, right, 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:06.839 the schedule matters, right? 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:09.279 It can affect one thing, 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:10.120 but there are going to be some things 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.360 that you're going to need to do too 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:12.679 if we're going to do this well together. 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:14.559 So we're going to talk about that in the future, 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:16.740 but I want to talk in brief about the changes 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:18.620 that we're going to make now. 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:20.319 So first, 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:23.319 we're going to move the Lord's Supper gathering, 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:27.120 which starts now at 9.30 to 10 o'clock. 00:14:27.699 --> 00:14:29.039 If you're a guest here, 00:14:29.339 --> 00:14:31.500 we have a Lord's Supper gathering 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:34.600 that's for our members or guests of our members 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:36.120 that can invite you to come 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:38.259 and to partake of that together. 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:41.139 We would like for members of our church 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:44.500 to begin seeing not two events happening on Sunday morning, 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:46.819 but one event happening on Sunday morning 00:14:46.819 --> 00:14:49.000 that has a break in between it, 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:51.399 but to see that carrying that thing holistically, 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:54.259 gathering with the church in that way. 00:14:54.339 --> 00:14:56.240 So I want to put that forth to you members 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:57.620 to really think in those terms. 00:14:57.620 --> 00:15:00.259 We'll start that at 10 o'clock. 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:04.460 It will run just as it has for right at about 30 minutes. 00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:05.860 We'll read a Bible text together, 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.560 hear a brief explanation of this text, 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:09.060 pray, sing a song, 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:10.320 take the Lord's Supper, 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:12.919 and we'll handle matters of member care. 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:14.519 For example, this morning, 00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:17.139 we introduced some new members to our fellowship. 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:18.440 So if you're a member 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:19.560 and you're not making it to that time, 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.360 there's things happening there 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:22.180 that you need to be part of, right? 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:23.779 It's a family meal, 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:26.500 and we want you to be able to participate in it. 00:15:27.359 --> 00:15:29.839 Following that dismissal from the Lord's Supper gathering, 00:15:30.059 --> 00:15:32.120 I'm going to spend about 10 minutes with the children 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:33.839 for the time we call Aletheia Way. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:35.159 So we'll just gather down here. 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:37.159 I actually think that'll be good for us 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:40.659 because I can do it in a much more family worship style 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:42.000 like we do at home, 00:15:42.339 --> 00:15:44.719 like to stop and correct from time to time, 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:46.319 which is much harder to do 00:15:46.319 --> 00:15:49.740 when there's a bunch of people staring at you doing it. 00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:53.639 So we'll do that right after that for about 10 minutes 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:54.879 so the kids will have a time, 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:57.639 and then they'll just have some time to be rambunctious, right? 00:15:57.659 --> 00:16:00.460 To bounce around, work some energy out. 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:03.240 Our main gathering will begin at 11. 00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:07.580 We're going to work really hard on it starting at 11, right? 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:10.840 Hopefully, if you're a member, 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:11.960 you've been here for a while, 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:13.159 so you're just ready to go. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:15.180 That would be really fantastic and wonderful. 00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:18.419 But we're really, really going to work at that, 00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:21.199 being diligent to get started at that time 00:16:21.199 --> 00:16:23.479 because it's good for everybody in that way, 00:16:23.579 --> 00:16:27.299 and then we're going to work really hard at ending by 12, right? 00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:29.139 Not because you guys have to run out 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:31.579 and beat people in line for food, right? 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:34.039 At the feeding trough, wherever that may be in town. 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:37.719 But for the sake of resting, right? 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:40.539 That we just go, and we're done, right? 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:42.339 We're going to wrap that up. 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:43.059 Hang out. 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:45.099 Spend as much time here as you want to in the afternoon. 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:47.440 But we're going to try to see if we can be finished 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:48.940 in that amount of time. 00:16:49.060 --> 00:16:49.680 So hear me. 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:51.639 Total, if you're family, you're coming, 00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:53.820 and you've got two hours, right? 00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:56.019 With a good break in the middle of that. 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:59.220 We're hoping that will serve you well. 00:16:59.800 --> 00:17:01.879 We're also hoping in shortening that time, 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:05.500 we're going to work at kind of designing the service better 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:07.500 so it carries together well. 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:10.220 We're hoping to get your undivided attention for that hour, right? 00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:12.240 Rather than like little bits of your attention 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:14.680 as different things are changing and happening. 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:16.220 We're going to work. 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.759 I'm going to be working with Jordan and Reese 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:21.420 on picking songs that work well with the text for that Sunday. 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:24.799 Carrying your mind along through 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:28.519 what God would have us learn together on that Sunday morning. 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:30.299 So again, we'll sing. 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.420 We'll read the Bible. 00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:32.279 We'll pray. 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:33.099 We'll have an offering. 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:35.420 We'll hear a sermon, right? 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:37.400 But what's going to happen is this change 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:39.320 is going to necessitate a bit less music. 00:17:40.040 --> 00:17:41.420 And we love music here. 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.300 I know that. 00:17:42.560 --> 00:17:44.620 But we're going to try to do a bit less music. 00:17:45.300 --> 00:17:47.340 And, and I think this is going to be the hardest part, 00:17:47.540 --> 00:17:48.080 shorter sermons. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:53.240 So pray for us as we try a new rhythm 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:56.400 of not 45 minutes to an hour, 00:17:56.580 --> 00:18:00.360 but 30 to 35 minute sermons, right? 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.920 We're going to maintain the training area across the hall. 00:18:03.060 --> 00:18:05.500 So there's a chance over there to try to sit with your children 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:07.440 and be quiet in a place that you can correct them. 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:09.440 And we're going to have childcare downstairs 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:11.000 for children under three 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:13.779 or for new families that are just totally like, 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:14.559 what is happening? 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:17.119 We didn't know to have childcare 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:19.059 or just for those super tough days. 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:21.700 You got a little one who's three, four years old. 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:25.259 We have, you have days where it is just tough. 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:27.779 And parents, your children are always welcome, 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:30.480 but you got to determine like, can't, can I do this? 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:32.299 Is this the thing I should be doing this morning? 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:35.599 Or will it be good for me to sit and rest 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:38.659 and hear the gospel in this time, right? 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:41.399 The childcare is not going to be a crazy zone, 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:43.919 but we're going to provide more activities than we have. 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:45.079 We're going to have a lesson. 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:46.559 The parents will be made aware of 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:48.359 and given some tools to follow up with the kiddos 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:49.000 during the week. 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:51.539 And we're going to continue to encourage 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:54.139 the participation of children in our gatherings. 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.359 We're not stopping that, 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:58.119 but we're just recognizing that it is a process. 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:59.099 We've always known this, 00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:01.159 but it's been really hard as of late 00:19:01.159 --> 00:19:02.740 and we want to do as much as we can 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:05.000 to help you in that process. 00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:08.079 So this is the proposal. 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.980 We're going to give it a shot. 00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:11.699 I'm not asking for a vote. 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.539 We're going to try this. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:15.319 But what we are asking for is your prayer 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.539 as we're considering it, 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:17.799 that we just would have wisdom 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:19.500 for what we ought to do. 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:21.980 Your patience in the process of it. 00:19:22.179 --> 00:19:22.379 I don't know. 00:19:22.439 --> 00:19:24.359 Things might, we've been doing the service 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:25.259 the way we've been doing the service 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.439 for a long time. 00:19:26.679 --> 00:19:28.539 The rhythm of it feels real natural to me. 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:30.379 I think it's going to feel interesting 00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:31.960 as we come in together. 00:19:32.139 --> 00:19:33.200 But we also want your feedback. 00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:34.899 So please don't hesitate to speak 00:19:34.899 --> 00:19:35.559 to one of the elders. 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.440 Give us some feedback. 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:39.059 What you like, what you don't like. 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:42.299 We want to do what's best for us all 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:44.379 as God gives us this wonderful day. 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:46.940 It should be a day that we really enjoy. 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:48.740 We enjoy coming together. 00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:51.299 It's not causing us to crack at the seams. 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:51.879 Right? 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.079 And we would come together, 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.460 open our Bibles, 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:57.200 be reminded of God's goodness to us in Christ, 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:59.660 and leave here refreshed, right? 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:01.539 An afternoon that's restful 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:04.039 and being prepared for the next week. 00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:05.440 So that is the aim. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.559 That's where we're headed together. 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.900 I'm going to lead us in a prayer 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:09.240 and I want the band to come lead us 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.080 in some closing songs 00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:11.220 and we'll be dismissed. 00:20:11.380 --> 00:20:13.539 So Father, thank you very, very much for today. 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.440 And I just do pray 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.380 that you'll give us wisdom 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:17.220 as we continue to consider 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:19.059 how we can best love each other 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:21.460 as we're gathering together as a people. 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.819 And we pray this in Christ's name 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:23.539 and for his glory. 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:24.599 Amen.