Monday, December 31, 2012

2012 turning to 2013: My Resignation


Dear Members of Metro Atlanta SDB Church:

     I will never forget that day a little over five years ago when I received a letter from the Pastoral Search Committee from this church. I was within sight of graduation from seminary and through the search process felt the Lord prompting my family to come and serve this congregation. I could not have ever imagined the journey, emotionally and spiritually, that God would have in store for us here. There are many reasons that I love this church, as friends and as the people of God. I am so glad that God led you to call me and that He led me to respond back in 2007.

     But God has called once again. It is with sadness and mixed emotions that I submit my resignation as an elder and Lead Pastor at Metro Atlanta SDB Church, effective June 1, 2013. I am fully confident that my departure will not hinder the work here. I also fully realize that God uses different men to move ministries to different stages at different times and that sometimes the man who leads from point A to point B is not the same man who will lead from point B to point C. I believe that our sovereign God in His divine wisdom is choosing to move me to another ministry so that another leader will step in to continue this ministry.

     After our Conference sessions this year, I received an email from the Pastoral Search Committee from SpringsLife Church in Colorado Springs, CO. After their committee and church had prayed for months about who God was calling to lead them in ministry after the resignation of Pastor Harold King, my name was their overwhelming first choice. I did not seek out this opportunity (and have never sought other opportunities). I was asked to consider moving to Colorado Springs to lead the ministries there. This was truly a struggle in faith, as other churches have contacted me in the past and the Lord has always made clear a “no” answer. However, the Lord could not lead me to say “no” to this opportunity. It has always been my intention to serve this congregation for a long term but my struggle with this issue became so preoccupying that I sought counsel and advice on the matter. Our Board of Deacons and Elders (and many others) recommended that I needed to accept the trip to candidate at SpringsLife in order to discern God's will in this matter. After preaching in view of a call at SpringsLife on October 6, 2012, their congregation voted unanimously to extend a call for me to become their next pastor on October 20, 2012. Through these months of prayer by myself, my family, my close friends, our Board, and the SpringsLife Church, God has led us to accept His call to move to Colorado Springs.

     Because of our deep integration into the lives of our church and community, we will not be able to move until late spring. However, we know and believe (as well as you) that God directs our steps and promises to never leave us or forsake us. Though I will transition out of my relationship with you as a pastor, our love for you will always remain. You have been and continue to be a blessing in our lives!

Submitted with our deepest love and respect,

The Pethtel Family

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

11 Practical Ways to Appreciate Your Pastor

I had the opportunity to preach at the Southeast Atlanta SDB Church as they celebrated their pastor, Barry Dailey. In my sermon, I shared these 11 practical ways to honor their pastor. I believe these may be useful for you as you consider the work your pastor does on behalf of your church and the cause of Christ. 


1. A Worker is Worthy of His Wages 
Paying a pastor frees him to provide for his family (which he must do) and to do gospel ministry (pray, preach, teach, mentor, counsel). I know that most churches cannot afford to pay a pastor what he is worth. Pastors do not accept their calling because of finances. However, there are ways to think outside the box for ways to honor him and his family such as year-end bonuses, extra vacation, inviting his family out to dinner away, having a gasoline or clothing or phone or book allowance, and many more things. Be creative!
2. Don't Treat Your Pastor Like a Hireling 
If you can pay your pastor, do not lord it over him and treat him as a slave.You may pay him but he does not work for you. You pay him with God's money to do God's work. He is accountable not ultimately to you but to God for his work.
3. Understand What Your Pastor Goes Through 
Your pastor makes lots of tough decisions (and often have to do so quickly). When you hurt, he does. When you rejoice, he does. When you sin, he is grieved. When you grow in grace and faith, he celebrates what God is doing. He does this in addition to the emotional, financial, and personal difficulties that him and his family go through as well. Encourage his participation in other groups of pastors who can uniquely understand what it is like to pastor a church.
4. Pastors Get Discouraged; Don't Participate in Discouraging Him 
Your pastor gets discouraged when you don't show up (to worship/bible study/men's group). Your pastor gets discouraged when he casts a vision that God has laid upon him and no one follows. Your pastor gets discouraged when he spends hours each week in preparation for a sermon and people play on their phones during church. So, say thank you. Tell him you enjoyed his sermon (and what exactly you enjoyed about his sermon) and tell him on a day other than your day of worship (i.e. Monday or Tuesday). 
5. People Who Visit Your Church See How You Treat Your Pastor 
If you want to be known as a loving church, then you will love the shepherd of your church. People notice how you treat your pastor when they visit. In churches where they have lots of pastoral changes, the problem is probably not the pastors.
6. Your Pastor Wasn't Always a Pastor
While your pastor does enjoy reading the Bible and listening to other people's sermons, he enjoys some of the same things you do too (TV, books, sports, etc.) Know if he is an introvert or extrovert. Know your pastor's hobbies and favorites. Consider this when you think about a gift for him. By the way, other people besides the pastor can pray at meals. 
7. Share Your Pastor 
Allow your pastor to serve in the community (school board, neighborhood watch, coach, etc.). Allow him to teach, preach, and pray in other churches when invited. Your pastor, your church, and your community will be blessed if you do. 
8. Don't Make Your Pastor Choose Between His Family and the Church 
If you do make him choose, you will be disappointed because he will pick his family every time (and he should). Spiritual leaders in the church and in the homes of church members need to fill the gap. Your pastor loves you so it is easy to abuse him by asking him to do every little thing. Guard him from doing too much and do your best to take care of his wife and family.
9. Watch Out For and Encourage Your Pastor's Spiritual Growth 
As much as your pastor grows spiritually is as much as the church will grow. Let him go to conferences. Encourage him to take retreats. Allow him time off to listen to others preach. Pray for him often and regularly. Follow Him as He follows Christ.
10. Lift Up Your Pastor's Tired Hands
When your pastor asks you to do something say yes. When you say yes, do it. When you don't do what you say you will do, guess who has to do it most of the time (that's right, your pastor). Lift up his tired hands by showing up (and on time) and giving to the church (both your money and time). Cooperate with him and God in the ministry of the church by having a teachable spirit and repenting of sin. Assume that your pastor has your best interests at heart.
11. Honor Your Pastor 
Address your pastor in the manner he prefers to be addressed but err on the side of formality. Teach your children to respect the pastor as an authority through your example. If you participate in the service, practice your part. If you lead a ministry, be prepared to serve. 
This is by no means an exhaustive list of how you should appreciate your pastor. Just remember that your pastor is a gift of God to your church. Treat His gift and His church that your pastor leads with respect. 


Monday, November 26, 2012

Leadership Lessons from Ted Engstrom, Part 4


At the encouragement of a few friends and fellow General Council members, I am reading through The Making of a Christian Leader by Ted Engstrom. This book was written in 1976 but still resonates with its insights to this day. Talk about retro!

Every week, I will share some quotes and gleanings from my reading for the week. I hope to use this time as an encouragement to myself and to others that being a leader is a calling from Christ and only possible through Christ.




CHAPTER TWO: THE OLD TESTAMENT AND LEADERSHIP
"...spiritual men can take ... [leadership] tools and use them for the glory of God, whether or not all the tools in the leader's arsenal are spiritual.", p. 25
[Joseph provides] "a magnificent example of organization in Scripture!", p. 26
"...authority flows from the higher levels to the lower in God's plan.", p. 26
 "Authority carries with it great responsibility.", p. 27
"Those entrusted with authority are divinely ordained to use it responsibly for His purposes.", p. 27
"...the complex nature of authority...depend[s] upon the attitude with which it is received...", p. 27
"...the people did not understand his [Moses'] role in their midst.", p. 29
"...he [Moses] knew it was time to train someone else for leadership.", p. 30
Six qualities of Moses' leadership found in Hebrews 11 (p. 30):                                          1. Faith (v. 24)                                                                                                                      2. Integrity (v.25)                                                                                                                  3. Vision (v. 26)                                                                                                                    4. Decisiveness (v. 27)                                                                                                          5. Obedience (v. 28)                                                                                                              6. Responsibility (v. 29)
"Behind David's accomplishments was the blessing of God.", p. 31
"The strongest reason ... that the Israelite tribes offered for wanting David to rule was that he was God's choice.", p. 31
"David...protect[ed] them as their judge in peace and their captain in war.", p. 31
Secrets to David's Success (p. 32-33):                                                                                 1. Wise Diplomacy                                                                                                               2. Recognition of the Lord God                                                                                               3. Constantly Seeking God's Blessing                                                                                  4. Not Ashamed to be Involved in Spiritual Exercises                                                                             5. Led His People in Praising God
"...the Christian leader ... must be willing to exercise spiritual means to mold, stimulate, and continually challenge his colleagues and subordinates.", p. 33
"His [Nehemiah] character was above reproach; he was a praying man; he displayed great courage in the face of much opposition; he had a deep concern for his people...; he did not shirk responsibility given to him." p. 33-34 
Join me in learning with the next post on Chapter 3 (Christ and Leadership in the Gospels) of this book.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Leadership Lessons from Ted Engstrom, Part 3


At the encouragement of a few friends and fellow General Council members, I am reading through The Making of a Christian Leader by Ted Engstrom. This book was written in 1976 but still resonates with its insights to this day. Talk about retro!

Every week, I will share some quotes and gleanings from my reading for the week. I hope to use this time as an encouragement to myself and to others that being a leader is a calling from Christ and only possible through Christ.




CHAPTER ONE: WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?
"When God creates a leader, He gives him a capacity to make things happen.", p. 19
"...the closest we seem able to come to a broadly acceptable definition of leadership is, it is what leaders do.", p. 19
"...leadership development is the key to...the effective future of the Christian church..." p. 20
"There are three kinds of people in the world - those who don't know what is happening, those who watch what's happening, and those who make things happen." - Nicholas Butler, p. 20
"...swift and clear decision[making] is a mark of true leadership.", p. 20
"It [leadership] is an act by either word or deed to influence behavior toward a desired end.", p. 20
"Men of faith have always been men of action.", p. 20
"Leadership...demands faith.", p. 21
"...they [leaders] perform competently.", p. 21
 Leadership Principles: (p. 21-23)                                                                                       1. Determine your objectives.                                                                                               2. Plan necessary activities.                                                                                                3. Organize the program.                                                                                                    4. Prepare a timetable.                                                                                                        5. Establish control points.                                                                                                  6. Clarify responsibilities and accountability.                                                                     7. Maintain channels of communication.                                                                            8. Develop cooperation.                                                                                                      9. Resolve problems.                                                                                                          10. Give credit where credit is due.
 Distinctives between Leadership and Management: (p. 23)                                                          1. Leadership is a quality; Management is a science and art.                                             2. Leadership provides vision; Management supplies realistic perspectives.                     3. Leadership deals with concepts; management relates to function.                                 4. Leadership exercises faith; Management has to do with fact.                                         5. Leadership seeks effectiveness; Management strives for efficiency.                              6. Leadership is influence; Management is accomplishment.                                              7. Leadership provides direction; Management is concerned about control.                     8. Leadership is about opportunity; Management is about accomplishment. 
"...[A] leader [is]...one who guides activities of others and who himself acts and performs to bring those activities about.", p. 24
Join me in learning with the next post on Chapter 2 (The OT and Leadership) of this book.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Leadership Lessons from Ted Engstrom, Part 2


At the encouragement of a few friends and fellow General Council members, I am reading through The Making of a Christian Leader by Ted Engstrom. This book was written in 1976 but still resonates with its insights to this day. Talk about retro!

Every week, I will share some quotes and gleanings from my reading for the week. I hope to use this time as an encouragement to myself and to others that being a leader is a calling from Christ and only possible through Christ.




INTRODUCTION
"Crises...stem first from a lack of positive, constructive, dynamic, creative leadership...[sometimes] no leadership is being exercised at all."
 "The successful organization has one major attribute that sets it apart from unsuccessful organizations: dynamic and effective leadership."
"...with the requirement for leadership implicit in change, there are too few individuals with leadership qualities to manage the changes taking place."
"Christian organizations are different [from secular organization]-or at least they should be. They are different because they have a higher allegiance than the basic purpose of the organization."
"An organization may have a fixed, grand objective-to serve Christ, to serve mankind, or to care for the needy-but too often that purpose is not stated in terms of what we intend to do to accomplish that purpose. The goals and objectives are not clearly defined. A major sign of this malady is the large number of committees, department or boards [that exist in an organization]"
Join me in learning with the next post on Chapter 1 (What is Leadership?) of this book.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Leadership Lessons from Ted Engstrom, Part 1

At the encouragement of a few friends and fellow General Council members, I am reading through The Making of a Christian Leader by Ted Engstrom. This book was written in 1976 but still resonates with its insights to this day. Talk about retro!

Every week, I will share some quotes and gleanings from my reading for the week. I hope to use this time as an encouragement to myself and to others that being a leader is a calling from Christ and only possible through Christ.

The Making of a Christian Leader has eighteen chapters. I will share the table of contents today as my hope that this book might appeal to you as well and that you can follow along with me as I share.


  1. What is Leadership? 
  2. The Old Testament and Leadership
  3. Christ and Leadership in the Gospels
  4. The Epistles and Leadership
  5. Administration is a Gift
  6. Boundaries of Leadership
  7. Styles of Leadership
  8. The Personality of the Leader
  9. The Price of Leadership
  10. The Measurements of Leadership
  11. Personal Traits in Leadership
  12. Developing Leadership Skills
  13. Motivation and Leadership
  14. The Major Tasks of Leaders
  15. The Leader Implements the Plan
  16. A Leader must Effectively Control the Operation
  17. Guidelines for Excellent Leadership
  18. Marks of a Christian Leader
Join me in learning with the next post on the Introduction of this book.


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Is Your Christianity Too Comfortable?

10 Signs Your Christianity Has Become Too Comfortable
This is something that has been sticking in my crawl lately (mostly because it is convicting of me as well). Are we too comfortable with our Christianity? Have we lost any sense of fear, trepidation, expectation, or desire for God?

Brian Dodd shares these 10 signs in an article at ChurchLeaders.com. Review these and then repent with me:


1. You are not attending church with a high level of expectancy.
2. You no longer seem to be concerned about the spiritual condition of neighbors, family members, or your co-workers.
3. You haven’t had a spiritual conversation with a non-Christian in a long time.
4. The Bible seems like a history book.  It’s lifeless to you.
5. Your happiness on Sunday mornings is more important than what it takes to reach the unchurched.  As long as you get your parking spot, your seat, and hear the music you like, everything’s fine.
6. The plight of the poor doesn’t concern you.
7. Pictures of overseas suffering do not move you to action.
8. You do not give your financial resources sacrificially.
9. Your prayers don’t seem to be making it past the ceiling.
10. It doesn’t even dawn on you that God could do something incredibly radical in your life at any moment today.  It’s not even on your radar.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Are You Ready...for the Wedding?

*This is my article for the June 2012 President's Page in the Sabbath Recorder.



The Jewish wedding ceremony took place in three parts. Each part is symbolic of a much greater wedding.

It began with the betrothal period, which was preceded by intense bargaining between the father of the bride and the father of the groom. The price was generally very steep, even sacrificial. The price Jesus paid for His bride was also very steep. It was not silver or gold, but His own precious blood. As Christian churches, we have put our trust in that blood and we are betrothed. In the days of Jesus, this part of the ceremony symbolized a permanent commitment. It is the same with our church's relationship with Jesus. We have been purchased with a price and committed to Him alone.

In the next part, the groom went away in order to add a room to his father’s house. It usually took about a year but the actual time was determined by the father. It was the father who decided when things were READY. In John 14, Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Jesus will return to bring His bride to the place that He has been preparing when His father says it's READY.

During the time this room was being built, the bride would be preparing herself and her gown for the wedding day. This was a process that involved a lot of patience and intricate detail. As the bride of Christ, the church anticipates the great marriage feast when Jesus returns. As our churches clothe themselves in and for Christ, we realize our sanctification and anticipation in what we will become. However, rather than fine linen, the church's wedding gown is made of faithfulness to His mission and readiness for His return.

The third and final part of the marriage was the actual wedding and feast. This is a time of celebration of the eternal union of bride and groom. This is what the church is looking forward to upon Christ's second coming. A continual and eternal celebration of Him and those who abide in Him.

So while He is preparing a place for us, He is also yearning to sanctify us and make us Holy. Let us prepare ourselves for Him in faithfulness, commitment, and practice! ARE YOU READY?

When we gather every week in our churches, we get to celebrate a little, yet imperfect, foretaste of what our celebration in eternity will look like. This summer at our Conference session we get to celebrate (with a little larger crowd) the goodness that Christ is doing in and through us until He returns for us.

I am encouraging you all to register for this summer's Conference sessions to be challenged, to be refreshed, and to be encouraged to serve the Kingdom with more vigor with a renewed purpose and with a new perspective.

Our morning Bible studies, led by Matt Berg, Scott Smith, Ericessen Cooper, Matt Olson, and David Fox, will take us through the book of 1 Thessalonians. Our evening and Sabbath worship speakers, Steve Graffius, Nick Kersten, Dave Stall, John Pethtel, Steve Osborn, and special guests (Brian Croft and Dr. Howard Bixby) will inspire, convict, motivate, encourage, and edify you.

We are planning on having week-long courses on missions and evangelism, led by Patty Peterson and Miriam Berg. Of course, there will be the fantastic fellowship times and other activities that we have grown to love during that week.

We are placing an emphasis on church planting and revitalization during this year's session by having some specified teaching on how to revitalize your church and get it to participate in church planting. If that is an area of ministry that you are being called to explore or discover or have questions about, please contact the Center office, the Missionary Society, or myself so that we can be praying for you and include you in these discussions.

On behalf of myself, our denominational executives, our boards and agencies, and our Conference host committee, we want to invite you to join the ARE YOU READY? conversation at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV from July 29-August 4, 2012. 

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Some Things John MacArthur Helped Teach Me Through My Study of Titus

These quotes from John MacArthur's Commentary on Titus and my experience from reading what folks have to say about our President and those who desire that office teach me that most Christians believe in the sovereignty of God with the exception of election season. Enjoy some wisdom from Dr. MacArthur!
To allow our thoughts, plans, time, money, and energy to be spent trying to make a superficially Christian America, or to put a veneer of morality over the world, is to distort the gospel, misconstrue our divine calling, and squander our God-given resources. We must not weaken our spiritual mission, obscure our priority of proclaiming the gospel of salvation, or become confused about our spiritual citizenship, loyalties, and obligations. We are to change society, but by faithfully proclaiming the gospel, which changes lives on the inside.
We must reject sin and never compromise God’s standards of righteousness. But we also must never engage in defamation and denigration of the lost sinners who make up our corrupt culture. When Christians become political, sinners become the enemy instead of the mission field.
When the church adopts a moralizing approach, its energy and resources are diverted and evangelization suffers. When Christians become hostile to government and to society in general, they almost inevitably become hostile to the unsaved leaders of that government and the unsaved citizens who live in that society. We cannot afford to weaken our spiritual mission or our priority of gospel proclamation and kingdom consciousness by getting involved in efforts to change cultural behavior. Even more important, we cannot become enemies of the very ones we seek to win to Christ, our potential brothers and sisters in the Lord. When people come to Christ, He changes them and they change the sphere that they influence. Really changing society starts when a Christian’s moral and spiritual concern is for his own virtue and godliness. It is our righteous attitude and conduct that make us not only more pleasing to the Lord but more pleasing to the unsaved. It is righteous living that makes the saving message of the gospel believable to the lost. If we claim to be saved from sin but still live sinful lives, our preaching and teaching, no matter how orthodox, is likely to fall on deaf ears.
 As followers and imitators of Jesus Christ, our calling is not to fight for our rights or privileges against the ungodly. Rather, as we live in this corrupt world in subjection and obedience to human authority, doing good deeds, maligning no one, and being uncontentious, gentle, and meek, we will thereby demonstrate the gracious power of God to transform sinners and make them like Himself.


Sabbath Renewal Day 2012, Part 4: Worship Resources

Part 4 of 4 in the Sabbath Renewal Day 2012 Packet:


Worship Resources
Rev. Dale Rood, Dodge Center, MN

Calls to Worship
The call to worship is meant to invite people to come together in worship. It is meant to make
people aware of the presence of God in their midst as they have gathered to worship. These call to
worship sentences are chosen with that aspect of invitation in mind, and they would be appropriate for any gathering for worship. They are especially appropriate for Sabbath worship, however, because worship is especially appropriate on Sabbath.
Psalm 29:1-2; Psalm 95:6-7; Psalm 96:1-3; Psalm 100:4-5; Psalm 103:20-22; Psalm 118:24; Psalm 122:1; Isaiah 40:4-5; Isaiah 40:28-31; Matthew 11:28-30; John 4:24; John 7:37b-38; Hebrews 2:9-11; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 12:10-11

Responsive Calls to Worship
Psalm 95:7-10a (NIV)
Leader: Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations.
People: Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
L: Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;
P: Bring an offering and come into His courts.
L: Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness;
P: Tremble before Him, all the earth.
ALL: Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
Psalm 100:4-5 (NIV)
Leader: Enter into His gates with thanksgiving
People: and into His courts with praise;
L: Give thanks to Him,
P: and bless His name.
L: For the Lord is good,
P: His love endures forever,
ALL: His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)
Leader: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,
People: and I will give you rest.
L: Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
P: for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
ALL: and you will find rest for your souls.
L: For My yoke is easy,
P: and My burden is light.

Responsive Scripture Reading
Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12; Leviticus 23:3; Isaiah 58:13-14; Mark 2:27-28
Leader: Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.
People: Six days you shall labor and do all your work.
L: But the seventh day is the Sabbath to the Lord your God.
P: In it you shall do not work:
L: you, nor your son, nor your daughter,
P: nor your male servant, nor your female servant,
L: nor your cattle,
P: nor your stranger who is within your gates. (Ex. 20:8-10)
L: For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth,…
P: Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt,…
L: In six days the Lord made the sea, and all that is in them.
P: The Lord your God brought out from Egypt by a mighty hand and by an
outstretched arm;
L: Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
P: Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
(Ex. 20:11, Dt. 5:12)
L: Six days shall work be done,
P: but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest,
L: a holy convocation.
P: You shall do no work on it;
L: It is the Sabbath of the Lord
P: in all your dwellings. (Lev. 23:3)
L: If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
P: From doing your pleasure on My holy day,
L: And call the Sabbath a delight,
P: The holy day of the Lord honorable,
L: And shall honor Him not doing your own ways,
P: Nor finding your own pleasure,
L: Nor speaking your own words,
P: Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord. (Is 58:13-14a)
L: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil,
P: to save life or to kill?
L: The Sabbath was made for man,
P: and not man for the Sabbath.
ALL: Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.

Isaiah 55:1-2, 6-11
Leader: “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters;
People: And you who have no money, Come buy and eat.
L: Yes, come, buy wine and milk
P: Without money and without price.
L: Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
P: And your wages for what does not satisfy?
L: Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good.
P: And let your soul delight itself in abundance.”
L: Seek the Lord while He may be found,
P: Call upon Him while He is near.
L: Let the wicked forsake his way,
P: And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
L: Let him return to the Lord,
P: And He will have mercy on him;
L: And to our God,
P: For He will abundantly pardon.
L: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
P: Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
L: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
P: So are My ways higher than your ways,
ALL: And My thoughts than your thoughts.
L: For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven,
P: And do not return there,
L: But water the earth,
P: And make it bring forth and bud,
L: That it may give seed to the sower
P: And bread to the eater.
L: So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
P: It shall not return to Me void.
L: But it shall accomplish what I please,
P: And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

For The Beauty Of The Earth: A Responsive Reading with Hymn
Leader: The heavens declare the glory of God
People: And the firmament shows His handiwork. (Ps. 19:1)
L: The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
P: The world and those who dwell therein.
L: For He has founded it upon the seas,
P: And established it upon the waters. (Ps. 24:1-2)
ALL: Sing first stanza, “For the Beauty of the Earth”

L: Day unto day utters speech,
P: And night unto night reveals knowledge. (Ps. 19:2)
L: Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow:
P: They neither toil nor spin,
L: And yet I say to you
P: that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Matt. 6:28b-29)
ALL: Sing second stanza, “For the Beauty of the Earth”

L: Do not let the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord speak, saying,
P: “The Lord has utterly separated me from His people.”
L: Nor let the eunuch say,
P: “Here I am, a dry tree.”
L: For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths,
P: And choose what pleases Me
ALL: And hold fast My covenant.
L: Even to them I will give in My house
P: And within My walls a place and a name. (Isaiah 56:3-5a)
ALL: Sing third stanza, “For the Beauty of the Earth”

L: Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the Lord to serve Him,
P: And to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants —
L: Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
P: And holds fast My covenant —
L: Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
P: And make them joyful in My house of prayer. (Isaiah 56:6-7a)
ALL: Sing fourth stanza, “For the Beauty of the Earth”

The following can be used as a responsive reading in worship in which the pastor or leader plays the
role of “Teacher,” and the congregation the role of “School.” It can also be done as a Sabbath School lesson, or it can be printed out and made available to people as a reference.
A Sabbath Catechism
From the Sabbath Recorder, April 19, 1920 (adapted)
Teacher: Why are we Christians?
School: We are Christians because we have repented of our sin and transferred our trust for
salvation to Jesus Christ alone, and are following Him day by day as our Lord. We
believe it is through Jesus Christ alone that God gives us his gift of eternal life.
Teacher: Why are we Baptists?
School: We are Baptists because immersion in water, as practiced and enjoined by Jesus and His
disciples, is a symbol and a pledge of our new and risen life in Christ.
Teacher: Why are we Seventh Day Baptists?
School: We are Seventh Day Baptists because we desire and purpose to do our best in keeping
the commandments of God.
Teacher: Who is our example and guide in Sabbathkeeping?
School: Our example and guide in the matter of the Sabbath is Jesus Christ.
Teacher: When was the Sabbath established?
School: The Sabbath is a constituent part of the Bible story of Creation.
Teacher: How is the Sabbath treated in the law of Moses?
School: The Sabbath is given a central and important place in the Decalogue.
Teacher: What did the Hebrew prophets teach about the Sabbath?
School: The Hebrew prophets put great emphasis on the spiritual and moral value of the
Sabbath.
Teacher: Does the New Testament change the Sabbath principle?
School: There is no evidence in the New Testament that the Sabbath principle was changed.
Teacher: Does the New Testament substitute another day for the seventh day for Sabbath observance?
School: There is no evidence in the New Testament that another day was substituted for the
Seventh Day for Sabbath observance.
Teacher: Did Jesus abolish the Sabbath or change the day?
School: Jesus did not abolish or annul the Sabbath, neither did He change the day.
Teacher: What did Jesus do for the Sabbath?
School: Jesus explained the true meaning of the Sabbath. He spiritualized and glorified its use,
making it no longer a burden, but a blessing to mankind.
Teacher: What did Jesus say about the Sabbath?
School: Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.”
Teacher: Is the Sabbath a burden or a hardship?
School: The Sabbath should be our joy and delight, our pleasure to do God’s will and keep His
commandments.
Teacher: How can we promote the observance of the Sabbath?
School: By believing it, by loving it, by teaching it, by being loyal to it, by keeping it faithfully,
and by making it a vital part of our lives.
Teacher: To this end let us pray
ALL: We thank you, Father, for the Sabbath Day. May it be a blessing to us week by week,
and all the time. Help us to be true and loyal and keep the Sabbath right in Your sight.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Suggested Musical Selections
Sabbath songs for Sabbath welcoming and/or Sabbath meals:
Bless Now Thy Children” by Elmo Fitz Randolph (tune: “Oh God, Our Help In Ages Past”)
Bless now Thy children as we bring
Our thanks for daily food.
And hear us as in joy we sing
Our Sabbath gratitude. Amen.
God, Grant Us Grateful Hearts” by Elmo Fitz Randolph (tune: “Now Thank We All Our God”)
God grant us grateful hearts
On this our Sabbath Day.
As to the feast we come,
Let gladness reign, we pray.
For life and faith and hope
Our fathers sang Thy praise —
In Spirit with them joined
To Thee our thanks we raise.
Now We Light Our Sabbath Candles” by Elmo Fitz Randolph (tune: “Vesper Hymn”)
Now we light our Sabbath candles,
Bless Thy children with their light.
Thankful we surround this table,
Sabbath peace bring us tonight.
God be praised — Thy name we honor,
Christ be Thou our beacon bright.

Sabbath choruses for worship:
Lord of Love” author unknown (tune: “Day Is Dying In the West”)
Lord of love, Thou Spirit bright,
Grant us fellowship in Light.
Use our lives to Thine increase,
Bring to us Thy Sabbath peace,
Thou ever nigh.
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of Thee.
Heaven and earth are praising Thee,
Oh, Lord, most high!

Oh Blessed Day!” by Edward Holston (tune: “The Doxology”)
Oh blessed day, Thou dost ordain
Our Father God, we hallow now.
May Sabbath thoughts be free from stain,
May reverent hearts before Thee bow.

On the Sabbath” by Kecia Thompson Gordon (sometimes called “The SDB Jungle”) © 1997 Kecia
Thompson Gordon (tune: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”)
On the Sabbath, the holy Sabbath we worship Christ, the Lord. (repeat)
Wee, weee, We worship Christ the Lord, Wee, weee, We worship Christ the Lord.
In the church, the mighty church, the people sing their praise. (repeat)
Wee, weee, The people sing their praise, Wee weee, The people sing their praise.
The seventh day, this is the day that the Lord hath made. (repeat)
Wee, weee, the day the Lord hath made. Wee, weee, the day the Lord hath made.
(There are additional stanzas, but they don’t contribute to Sabbath worship.)

Sabbath Celebration” attributed to Elmo Fitz Randolph and Larry Graffius
Thanks we bring and adoration to Thee, O Lord.
Sabbath hours of inspiration now we afford.
Rest and worship, joyous friendship, shared today in Christ’s great love.
Crown Thy day and send us forward blessed from above. (Repeat last two lines.)

Sabbath, Sabbath” by Jeanne Yurke © 1980 by Jeanne Yurke (tune: “Love Round”)
Sabbath, Sabbath. Here’s the day that we love best.
Day of worship, day of rest, The day our God blest.

The Sabbath’s Here” by Barbara Saunders (tune: “Tallis Canon”)
The Sabbath’s here, let’s celebrate.
Work of the week just let it wait.
Together we will share and see
How special we can help it be.

This is the Day” stanza 1 by Les Garrett, stanzas 2 and 3 author unknown ©1967, 1980 Scripture in
Song/Admin by Maranatha! Music in USA and Canada, ARR, ICS, UBP
Ps. 118:24 This is the day, this is the day that the Lord hath made, that the Lord hath made.
I will rejoice, I will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord hath made.
I will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord hath made.
Ps. 122:1 I was so glad, I was so glad when they said to me, when they said to me,
Let us go in, let us go in to the house of God, to the house of God.
I was so glad when they said to me,
Let us go in to the house of God.
Let us go in, let us go in to the house of God.
Jn. 14:6 Jesus is the Way, Jesus is the Way and the Truth and Life, and the Truth and Life.
No one can come, no one can come, except through Him, except through Him.
Jesus is the Way and the Truth and Life.
No one can come, except through Him.
Let us rejoice, let us rejoice and be glad in Him.
There are no copyright issues for the above songs except for “This Is The Day,” in which case a CCLI# will be necessary. Copyright attributions should be identified on music copy where a copyright is noted. This is done to protect their music from misuse. As long as no music score is published, there should be no copyright infringement with “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” for the chorus “On the Sabbath.”

Other worship songs and choruses:
(CCLI copyright licensing should be used in making copies of the following choruses)
Agnus Dei, by Michael W. Smith
As the Deer, by Martin Nystrom
Be the Centre, by Michael Frye
Beautiful One, by Tim Hughes
Better Is One Day, by Matt Redman
Come, Now Is the Time To Worship, by Brian Doerksen
Draw Me Close To You, by Kelly Carpenter
Everlasting God, by Brenton Brown, Ken Riley
Forever, by Chris Tomlin
Happiness Is To Know the Savior, by Ira F. Stanphill
He Has Made Me Glad, by Leona Von Brethorst
Here I Am To Worship, by Tim Hughes
I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever, by Martin Smith
I Will Call Upon the Lord, by Michael O’Shields
I Will Celebrate, by Rita Baloche
I Will Celebrate, Sing Unto the Lord, by Linda Duval
I Will Offer Up My Life, by Matt Redman
In the Secret, by Andy Park
Jesus, We Celebrate Your Victory, by John Gibson
Let’s Forget About Ourselves, by Bruce Ballinger (also known as “We Have Come Into His House”)
Lord, I Lift Your Name On High, by Rick Founds
Love You So Much, by James Taylor
Majesty, by Jack Hayford
Majesty, by Delirious
O Lord, You’re Beautiful, by Keith Green
Psalm 9, by Sally Beck
Quiet of This Moment, by Terry Butler
Shout to The Lord, by Darlene Zschech
Such Joy, by Don Harris
Take Me In, by Dave Browning
Take My Life, by Scott Underwood
There Is Joy in the Lord, by Sheri Keaggy
There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in This Place
Think About His Love, by Walt Harrah
We Bow Down, by Twila Paris
We Want to See Jesus Lifted High
We Will Glorify, by Twila Paris

Sabbath hymns:
There should be no issues with copyrights for the following, with the possible exception of “There Is
Rejoicing in the Land” by Herb Saunders.
God’s Holy Sabbath Day” by A. W. Coon (tune: “Amazing Grace”)
This is the holy Sabbath Day, The day that God has blessed,
A sacred monumental day And type of heavenly rest.
This joyful day to us was given, Nor has it been made void;
The sweetest day of all the seven, To serve and praise the Lord.
Then let us keep it with delight, And raise our heart to heaven;
And hail with joy its sacred light, The light that God hath given.
O let us spend each Sabbath Day In love and sweet accord;
So when our days are passed away We’ll rest with Christ our Lord.

Queen of the Week” by Madeleine Fitz Randolph (tune: “Crown Him With Many Crowns”)
Queen of the week she comes, The blessed Sabbath Day
Our thankful hearts rejoice and sing, Our cares are cast away.
Dependent on God’s care We find this promise true
From even unto evensong This day I give to you.”
Great gift of God to us, The Holy Sabbath Day
His wisdom saw the need of man To rest and praise and pray.
May we our best gifts bring Our lives rededicate
To serving Christ our heavenly king whose day we celebrate.

There Is Rejoicing in the Land” by Herb Saunders (tune: “All Creatures of Our God and King”)
There is rejoicing in the land. Everything is in God’s hand. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Another Sabbath has begun! Rejoice all you who know God’s Son!
Alleluia, Alleluia. Alleluia, Alleluia. Alleluia!
This day brings each of us the best. And from the daily toil our rest. Alleluia, Alleluia.
To each of us belongs God’s love, Through God’s own Spirit, Heavenly Dove,
Alleluia, Alleluia. Alleluia, Alleluia. Alleluia!
May we in one accord give praise. Voices and hearts of thanks we raise. Alleluia, Alleluia.
To God, Creator, Three in One, His Sabbath Day has now begun.
Alleluia, Alleluia. Alleluia, Alleluia. Alleluia!
It is suggested that for the above songs, it might be appropriate to follow or precede the singing of
these hymns with the singing of the original hymns to whose tune these Sabbath hymns are sung.

Another Six Days’ Work Is Done” by Joseph Stennett (tune: “Where Cross the Crowded Ways of
Life”)
Another six days work is done. Another Sabbath is begun.
Return, my soul; enjoy thy rest in this, the day that God hath blest.
O that our thoughts and thanks may rise as grateful incense to the skies.
And draw from heaven new joy and light, the promise of eternal life.
This heav’nly calm within the breast is the dear pledge of glorious rest,
Which for the church of God remains the end of cares, the end of pains.
In holy duties let this day, in holy pleasures pass away.
How blest a Sabbath thus to spend in hope of one that ne’er shall end!

God of the Sabbath” by William C. Daland

O Day of Rest and Gladness” by Christopher Wordworth Note: The version of the hymn suggested
here is taken from a Seventh-day Adventist hymnal, and the words here are truly reflective of Sabbath,
rather than the First Day.

Remember the Sabbath” by Fanny Crosby

Other hymns appropriate for Sabbath Renewal Day:
(There are many more hymns that could be chosen. These are only a few to whet the appetite.)
Faith of Our Fathers
For the Beauty of the Earth
Give of Your Best to the Master
Have Thine Own Way, Lord!
Help Me to Be Holy
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
In My Heart There Rings a Melody
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
More Like the Master
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
O My Soul, Bless God the Father music by Christopher F. Witt
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord by B. Mansell Ramsey

Please also take a look in the May 2012 Sabbath Recorder (www.sabbathrecorder.org) for new Sabbath songs to share during your worship experience.