Shabbat Shalom - May You Flourish
Sermon Series
“Shabbat Shalom - May You Flourish!”
Many of us long for more than what life gives us. We yearn to flourish. Those longings pierce most deeply when we don’t flourish, such as when we’re restless, when we have no time for leisure, when we’re stressed and overburdened.
Could it be that God has designed ways for us to flourish? And could it be that one of the ways he yearns to do so is through the truths contained in the weekly Hebrew greeting, Shabbat shalom?
The Hebrew word shabbat, transliterated into English as Sabbath, “means ‘restfulness,’ but it is usually translated as the word is in Hebrew: “Sabbath’” (William D. Mounce, Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words, 606). It describes the seventh day of the week, given special status by God at creation.
Additionally, the Hebrew word shalom “is one of the most important words in the OT. In addition to ‘peace,’ this word can be translated as ‘prosperity, well-being, health, completeness, safety.’” (ibid., 502).
To wish someone Shabbat shalom, then, is to wish them an experience of rest, well-being, completeness, and safety. In other words, it is to hope that they flourish.
If you yearn to flourish, then that wish is for you: Shabbat shalom!
Grow Groups
Join a Fall 2024 Grow Group. Grow in community and spiritually as we tackle the topic of the Sabbath. Each Grow Group will dig deep into Pastor Randy's sermon series titled "Shabbat Shalom - May You Flourish." Grow Groups meet once a week from October 26- November 23, 2024. Registration is required...space is limited.
Sabbath: November 2, 9, 16, & 23
SABBATH WORSHIP SERVICES with RANDY ROBERTS | 9 & 11:45 AM, SANCTUARY | 10 & 11:30 AM, Auditorium
November 2 | The Rhythms of Creation
We flourish when we respect the rhythms of God's creative work.
Genesis 2:1-3
November 9 | When the Work's Not Done
God offers us Sabbath rest even when-especially when--our work's not done.
Deuteronomy 5: 1-6, 12-15
November 16 | Echoes of Eden; Whispers of Heaven
Sabbath is concerned about justice because Sabbath is both a reminder and a foretaste of God's perfect world.
Isaiah 58:1-14
November 23 | Getting Sabbath Right
Jesus' #1 Sabbath rule is: people matter most.
Mark 2:23-28
Study notes
Sabbath Afternoon: More of the Story with Randy Roberts, Joelle Reuer, & Special Guest | 3:30 PM, Online
Join us for More of the Story, a special program featuring a conversation with Pastors Randy Roberts and Joelle Reuer, along with the special guest from the church service. The event will be held in the auditorium or live online at 3:30 p.m. this continues each Sabbath as part of the Shabbat Shalom series.