Ed Walsh
Puritan Board Senior
Good morning friends,
I was going to post to "Reformed Covenanter blog posts on the Sabbath," but I didn't want to spoil the intent of that beneficial thread. But my reading there prompted me to ask a question or two about a picnic my church is having following this morning's worship service. We have no evening services. (see image below for the invitation) My church (PCA) has a low view of the Lord's Day (whole day) principle. Also, there is no reason other than convenience that this picnic was nor scheduled for a Saturday.
My questions and thoughts:
Q. Do you think there is a place for this kind of activity on the Lord's Day? I am sure if I went I would speak about little other than Christian ideas in the hopes of giving and receiving edification. But this would only be the case with maybe five or six other members. (best guess)
Should my wife and I go to a picnic as described below? I have always said no. But then again could it be a kind of "missionary" work to the other members? Or would it be a "let us do evil that good may come" thing? I have talked to the elders before about why they should not schedule "work days" on the Sabbath when it could just as well been planned for Saturday?
At this point and always in the past, I have refrained from participating in similar church events. Selfishly I never want to give up my day of reading and worship. But am I wrong? Am I missing an opportunity for the good that will be there? Am I being "holier than thou?" Jesus freely went about doing good and even accepted an invitation to a Pharisee's home for dinner on the Sabbath.
I know this is a last-minute request for help, but help I could use.
Here's an image of the invitation: Notice it mentions Food and Games, but that doesn't necessarily preclude some type of devotional by the pastor or elders. And if guests are invited, it could be a time of outreach to them. But this may be only wishful thinking.
I was going to post to "Reformed Covenanter blog posts on the Sabbath," but I didn't want to spoil the intent of that beneficial thread. But my reading there prompted me to ask a question or two about a picnic my church is having following this morning's worship service. We have no evening services. (see image below for the invitation) My church (PCA) has a low view of the Lord's Day (whole day) principle. Also, there is no reason other than convenience that this picnic was nor scheduled for a Saturday.
My questions and thoughts:
Q. Do you think there is a place for this kind of activity on the Lord's Day? I am sure if I went I would speak about little other than Christian ideas in the hopes of giving and receiving edification. But this would only be the case with maybe five or six other members. (best guess)
Should my wife and I go to a picnic as described below? I have always said no. But then again could it be a kind of "missionary" work to the other members? Or would it be a "let us do evil that good may come" thing? I have talked to the elders before about why they should not schedule "work days" on the Sabbath when it could just as well been planned for Saturday?
At this point and always in the past, I have refrained from participating in similar church events. Selfishly I never want to give up my day of reading and worship. But am I wrong? Am I missing an opportunity for the good that will be there? Am I being "holier than thou?" Jesus freely went about doing good and even accepted an invitation to a Pharisee's home for dinner on the Sabbath.
I know this is a last-minute request for help, but help I could use.
Here's an image of the invitation: Notice it mentions Food and Games, but that doesn't necessarily preclude some type of devotional by the pastor or elders. And if guests are invited, it could be a time of outreach to them. But this may be only wishful thinking.
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