Etiquette at Sabbath Services

God's weekly Sabbath service is a holy convocation. Our behavior as we meet before Him on the Sabbath is important for us as God's people to understand...

by Doug Horchak

For years, we have had a legacy within the Church of God of striving to provide the best location and environment for our brethren to meet for Sabbath services. Often, that was limited due to cost and availability. As a result, there were times the conditions weren't that great.

Many of us in the Church of God have stories about the many different locations we have worshipped in—from beautiful auditoriums and meeting halls, to Quonset huts, restaurant lounges and roller-skating rinks!

In addition, people have come from very different religious backgrounds—all having different expectations of what our worship or Sabbath services should be like.

Given those variables, let us consider a couple of simple, but important questions: What does God expect of the environment and atmosphere where He is worshipped, and what aspects of our personal conduct and etiquette at Sabbath services should never change, no matter where we worship God?

The Holy Convocation

We find the earliest reference in Scripture to the issue of a holy meeting in Leviticus 23, a chapter we commonly turn to for instruction about God's annual Holy Days. This chapter addresses all of the holy convocations of God, including the weekly Sabbath.

God told Moses, "Speak to the children of Israel , and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD , which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts. Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings'" (Leviticus 23:2-3).

To understand further, let's focus on two Hebrew words that God inspired to be used to describe these special occasions. These are the same two words used throughout this chapter, referring not only to the annual Holy Days, but the weekly Sabbath:

The Hebrew word translated convocation in many translations, is miqra' (mik-raw), "something called out, that is, a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal:—assembly, calling, convocation, reading" (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance).

Here we see that God is instructing Israel to meet publicly—a special calling or assembly on the Sabbath day. While God's people had already been taught about the issue of holy time and the importance of not working on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11), we see in this instruction in Leviticus that the Sabbath was to include a special assembly of the people of God, together to rehearse elements of God's plan.

God also says it is to be a "holy" convocation or meeting. God used the Hebrew word qodesh (ko'-desh), which means a "sacred, consecrated, or hallowed thing" (Genesius Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon, 1979).

So, we learn that God told Israel in Leviticus 23 that they were to not only meet on this very special day (the Sabbath) that had been sanctified, but to also have a meeting that itself is holy and special on that day!

In the Presence of God

One of the first examples of coming into the presence of God was recorded in Exodus 3. This is where Moses encountered the burning bush of God (Exodus 3:1-5). As this was in the actual presence of God, Moses was asked to remove his shoes. God said, "The place where you stand is holy ground." Here we find God using the same word for holy (kodesh) that is used in Leviticus 23. With these examples, we begin to see that when we are in the presence of God, it is a very special thing, indeed!

Today in the Church of God, we view our services on the Sabbath day as a holy convocation. It is a special, sanctified meeting that requires something special of us, our behavior and our approach. We believe that at such convocations, we are in the presence of God, as we ask for the presence or "attendance" by God during the opening prayer of our services!

Even during the time of Christ, when the presence of God among men was typified by the temple in Jerusalem , we find Jesus showing great disappointment at the misbehavior of people in this house of God. This was displayed in the account of Jesus overthrowing tables of salesmen and money changers in the courtyard of the temple.

Christ was upset because they had made this very special "house of prayer" a virtual den of thieves (Matthew 21:12-13; John 2:14-16). Clearly, the Messiah was very displeased with this activity in the temple, as it represented disrespect for the very presence of God Himself.

Today, our practice of attending Sabbath services is based on the principles and traditions from the past. Both the temple convocations in Israel and early synagogue Sabbath meetings that were used by the first-century congregations of God's people have given us a pattern to consider in our worship of God.

Today in the Church, we need to maintain that same sense of respect and appreciation when we come before God as a collective body. We can all benefit by reminders of reasonable expectations of etiquette (and respect) as we come before God on our special convocations on the Sabbath around the world (see sidebar).

How God Views Our Convocation

There are some very interesting and revealing principles that we can glean from a letter that Paul wrote to his close "son" in the faith and fellow minister—Timothy. It that letter, we find Paul talking about behavior in the congregation.

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul talks about the qualifications for an ordained overseer of God's people. In verses 4 and 5 he compares one's oversight of his family to his oversight and care for the Church: "One who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)" (1 Timothy 3:4-5).

We see here that Paul implies submission to godly authority by all of us as a part of the Church. He continues discussing our example and later in the chapter tells Timothy, "These things write I to you... that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:14-15).

It is enlightening that Paul refers to the Church as "the house of God," then comments on how we ought to behave ourselves within the Church. He made the same reference that Christ made to the temple (house of God), with a clear expectation of our reverence shown by our behavior!

We Are Not Alone

We live in a time when many of the congregations of God are very small, indeed. We should always appreciate the great privilege it is to meet together with God's people on the Sabbath! Whether with a group of six or seven or a crowd of 200 or more, it is a blessing we should never take for granted.

We should also remember that when we do meet and when we do ask for the presence of God at such meetings—we are not alone. We read some very inspiring words from the apostle John that reveal this encouraging truth. "That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3).

Knowing that our Heavenly Father and His Son are fellowshipping with us on the Sabbath should be an exciting fact that both affects the importance we place on being at services on the Sabbath and our behavior while there.

In the end, we know that some of God's people have no choice but to meet in very humble surroundings. Other congregations may meet in large groups in wonderful halls with padded chairs and the comfort of air conditioning!

Whatever our meeting location, we should never forget that the true quality of our meeting to learn and worship God is based more on our hearts, as we show God honor and respect by what we are doing—and why we are there. UN

Doug Horchak is a member of the Ministerial Services Team, overall coordinator for Festival planning and pastor of the Dallas and Sherman, Texas, congregations.

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Etiquette for Sabbath Services

While our culture has changed and our meeting places have varied since the early Church almost 2,000 years ago, some principles of respect and honor have not. Following are some guidelines, based on biblical principles of courtesy and respect, that we should all consider as we attend our weekly Sabbath services:

Be on Time: While a few brethren will occasionally be late for varied, legitimate reasons, coming into services after they begin by design shows a measure of disrespect to both God and others. It can be a real distraction to others, the speakers and, most importantly, it sends a message to God.

Being in the Hall During Hymns: We should all value the fact that singing praises to God as a collective body is the actual beginning of our services honoring and worshiping God. As many of the Psalms and other references in the New Testament show, we are thanking God through our hymns on the Sabbath (Ephesians 5:19-20). We should give priority to being in our seats before congregational hymns begin.

Loitering During Services: While there may be reasons for a few people being out of the Church hall while services are going on, such as parents comforting small children, those needing to use the restroom and possibly Church personnel (ushers or security), it is inappropriate for members to be fellowshipping and visiting while services are being conducted. There is plenty of time for that before and after services.

Noise During Services: In the hall when services are being conducted, attendees should not be talking and visiting. If communication is needed, a written note or low whisper should be used so as not to disrupt services or distract others.

Children in Services: Children are a great blessing to each congregation. We should all appreciate that. However, parents should focus on the need to train their children to sit or be occupied quietly during the Sabbath services. Admittedly, it does take work, effort and patience. If a child is fussing or being noisy, as parents we should remove the child from the hall, then tend to his or her needs.

Many congregations are able to provide extra space and reserved seating in a section of the meeting hall as a service to parents. Some even provide a mothers' or parents' room so as to tend to the needs of a small baby without disrupting services. (For more on what parents can do, see the article "Our Children and Sabbath Services," November 2005 United News.)

Congregation's Response: On the other hand, as parents of small children are working with and putting forth the effort to instruct their children—training them to enjoy Sabbath services in a quiet manner—we, the congregation, should show patience and support for them. It's a two-way street.

Cell Phones: Sabbath services are not the place for active cell phones. At the very least, phones should be put on silent or vibrate. If answering a phone is a necessity, one should quickly but quietly leave the main hall, then answer the call. This expectation of proper etiquette is known by many who attend meetings in the business world. How much more should we respect coming before God on the Sabbath!

Computer/Video Games: Whether to allow any video games at Sabbath services is a personal choice for parents (since some games are very small, educational and totally quiet). However, many are not quiet, and can be distracting if used during a Sabbath service. A principle all parents should consider is this—if a child is old enough to play a video game, he or she is likely old enough to begin to be taught and learn from the Sabbath service.

Our General Conversation: What is our conversation before and after services? Is it befitting the Sabbath and this special convocation of God with His people? That is a question we should all ask ourselves. God is encouraged and impressed when we converse with each other as God's people. Malachi 3:16 says, "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name." We can be assured that what God hears us talking about is an important factor.

Clothing: What kind of clothing is appropriate for an appearance before God? An article on this is planned for next issue.