Back to School and Labor Day

School's In!
Backpacks are everywhere. The smell of school bus diesel graces the air. It's back to school time.

Next weekend (August 31) is Rally Day at Bethlehem. During the Sunday school hour (9:15-10:15 am) we will all gather together to kick off the new Sunday school year. This is probably as close to an "open house" as we have for our school year education programs. We would love it if you would be a part of it.

This year we will be using the Seasons of the Spirit Sunday school curriculum. This curriculum is lectionary based, so there should be greater continuity in content between the Sunday Scripture readings for worship and the Sunday school lessons. There will even be a parents' class to discuss ideas for living the lessons during the week.

Labor Day: Work and Rest
Labor Day is always a sticky wicket for me.

On the one hand, many of us are overworked and probably need the day as a reminder to slow down, stop and enjoy the Sabbath rest that God intends for creation.

On the other hand, we enjoy more leisure time than ever before... and fill it up with various forms of busying ourselves. I wonder if this relentless pursuit of leisure for its own sake has consequences too: of perhaps disdaining work. We are quick to forget that work and rest are both God's good gifts, to us, his creatures.

Did you know that there is a political edge to Labor Day? It began as a creation of the American labor movement. Here is where the connection to Sabbath rest comes into play. During the exile of the Israelites in Babylon, Sabbath keeping became a political statement. It was about more than just "a hammock for everyone." Rather it became a statement from the Israelite exiles to their Babylonian oppressors that the B were not ultimately in charge. It became a confession of faith. It became a political statement. It became a "labor movement" in the fullest sense.

May your work be fruitful and to God's glory. May your rest be in God.