Making the Most of Sabbath Sunday

We introduced Sabbath Sunday services last year as part of our new worship rhythm. Every four weeks, we gather remotely (online) as an intentional practice of slowing down to rest and reflect on God's work in our lives, our church, and our world.

Many of us participate in this service in different ways—alone or with a group, with silent stillness or joyful movement, on our couches, or in the LaSalle sanctuary. This guide is a collection of many of the best suggestions and ideas we've heard for how to make the most of a Sabbath Sunday service. We invite you to consider the possibilities below and to engage with the service in whatever way is most restful and life-giving for you.

1. Plan ahead to use tech mindfully.

Our Sabbath services are livestreamed on YouTube at 10:00a on Sabbath Sundays and then available for later viewing at any time. YouTube is available across a wide variety of devices—smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs, smart TVs, etc.—so consider which tools you have access to that might help you engage most deeply with the service, including the live chat.

Ideas:

  • Use a mobile device and headphones to stream the service somewhere special to you—like a park, a private room, or a train

  • If you have a smart TV, stream the service on your TV so everyone in your family can sit comfortably and move around the room

  • Avoid multitasking—consider setting your phone to "Do Not Disturb" and tucking it away (if you're streaming on a TV), and avoid using other apps or internet tabs while you're participating. Some activities might be life-giving (see #4 below), but try to avoid streaming the service as "background noise" while you actually focus on doing other things.

2. Create an atmosphere of rest and reflection.

One of the joys of a Sabbath service is skipping the morning rush and commute to the building—you are welcome (and even encouraged!) to watch the service in your pajamas. But consider planning ahead to treat the hour as something valuable and distinct, like an important appointment or a spiritual retreat. Remember that the Sabbath service isn't just another piece of streaming content—it's a guided practice of worship that rewards mindful participation.

Ideas:

  • If you're with others, consider sharing a special meal before or after the service to take advantage of the extra time

  • If you're alone, consider any elements you can incorporate in the room that help draw your awareness to the presence of God with you: a candle, a journal, incense, tea, or anything else. A ritual as simple as lighting a candle, ringing a bell, or taking a few deep breaths can help to shift your awareness toward God

  • If there are kids or youth in the room, brainstorm with them what might help them to be focused and present for the hour. And make sure to review Rev Alicia's suggestions for families on Sabbath Sundays

3. Identify whether you want to stream the service alone or with others, depending on your living situation.

For some of us, the chance to spend a morning alone with God and an online worship experience might feel like a luxury. For others, it might feel lonely or isolating. We all experience God differently! If you crave community and connection, consider meeting with other LaSallers in your neighborhood to stream the service together; you can even make a day of it by sharing a potluck brunch afterward. And remember: The sanctuary is open for anyone who wants to participate in the Sabbath service with others.

Ideas:

  • If you want to meet with others but can't host in your home, offer to coordinate for someone else who is able to host: "Hey, _____, I can't host but would love to help coordinate a potluck meal, if your living room is available. What do you think?"

  • Remember that the service is available online any time after that initial 10:00am livestream, so consider making a plan to watch the service together with someone else in the afternoon or evening

4. Get creative!

The possibilities are endless! Use the new format of this service to explore what is most joyful and life-giving in your relationship with God. If you discover something that's especially meaningful or beneficial, share it with others!

Ideas:

  • Practice stretching, body work, or deep breathing while you stream the service at home

  • If you like having something to do with your hands, grab a craft project or a fidget toy before the service starts: knitting, coloring, whatever you enjoy

  • Take the service with you on a mobile device and headphones to a park—walk during the active/speaking portions, and sit still on a bench during the silent/reflective portions

  • Think of this service as a gift to share with others: Make plans to stream the service with someone who might need help with technology, or someone in the hospital, or someone else who might love the chance to be with you

  • Create new traditions of rest and connection that you associate with the Sabbath service: Pancakes with the kids, a half-day fast from technology, a dedicated time of solo Scripture reading, or whatever else you can imagine!

FAQs:

How do I see or participate in the YouTube live chat?

Each service includes a live chat that takes place in real-time during the 10:00am livestream. The chat conversation will close when the service ends, but it remains available to read if you watch the service later. Anyone can read the live chat. In order to post/participate in the live chat, you just need a Google account! If you need help finding the live chat, you'll need to find instructions specific to your device.

I want to stream the service with other LaSallers, but I don't know who else is in my neighborhood—how can I make something happen?

Talk to Pastor Brent! He's the Associate Pastor of Connection, and he'd be glad to help connect you with others to participate in the service together.

What's unique about the Sabbath service, compared to our other services (which are also livestreamed)?

We livestream all our services at LaSalle, but the Sabbath service is thoughtfully planned from beginning to end to take advantage of the variety of circumstances in which people might stream it: at home, in the sanctuary, on the go, etc. Rather than merely broadcasting a sanctuary worship service on YouTube, this service is structured to facilitate rest, reflection, and deeper connection with God.