For Christians, labor and rest go together. We can’t talk about one without the other.
It’s a connection that goes back to our beginning–Genesis. The Bible’s first picture of God is as a worker. God labors to create. Then rests. And the resting is not a separate divine snapshot. It’s intimately connected to the working. The working and the resting belong together. Somehow God’s rest transforms and blesses the whole cosmic work project. It was very good.
The connection shows up in the work of Jesus too. His rescue plan wasn’t directed to fixing up spirits. He offered good news to weary working bodies. I will give you rest. And he honored the connection of work and rest in his own life. He lowered mountains, raised valleys, preached, healed, and still called the disciples to come away with him. To rest. Even when everything was not yet done.
So why do our congregations need to link rest to Labor Day? Without a connection to rest, our expectation of work becomes corrupted. We step over the needs of actual working bodies–our made-in-the-image-of-God bodies. And without connection to rest, our expectation of workers also becomes corrupted. We risk treating them like utilitarian things. Instead of precious, blessed creatures of our very good cosmos.
That’s the point of these two simple Labor Day resources: reconnecting labor and rest. Then imagining what that connection means for the flourishing of all creation and ourselves. Use these resources throughout September. They are designed from some of your strengths: participation, collaboration, conversation.
For a printable, adaptable, sharable copy of these resources, go to DOWNLOADABLES in the blog header.
- Call to Worship: Labor Day (through September)
- Holy Conversation Starters for Labor Day (through September)
Thanks for your ministry,
Teresa
SPECIAL CALL TO WORSHIP:
LABOR DAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER
BASICS
The following Call to Worship can be used throughout September. The repetition helps worshipers identify changes in their responses. It also helps them go deeper into God’s simple invitation and command to come away for rest. For Christians, conversations about labor and rest always belong together.
The leader will read each statement, then gesture to the worshipers to cue their responses. Practice cuing the responses together. Assure them that it’s okay for us to say different words. God gets it.
Adapt the language for your congregation. Include real-life specifics in the bracketed portions. Change these each week, if possible. Invite different laity to adapt and lead each week.
BULLETIN OR INSTRUCTION LANGUAGE
Take time for worshipers to choose. Practice cuing the responses. If possible, list the four bolded responses in the bulletin or on a screen.
When Jesus asks you to come away and rest, how do you answer? Choose one of these responses. Remember, you can change your answer at any time.
Lord, I just can’t.
Lord, I’m coming . . . probably.
Lord, I’m coming . . . eventually.
Lord, I’m coming.
LEADER’S LANGUAGE
Jesus said to all those disciples: “Come to me all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.”
(cue response)
Even to those who didn’t really accomplish everything on their to-do lists. Even to those who had not worked efficiently and effectively on their goals. Jesus said come and rest.
(cue response)
Even to those already behind on
(insert specifics: e.g., weeding, doing the laundry, balancing the checkbook)
Jesus said come and rest.
(cue response)
Even when there were still demons to be cast out, valleys to be raised, mountains to be brought low, sick to be healed,
(insert specifics: e.g., SPR meetings to attend, casseroles to be cooked)
Jesus said come and rest.
(cue response)
So what’s the catch? How could it be that resting is more important than producing, perfecting, pursuing, performing, and making things happen?
(cue response)
Unless all that stuff you’re doing doesn’t matter nearly as much as you matter to the Lord of all heaven and earth.
(cue response)
Unless the Creator who rests has placed in you a holy likeness, creating you for rest, too.
(cue response)
Jesus says to the precious children, made in God’s very image, “Come to me all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Are you ready?
(cue response)
FOLLOWUP
At the end of the month, ask worshipers what they noticed. Did their answers change? How did it affect how they saw their own work and other workers?
HOLY CONVERSATION STARTERS:
LABOR DAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER
BASICS
Small congregations can worship with conversation–like the Early Church did.
One simple way to include conversation is starting with a well-crafted, thematic question. Allow time for worshipers to consider the question. You can provide pen and paper to encourage folks to consider, then share.
After sharing responses aloud, end with the reflection and a moment of silence.
Remember, participation is a superpower of small settings. You may also send each week’s question to those who cannot attend in person. Invite someone to share their answers.
Choose a fitting place in your order of worship. Some congregations use questions in their gathering time. Others use them as a reflection/response to the sermon.
These questions could also be used as a call to prayer and lead into the prayers of the people.
For a practical guide to explore your strength of worshiping with conversation, see chapter 11 in The Small Church Advantage: Seven Powerful Worship Practices that Work Best in Small Settings (Market Square Books, 2023).
Starting with Labor Day and continuing through September:
WEEK 1:
Opening Question
Who in our community is struggling and has been worked to the bone? Who in our world does Jesus long to speak to and offer rest? Can we be his voice?
Closing Reflection
“Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.’” (Matthew 11:28 CEB)
WEEK 2:
Opening Question
Remember a time when you have struggled or been worked to the bone. How did it feel? Or how does it feel?
Closing Reflection
“Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.’” (Matthew 11:28 CEB)
WEEK 3:
Opening Question
Remember a time when you left something undone, just to enjoy something even more important. Did it feel like a sabbath practice? What helped you make this kind of choice?
Closing Reflection
“Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.’” (Matthew 11:28 CEB)
WEEK 4:
Opening Question
Remember a time when you gathered together with loved ones and left feeling renewed. What happened? Who in our community needs to be included in this kind of gathering?
Closing Reflection
“Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.’” (Matthew 11:28 CEB)