TOUCHPOINT The Marble Magazine One West 29th Street, New York, NY 10001-4596 212-686-2770 MarbleChurch.org
JULY & AUGUST 2017
Shabbat / Sabbatical
Jesus was serious when he said, “You This is the season of the year when most people shall love your neightake a break, a bit of R&R time to rest and refuel. If bor” how much? “As you haven’t planned any such time yet, I encourage yourself.” Not more you to do so. The idea of Shabbat dates back to the than … but not less very first chapter of Genesis when God worked for six than, either. If we don’t days, “and on the seventh day, God rested.” If God take adequate care of occasionally needs respite, it’s a good bet we do, too. ourselves, in time there From time to time it benefits those who depend won’t be enough self on you for you to exercise self-care. I often quote my left to adequately care friend, Nunzio Gubitosa (from Blanton-Peale), who I for anyone else. Dr. Michael Brown heard say: “If you don’t take adequate care of your During July and August this summer, I will be on own needs, in time there won’t be enough of you left sabbatical (a word taken from Shabbat). Part of the to adequately care for anyone else.” Words for the point is to practice what I am preaching to you – to wise. rest and refuel before we enter our new Program So, what are you intentionally doing this summer Year at Marble. Another part will be to plan for this to address your own needs? Even if it isn’t a trip or an coming year (ministry initiatives, sermon themes, blog extended absence from work, are themes, Soul Purpose and The Bible you scheduling bits and pieces of Today themes, etc.). I will do that “What are you for time to refresh and refuel? A friend in order to be better equipped to serve intentionally the church beginning in September. We of mine attends one baseball game at least every other week in summer. doing this summer care for self in order to properly care for He calls it “free time,” time when he others. to address your is liberated from his desk and his lapSo, let me ask the question again: top and his every day concerns. For own needs?” What are you intentionally doing this two or three hours, he simply relaxsummer to address your own needs? If es at a game. He told me: “Those the answer is, “I don’t know,” then it’s time to work two or three hours usually get me by for another on a better answer. Create ways to take care of you full week.” I have other friends here in the city who because others need a full and whole you to count on. observe the same practice. However, instead of going to athletic events, they attend theater or opera or visit museums. The point is simply to momentarily clear a path amid all the responsibilities they shoulder so that they can just breathe and be.
JULY / AUGUST 2017
SUNDAY WORSHIP, 11AM
JULY 2
JULY 16
JULY 30
Matthew 10:40-42 Rev. Chad Tanaka Pack
Acts 17:16-24, 32 Susanah Wade
Acts 6:1-15 Rev. Kirsty DePree
Welcome to Reward JULY 9
Wisdom and Her Children Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Dr. Dale T. Irvin
President, New York Theological Seminary
Building Bridges
JULY 23 Dr. Kenneth Ruge, preaching
The Face of an Angel
WEDNESDAY WORSHIP, 6:15PM Every Week, except July 5