Wednesday, June 16, 1999
Wednesday, June 16, 1999 |
Saturday evening worship celebration can sometimes offer break from traditional Sunday service The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher Religion Columnist Can I tell you about a new thing at River's Edge Community Church? I usually don't brag or inform what's happening at my church in this column, but permit me this opportunity. In response to several factors, we're providing a Saturday night worship celebration starting Saturday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. Ours will be one of the few evangelical churches in the area providing such. Catholic churches have been in the business of Saturday night mass a long time and have been very successful. When I visit my sister (who's Catholic ) in Eagle River, Wisconsin, we usually worship on a Saturday night. That way we have all Sunday to meander along beautiful Eagle River. Several factors contributed to our decision: (1) A good number of people must work on Sunday. (2) Many families take off Sunday morning for a full day at the lake. (3)It gives us an opportunity to tweak our normal worship style for a group that likes it a little more beat and a little “hotter” music. (4) It gives families—in bondage to television—an alternative for their Saturday nights. (5) It provides an opportunity for Christians of different denominations to worship together—to wit, a regular unity service. By the way, Rick, we won't plan to steal any of your sheep in this way. Another reason is that we want to try something different. Surely Saturday night worship is just as efficacious as Sunday morning. Churches get in ruts. This is one attempt to stay out of the rut. So, if you face another lonely Saturday night, i.e. surfing, come on over. It certainly won't be boring! The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville.
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