What happened to "Sunday Night?" Now, if you've always watched 60 minutes, you don't remember having to grab your Bible right when the flying monkeys came out during the annual presentation of "The Wizard of Oz" or you didn't grow up in a church-going home as a kid...well, you can probably skip this post... But for the rest of us...What happened to Sunday Night church?
Growing up in let's say 'unique' times in American Christianity, it seemed that Sunday nights were the services we absolutely had to attend if we were going to be in the right place. Denominational differences didn't matter much ~ my friends went to all sorts of churches. Of course, most people went to church where I grew up, Christian or not...
I can't honestly tell you too many sermon topics from my teenage years. But I do remember that going for pizza or to Denny's or laughing in the best burger spots in town after the Sunday night services were some of the most special times of that era in my life. It wasn't a 'youth' thing. We all went! Riding in your friend's car and chatting with their parents was part of the weekly adventure. And then, families had tables pushed together at these places serving their outstanding cuisine. Laughter and love were mixed in as freely as if they were the best appetizers and desserts on the menu.
I know, I know, we're busy now. The argument against Sunday night services is commonly raised that people are busier in this new generation and need their rest on Sunday evenings. Maybe so. But most of my friends have time and energy to watch Sunday night football (after Sunday afternoon football), Cold Case and perhaps (shhh) Desperate Housewives. And in our PST zone, we don't have that early CST zone with the news on at 10; it comes on at 11 out here...
7 comments:
I grew up in a Southern Baptist church (here in the North) and we always had Sunday night services. That and pot lucks. I wish we had both these days. :)
I, too, grew up in a time where Sunday evening services were part of every family's schedule. Everyone (from all churches) met afterwards at a local drive-thru for ice cream. We filled the parking lot with laughter, jokes, impromptu talent shows...it was so much fun! We had pot luck meals every Wednesday night, before Bible study. I miss those times!
My Sunday evenings sounded just like yours as a teenager. I remember some evenings when my parents would decide we'd stay home from church every now and then - maybe one of them was fighting a cold etc...and not feeling that well, but my sister and I would cry and they would turn around and take us. I know we weren't crying because we were so spiritual - but we wanted to see our friends and enjoy everything surrounding Sunday night church.
I'm happy to report, that we still have Sunday evening services. It's wonderful and the fellowship afterwards is just as sweet.
I'm so glad my teenage son is growing up with this as part of his life.
Blessings,
Joy
Mixed thoughts on this one, friend. I'm really glad not to have another night away from home, but I do miss the Sunday nights at Pizza Hut or McDonald's. I don't remember much about the services, but we always had youth group following church. It's just what we did.
Honestly, I love simply taking a nice long walk with my family or sitting around the table with some good food and conversation. As for Desperate Housewives...I have never watched it once. Someone please tell me why in the world? Why?
peace~elaine
What I always loved about our Sunday evening services... is that every one that was there... WANTED to be there...
I do miss the Nazarene afterglows, the Pentecostal potlucks, the Wesleyan lattes....
Most churches don't even do Sunday night services anymore...
of course, gas prices have flown out of control- perhaps a house church on Sunday night would be a good alternative :)
No kidding...
I miss those days.
But our church does have a service on Sunday evenings. It's more geared toward youth (dark lighting, VERY contemporary worship).
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