Title: Proper Sabbath-Service Behavior 

Subject: Points to Remember
Summary: John Plunkett, focusing on scriptures admonishing that things be done decently and in order ( I Corinthians 14:40, 33, Matthew 18:20), provides a set of common sense guidelines for proper decorum during Sabbath services, speculating that our current transmission difficulties may be as a result of lack of respect for the Sabbath. Since the scattering of the church, formality and decorum have significantly eroded. If a dignitary visited our services, would we be sloppy or slovenly in our behavior? An even higher standard would apply to God’s very presence. We need to: (1) plan to be at every service, (2) listen to the messages and announcements, including the prayer requests, (3) refrain from interrupting, (4) sing out during the song service, thinking about the words of the hymns, (5) keep the hall or meeting room tidy, (6) teach children to stay quiet during services, (7) time the baby’s nap for services, possibly using blanket training during the week, (8) be careful about the toys and books we allow our children to use, (9) use the mother’s room when the child is misbehaving, (10) discipline children in a private place, (11) do not allow children to wander outside the meeting hall during services, and (12) do not allow children or teenagers to be unsupervised during services.

Keywords: Behavior Customs Decency Decorum Disrespect Fellowship Formality Format Guidelines for Sabbath services Human Nature Order Peace and decorum President Bush Queen Elizabeth Queen Victoria Quiet Sabbath services Set of standards Worship