Shabbat for Singles

Whereas there are several appropriate and beautiful ceremonies available for Christian families to celebrate Shabbat (the Sabbath), this author has yet to see one appropriate for the single person (whether lacking family and/or companions, or simply apart from them). To remedy this situation, the author invokes the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit) for aid and formulates the following ceremony. The following items are most useful in this ceremony but may be substituted for if necessary:

1. shofar (rams horn); 2. menorah (seven-branched candle-stick) and candles; 3. matches or lighter; 4. water and a vessel to contain it large enough to encompass your fingers; 5. red wine and a cup or glass to hold it; 6. bread (unleavened or leavened); and 7. a special meal. If one is traveling, size and weight are important. Very small shofars and menorahs (which use birthday cake candles) are available. A small music horn of any type may substitute for the shofar. If no menorah can be found, light seven candles using any kind of holder(s). If circumstances do not permit the use of wine, grape juice (preferably red or purple) may substitute. HOW TO CELEBRATE Traditionally, the man and woman lead their family in celebration of the Sabbath, however anyone can perform the service. When only one person is present, some of the steps must be omitted and others may be introduced or modified. The steps are numbered in the order that they should be performed. Explanations for each step are included in parenthesis. 1. Preparation Prayer;
(Pray aloud.) Heavenly Father, I thank You for the blessings of Your rest and peace this evening. Ruach HaKodesh, be with me as I partake of this Sabbath. Fill my heart and mind with Your shalom, Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Guide me that I may bless others with my words and actions. I ask Your blessing over me and those I love. Pour out Your Ruach HaKodesh upon me as I partake of Your Sabbath, Your rest. May my home, my heart, and my mind be used by You to bring the news that Your Messiah has come, has risen and will come again! In the name of Yah Shua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ), I pray. Amen. (Blow the shofar to herald the beginning of this service.) 2. Lighting the Candles; (Pray aloud.) Baruch atah Adonai Yahuah, melech ha-olam, asher kid-shanu b'mitz-votav, v'tzinvanu l'hadlik neyr shel Shabbat. (Continue ...) Blessed art Thou, O Lord Yahuah, King of the Universe, who has set us apart by Your commandments and has enjoined upon us the kindling of the Sabbath light. Let it be Your will that Your Son Yah Shua HaMashiachs reign on Earth begin. Let Your saints go forth with Your right hand of power and establish Your holy eternal government on Earth as represented by the menorah. Let the pattern of the menorah be established throughout the world. Release the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding. (Light the middle candle.) Release the Spirit of Counsel and Might. (Light the first candle left of the middle candle.) Release the Spirit of Knowledge and Awe of Yah. (Light the first candle right of the middle candle.) Release the Spirit of Truth. (Light the second candle left of the middle candle.)

Release the Spirit of Justice. (Light the second candle right of the middle candle.) Release the Spirit of Mercy and Forgiveness. (Light the third candle left of the middle candle.) Release the Spirit of Love. (Light the third candle right of the middle candle.) In the names of Yah Shua HaMashiach and His Father Yahuah Sabaoth (the Lord of Hosts), I command the angel Zagzagael to help establish Yahuahs holy eternal government on this Earth. I claim this by my baptism of water into HaMashiach and by my baptism by the Ruach HaKodesh. I plead the blood of Yah Shua HaMashiach and in Yah Shua HaMashiachs name, amen. 3. Wine; (The cup is held at the base by the fingers, causing them to point upward. They represent the children of Yahuah, reaching up and longing for Him. It is interesting to note that when Yah Shua "gave thanks" as in Matthew 26:27, He most likely said the same ancient blessing used here.) (Recite:) The wine symbolizes Yah Shua's shed blood. In Matthew 26:27, Yah Shua took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them saying, Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins'" Baruch atah Adonai Yahuah, melech ha-olam, boaray peree ha-gofen. Blessed art Thou, O Lord Yahuah, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. I drink this in remembrance of Your Son. (Drink of the wine.) 4. Washing; Water is used figuratively throughout Scripture to represent the Ruach HaKodesh. Isaiah 44:3: For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Ruach HaKodesh on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 12:3: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (salvation in Hebrew is "Yah Shua"). John 7:37: On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Yah Shua stood and said in a loud voice, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this He meant the Ruach HaKodesh, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. (Pray aloud.) Baruch atah Adonai Yahuah, melech ha-olam, asher kid-shanu bmitz votav, vtzinvanu al n'tilat yadayim. (Continue ...) Blessed art Thou, O Lord Yahuah, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us through Your commandments and instructed us concerning the washing of hands. (Wash your hands by inserting your fingers into the vessel containing the water and rubbing your hands together.) 5. Bread;

This bread represents Yah Shua, the Bread of Life. Yah Shua said "I am the living bread that came down from the heavens. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." -- John 6:51 and in Mark 14:22 And as they are eating, Yah Shua having taken bread, having blessed, brake, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat; this is my body." This we do in remembrance of Him. (Pray aloud.) Baruch atah Adonai Yahuah, melech ha-olam, ha-motzee lechem min ha-aretz. (Continue ...) Blessed art Thou, O Lord Yahuah, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. (Break off a piece of bread and eat.) I do this in remembrance of the sacrifice made by my Lord Yah Shua HaMashiach for the forgiveness of my sins. 6. The Dinner is served; and (A special meal should be eaten.) 7. Grace after the meal. (Deuteronomy 8:10 says, "When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord Yahuah for the good land He has given to you".) (Pray aloud.) Heavenly Father, I thank You for the blessings You have given to me. I ask that You strengthen my love for others and that You fill me with Your Ruach HaKodesh as I continue to enjoy Your Sabbath, Your rest. I thank You in the name of Yah Shua HaMashiach, who came, died for our salvation, was raised from the dead, and will return to receive all who call upon His name. Amen. (Blow the shofar to herald the end of this service.)