From the Pastor’s Pen ~ 	

Blue Laws in SC? 	

One of the 10 commands given to Moses on Mount Sinai was that we 
are to “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Six d
Sabbath to the Lord you’re God. On it you shall not do any 
work, neither you, nor your son, nor your daughter nor your 
manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within 
your gates.” Exodus 20:8-10


Since I was in College some 20 years ago, people have been debating 
the Blue Laws in our state and whether or not to keep them on the 
books. Essentially, these “Blue Laws” are presently an 
attempt by the state to keep ½ of Sunday a non-working holy-day and 
a day of rest. We all know many who are required to work on Sundays 
and others who choose to work and shop till they drop on Sundays, 
but hopefully we all are making a strong effort to observe the 
Sabbath as a day of Rest, Worship, Family Time and Meetings for the 
Lord’s Work. The question is for the community; Do we want a 
Sunday as far as the state is concerned to be a Holy Day or not? I 
have lived in places that have no Blue Laws and Sundays, to me seem 
a like Saturdays as far as purchasing and running. I have also been 
in some churches that treat Sunday as the busiest day of the week 
piling all meetings on this day.


 I have also noticed that so many of our sports teams have moved 
 games to Sundays, usually after church, but sometimes not and 
 other times at 1pm, making church and sport competitive. Likewise, 
 Wednesday evenings, when churches usually schedule programming, are 
 also being invaded by school and community sports and community 
 meetings and activities. The question then becomes, OK when will 
 we take time, take Sabbath and honor God with our time and lifestyle?


 It is interesting to me that we don’t seem to disagree with so 
 many of God’s 10 Commandments like “ thou shall not steal, 
 thou shall not kill or thou shall not commit adultery,” but with 
 the observation of the Sabbath Day, we tend to dismiss it. 


 I don’t know if it is because we don’t see the harm in 
 violating the commandment to rest. Maybe we don’t see the need 
 for it or maybe we feel the idea is so “out of date” that 
 it cannot be relevant or maybe we just don’t understand the needs 
 and benefits of rest from our labors for one day; I don’t know. 
 But I do know that even though we live by Grace, we ought never negate 
 God’s commands. The 10 commandments are here for a reason and we 
 need to follow them.


 As the question of Blue Laws once again hits the state house, I ask you 
 to consider that the Blue Law conversation might be less about retail 
 advantages or disadvantages of Lexington County over our neighboring
  Richland County and more about Sabbath Living and Observance. This 
  conversation about Blue Laws and Sabbath observance is about leadership 
  and lifestyle and who’s advice we as a community will follow. Maybe 
  it is really about who’s laws, commandments and ultimate authority 
  we will submit to, or not.  Maybe it is about what kind of community we 
  want to be and even greater, what kind of community God is calling us to 
  become.


 I write this article asking you to consider what kind of a state and county 
 you want to live in. If your concerned about the abolishment of the Blue 
 Laws, please get involved in state legislation by writing, emailing or 
 calling your state representative and/or Governor Sanford. I would, likewise, 
 also ask you to consider making decisions for yourselves and your family that 
 respects time for Worship and times for Church and Spiritual Growth and to 
 make your opinion be known to the community and school coaches, administration 
 and community organizations the importance of your faith community time and 
 the Worship of your God on Sabbath. PS/ For those who consistently have to 
 work on Sundays to make a living: It is my hope that the church can one day 
 see the need for multiple days of Sabbath worship and celebration.  
                        
                                             Joy and Peace ~ Rev. Tommy Wilkes  


            Below is taken from “The State Newspaper” on June 22, 2007
Some lawmakers said they felt the same way after learning a Rep. Ted 
Pitts-authored portion of the state's budget abolishes for one year the 
blue law that prevents some retailers from opening before 1:30 p.m. on 
Sundays. The measure applies to 40 of the state's 46 counties. If it 
becomes law, retailers would be able to set their own Sunday hours 
starting July 1. The change would not affect the Sunday ban on alcohol 
sales. 'I hope the governor vetoes it,' said Lexington Sen. Nikki Setzler, 
adding he did not know the Pitts proviso was in the state budget. Pitts, 
who offered the change in March, said he was not trying to avoid debate 
on abolishing a law he says hurts businesses in Lexington County that 
can't compete with Richland County businesses free to set their own hours.... 
Sanford's office said again Friday it will study the issue closely before 
deciding its fate. Pitts said he was skeptical his bill could survive a 
Sanford veto. Two-thirds votes in the House and Senate would be needed 
to override the bill