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Father's Day Prayer
(by Richard Fairchild)

Thank God for how he loves us 
how he sets the example of parenthood

We also thank you God today for our parents 
- especially for our fathers -
We pray that whether they are here with us still - or with you -
that you might bless them
   that you would forgive - as we forgive - any failings that they
   may have had or still have
   that you might bring to yourself and hallow all the good they did
   or do,
   and lead them in righteousness with cords of human kindness and
   ties of love now and forevermore.         

* Ask God that we might be better parents and set the example in
all things

We pray for the young people in our families
   for the young people in our community - 
for a good example from us
for the desire to walk in the way of blessedness.

Lastly we lift up this day those whom we thought of during this
worship time and those whose names were just now named by us

Bless, O God, each of us, and make us a blessing.  Bless indeed
your whole church - here and throughout the world.  We ask it
remembering your promise to us and according to your call upon
our lives - that call issued to us through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
 

Father's Day Worship Resources Happy Father's Day, by HW in HI, Mt. 10:24-39   The Silent Treatment, by Dave Gladwell, Isaiah 6 v 1-8, John 3 v. 1-7 Father's Day Prayer (by Richard Fairchild)   Father's Day Children's Sermon: The Construction Zone, Mt 7:21-29, Rev. Randy Quinn

Sermon Excerpt:  Happy Father's Day! (By HW in HI)

When I look at today's Gospel reading, I have to wonder about the people who put together the lectionary. I wonder whether they figured that from time to time we would find ourselves reading, "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death" on Father's Day! Maybe they just thought it would be a good challenge for the preacher….

I was listening to NPR this week, and they had a group of dads in, talking about the pleasures and pitfalls of being a father. The fathers of the little ones, the 3 and 5 year olds were glowing with a sense of their own fatherhood, their ability to help mold these little creatures God has entrusted to them. The fathers of the ten year olds reported struggling with difficult questions and tough decisions. The fathers of the teenagers reported struggling. Period. Just struggling.

I want to ask a question. Would those of you here that feel you've been a good father stand? Or maybe just put up your hand. How about those of us that feel we've had a pretty okay father?

Fatherhood is a tough job. It would seem, however, that most of you dads are doing better than you thought you were. You might take comfort in the musings of Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain: "When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."

There are a lot of stereotypes for dads out there. Television gave us Father Knows Best, and a whole slew of competent and incompetent dads. Ben Cartwright on Bonanza (anybody but me remember that?) was a strong father, filled with wisdom and good judgment and compassion. Desi Arnaz in I Love Lucy and Fred Flintstone were bumbling incompetent dads. The list goes on and on. ....... click for entire message

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