Father's Day - Sunday 20th June 2021

APC 20th June 2021               ‘Father’s Day’
ENTER    Alison to play some music while people are entering.
Welcome, Introduction and Call to Worship               Michael
Opening Prayer      Michael
Lord’s Prayer Sung               Elaine and Sharon
Announcements    Michael
Kid’s Talk               Father’s Day
Kid’s Craft      Making a Father’s Day Card (Tara to help kids)
Introduction to the Bible Readings      Michael
Lesson 1        
Mark 1 v 21-22 and Mark 1 v 35 and Mark 1 v 40-42      Denise
Lesson 2        
Mark 2 v 13-17 and Mark 10 v 35-45       Tara
Reflection               “Becoming a father to follow.”
Song with Video Slide Show         Rebecca, Kate and Laura
Prayers for others         Michael
Closing Words       Michael
Benediction            Michael
EXIT        Alison to play some music while people are exiting.
 
APC 20th June 2021               ‘Father’s Day’
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning Service.  Today is Father’s Day.  This morning we will be thanking God for good fathers and reflecting on what it means to set a good example for others to follow.  But before we do that, let’s take a moment to talk to God, let’s pray…
 
Opening Prayer
Loving God, we come together on this Father’s Day, reminded not just of our earthly fathers but of you.  You tell us that all who believe in you shall be called your children, and you invite us to address you quite simply as “Dad”.
For the wonder of your love, we praise you.
We praise you that despite all our weaknesses and disobedience, you view us not as subjects, or as servants, but as children.  And we rejoice that you want us to see you not as some deity, remote in splendour, nor as a jealous dictator demanding our homage, but as a loving father, watching over us with infinite care and tenderness.
For the wonder of your love, we praise you.
Loving Father, teach us not simply to say, “Our father” but to mean it – to recognize that you love us deeply, as dependably and as devotedly as any human Father and infinitely more besides.
For the wonder of your love, we praise you.
Teach us that we matter to you, that you are concerned for our welfare, that you delight to bless us, that we need only to ask and you are there.
For the wonder of your love, we praise you.
Teach us that it is because you care so much that you instruct us, discipline and correct us.
For the wonder of your love, we praise you.
Teach us that however far we stray from you, however much we may reject your love or ignore your guidance, still you go on reaching out, longing to draw us close once more.
For the wonder of your love, we praise you.
Loving God, you are, ‘Our father’ and we praise you.  Teach us to be your children, in the name of Christ.  Amen.
Introduction to the Opening Praise
Today as a special treat and to include some variety, instead of saying the Lord’s Prayer together, Elaine and Sharon are going to sing the words of this beautiful prayer for us.  Let me encourage you as always to make this prayer your own…
Praise     Our Father who art in heaven
Announcements    Michael
If you would like to book a place at church next Sunday please do text Aleida before Friday evening of this week.
If you would like to help with readings, prayers or music and have somehow escaped my attention please don’t be afraid to say to me.
There will be no midweek online service during the month of June.  Instead I hope to use the time I would normally spend in preparation and recording making pastoral calls now that restrictions are a little more relaxed and now that lots of people including myself have been vaccinated.
If everything continues with the easing of restrictions we hope to start back with our Sunday School, Youth and other activities in September.
I will be taking my holidays in July and I’ve lined up four of your favourite speakers to lead our worship each Sunday.  There will be Jim Carson, Aleida, Terry Price and Gary Nesbitt.
Now that our AV system is up and running smoothly we will be Livestreaming the services.  You will be able to view the Livestream on our website and on our Facebook Page.
Kid’s Talk               Father’s Day
Good morning children! Today is Father's day and we want to give thanks for the many important things that dads do. I brought some things in this morning that remind me of some of the things that dads do.
(Wrench) Do you know what this is and what it is used for? Yes, it’s a wrench that is used for fixing things. Many dads are good at fixing things that are broken around the house.
(Hold up a baseball mitt) Do you know what this is? That’s right, it’s a baseball mitt. Some dads like to help play different sports or games around the house.
(Hold up some money) Yes, you know what this is. It’s money. Although some dads work at home, many dads have a job that they work at that helps provide money for the family. That money can be used to buy food, clothing and many other good things.
(Hold up a toy car) What’s this? Yes, it’s a toy car. I couldn’t bring in a real car because it would be too big but this small car reminds me that often dads help drive us to different places in the car.
That is just a few of the things that dads often like to do, but each dad has their own special way of helping us out. Since this is father's day it is the perfect time to remember all that they do and to take time to say “thank you” to them.
The bible says that all of us have God as a father as well. Although we can’t see him he is real. He knows us, he watches over us, and he loves us so much. So I hope that you can take time today to say “thank you” to your dad or whoever looks after you. Also, take time to say thank you to God our heavenly Father because he is looking after us too.
Prayer
Thank you God for dads. They are very important and we are grateful for all they do. Also, thank you for all the people that look after us and care for us. We also want to thank you God because all of us have you as a wonderful heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Kid’s Craft      Making a Card for Father’s Day (Tara to help kids)   
Introduction to the Bible Readings      Michael
Lesson 1         Denise
Mark 1 v 21-22 and Mark 1 v 35 and Mark 1 v 40-42
Lesson 2         Tara
Mark 2 v 13-17 and Mark 10 v 35-45
Reflection               “Becoming a Father to follow.”   
One evening a man, having made his journey on foot through deep snow, sat at a bar drinking pint after pint. After some time he looked through the blur of cigarette smoke and was shocked to see his young son standing there. “How on earth did you know where I was son?” He asked with concern.
“Dad,” replied the little boy, “I saw you slipping out of the house, and then I noticed your footprints in the snow. I couldn’t keep up with you, but your footprints were my guide!  Placing my feet in each footprint, I walked on and on through the cold night… and eventually I found you here.” 
On this Father’s Day, I would like us to pause and reflect on the truth that all of us have people that look up to us and follow our example.  I hope that today we will be re-inspired to become fathers and mothers and people that it will be good to follow.
I find it fascinating that one of the things Jesus often said to people was, “Follow me.”  Knowing that He was fully human and completely Divine, Jesus had every confidence that if people listened to His teaching and based their lives upon it, they would find deep contentment and would become a great blessing and example to others.
So today I want us to ask ourselves afresh, “What would Jesus do?” and remind ourselves of some of the values it would be good for us to prayerfully aim for, so that we can be someone that it will be good for others to follow, especially for those of us who have children.
 
1      Jesus put God First
The first is simply that Jesus prioritized his faith.  Jesus was brought up Jewish and throughout his lifetime we find him every Sabbath attending or speaking in the local synagogue.  On many other occasions we find him taking time out from his busy ministry to talk to His heavenly father.
When I was growing up, Sunday was a day that anyone who wanted to go to church could easily do so without it disrupting family life.  Unfortunately, it is much more difficult today.  Many sports teams practice and play on Sunday mornings and increasingly our workplaces demand that we work on Sundays at least on a rotation basis.
I understand that for many of us this causes great tension and presents us with decisions that are far from easy especially where our children are concerned.  All I would say is that at some point in our lives and the lives of our children we will have to choose.  So as far as is possible, let me encourage you to do whatever you have to do to prioritize coming to church and making time to pray personally and with your family.  If you do that, there is a much greater chance that your children and other people will follow in your footsteps of faith.  And if there is anything we can do as a church to make that easier for you then please do tell us and we will see if there is anything we can do.
2      Jesus cared for others
The second thing that stands out about Jesus is the care, compassion, mercy and love that he showed towards people.  Aside from teaching, Jesus spent most of His time listening to others and helping them with their concerns.  He healed the sick, he delivered people from evil spirits, He fed the hungry and welcomed the stranger.  You know, one of the greatest turn offs to God is religious hypocrisy.  Where I grew up, there were any number of people who would be very religious and extremely judgmental but who showed little compassion, care or generosity towards other people.  But it’s just as easy for all of us to be the same.  But let’s not be like that.  However much at times we slip up, let’s make it our goal to be kind and generous and caring to as many people as we can.  Above all things, this will have a lasting impact on our children and the people who look up to us or who watch our lives to see what God is like.
3      Jesus had no favourites
One of the greatest temptations in life is to treat people differently.  Let’s be honest, some people are easier to love than others.  We have more in common with some people than others.  When we feel that a certain association might be of benefit to ourselves or our children, it’s easy to treat someone preferentially or to disassociate ourselves from someone else.  But that’s not how Jesus lived.  Yes, it’s true that He selected his disciples carefully but throughout His life and ministry we see Jesus treating all people with equal dignity and respect.  He often spent time with the outcasts of society and he always welcomed the stranger or the person from a different background or faith.  If that’s what Jesus did then that’s what we should do too and that’s the example we should set our children.  Let us treat all people equally and encourage our children to form friendships with as diverse a range of people as possible.
4      Jesus was a humble servant
You know there are many theories about what makes a good leader, but the majority in our world emphasize decisiveness, confidence and strength.  In many ways Jesus’ example is different.  Jesus was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Everything belonged to Him and He had all power and authority.  He could have treated people any way He wanted and simply struck them down with lightening if they’d refused His demands.  But instead He chose to become the servant of all, even to the point of allowing Himself to be handed over to be crucified.  I think one of the greatest gifts we can give to other people is to show them a different way of leadership.  That means we are to do all we can to serve others, in an attitude of humility, rather than boss people around or expect them always to do things for us.  It will mean to encourage and praise rather than always finding fault.  It will involve making the first steps towards reconciliation and forgiving those who hurt us.  It will mean listening to the ideas of others and being willing to take advice. 
 
There are so many other things I could say about Jesus and how He is such a wonderful example to follow, but we’ll keep those for another time.
 
But what I would recommend you do is what I did this week – Sit down with a pen and blank piece of paper.  Then read through one of the gospels and note down as many attitudes and actions of Christ that it would be good for us to model.
 
Put that list somewhere safe and read it prayerfully on a regular basis.
 
You know when I was at University one of the modules I studied was animal behavior.  There I learned that when a duckling emerges from an egg it will follow the first thing that it sees because it thinks that is its mother.  If it sees you, it will follow you around everywhere you go and copy as many of your behaviors.  This genetically programmed mechanism is called ‘Imprinting’ and ensures that a duck will have the best chance of a long and happy life.
 
All of us are surrounded by many ducklings who whether we like it or not, will follow our lead.  Let’s make it our goal to help them to see Jesus in all that we say and do.  Ultimately He is the one who has promised, “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.”
Song with Video Slide Show         Rebecca, Kate and Laura
Prayers for others Michael
Gracious God, you know the joy of fatherhood and also the pain, for you witnessed the life and death of your son. And you see each day the triumphs and tragedies of us your children.
Lord God our Father, reach out in love.
In Jesus you experienced the delight of being a father – as you watched him grow and mature into adulthood, as you saw him baptised in the Jordan, as day by day he responded to your guidance, faithful to the very last – a beloved son with whom you were well pleased.
Yet you also experienced agony – in the horror of the cross, the pain, the humiliation and the sorrow he endured for our sakes.
Lord God our Father, reach out in love.
In each of us you find pleasure – when we pursue what is good, when we honour your commandments, when we seek your will and respond to your guidance.  But we cause you also so much pain – through our weakness, our repeated disobedience, our deafness to your call and our rejection of your love.
Lord God our Father, reach out in love.
Gracious God, you know the joy and the pain of fatherhood, and so we now pray for fathers everywhere.  Help them to appreciate both the privilege and the responsibility they bear, and teach them to give freely of themselves so that they may discover the happiness, the fulfilment and the inexpressible rewards that fatherhood brings.
Lord God our Father, reach out in love.
Give them wisdom, patience and dedication and grant them strength to persevere when children bring tears as well as laughter, anxiety as well as hope, pain as well as pleasure.
Lord God our Father, reach out in love.
Reach out we pray to all fathers in such circumstances – those who question their ability to cope, or who fear they have failed; those striving to offer support, or who feel they have nothing left to give.
Lord God our Father, reach out in love.
And finally hear our prayer for children who on this father’s day feel pain instead of joy – those whose fathers have died, those orphaned as children, those who have been mistreated, rejected, abused, and those from broken homes who barely see or know their fathers.
Lord God our Father, reach out in love.
Take a few moments now to bring your own prayers to God and especially for those sitting leaving Cert exams…
All these prayers we offer in the name of Him who was a father to the fatherless, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
 
Closing Words
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thank you for your attendance and for tuning in to our livestream.  I hope you found today helpful.  I hope if you are a dad you are able to have a very happy father’s day. 
But to close, let me share with a benediction after which I invite you to say the grace together…
Benediction     
As you go from here, remember this:
God’s love is from everlasting to everlasting,
from generation to generation.
Just as a father has compassion on his children
so God has compassion on those fear him,
who listen to his voice,
and who do his will.
Go out in the knowledge
that the everlasting love of God goes with you.  And
May the grace of the lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and forever more, Amen.
EXIT        Alison to play some music while people are exiting.