Add God to Fathers’ Day

Fathers’ Day (June 21st), unlike Mothering Sunday, doesn’t have its origins in a church festival, so should the church take any notice of it? Absolutely, says the Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge (pictured above).

Reflecting on his own experience of fatherhood, Bishop John writes: “I have never known a love quite like the love of being a father and I rejoice in the great gift of fatherhood……because it helps me understand how God loves me, and how nothing can separate me from that love.”

He also argues that, by referring to God as ‘Father’, Jesus honours fatherhood. “Let’s celebrate Fathers’ Day in our churches,” writes Bishop John, “honouring those fathers who have shown us something of God’s love, and remembering that our ‘Father in Heaven’ loves us and watches over us, always.”

Lost for Words this Fathers’ Day? Put God in your card

 

The Church of England is also making a bid to put God into Fathers’ Day with a prayer for children to include in their cards on June 21, asking God to help dads grow in love and wisdom.

 

Children ‘lost for words’ this Fathers’ Day are encouraged to paste or write in their cards a prayer specially written for the occasion, thanking dads for their love and support and asking God to support and guide them.

 

“I have always believed in my head,” said Bishop John, “that God loves me unconditionally but it was only when I became a father myself that I began to understand it with my heart.”

 

The prayer is backed up by a new page on www.cofe.anglican.org with more prayer material. Churches are offered: a sample service to customise for Fathers’ Day; a podcast in which Bishop John explains how becoming a father gave him a new understanding of God’s unconditional love; and a link provides a gateway to the WhatDadsAdd website created by the Church or England and the Mothers’ Union.

 

Prayer for Fathers’ Day cards:

 

I thank God for all the love and support you offer me,

and I ask for God's blessing on you this Father's day:

   may God our heavenly Father keep you in his care,

   support and guide you each day

   and help you grow in love and wisdom.

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

A sample service

New Patterns of Worship contains a sample Service of the Word for Fathers’ Day that can be customised for local use.

The service can be found here: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts

/newpatterns/services/npw15.html

Notes for the service can be found here: Link to notes for service- needs putting up as separate file

A prayer

The Church of England has also published a prayer for use in church on Fathers’ Day:

Heavenly Father,

you entrusted your Son Jesus,

the child of Mary,

to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.

Bless all fathers

as they care for their families.

Give them strength and wisdom,

tenderness and patience;

support them in the work they have to do,

protecting those who look to them,

as we look to you for love and salvation,

through Jesus Christ our rock and defender. Amen.

 

'It's crucial that we should pray for fathers," says Bishop John. "How they manage their responsibility will have a very big impact upon the future of children - and of our society."

Suggested readings

 

Fathers’ Day is during one of those times of the year when churches don’t have to use the readings in the Lectionary. Here are a few possible alternatives:

              Old Testament

              Genesis 27.1-29                                     Jacob deceives his father

              Proverbs 23.22-25                                 Listen to your father…

              Psalms

              Psalm 103.8-18                                      As a father has compassion….

              New Testament

              Ephesians 6.1-4                                 Fathers, do not provoke your children               1 John 3.1-3                                              We are God’s children

              Gospel

              Luke 2.41-51a                                        Jesus in the Temple

              Luke 8.41-42,49-56                               A father’s faith (Jairus’ daughter)

              Luke 15.11-end                                      The prodigal son

 

 

Other resources

 

The Church of England and Mothers’ Union produced a card for churches to give to fathers having their baby baptised that might also be suitable on Fathers’ Day. The cards, called What Dads Add, include ideas for giving spiritual care, prayers and an explanation of the Baptism promises, as well as affirming the role of a father. They can be ordered from the Mothers’ Union by ringing 020 7222 5533

 

There is also an accompanying website for the cards at www.whatdadsadd.co.uk