SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
June 20th, 2021
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.
· Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards. An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship in Calvin Hall
· Dr Dyke has started a Bible study on Wednesdays at 3pm sign-up sheet outside Pastor Study
Schedule reminders:
The office and the rest of the building remain closed, but you can contact Karla during her office hours.
June 20th Father’s Day
June 23rd Bible Study
PRAYER REQUESTS
Family of Rose, Family of Chuck Thornton, Gary Iverson, all who are seeking Jesus, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Jack Braden, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Valerie Jerez, a person seeking a job, Annette Conzett, Jim Roling and family, Sara Feilmeier, Jackie with difficult pregnancy, Lois Seger, Jo Lefleur, Dr Dyke, Clayton Mallory, Jane with upcoming knee surgery, Deb Weller death of father in-law and upcoming surgery, people of India, Tom Kelly facing Surgery, Amy Jacobs, Jeff Fish and Cornell Family two deaths in the past week
PRELUDE
WORDS OF WORSHIP (From Psalm 150)
LEADER: Praise the Lord!
Response: Praise God in His Sanctuary.
L: Praise Him in his mighty firmament!
R: Praise Him for His mighty deeds.
L: Praise Him according to His surpassing greatness!
R: Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
GATHERING PRAYER
O God, whose chosen dwelling is the heart that longs for Your presence and humbly seeks Your face, we come to You at the beginning of the day as the light and warmth of the sun projects Your eternal glow. Strengthen every desire to improve our lives according to Your holy Will. We ask You to restore the joy of our salvation as we proclaim Your grace to our personal worlds. Amen.
HYMN Immortal, Invisible No. 263
CONFESSION AND PARDON.
O most merciful God, Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who pardons all who truly repent and turn to You, we humbly confess our sins and implore Your mercy. We have not loved You with a pure heart nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves.
We have not done justly, nor loved mercy and walked humbly with our God. Have mercy upon us according to Your loving-kindness. According to the multitude of Your mercies, blot out our sin. We ask You to create a clean heart within us, Lord. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Almighty God, who doth freely pardon all who repent and turn toward You, now fulfill in every contrite heart the promise of redeeming grace. We will remit all our sins and cleanse us from an evil conscience, through the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
ANTHEM More Than Just Enough
Hope College Chapel Chorus – loaned by Jon Ryner
THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
RECOGNITION OF FATHERS
THE OFFERING AND OFFERTORY
OFFERTORY PRAYER
As King David wondered what he could offer to God that was worthy, so we, also, come with our best gifts and realize that they fall so far short of Your divine goodness toward us. Help us to see our financial gifts to Your church as the symbols they truly are; representing the gift of our lives in Your service. Amen.
INTERLUDE
Word
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Heavenly Father, we come to hear the divine Word from the Holy Bible. We know that we cannot approach Your gospel without receiving Your blessing. Open our ears and hearts to accept what you teach us, and put it into practice in our lives. Amen,
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Psalm 68: 1-6
May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. 2 May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. 3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. 4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Matthew 10: 24-33
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
Ephesians 4: 25- 5:2
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
SERMON The God Father
Here we are at the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, Iowa again, and this is the Facebook broadcast of our Father’s Day morning worship. Now, ladies, remember that you had a special sermon for you on Mother’s Day just a month ago, so TODAY IS THE MEN’S TURN! I am still Rev. Dr. Dale Dykstra, the interim minister here and a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) for nearly 49 years. 10 churches have called me “Dr. Dyke” in Pennsylvania, Illinois and now Iowa.
Well, I didn’t get through one paragraph without divulging the theme of today’s sermon. Jesus set it out in the Matthew 10 reading that I shared with you this morning. “ALL WHO ACKNOWLEDGE ME BEFORE MEN, WILL I ACKNOWLEDGE BEFORE MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.”
He called God “My Father”---since He was God’s holy Son. That statement led to the priests and the Pharisees calling Him a blasphemer—since that made him an equal with his Father God. Did you ever realize that we do the same thing? Haven’t you ever heard someone refer to a boy as “A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK?” – meaning that he took after His father enough to resemble him? This might be a physical resemblance, but more often it is a mannerism or behavior that calls the father to mind.
Let’s go even further with this simile--- Jesus extended His sonship to us! He said “Our Father”---including ME- AND YOU!! as the children of God himself! Now, He COULD have and really SHOULD have said “My Father” as a true statement; whether mankind recognized it or not. But He did not. MEN—YOU HAVE THE VERY WORDS OF JESUS –YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD!!
Now that is not a license or privilege to claim. NO, it is a relationship of dependance. We have known, or certainly heard of men who take advantage of their parent’s position, or wealth, or education. We may not know them, but there are sons who are SPOILED by their fathers into believing that the world OWES them honor or recognition just because of their birth. These are, without question, NOT our favorite people. Not “role model” material, I am afraid.
I have mentioned that my youngest grandson is just over a year old, now. It was just a few months ago that he couldn’t MOVE! Not even roll over! Do you remember the days when you could put your baby down and know that HE COULDN’T MOVE?
He was totally dependent upon his mother (my daughter), his father, and family. PS, he is not only rolling over now, but walking, even running and CLIMBING now—putting him into some dangerous situations. Still dependent; but a different way!
We are a lot like that. We are not able to lead the righteous life that would remind others of Jesus on our own---we need to DEPPEND upon the aid of our Almighty Father. We can’t be independent….but we don’t have to be so! Our Father REALLY IS our father! We don’t need to be independent and strong by ourselves. It is OK to rely upon the holiness of God. HE can do what we cannot.
In his fatherhood, David tells us in Psalm 68 that God is “the father of the fatherless and the protector of widows.” How bereft is the man who has not got a father! What does a fatherless man LOSE?
Psalms tells us that the fatherless man loses PROTECTION. From the beginning to the bumps and bruises of childhood to the heartaches of youth, a father protects his children. So, God, OUR FATHER protects us from the very worst that Satan can do to us. His Holy Spirit is IN us, to warn us and to protect us. There is comfort knowing that we are protected from evil by a heavenly Father.
Men, have you shared an experience that I know all-too-well? There have been times in my life where I faced important choices and temptations and was poised to make what would have been the wrong choice. Suddenly, I had an uneasy feeling—one that I recognize now as the warning of the Holy Spirit—and paused and reconsidered in time to avoid a terrible outcome. God, My Father, was protecting me IN SPITE OF MYSELF.
You are also Malnourished without a Father. He is there to provide for you—to nourish you. Every father wants to give “Good gifts” to his children as our Lord, himself, said. Fathers go out to labor so that they can provide for their children. Now God provides for us –His children. He provides for me.
God provides ---PEACE– My own father was not one to express emotion; but one odd thing about my childhood was when I would do a “stupid kid thing” and get scraped or dented in some fall or disaster. I would go home and seek out my dad—rather than my more obviously loving mother –because of his big hand! He would put that hand on my back and rub and say “It will be all right”—and I knew that it WOULD be.
God provides COURAGE. I knew that my dad was brave, strong, and would certainly protect my mom and me. I knew that because I heard the stories of his service in the army in the South Pacific during World War II. In second grade I wanted to bring the ribbon for his Good Conduct Medal to school’s show and tell. I learned later how much that meant to him. I felt safe at home, though we certainly did not live in the best part of Chicago.
God provides FORGIVENESS. We only had one car, and Dad used it every day for work. Early in my teen years he was very clear that I would NOT drive the family car. I could drive when I could afford a car and insurance! I came home from college during my freshman year and after I got my license, and BEGGED Mom to get Dad to allow me to drive JUST ONCE with my friends. I am sure she had to really work hard to get him to allow it; but he did. Wouldn’t you know—while out, another car pulled right in front of me, and we hade a fender bender. Oh no! I knew Dad would kill me!
I was afraid and parked the car about a block from in front of the house and walked home. I went to my room until supper, where we all ate together. After a time, I couldn’t hold it in any longer, and blurted out that I had an accident as careful as I tried to be! AND MY DAD STARTED LAUGHING! Huh???
Mom explained—Where does your dad work? I answered “At the newspaper, why?” She said that Dad had seen the police report of my accident come through the ticker at work BEFORE I EVEN CAME HOME! He was grateful I confessed—and he FORGAVE ME. I will never forget it.
God provides LOVE. Dad showed his great capacity for love as mom’s health declined. He took such good care of her!
Fathers give their sons a NAME. My initials are DAD and my son’s initials are DAD, and my grandson’s initials are DAD too! That was to honor both of my parents’s deceased fathers when I was born. I have told the story to my grandson and its special meaning as he goes to college.
God calls us “Christians” which means “little Christs” –the diminutive of Christ our Lord. WE HAVE HIS NAME and all it represents. Men, make sure that people respect God’s name in you!
Most obviously, God provides LIFE! Matthew again relates “He who finds his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for Christ’s sake will find it.” You were born in Christ in baptism and you live the life He gave you.
God gives us His EXAMPLE. Remember when you tried to walk in Daddy’s shoes? CLOMP, CLOMP, CLOMP. Oops! Now move to Ephesians and St. Paul. He says ““Therefore, be imitators of God, as His beloved children.” How can we imitate one who is perfect, while we are so far from it?
By loving others.
By sharing and caring
By living a straight life
By confessing sin to God.
No, we won’t be perfect like God—we can’t be! But we will be the best we can for him, ---and reflect Him in what we do, say, think, and say. We can make our Father PROUD! Do you remember a time Dad popped his britches because of you? My Seminary graduation and the ordination service in my home church in Chicago was when I saw the pride that my mom always told me was there.
We can humbly and honestly MAKE GOD PROUD of us as his sons and we must do so while there is time. Amen.
HYMN There’s a Wideness In God’s Mercy No. 298
“
*AFFIRMATION Apostle’s Creed, Ecumenical Version
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever. Amen.
Sending
*HYMN Come, Thou Almighty King No. 139
CHARGE & BLESSING
And now, may the grace, mercy, and peace which proceeds from God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son, and into the Holy Spirit within us, rest and abide within us, now and forever more.
POSTLUDE
*Stand as you are able.
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
June 20th, 2021
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.
· Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards. An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship in Calvin Hall
· Dr Dyke has started a Bible study on Wednesdays at 3pm sign-up sheet outside Pastor Study
Schedule reminders:
The office and the rest of the building remain closed, but you can contact Karla during her office hours.
June 20th Father’s Day
June 23rd Bible Study
PRAYER REQUESTS
Family of Rose, Family of Chuck Thornton, Gary Iverson, all who are seeking Jesus, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Jack Braden, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Valerie Jerez, a person seeking a job, Annette Conzett, Jim Roling and family, Sara Feilmeier, Jackie with difficult pregnancy, Lois Seger, Jo Lefleur, Dr Dyke, Clayton Mallory, Jane with upcoming knee surgery, Deb Weller death of father in-law and upcoming surgery, people of India, Tom Kelly facing Surgery, Amy Jacobs, Jeff Fish and Cornell Family two deaths in the past week
PRELUDE
WORDS OF WORSHIP (From Psalm 150)
LEADER: Praise the Lord!
Response: Praise God in His Sanctuary.
L: Praise Him in his mighty firmament!
R: Praise Him for His mighty deeds.
L: Praise Him according to His surpassing greatness!
R: Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
GATHERING PRAYER
O God, whose chosen dwelling is the heart that longs for Your presence and humbly seeks Your face, we come to You at the beginning of the day as the light and warmth of the sun projects Your eternal glow. Strengthen every desire to improve our lives according to Your holy Will. We ask You to restore the joy of our salvation as we proclaim Your grace to our personal worlds. Amen.
HYMN Immortal, Invisible No. 263
CONFESSION AND PARDON.
O most merciful God, Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who pardons all who truly repent and turn to You, we humbly confess our sins and implore Your mercy. We have not loved You with a pure heart nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves.
We have not done justly, nor loved mercy and walked humbly with our God. Have mercy upon us according to Your loving-kindness. According to the multitude of Your mercies, blot out our sin. We ask You to create a clean heart within us, Lord. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Almighty God, who doth freely pardon all who repent and turn toward You, now fulfill in every contrite heart the promise of redeeming grace. We will remit all our sins and cleanse us from an evil conscience, through the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
ANTHEM More Than Just Enough
Hope College Chapel Chorus – loaned by Jon Ryner
THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
RECOGNITION OF FATHERS
THE OFFERING AND OFFERTORY
OFFERTORY PRAYER
As King David wondered what he could offer to God that was worthy, so we, also, come with our best gifts and realize that they fall so far short of Your divine goodness toward us. Help us to see our financial gifts to Your church as the symbols they truly are; representing the gift of our lives in Your service. Amen.
INTERLUDE
Word
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Heavenly Father, we come to hear the divine Word from the Holy Bible. We know that we cannot approach Your gospel without receiving Your blessing. Open our ears and hearts to accept what you teach us, and put it into practice in our lives. Amen,
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Psalm 68: 1-6
May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. 2 May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. 3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. 4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Matthew 10: 24-33
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
Ephesians 4: 25- 5:2
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
SERMON The God Father
Here we are at the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, Iowa again, and this is the Facebook broadcast of our Father’s Day morning worship. Now, ladies, remember that you had a special sermon for you on Mother’s Day just a month ago, so TODAY IS THE MEN’S TURN! I am still Rev. Dr. Dale Dykstra, the interim minister here and a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) for nearly 49 years. 10 churches have called me “Dr. Dyke” in Pennsylvania, Illinois and now Iowa.
Well, I didn’t get through one paragraph without divulging the theme of today’s sermon. Jesus set it out in the Matthew 10 reading that I shared with you this morning. “ALL WHO ACKNOWLEDGE ME BEFORE MEN, WILL I ACKNOWLEDGE BEFORE MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.”
He called God “My Father”---since He was God’s holy Son. That statement led to the priests and the Pharisees calling Him a blasphemer—since that made him an equal with his Father God. Did you ever realize that we do the same thing? Haven’t you ever heard someone refer to a boy as “A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK?” – meaning that he took after His father enough to resemble him? This might be a physical resemblance, but more often it is a mannerism or behavior that calls the father to mind.
Let’s go even further with this simile--- Jesus extended His sonship to us! He said “Our Father”---including ME- AND YOU!! as the children of God himself! Now, He COULD have and really SHOULD have said “My Father” as a true statement; whether mankind recognized it or not. But He did not. MEN—YOU HAVE THE VERY WORDS OF JESUS –YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD!!
Now that is not a license or privilege to claim. NO, it is a relationship of dependance. We have known, or certainly heard of men who take advantage of their parent’s position, or wealth, or education. We may not know them, but there are sons who are SPOILED by their fathers into believing that the world OWES them honor or recognition just because of their birth. These are, without question, NOT our favorite people. Not “role model” material, I am afraid.
I have mentioned that my youngest grandson is just over a year old, now. It was just a few months ago that he couldn’t MOVE! Not even roll over! Do you remember the days when you could put your baby down and know that HE COULDN’T MOVE?
He was totally dependent upon his mother (my daughter), his father, and family. PS, he is not only rolling over now, but walking, even running and CLIMBING now—putting him into some dangerous situations. Still dependent; but a different way!
We are a lot like that. We are not able to lead the righteous life that would remind others of Jesus on our own---we need to DEPPEND upon the aid of our Almighty Father. We can’t be independent….but we don’t have to be so! Our Father REALLY IS our father! We don’t need to be independent and strong by ourselves. It is OK to rely upon the holiness of God. HE can do what we cannot.
In his fatherhood, David tells us in Psalm 68 that God is “the father of the fatherless and the protector of widows.” How bereft is the man who has not got a father! What does a fatherless man LOSE?
Psalms tells us that the fatherless man loses PROTECTION. From the beginning to the bumps and bruises of childhood to the heartaches of youth, a father protects his children. So, God, OUR FATHER protects us from the very worst that Satan can do to us. His Holy Spirit is IN us, to warn us and to protect us. There is comfort knowing that we are protected from evil by a heavenly Father.
Men, have you shared an experience that I know all-too-well? There have been times in my life where I faced important choices and temptations and was poised to make what would have been the wrong choice. Suddenly, I had an uneasy feeling—one that I recognize now as the warning of the Holy Spirit—and paused and reconsidered in time to avoid a terrible outcome. God, My Father, was protecting me IN SPITE OF MYSELF.
You are also Malnourished without a Father. He is there to provide for you—to nourish you. Every father wants to give “Good gifts” to his children as our Lord, himself, said. Fathers go out to labor so that they can provide for their children. Now God provides for us –His children. He provides for me.
God provides ---PEACE– My own father was not one to express emotion; but one odd thing about my childhood was when I would do a “stupid kid thing” and get scraped or dented in some fall or disaster. I would go home and seek out my dad—rather than my more obviously loving mother –because of his big hand! He would put that hand on my back and rub and say “It will be all right”—and I knew that it WOULD be.
God provides COURAGE. I knew that my dad was brave, strong, and would certainly protect my mom and me. I knew that because I heard the stories of his service in the army in the South Pacific during World War II. In second grade I wanted to bring the ribbon for his Good Conduct Medal to school’s show and tell. I learned later how much that meant to him. I felt safe at home, though we certainly did not live in the best part of Chicago.
God provides FORGIVENESS. We only had one car, and Dad used it every day for work. Early in my teen years he was very clear that I would NOT drive the family car. I could drive when I could afford a car and insurance! I came home from college during my freshman year and after I got my license, and BEGGED Mom to get Dad to allow me to drive JUST ONCE with my friends. I am sure she had to really work hard to get him to allow it; but he did. Wouldn’t you know—while out, another car pulled right in front of me, and we hade a fender bender. Oh no! I knew Dad would kill me!
I was afraid and parked the car about a block from in front of the house and walked home. I went to my room until supper, where we all ate together. After a time, I couldn’t hold it in any longer, and blurted out that I had an accident as careful as I tried to be! AND MY DAD STARTED LAUGHING! Huh???
Mom explained—Where does your dad work? I answered “At the newspaper, why?” She said that Dad had seen the police report of my accident come through the ticker at work BEFORE I EVEN CAME HOME! He was grateful I confessed—and he FORGAVE ME. I will never forget it.
God provides LOVE. Dad showed his great capacity for love as mom’s health declined. He took such good care of her!
Fathers give their sons a NAME. My initials are DAD and my son’s initials are DAD, and my grandson’s initials are DAD too! That was to honor both of my parents’s deceased fathers when I was born. I have told the story to my grandson and its special meaning as he goes to college.
God calls us “Christians” which means “little Christs” –the diminutive of Christ our Lord. WE HAVE HIS NAME and all it represents. Men, make sure that people respect God’s name in you!
Most obviously, God provides LIFE! Matthew again relates “He who finds his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for Christ’s sake will find it.” You were born in Christ in baptism and you live the life He gave you.
God gives us His EXAMPLE. Remember when you tried to walk in Daddy’s shoes? CLOMP, CLOMP, CLOMP. Oops! Now move to Ephesians and St. Paul. He says ““Therefore, be imitators of God, as His beloved children.” How can we imitate one who is perfect, while we are so far from it?
By loving others.
By sharing and caring
By living a straight life
By confessing sin to God.
No, we won’t be perfect like God—we can’t be! But we will be the best we can for him, ---and reflect Him in what we do, say, think, and say. We can make our Father PROUD! Do you remember a time Dad popped his britches because of you? My Seminary graduation and the ordination service in my home church in Chicago was when I saw the pride that my mom always told me was there.
We can humbly and honestly MAKE GOD PROUD of us as his sons and we must do so while there is time. Amen.
HYMN There’s a Wideness In God’s Mercy No. 298
“
*AFFIRMATION Apostle’s Creed, Ecumenical Version
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
And he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever. Amen.
Sending
*HYMN Come, Thou Almighty King No. 139
CHARGE & BLESSING
And now, may the grace, mercy, and peace which proceeds from God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son, and into the Holy Spirit within us, rest and abide within us, now and forever more.
POSTLUDE
*Stand as you are able.