Today is Father's Day,
National Aboriginal Day, the First Day of Summer, the Longest Day of the Year,
and for me personally, my parents' wedding anniversary.

Today is Father's Day,
National Aboriginal Day, the First Day of Summer,  the
Longest Day of the Year,
and for me personally, my parents' wedding anniversary.  It is a time which
reminds me of the worst day in my entire life -  the day my 90-year-old Dad, Ted
Taylor, travelled from Australia to Canada, alone, wanting to spend the rest of his
life here. Three days later, he was dead. Charlie Cheshire of St. Philip's insisted I
have a funeral here for Dad's Canadian friends but as soon as possible, I took Dad
back to Australia in a coffin - on the same plane as me, and by way of China where
he had wanted to go. After a second funeral at home in Australia, my sister, my
only sibling, drove me to the airport for the plane back to Canada - and told me
never to return. Yes, Father's Day can touch us deeply.  
We all have poignant memories. In our Prayers of the People today, let us think of
what June 21 means to each of us. Let us think about  
Remembering, Honouring,  Loving ,
Feeling Thankful, Joyful, Peaceful,
Being Hopeful and  Forgiving.
Let us pray and after the words LORD GOD OUR FATHER please respond with
REACH OUT WITH LOVE.

Dear Heavenly Father,
You know the joy of fatherhood but also the pain, for you witnessed the life and
death of your Son
and you see each day the triumphs and the tragedies of we, 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 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

Our Heavenly Father
You know the joy and pain of fatherhood
SO LET US PRAY FOR FATHERS EVERYWHERE
for the many fathers in war-torn, poverty-stricken countries
who are struggling to provide for their families,
those who despair about finding safe shelter,
who watch in anguish as their children starve,
who desperately search for adequate medical care
or safety from the unbelievable violence that surrounds them.
Be with these fathers this day.
Strengthen and encourage them as they try to care for their families
Grant them grace and courage in the midst of impossible circumstances
and bless them with hope as they look toward the future.
LORD GOD OUR FATHER
REACH OUT WITH LOVE

And on this National Aboriginal Day we remember those fathers in churches and
residential schools who were fathers in name only, the priests who
molested the children in their care. We pray for the victims whose own  

fatherhood would be scarred by such memories.  Give them and us the strength
and Your example to forgive.  
And this week we ask You to guide the white father in Charleston, South Carolina
who gave his son a gun which the son later used to murder nine trusting
Christians while they were studying the Bible in a church - a white son who killed
them because they were black.  
But out of such horror comes hope. We thank you, Father, for the families of the
victims who, following the example of Your Son on the Cross, forgave the
murderer because there was no room in their hearts for hate. Thank you, Father,
for the example of your children, blacks and whites, coming together to bring
peace and understanding to this troubled town.
LORD GOD OUR FATHER
REACH OUT WITH LOVE

Dear Heavenly Father, it is Your commandment that we should honour our
fathers, but there are many fathers.
Divorced fathers separated from their children. Fathers who cannot have children
or who have lost a child to death and they must learn to live with their loss.
Fathers who themselves have come from broken homes, fathers who have barely
seen or known their own fathers.
Stepfathers.  Grandfathers. Fathers-in-law. Foster  fathers. Big Brothers. Teachers.
Family friends. Mentors. Pastors. Coaches.
Father figures who  guide, advise, teach, care - and love.
Heavenly Father, we ask You to bless all the earthly fathers in our lives. Give them

patience, wisdom, strength and love.
Let us end by spending a few moments in silence -
or speaking aloud as you prefer -
and
bring to mind your own fathers, whether dead or still alive - and thank God for
your most treasured memory.
 
SILENCE
LORD GOD OUR FATHER
REACH OUT IN LOVE