A Service of the Word Father’s Day

Sunday 21st June

Greeting

Grace, mercy and peace

from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ

be with you

All and with thy spirit.

See what love the Father has given us,

that we should be called the children of God.

You are my sons and daughters,

this day I have begotten you.

See what love the Father has given us.

As many as received him,

to them he gave power to become the children of God.

See what love the Father has given us.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called the children of God. cf 1 John 3.1

Dear Lord and Father of mankind, forgive our foolish ways; re-clothe us in our rightful mind, in purer lives thy service find, in deeper reverence, praise, in deeper reverence, praise. In simple trust like theirs who heard, beside the Syrian sea, the gracious calling of the Lord, let us, like them, without a word rise up and follow thee, rise up and follow thee. Drop thy still dews of quietness, till all our strivings cease; take from our souls the strain and stress, and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of thy peace, the beauty of thy peace. Breathe through the heats of our desire thy coolness and thy balm; let sense be dumb, let flesh retire; speak through the earthquake, wind and fire, O still small voice of calm, O still small voice of calm.

© J.G. Whittier (1807-92) Tune: C.H.H. Parry (1848-1918) arr. Michael Fleming - CCLI no. 1049935

Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you. Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake,

who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. All Amen.

The Ten Commandments

God spoke these words and said:

I am the Lord your God

you shall have no other gods but me.

You shall not make for yourself any idol,

whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above,

or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

You shall not bow down to them or worship them.

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.

For six days you shall labour and do all your work.

But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.

All Lord, have mercy upon us,

and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Honour your father and your mother

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness.

You shall not covet.

All Lord, have mercy upon us,

and write all these your laws in our hearts.

Saying sorry to God

Let us return to the Lord our God and say to him:

All Father, we have sinned against heaven and against you. We are not worthy to be called your children. We turn to you again. Have mercy on us, bring us back to yourself as those who once were dead but now have life through Christ our Lord. Amen.

cf Luke 15

May the Father of love

bring us back to himself,

forgive us our sins,

and assure us of his eternal love

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

Hearing from God

Romans 8:14-17

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God. Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Jesus is greater than the greatest heroes, Jesus is closer than the closest friend,

He came from heaven and he died to save us,

To show us love that never ends.

Son of God, and the Lord of glory,

He’s the light, follow in his way,

He’s the truth, that you can believe in,

And He’s alive He’s living today.

© 1992 1992 Sea Dream Music PO Box 13533, London, E7 0SG. Used by permission - CCLI no. 1049935

Hearing from God

Luke 11: 9-13

9 ‘So I say to you: ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

11 ‘Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God. Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Talk Part 1

How deep the Father’s love for us, How vast beyond all measure, That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss – The Father turns His face away, As wounds which mar the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory. Behold the man upon a cross, My sin upon His shoulders; Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished; His dying breath has brought me life – I know that it is finished. I will not boast in anything, No gifts, no power, no wisdom; But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer; But this I know with all my heart – His wounds have paid my ransom.

Stuart Townend Copyright © 1995 Thankyou Music (Adm. by CapitolCMGPublishing.com excl. UK & Europe, adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, songs@integritymusic.com) - CCLI no. 1049935

Talk Part 2

I want to be like Jesus I want to live like Him I want to be more holy I want to stop all my sin Lord thank You for Your Spirit I'm glad He lives within me He makes me more like Jesus He leads me and helps me to live

Words and music: Paul Sheely © 2006 EMU Music - CCLI no. 1049935

Affirming what we believe

Let us declare our faith in God.

All We believe in God the Father,

from whom every family

in heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high.

We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. cf Ephesians 3

Speaking to God

Jesus taught us to call God our Father,so in faith and trust we pray:

All Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

Let us pray to God, our heavenly Father.

Father of all

hear your children's prayer.

Sovereign Lord,

your Son has revealed you as our heavenly Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

Father of all

hear your children's prayer.

You have made your Church a spiritual family,

a household of faith.

Through baptism we are reborn as the brothers and

sisters of Christ.

Deepen our unity and fellowship in him.

Father of all

hear your children's prayer.

You sent your Son to give his life

as a ransom for the whole human family.

Give justice, peace and racial harmony to the

world he died to save.

Father of all

hear your children's prayer.

You gave your Son a share in the life of a

family in Nazareth.

Help us to value our families, to be thankful for them,

and to live sensitively within them.

Father of all

hear your children's prayer.

Your Son drew around him a company of friends.

Bring love and joy to all who are alone.

Help us all to find in the brothers and sisters of Christ

a loving family.

Father of all

hear your children's prayer.

You are the God of the dead as well as of the living.

We give thanks for those of the household of faith who have gone before us, and

pray for families who grieve today.

Father of all

hear your children's prayer.

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.

All Amen.

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that Thou art - Thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. Be Thou my wisdom, Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, And I with Thee one. Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for the fight; be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight. Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower: raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power. Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise; Thou mine inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, after victory won, may I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

From The Poem Book of the Gael selected and edited by Eleanor Hull. Used by

permission of Chatto and Windus/ Random House (UK) Ltd - CCLI no. 1049935

Sent out for God

All In darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, help us, heavenly Father, to trust your love, to serve your purpose, and to praise your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Lord God almighty is our Father:

All he loves us and tenderly cares for us.

The Lord Jesus Christ is our Saviour:

All he has redeemed us and will defend us to the end.

The Lord, the Holy Spirit is among us:

All he will lead us in God's holy way.

To God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

All be praise and glory today and for ever. Amen.

Closing Prayer (General, Morning, Lament) © Joint Liturgical Group 1968 Absolution (General) © Stuart Thomas Blessing or other Ending (For a Memorial Service) © Trevor Lloyd © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004

Luke 11:9-13

What is God like?

Because what we think God is like will

change how we relate to him - if we will

want to pray to him, love him and enjoy

him.

If we think he is mean, or doesn’t really

care about us – we won’t want to pray or

love him.

But if we think he is kind and generous –

that changes everything.

I wonder if sometimes you think God is a

bit mean, or unkind.

We have been living in some very difficult

and sad times. Some of those things have

hurt us deeply. I wonder if we have

wondered if God has my best interests at

heart. Does he have the world’s best

interests at heart?

Maybe when we have prayed about

something, and we didn’t get the answer

we expected, and we’ve thought God

might be being mean.

Maybe when he calls us to live certain

ways, and those are hard, we might think

he is holding back on us.

In youth group recently, we looked at the

desire to be free. Sometimes we want to

be free of God because we think he stops

us doing what is best for us.

But is God like that? What does Jesus –

who knows what God is like for he is fully

God, and is the Son of the Father - say?

For the person trusting and following

Jesus, he says:

You have a generous father

Not a mean, unkind or stingy Father. But a

generous one.

To help us see just how generous God the

Father is, Jesus makes an argument

which says that if something not so good

can do something, how much better will

something perfect do that thing.

Let me give you a few examples…

1) If you can play football with a soft

ball, how much more can you play

it with a pumped up ball.

2) If you can cook your tea over a fire,

how much more could you cook a

lovely meal in an oven.

3) If Lytham St Annes is beautiful in

the wet, how much more on a

sunny, warm day.

Jesus applies that to dads. He wants us to

think what human fathers are like. Not that

they might tell bad jokes, dance badly and

embarrass their children – though that is

often true!

But what they are like and what they do.

‘If you then, though you are evil, know

how to give good gifts to their children…’

(v13)

What human fathers are like: They are

sinful.

While the men in our lives might be good

to us, supportive, kind, and helpful – for

which we give thanks today – Jesus also

says all people, fathers included are not

generally good with a few imperfections.

But at heart we’ve all turned from God to

live with ourselves in charge.

Maybe some of us have experienced the

failings of our father’s more than others?

Maybe they were not what we longed

them to be? That is why today is so hard

for some.

But Jesus truth doesn’t mean we’re as

bad as we could be.

What human fathers do: They still know

how to give good gifts to their children.

Despite what they are like, most fathers

don’t set out to hurt their children. They

give them good things!

‘Which of you fathers, if your son asks for

a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12

Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a

scorpion?’ (v11-12)

Which father when their child asked if they

can have fish and chips for tea as a treat,

would put a poisonous adder in the chip

papers, instead of a fish?

Which father if their child asked for a

boiled egg and soldiers, would hide a

dangerous insect in there which would

bite them! They wouldn’t!

Or if they asked for a toy would give them

a razor blade? Or asked for a ball would

give one filled with cement?

Most fathers, even though they are sinful,

wouldn’t because they know that would

not be good for their child.

We give thanks today for that experience

of goodness from men in our lives.

Jesus says, if an imperfect dad does that

– how much more a perfect Father.

What God the Father is like: He is a

Father in heaven. That is he is a perfect

Father – he always knows what is best,

and does what is best for his children.

Heaven is a perfect place, because God is

like that. He doesn’t make mistakes. He is

always loving. While our earthly fathers

can be brilliant – our heavenly Father is

more brilliant!

What God the Father does: He gives good

gifts to his children who pray to him.

We will think in a minute what that good

gift is. But it is wonderful to know that God

loves to give good gifts to us.

We don’t have to think we’re having to

pester him. He loves to give.

We don’t need to fear what he’ll give. He

loves to give good gifts.

He isn’t going to give us a stone or a

snake when we pray! He is not out to

harm us.

Sometimes it feel like he hasn’t given us a

good gift. Or that what he has given us is

more like a stone. That what we are going

through really hurts. Unanswered prayer

can be the most painful things.

But the Father image helps here too. Flip

Jesus’ parable around. Which father if a

child asked for a poisonous snake would

give it to them?

If you were a parent and your child asked

for something harmful, would you answer

that request?

No, a wise loving parent doesn’t always

give the child what they ask.

Our Father is like that. Sometime he

withholds things which aren’t the best,

even if we think they are.

If we wonder if God the Father really is a

good as Jesus says he is, then just look at

Jesus. The Father was willing to give up

his own Son – the most precious thing in

his life – for us – so we could be brought

into God’s family. Jesus was willing to

give himself up, to bring us to his Father.

If he was willing to give that, he won’t hold

back on any other good thing for us.

Jesus says ‘You have a generous Father.’

But what is the really good thing God

gives?

Who gives himself

‘how much more will your Father in

heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who

ask him!’ (v13)

I want to introduce you to two children.

Jack and Jill. I want you to think what they

would want more from their fathers.

Jack loves stories. His dad could buy him

all the books in the library to read to

himself. Or his dad could promise to read

him part of a story each night before bed.

Which would be most precious gift? The

books are a lovely gift. But how much

more precious would having Jack’s dad

give his time and energy to be with Jack

to read them to him.

Or meet Jill. She loves football. Her dad

could buy her the latest football kit, a new

ball, and goals for her to play in the back

garden. Or her dad could promise to play

a game with her after tea each night – just

the two of them together.

Which would be most precious? The

football kit are a lovely gift. But how much

more precious would having Jill’s’ dad

give his time to be with Jill be.

Giving yourself – your time, presence and

energy is even better than giving things.

That is wonderfully what Jesus says God

the Father gives those who ask him.

He gives the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit is not God the Father. But God

the Father comes close and personally to

people, by his Spirit. As fully God, the

Spirit brings God close to us.

To have the Spirit is like having God the

Father with us, sitting on our bed, or with

us in the garden. He is not just giving gifts

to us. He is giving himself!

That is wonderful. Because God is

wonderful and so he is given us the best

thing he can give!

The Holy Spirit who helps us to know

Jesus better.

The Holy Spirit who helps us to be sure

we are God’s children.

The Holy Spirit who helps us to pray.

The Holy Spirit who helps us to become

more like Jesus.

The Holy Spirit who helps us to

understand the Bible so we know which

way to go in life.

The Holy Spirit who means we can know

God the Father with us.

That is better than any gift God could give.

Wonderfully we have a Father who loves

to give good gifts, including our earthly

dads or men who have shaped our lives.

But he is so generous he gives the best

gift – Himself by the Spirit.

What should that lead us to do?

To pray! To ask, seek, knock (v9-10). To

ask our Father for what we need. To ask

most of all for his Spirit to help us (v13).

Wonderfully we can be sure this Father’s

Day, he loves to answer that prayer.

Jesus people can know:

You have a generous Father, who gives

himself!

That is wonderful news!