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Father's Day

  • Children's Story for Father's Day


    Children's story for Father's Day


    Theme    : Give thanks for Fathers and give thanks to God our heavenly Father   

    Daddy Judith smiling
    (That's me with my daughter Judith many years ago)

    (Special note: Sadly, there are so many children that don’t have a dad around. Although I have been tempted to simply avoid mentioning father’s day I think it is important to affirm the role of fathers while being sensitive to all those present in the congregation. This day can be also be used to drive home the truth that all of us (even if we are in a single parent family) have a heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally.  --> Here are some ideas that are sensative to the fact that many kids don't have a dad around -> More Father's Day Ideas
    Objects needed: (Perhaps I'm "gender typing" here - adjust as necessary)
    Wrench  (or electric razor, necktie etc)
    Some money (paper or coin)
    Baseball mitt
    Small toy car
    Full Story
    Good morning children! Today is Father's day and we want to give thanks 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.
    (Hold up the 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. If you don’t have a dad living with you make sure you say “thank you” to the people that help look after you. 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.

    (Idea:End your talk with a cheer. "Give me an F, Give me a A, Give me a T... What do you get? FATHER Yeah!

    Or - Ask all the father's in the congregation to stand up and ask the children to go down and give a "High Five" to at least 3 or 4 fathers.    This affirms the fathers and allows all the kids(including the fatherless) to be involved)
    Pray: 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
    Copyright 2009 Andrew Hewlett Sundaychildrensfocus.com    Feel free to use this story at the Sunday service but please giveSundaychildrensfocus credit and consider linking to this web site


     PS: If you are not going with the Lectionary text you could look at some interesting "Father stories." Consider:
    -- The Story of Jarius and his care for his daugher (Mark chap. 5, Luke chap. 8)
    -- Joseph and his care for Mary in the nativity narratives
    -- The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15)  Many prefer to call this the "parable of the Loving Father."


     

     

     

  • Father's Day ideas for church or Sunday school

    Father’s Day ideas - Church and Children's Ministry

    - Make sure all children are honored and included. Consider highlighting “Fathers” or those in a “Father-like” role to the children. Remember, this can be a difficult day for those who don’t have a dad around.

    - Help the children make up a song that you can sing to all the dads in the congregation. Keep it simple and fun. You could also make actions to go along with the song.

    - As a group write a poem or put together a skit highlighting and honoring dads.

    - Give out special dad gifts: Cans of WD40, Coffee gift cards, root beer, golf balls…

    - Interview some Dads.

    - Interview kids about what their dad means to them.

    - Have a Dad photo shoot. Dress them up as “Superdad” and take their picture with the children. Take some fun "Dad selfies". 

    - Produce special craft gift items: Paint and decorate “my dad rocks” paperweights; produce a cut out tie with words that honor the dads; make thank you cards; make decorate father’s day mugs with dishwasher safe paints. This takes more work but my favorite dad mug actually has father / child pictures printed on the mugs. Produce “super dad” t-shirts.

    - Discuss with the church pastor how you might set up a mentor program for kids that don’t have a dad around.

    - Discuss with the church pastor about setting up special prayer support ministry for those who find this a painful day.

    - Have fathers or father figures in the church pray a blessing over the children.

  • Father's Day ideas for kids who don't have a Dad in their lives

    Father’s Day ideas for those who don’t have a dad in their lives -

    A Father to the Fatherless -Psalm 68:5

    "The Father's Love Letter": Share a printed copy of a personalized letter from God to each child. Highlight passages that emphasize God's love, care, and fatherly presence. Encourage the children to keep the letter as a reminder that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them unconditionally. They may or may not have a earthly father in their lives but they all have God the Father who loves us and is with us always. Emphasize that for those who have a dad around, they still need to know the love of our heavenly father. Afterall, earthly cannot be everywhere at all times. However, our heavenly father is always present with us.

    Other “Father’s in the Lord” - Find some compassionate men in the congregation who are good role models. Ask them if they would be willing to be seen (or play a role) as “Fathers to the Fatherless”. Bring them up in front of the children. Explain how we are thankful for our fathers and for those who don’t have a father in their lives, we are thankful for those (like these men) who can be like a father to us. You could bring forward all the father’s in the congregation and ask them to pray a “fathers blessing” over all the children. This could be powerful if done right. (Ideally this needs to be an ongoing organized and valued ministry in the church)

    "The Missing Puzzle Piece": Show a puzzle with a missing piece. Discuss how sometimes they (the children) may feel like something is missing when they don't have an earthly father present, but God fills that missing piece in their lives. Display a piece that symbolizes God's presence and love.

    "The Guiding Light": Use a small flashlight or a candle. Explain that just as a light guides and leads the way in the darkness, God's love and guidance are always there for them. Encourage the children to take turns holding the light and sharing ways they feel God's presence.

    "The Loving Arms": Have a large pair of open arms drawn or cut out of paper. Explain that even if they don't have an earthly father to hug them, they can always find comfort and love in the arms of their Heavenly Father. Invite the children to write or draw things they would like to share with God in the open arms. They could also draw a picture of themselves and place it (along with the other children) inside the love arms of God.

    "The Shepherd's Care": Use a picture or a small figurine of a shepherd and sheep. Discuss how God is like a loving shepherd who cares for and protects His children, just as a shepherd does for his sheep. Emphasize that God's care is available to everyone, regardless of their family situation.

    "The Love Tree": Draw or create a tree shape on a large piece of paper. Have the children write their names or draw pictures on paper leaves and attach them to the tree. Explain that just as a tree provides shelter and support, God's love is a constant presence that provides support and care for them.

    "The Unbreakable Rope of God's Love": Bring a strong and sturdy rope. Explain that sometimes in life, people may feel alone or without an earthly father, but they can still hold onto the unbreakable rope of God's love. Demonstrate by tugging on the rope to show its strength and reliability.