People in God’s World: Father’s Day

People in God’s World: Father’s Day
“My child, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.” Proverbs 6:20-22

Call to Worship
(Sung to “Frere Jacques”)
Thank you, God. Thank you, God.
For our dads. For our dads.
They are very special. They are very special.
Thank you, God. Thank you, God.

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Ask: Does anyone know what we are celebrating today? (Our Dads!) Yes! Today is Father’s Day. We are celebrating the men who are special to us. Does anyone have a special dad, grandpa, uncle, or friend that they want to share about with us?

Listening
Say: I have a story about a daddy and his son called “GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU” by Sam McBratney

Little Nutbrown Hare, who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare's very long ears. He wanted to be sure that Big Nutbrown Hare was listening. "Guess how much I love you," he said. "Oh, I don't think I could guess that," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "This much," said Little Nutbrown Hare, stretching out his arms as wide as they could go. Big Nutbrown Hare had even longer arms."But I love you this much," he said. Hmm, that is a lot, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. "I love you as high as I can reach," said Little Nutbrown Hare. "I love you as high as I can reach," said Big Nutbrown Hare. That is very high, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I had arms like that. Then Little Nutbrown Hare had a good idea. He tumbled upside down and reached up the tree trunk with his feet. "I love you all the way to my toe!" he said. "And I love you all that way up to your toes," said Big Nutbrown Hare, swinging him up over his head. "I love you as high as I can hop!" laughed Little Nutbrown Hare, bouncing up and down. "But I love you as high as I can hop," smiled Big Nutbrown Hare and he hopped so high that his ears touched the branches above. That's good hopping, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I could hop like that. "I love you all the way down the lane as far as the river," cried Little Nutbrown Hare. "I love you across the river and over the hills," said Big Nutbrown Hare. That's very far, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. He was almost too sleepy to think anymore. Then he looked beyond the thornbushes, out into the big dark night. Nothing could be farther than the sky. "I love you right up to the moon," he said, and closed his eyes. "Oh, that's far," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "That is very, very far." Big Nutbrown Hare settled Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves. He leaned over and kissed him good night. Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, "I love you right up to the moon and back."

Exploring
Have sheets of paper and pencils and markers available on the tables. Have the kids write and/or draw some of their favorite memories about the men in our congregation, whether it’s their dad, their grandpa, their uncle, or their friend. We want them to celebrate the male role models they have. After they have written/drawn, have the children give their papers to the man they wrote about as a great Father’s Day present.
Benediction
Say: God has blessed us with wonderful male role models! Today let us celebrate them by blessing them! Amen.

More Exploring
Play an Animal matching game. Have the children match the babies with their daddies.