Fathers' Day

Unlike Mothering Sunday, Fathers’ Day does not have its origins in a church festival, so should the church take any notice of it? Absolutely, says the Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge.

“I have never known a love quite like the love of being a father and I rejoice in the great gift of fatherhood……because it helps me understand how God loves me, and how nothing can separate me from that love,” reflects Bishop John.

He also points out that, by referring to God as ‘Father’, Jesus honours fatherhood. “Let’s celebrate Fathers’ Day in our churches,” writes Bishop John, “honouring those fathers who have shown us something of God’s love, and remembering that our ‘Father in Heaven’ loves us and watches over us, always”.

Read Bishop John’s article on Fathers' Day.

Listen to Bishop John talking about his experience of fatherhood.

Resources for you: Lost for words this Fathers’ Day?

Are you lost for words this Fathers’ Day? The Church of England has produced a prayer of blessing that you can use in your Fathers’ Day cards, to help you express your thankfulness to God for your Father and to ask God’s blessing on him. This prayer is reproduced below:

I thank God for all the love and support you offer me,

and I ask for God's blessing on you this Fathers’ Day:

   may God our heavenly Father keep you in his care,

   support and guide you each day

   and help you grow in love and wisdom.

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Resources for your church service on Fathers’ Day

To support Bishop John’s call to “Add God to Fathers’ Day”, the Church of England has published some resources for you to use in your church.

A sample service

New Patterns of Worship contains a sample Service of the Word for Fathers’ Day that can be customised for local use - additional notes for the service.

A prayer

The Church of England has also published a prayer for use in church on Fathers’ Day, which follows:

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. Amen.

'It's crucial that we should pray for fathers," says Bishop John. "How they manage their responsibility will have a very big impact upon the future of children - and of our society."

Suggested readings

It is permitted to depart from the Lectionary at certain times of the year, including the period during which Fathers’ Day falls.

The following readings are suggested as possibilities:

Old Testament

Genesis 27.1-29        Jacob deceives his father

Proverbs 23.22-25     Listen to your father…

Psalms

Psalm 103.8-18         As a father has compassion….

New Testament

Ephesians 6.1-4        Fathers, do not provoke your children…

1 John 3.1-3            We are God’s children

Gospel

Luke 2.41-51a                Jesus in the Temple

Luke 8.41-42, 49-56      A father’s faith (Jairus’ daughter)

Luke 15.11-end            The prodigal son

Other resources

The Church of England and Mothers’ Union have produced a card for churches to give to fathers having their baby baptised. The cards, called What Dads Add, include ideas for giving spiritual care, prayers and an explanation of the Baptism promises, as well as affirming the role of a father. They can be ordered from the Mothers’ Union by ringing 020 7222 5533

There is also an accompanying website for the cards at www.whatdadsadd.co.uk.