Celebrating The Meaning Of Father’s Day In God’s House

As we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church, Rick Lett, Shelley Hall and Kitty Collingsworth were celebrating birthdays. Special prayers were requested for June Sherman, Ruth Ann, Adalyn, Jim Stauber, Bob and Naomi Cartwright, Jimmy Wanders and travel prayers.

Linda Abercrombie read Psalm 139:15-16 and gave the devotional, “Senseless?” Linda talked about living a life without meaning — nothing to plan, hope or strive for. “We lose our peace because we lose our place in life’s story. Life’s events are a part of our life’s stories. We should find strength and meaning in what we suffer. God can help us with His healing grace.”

We recognized all the fathers in the congregation and presented them with a gift. Tyrel Lett asked God’s blessing upon the offertory and he and Rick Lett served as ushers with music from Becky Johnson and Susan Cory. Karen, Becky and Wayne led the congregational hymns with special music from Jimmy Easter, who played “Precious Memories” on the guitar in honor of Father’s Day. Karen and Wayne sang “I’ll Be List’ning.”

Brother Mark Hall began God’s message for us, “The Father’s Day,” by telling us that every Sunday is Father’s Day in God’s house. Scripture was from Psalm 117. He told us that he hoped that he does half the job as a dad as his father did. “We get a pat on the back for a good job; we don’t if we do a bad job. A good father does according to God’s word. Time will tell about your job as a parent. It tells in your children if you did it right.”

As Brother Mark talked about God our Father, he told us that sometimes we tend to get the wrong idea, like He is out to get us. “God loves you, knows what’s best for you and wants to save you from doing things you shouldn’t that will hurt you. God is more interested in trying to make us what He wants us to be rather than getting us what we want. We always have to pay interest on a curse. We do not have to pay interest on a blessing. Sometimes we wake up like life is a fight and a constant struggle. Everything piles up against us. We wake up to tear down the piles and there are just more behind them. When you face the fight long enough, like a young father trying to support his family, sometimes you just want to give up. But Psalm 118 tells us that God’s mercy endures forever. The mercy is in the believing. Believe in God not because someone told you to but because you have experienced His mercy and goodness. Never give up asking for God’s forgiveness. Sins are never greater than God’s mercy.”

Brother Mark quoted Billy Graham, who said that all men have two needs and they are “forgiveness and for goodness.” Brother Mark told us that the world is full of deception about fatherhood. “It is more than just fathering a child. Fathers work jobs they don’t want to because they have children and families who depend on them. Those are heroes to provide for their children. Fatherhood is that sacrifice.” Brother Mark read James 1:16-18 and told us that these verses defend, declare and demonstrate the goodness of God. “All of the problems in the world come from sin. All the good and perfect gifts come from God. Helen Keller said that the most beautiful things in life can’t be seen, heard or touched, but must be felt with the heart.”

Brother Mark told us that “God’s love is demonstrated in Jesus Christ’s love. People see God by our love for one another. You can’t see God’s love in the lost world, but you can see it in God’s people. Greatness is not about money, ability, power or things. Greatness is in character and goodness. All people have faults, but everyone recognizes goodness and character. They need to be able to see it in God’s people. People forget names and faces, but they never forget how you made them feel. Merciful kindness is where our witness shows. Does your’s show? Who could you show some merciful kindness to this week?”

Our hymn of invitation was “Hide Thou Me,” and Tom Sharp gave the benediction.

The business meeting will be held at 7 p.m. next Sunday night. We will finalize plans for Vacation Bible School, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 14, for ages 4 and up. All children are welcome. The theme is “Gone Fishin’.”

We invite you to worship with us at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and the worship service at 11 a.m. Everyone is always welcome at Mill Creek Baptist Church, which is located three and one-half miles east of Noel, just off Highway 90.