Description
Father’s Day is an opportunity to give thanks for the fathers in our lives who have shown compassion, understanding and care for us. Compassion Frames is a creative way to begin the time of worship. It is based upon Psalm 103:13-22 that describes God as a compassionate Father. Therefore, the congregation is invited to name and create images of people who have shown compassion to them. These people may be fathers or father figures but is not limited to these two options. For those who find the image of God the Father difficult or even the concept of a good father challenging, the activity is broad enough to give pastoral space for different experiences. The call and response prayer is an introduction to the idea that regardless of varying experiences of fatherhood, the God we worship is welcoming and compassionate.
The concept of God as a compassionate father is explored further through the story Jesus told about the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32). All ages can participate in the story through simple actions and begin to go a bit deeper with Tuning into Emotions. Using emojis the group can tune into what each of the characters in the story may be feeling. This helps us to see this generally familiar parable with new eyes and open our hearts to what God may be telling us afresh.
Picture Perfect Parenting? is a creative way to explore the parable and our responses to it with even more depth. The story of the Lost Son has inspired many famous artworks throughout history. I wonder why? The themes of selfish ambition, regret, grief, compassion and forgiveness speak powerfully into any time and place. This is an opportunity to think deeply about what Jesus is telling us as fathers, mothers, sons and daughters.
Back Home Together is an interactive prayer that follows the pattern within the parable of the Lost Son. There is an opportunity to give God sadness, recognise wrongdoing and then experience the joy of coming back home to Him.
