This Sunday, May 8, is the Fourth Sunday of Easter, it is also referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday. It is also Mother’s Day.
This week’s sermon will be: Coming Out of the Great Tribulation
This week’s readings are:
Message: Mother’s Day – God’s Gift of Parents
Mother’s Day
- Championed by Anna Jarvis starting in 1907.
- She was a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers during the American Civil War.
- First Mother’s Day service was at Andrews Methodist Episcopal, Grafton, WV.
- Initial Major Themes: Peace and Public Health.
- 1908 – Congress Rejected Mother’s Day
- 1911 – All U.S. States had adopted Mother’s Day.
- 1914 – Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the 2nd Sunday of May to be Mother’s Day.
- Jarvis resented the commercialization.
Father’s Day
- Championed by Sonora Smart Dodd
- Formally adopted as a U.S. holiday in 1966 by Lindon Johnson.
Mother’s Day is by far the more popular of the holidays!
In the church we recognize mothers and fathers for their
important roles
- Raising children
- Providing physically
- Caring emotionally
- Supporting Spiritual Lives
Fourth Commandment
Luther says of honoring parents, “Therefore, you should be heartily glad and thank God that He has chosen you and made you worthy to do a work so precious and pleasing to Him. Only note this: although this work is regarded as the most humble and despised, consider it great and precious. Do this not because of the worthiness of parents, but because this work is included in, and controlled by, the jewel and sanctuary, namely, the Word and commandment of God.”
Higher than any religious work.
Holy task – a mother changing a diaper.
God’s plan of PROCREATION.
- Parents are supposed to reflect God
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Creating Life
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Loving
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Providing
- Of course we fail, at this high and holy task
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Parents need Jesus’ love and forgiveness, too!
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Shared faith
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