Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God, welcome to New Day Christian Church of Las Vegas. The children and youth meet every Sunday after Worship in the Kid’s Club area.

“Abba, Father, everything is possible for you

.” (Mark 14:36). These were the words of Jesus in a prayer to God, his Father, in the garden of Gethsemane just before his arrest. “Abba” is an Aramaic word for father. Its sentiment is like that of the English words “Daddy” or “Papa”. Its use in this scripture reveals the intimate and close relationship Jesus had with the Father of all creation. This week, Father’s Day will be celebrated, and like Mother’s Day, there is a history behind this unbiblical holiday. 

Father’s Day was founded in Spokane, Washington, at the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd. Her father was a Civil War veteran and a single father raising six children. After hearing a sermon about Anna Jarvis’ Mother’s Day in 1909, Dodd told her pastor that fathers should have a similar day honoring them. I suppose you could say that Mother’s Day birthed Father’s Day.

This special day for dads did not have much support in the beginning. In 1916, President Wilson wanted to make it official, but Congress rejected it for fear of too much commercialism. President Coolidge in 1924 recommended it be observed, but fell short of issuing a national proclamation. In 1957, Maine Senator Margaret Smith accused Congress of ignoring fathers while recognizing mothers with Mother’s Day, thus “singling out just one of our two parents.” It was in 1966 that President Johnson issued a proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Finally, President Nixon signed it into law in 1972. From 1916-1972 is a long time of birthing pains just to receive a day honored for fathers.

Many of us have lost our fathers, but that does not mean we have forgotten all that they have done. Some fathers have chosen to miss out on being a father and have abandoned the idea of it. Regardless, whether they like it or not, they are still a father, because a woman cannot be a mother without a man to be a father. On the upside, there are awesome fathers fulfilling their duty as fathers, and to them, we all salute you and encourage you to keep up the great work.

If you have lost a father, in any capacity, let me remind you that there is a Father for all the “fatherless”. He is also the ultimate Father, even if you have a father still with you. He is the Father of all, and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is the Father whom Jesus calls “Abba”. You can have that same relationship with the same Father Jesus did when you choose to accept Christ as your personal Savior. Jesus was right when He said, “Everything is possible for you [Abba]”. God is waiting to hear you call Him Abba. 

Last week, the little lambs learned about Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit descended and rested upon the disciples, just as Jesus had said He would. It was a day of great celebration, not just because it was a celebration and remembrance of when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the laws of God, but also because they were filled with the Holy Spirit. This was the beginning of the church. This week, we will be learning about the early church and understanding that we, as the Church of Christ, are called to share the gospel of Christ Jesus.

I look forward to celebrating the greatest Father on earth and heaven, with songs of praise and dancing before the Abba of our lives. If, for whatever reason, I do not see you tomorrow, may the Lord bless you with love, peace, joy, and may He comfort you, heal you, protect you, and guide you on your journey when you need it.

God bless you

Your brother in Christ,

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)