Background for Men of the Church Sunday

Throughout the liturgical year, the General Assembly has chosen special Sunday observances. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has designated certain Sundays to recognize the Gifts of Women, Older Adults, Families, and Young People. Men of the Church Sunday is one of these special observances. It is a day for recognizing the gifts and the contributions to ministry that men have made in every congregation. It is to give thanks for the witness that they make in the home, the workplace and the community. It is a time to celebrate the unique possibilities that lie ahead in the future when men and women, working together, lift up the gospel in every realm of their daily existence.

Men of the Church Sunday is designated as the Sunday that is usually recognized as "Father's Day." This was an intentional act of the General Assembly to recognize the contributions of men, but not be limited only to those who have children, but to be inclusive of single men, step-parents, and men who are unable to be with their children on this day. Regardless of their family situation, all men of the Church have been called by God to share their time, talents, spirit, and energies in fulfilling their call to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

On June 15, 2003 congregations are invited to celebrate Men of the Church Sunday. This can be a day of thanksgiving and new beginnings, as all congregations recognize, rejoice, and renew their commitment to providing vital ministries with men, that men might perform their unique ministries in the home, church, and community.

Thematic Material

The theme for the 2003 Men of the Church Emphasis Sunday is “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” This year’s theme is taken from the widely known words of the “Lord’s Prayer,” found in Matthew 6.

When TV news anchor Tom Brokaw was asked recently when life would get back to normal, he replied, “This is the new normal.” Every day the “new normal” seems to be a ratching up new temptations and evil on all sides. Just to open our email we get unsolicited advertisements for pornography. There’s hardly a TV sitcom that doesn’t wallow in sex. Turning on the evening news can be frightening as we get a review of all the terror that happened in just the past 24 hours.

Where do we go for protection from temptations and find deliverance from evil? Isaiah found guidance, assurance and comfort in the presence of the “Lord sitting on throne, high and lofty." The Psalmist was reassured upon acknowledgment that “ the voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.” The Apostle Paul gained perspective when he wrote, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Nicodemus under the vale of darkness sought to speak directly to Jesus.

Can you see a theme here? “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (I John 4:18). “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” As we seek to be better followers of Jesus we can be assured that God will not lead us into temptation but will deliver us from evil.

Ideas For Worship

Call to Worship

(Invite three men in the church to serve as liturgists for the Call to Worship: a father, a young person and an older man. These three men might even be members of the same family.)

Prayer of Confession

Our gracious God, we seek your solace, your peace, your forgiveness as we admit that our lives reflect the trauma that fractures the peace of the nations.

Forgive our inability to be reconciled with one another. Forgive our lack of love for those around us who are hurting and in need of our care. Forgive us for living with fear rather than trusting your love to overcome our prejudices. Re-member us and forgive us through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Friend.
(A time for silent prayer)
Amen.

Words of Assurance

The scriptures teach that “if we confess our sins Jesus is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Friends, in the strong confidence of Christ’s love and grace, we are forgiven. Amen.

Scripture from the Lectionary

Isaiah 6: 1-8
Psalms 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17

Prayers of the People (Pastoral Prayer)

Minute for Mission

Men of the Church Recognition

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Suggested Hymns

(Presbyterian Hymnal* 1990; The Hymnbook**)
The Heavens Above Declare God’s Praise 166 PH*
Called as Partners in Christ’s Service 343 PH*
Christ is Made the Sure Foundation 416-417 PH*; 433HB**
Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim 477 PH*; 27 HB**
Take My Life 391PH*;310HB**
Lord of Our Growing Years 279PH*

Ideas for Celebrating and Recognizing Ministry with Men in the Congregation

Use any of these ideas to enhance your congregation’s ministry with men. Some of these ideas are a good way to launch a men’s ministry in the congregation. Other ideas can enhance existing men’s programs. Still others will provide a means of recognizing the ongoing contribution of men in the church.

1. Invite all men over a particular age, perhaps 80 years old, to be the guest at a men's breakfast. Recruit the younger men and their sons or daughters to pick them up and host them for the event.
2. Invite small groups of men in the congregation to reminisce about their growing up years. This could be done at a church meal.
3. Recruit some of your newly retired men to volunteer for one month at an organization such as Meals on Wheels, a food bank or the Red Cross.
4. At the meeting of your presbytery that is closest to Men of the Church Sunday, acknowledge all the men's groups that meet formally or informally for Bible Study, breakfast. Make sure there's a print out of each men's group indicating the time and location of meetings.
5. Create a display at a presbytery meeting of the Presbytery to display the Presbyterian Men's Bible Study materials. A complete set can be ordered from PDS at 800-524-2612. Item # 70-250-02607
6. The presbytery could select an individual who has contributed to the presbytery men’s ministries and award him a "Man of the Year" award.
7. Take a day for a group of men to enjoy the outdoors in your region. It could be an event for all men, fathers and sons, grandfathers and grandsons or some other group of men in your congregation.
8. Do some repair work or painting of a church in the community that needs some attention. Invite the church to host a lunch for the workers.
9. Spend a day together doing yard work or household tasks for older members of the church who are having difficulty caring for their yards and households.
10. Organize a church yard sale and send the proceeds to a local hunger or community outreach organization.
11. Find a ministry in the Extra Commitment Opportunities to support in the coming year. Make contact by mail or email to the particular ministry. The ECO material is available from PDS at 800-524-2612. Item #68700-03-085
12. Encourage men, when they travel, to visit Presbyterian ministries throughout the United States and abroad. They can bring back reports to share with the congregation in its educational ministry.
13. Start a ministry with men by gathering together 3-5 men for an informal lunch to brainstorm ways that they can launch a men’s group and involve other men.
14. Form a special musical quartet to provide musical leadership on Men of the Church Sunday.
15. Invite men and their children to serve as greeters or ushers on Men of the Church Sunday.
16. Invite the men of the church to host a variety show for the whole congregation.
17. A golf tournament in most regions is a sure way to involve men. Tournament “donations” could be given to a mission project determined by the men’s group.
18. Recruit men of the church to sign up for a community 5K or 10k event
19. Invite the men of the church to serve as hosts and prepare a special breakfast for the whole congregation on Men of the Church Sunday.
20. Do something not listed here and let us know about it. You can send your ideas to ideas@pcusa.org

About the Author

Don Maddox is pastor of St. James Presbyterian Church in Tarzana, CA. He is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and has pastored congregations in Cranbury, New Jersey and throughout Southern California. He leads an annual men’s breakfast for San Fernando Presbytery and has participated in all 24 Bible studies for men produced by the Congregational Ministries Division. He has three grown children and seven grandchildren.