Kid's Church talk
* What is the special thing about Fathers (Discuss)
* Jesus also had an earthly father - Can anyone tell me what he did?
* As a result Jesus would have been constantly in his Dad's shed, playing with Joseph's work tools and making all sorts of things that children like to make.
* But Dad's are not there just to get things from. They are also there because they need someone to love them.
* Jesus would have been aware that he too had to show his love towards his Dad.
* But all of us (including Jesus) also have a Super Dad to look up to. One that does not let us down. And Sunday after Sunday, we give thanks that we are part of his family. (Who is this?)
* Families are very important, and sadly there are times when things don't go right, and it becomes necessary that Mum and Dad live apart in separate homes.
* This does not mean that they don't love us anymore, because they do. It is also a good reason as to why we have to be especially loving to our Dad (who may not live with us). He needs to know you still love and care for him.
* We don't live in a perfect world, but that should not stop us from trying to make it perfect and more loving.
* One of those ways is to thank God every day for your Dad.
* Obviously we love Mum and other families as well.
* But today, we especially think of our Dad because today is "Father's Day"
* It is important to say this every day, because you never know how long you have a loved one for.
* I, no longer have a Dad. He has gone to be with God. And there are things that I wished I had said more clearly while he was still alive.
* You are very lucky. You have a Dad that loves you and you can say this to him today and everyday.

* For those of us who have lost a Dad. A Dad who was very special, you can be like me and in your prayers ask God to look after him and to tell him you still love him and miss him very much. Have no fears - Your Dad will be there listening to your every word.

Kids Church Activity:
To stress the importance of a Dad. Have children devise a poem about Dad. To make a set of "Key" cards with each card starting "Dad is special because….." This is then given to Dad as a gift. Older children to have their photo taken (to do it themselves). This JPEG image is then to be transformed onto the printer and then printed off to use in their key sets. Check with parishioners as to who has a digital camera and colour printer. If this could do achieved during the actual service, this would even be better.

It could also be possible for the children to bring along photo's of themselves with Dad that could be scanned and printed out small enough to be added to the key sets. A scanner would be necessary for this. Maybe the children could be encouraged to have their parents, older brother/sister etc do this at home and to come with a JPEG file on disk.

What you need to get ready:

Younger children: * Metal key ring * Cutouts of the cards ready for children to add to * Pens, pencils, coloured texta's * Glue * Scissors * One verse poem to be added to the back of a card, or to prepared a longer poem, adding a different verse on each card, but to number the cards in turn. * Photos of themselves with Dad.

Older Children: Digital camera, Scanner, Coloured printer * Photos of themselves with Dad.