Ground of all being,

Great Nurturing Spirit,

This morning especially, we give thanks

For beautiful days right in between spring and summer,

For flowers and green trees and freshly cut grass and lazy lakeside afternoons,

For the sound and sight and heart-swell of being together in this place made holy by our presence,

For church years gone well,

For ice cream and all manner of frozen treats on warm summer days,

And for all who father.

For all who have warm and loving relationships with their fathers and children, we give thanks. For those who for whatever reason did not know their fathers, we will try to remember that this can be an uncomfortable day for you and others. And for those whose relationships with their fathers or children is painful or complicated, we support you. This Father’s Day, we lift up our gratitude for all kinds of fathers, and for the amazing ways fatherly love transcends blood lines and legal categories.

And this morning especially,

We pray for peace.

Peace in Iraq and peace in Afghanistan,

Peace in far-away lands and peace at home,

Peace in our community, peace in every heart.

For these and for all of the hopes and aches and prayers of our own hearts we pray for love’s sake. Amen.