If you’re looking for Fathers Day ideas for churches, you’ve come to the right place!
It can be notoriously challenging to find unique gifts for the fathers in our lives, but there are definitely good ideas out there for those who want to make this day extra special and honor fatherhood. We’re sharing seven of our favorites here.
Whether the focus is on food, fun, or honoring our spiritual fathers, there are plenty of things your church can do to celebrate this special holiday. Are you ready to learn more?
Let’s jump in.
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
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Celebrating Father’s Day
It’s not easy to celebrate Father’s Day. While there are a lot of tools and resources to help make an awesome event for other holidays, Father’s Day is one that is notoriously difficult. But fear not! There are still plenty of things you can do to celebrate Father’s Day the right way.
When it comes down to it, the most important thing is for us to acknowledge dads and honor them. That should be your church’s focus. Let’s look a little bit more into what celebrating Father’s Day at church looks like, and everything the Bible has to say about it all.
Father’s Day at Church
Celebrating Father’s Day at church is important because it’s a way to show appreciation for dads in a place that values family and love. In church, we learn about caring for others and being thankful, so it’s fitting to honor fathers there.
It’s a time for families to come together and recognize the hard work and love that dads give every day. By celebrating at church, we also acknowledge the spiritual growth and guidance fathers provide to their families, teaching important values and beliefs.
For many, Father’s Day at church is a chance to strengthen bonds and create lasting memories. It’s a reminder that fathers are not just providers but also mentors and role models. Father’s Day is a memorial day, where we can remember all that our fathers have done and still do for us.
In the church community, fathers are celebrated not just for their achievements but for their commitment to raising children with kindness and integrity. It’s a day to express gratitude for their sacrifices and support.
Overall, celebrating Father’s Day on Sunday service brings families closer and reinforces the values of love, respect, and gratitude that are central to the teachings of faith.
What Does the Bible Say?
The Bible speaks highly of fathers and their important role in families. It says that fathers should love and care for their children, teaching them right from wrong and guiding them with wisdom. In Ephesians 6:4, it says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Proverbs 22:6 advises, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” This means fathers have a responsibility to raise their children in a way that honors God and helps them grow into good people.
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of respecting and obeying fathers. In Exodus 20:12, it says, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
And don’t forget all the bible verses about the best father of all: God! Romans 8:15 tells us that all of us have a good father in heaven and belong in His family. “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'”
The Bible teaches that fathers should be loving, wise, and responsible caregivers, and that children should honor and obey them.
A Word of Caution
When it comes to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, it’s important to be sensitive to the fact that these holidays can stir up mixed and even painful emotions for some people.
Some members of your church may have had abusive or absent fathers. Others may want to have families, but infertility or other life circumstances have gotten in the way.
To avoid anyone feeling excluded, you can invite all the men to participate in whatever activities or giveaways are available. In addition, focusing on father figures, the characteristics of fatherhood, and our Heavenly Father can help make the holiday more inclusive.
Whatever route you decide to go, the most important thing is to show your appreciation for all the dads out there who are doing their best.
7 Fathers Day Ideas For Churches
While moms are perfectly content with flowers, jewelry, or a craft from their kids, dads can be a little trickier to impress. And unfortunately, most church budgets can’t accommodate gifting every dad a quality golf club or cool tech gadget.
But remember that in all gift-giving, it truly is the thought that counts. Although Father’s Day isn’t a liturgical holiday, there are definitely biblical principles associated with fatherhood. So take this time not just to give away a trinket, but to celebrate the gift of fatherhood and everything it entails.
According to Statistia, of all the gifts wanted by fathers on Father’s Day, the highest is actually nothing.
But this is good news! That means that gifts are not the priority. The priority is families spending time together and men being honored. And that can honestly be a lot less of a headache then searching for the perfect gifts.
You can split these Father’s Day ideas into three main targets: food, fun, and honor. Let’s start with the food category.
1. Bacon Bar
A bacon buffet bar is a great option to feature something outside of the norm that Dad will love. You can get creative with different flavors of bacon, caramelized bacon, bacon twists, bacon “roses,” and more.
But the bacon bar doesn’t stop there. Offer a variety of accompaniments like fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs, and buttery biscuits to create the ultimate breakfast feast. Don’t forget about toppings like creamy avocado, tangy salsa, and melted cheese to elevate the flavors.
And of course, you can finish it all up with some tasty drinks. Orange juice, coffee, tea, or any other kinds of drinks you think would go well with a bacon brunch.
2. Dad-Themed Foods and Drinks
Dad’s root beer is a frequent Father’s Day idea for churches for obvious reasons. Nothing could be more perfect for a dad-themed holiday! The Dad’s brand also features blue, red, and orange cream soda if you’d like some variety.
Another option for dad-themed food is giving out candy bars with customized wrappers. You could go the humorous route and print dad jokes on the back. Or, you could add a sentimental touch with a scripture honoring fathers.
You could package Swedish fish candy plus a fish hook for another dad-friendly food idea. Fishhooks are cheap, but if you don’t have many fishermen in your church, you could give away a fishhook or ichthys (aka the Jesus fish) charm, bookmark, or keychain and a card.
3. Grilling Supplies
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect Father’s Day gift, there are plenty of great grilling supplies that will make dad happy. For example, you could go for a customized grilling apron. Or, you could give out a nice set of tongs, a custom rub for chicken or beef, or a special bottle of BBQ sauce.
The other BBQ option is to fire up some grills outside your church after service and treat Dad to a special lunch of burgers, ribs, or fajitas.
4. Pre or Post-Service Games
You could set up some pre or post-service Father’s Day games for some extra fun. Fun games include a water balloon toss, dunk tank, cornhole tournament, or putting green. Other fun options are to have a contest for best beard or mustache or best photo with dad. Having cool prizes for the winners is always a nice touch!
Focus on anything that dads can do with their kids to have fun. Even if you don’t have a lot of supplies or space, you should be able to find some games you can make work. As long as kids are laughing and dads are smiling, you’re doing it right!
5. Father-Child Event
If you want to host something extra memorable, there are several Father’s Day ideas for family events. One of the classics is a Daddy-Daughter dance, which you can host at your church or another venue. You also could plan a family Wiffle ball or kickball tournament. Another option is hosting a movie night with a feel-good classic sports movie and cookout.
Keep in mind that hosting these events provides an excellent opportunity to draw in people who don’t regularly attend church and invite others from your community.
6. Host a Guest Speaker
Fun and games are great, but it’s also important to honor dads and other influential men in our lives who serve as father figures. On Father’s Day weekend, you could invite a significant father figure in the church or community to be a guest speaker. You could also pull in several men of various ages to do a panel discussion.
Think outside the box about people who would be relatable and exciting to hear from. It could be a coach, teacher, businessman, or civic official. They also don’t have to do an entire sermon but could simply share a few words of wisdom at some point in the service.
7. Honor Fathers During Service
One of the best ways to honor fathers is recognizing them during the service. You can do this in a number of ways. For a start, standing recognition and praying a blessing over them is a simple but touching moment. You could also have a slideshow with pictures and stories or a special video.
A worship feature is also a great way to highlight dads creatively. Finally, letters from children are always a beautiful sentimental expression and can be shared live or via video.
You can highlight Father’s Day from different angles from year to year. Jokes, games, and funny stories can create a lighthearted, celebratory mood. But you can also focus on the more serious and emotional side of what it means to be a father.
Father’s Day for Churches
As we reflect on Father’s Day celebrations within our church community, it’s clear that these gatherings hold immense significance. They offer a chance for us to come together, not just as individuals, but as a family united in love and gratitude.
Through heartfelt sermons, shared meals, and thoughtful gestures, we honor the fathers among us, recognizing their tireless dedication and unwavering support. These celebrations remind us of the importance of familial bonds and the profound impact that fathers have on shaping our lives.
As we continue to celebrate Father’s Day in our church, let us carry forward the spirit of appreciation and respect, extending our love not only to our own fathers but to all father figures who enrich our lives. May these traditions strengthen our community and serve as a reminder of the enduring power of love and family.
Happy Father’s Day!
Do you have any other great Father’s Day ideas for churches? Please share them with us in the comments below!
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Thanks Darrell!