I think I know what most will say, but I'm still wondering.
I think it's fine to mention it or give out a little gift, but my position is a resounding "no."
First - it easily takes the focus off Christ, who is the rightful object of worship.
Second - it is bowing at the altar of sentimentalism.
The holiday is not a Christian holiday and has been so commercialized that it's sickening.
While emphasizing the high (but not the highest or holiest) calling of motherhood (or fatherhood, for that matter) is okay, making corporate worship into a mushy is a problem.
I also feel that way about Father's Day and patriotic holidays.
I much prefer the English celebration called Mothering Sunday. Mothers are honoured that Sunday.
It had its beginning in Europe when a priest
allowed his servant lady time to go to her home church and visit with her mother.
There is nothing wrong with honouring mothers in church. This takes nothing away from the Lord Jesus, who did honour His mother,and even corrected her at times.
I believe, in my humble opinion, that it has no place:
1. Too much sentimental fluff in our worship now-a-days anyway. To make a Hallmark holiday the focus of our worship is silly.
2. It's damaging to some who have recently (or not so recently) lost their mothers. I can name dozens who will not be in a service tomorrow due to grief over a lost mother. Also, those who have no good earthly mom feel as out of place as an amilleniallist at Dallas Seminary :laugh:
I'm not opposed to wishing moms a Happy day. I'm not against praising motherhood. But I think there are better ways to do it.
That said, I don't think this is an issue to die over.
This is a tough part for me. In a small church like ours we know every situation and it makes me aware of sensitive areas. Another area is wives who are heartsick because they cannot have children. We celebrate Mothers' Day on the traditional Mothering Sunday, which this year took place back in March. I decided not to preach a 'Mothers' Day' message at the last minute because of those who, though they want badly to be mothers, can't be. We did however acknowledge Mothers' Day in church in with our annual Ladies' Tea the day before.
You bring up a good point about women who cannot have children.
The issue of sensitivity needs to come up.
Also, there are people who did not have a positive experience with their mother and are grieving and processing the reality of an abusive relationship in their lives.
I voted last night, but couldn't get the words to come out as to why.
Most everyone has said it now. I don't have a problem with a great sermon on mothering and/or being a godly woman (and that is so very appropriate for the day) - it's all the other hoopla that bothers me.
I do not see any error in using one of the many fine examples in scripture of a godly mother as a text on Mother's Day. And I have preached on something else on Mother's and Father's Day, but I do believe if using one of these themes is this direction in which you are being led, you should follow.
This is a good approach (and you remembered a touchy one I had forgotten). Something the day before or week of that's optional, without the captive audience, is much more appropriate (and can lend itself to more fellowship).
Agreed on both counts.
As for specific sermons on Mother's day for moms and Father's day for dads, they aren't bad as far as it goes. In my first pastorate I did this. At the end of the service, the youth, the couples with no children, or the non-honored sex all to a person said "We got off the hook this day, didn't we?"
Totally concur with Saggy's remarks. We give out character awards to ladies (not necessarily moms): Ruth Award, Priscilla, Dorcas, etc. (have considered the Jezebel award on a few ocassions, but haven't handed one out yet :tongue3:). After the service we give a flower to all adult ladies. I never preach on mothering on Mother's Day anymore. I think the recognition is fine, but in the past few years have finally matured to the point of not letting my preaching schedule be driven by a secular calendar.
We can always preach on the women of the Bible and their lives; godly and otherwise.
This is perhaps an opporunity to address the issues raised by some that women are suffering. To teach that above all else a life dedicated to Christ is imperative.