If you missed the service last week, go check out the Media page.  We had a lively discussion during Sunday school as we discussed the reality that there is brokenness in all of us.  In his message, Pastor David provided perspective on the miracles of Jesus.

We received the sad news this week that Frances Guerrero passed away on Monday evening.  I say it is sad news because we’ll all miss her, but she is not sad.  She has her health and her mind back and she has seen the face of Jesus!

Arrangements have been made at Restland Funeral Home.  The link will take you to the obituary page for Frances where you can see the details and post memory or encouragement.   Visitation is from 6:00-8:00pm on Friday.  The funeral service will be at 3:00 on Saturday.  Details have not been finalized but I am sure we will also have something at the church soon for those who will not be able to go to the funeral.

On this Father’s Day, Frances will be with her Heavenly Father.  Does that sound distant to you?  When we refer to someone as father, we are usually speaking in a detached or formal way.  It is a word that seems to put some distance between us.  Most of us, when we are addressing our fathers or even speaking to friends about them, don’t call them Father.  We call them Dad.  It’s a term of familiarity and suggests a relationship that is special or at least should be.

Daddy is something else.  We have usually dropped the “dy” before we get very old, but it’s still there in our minds.  It’s the name of our childhood, symbolizing the love and and trust that characterizes a relationship with a good father.  Maybe it’s a different word for you, but the relationship it evokes is the same.  Daddy is the one who loves us, who protects us, who guides and advises us.  He’s the one who held you in his lap, carried you in his arms and on his shoulders.

This Sunday, we’re going to read from Romans 8:10-17.  In verse 15 we encounter a strange word, “Abba.”  It’s one of those words that doesn’t really get translated.  It’s just brought over into English letters.  we call that transliteration.  Even the Bible versions that attempt to add meaning to the word usually do so through a footnote and only one dared use the familiar “daddy” to explain it.  Even thay made sure to point out that it is Daddy in a loving and respectful way.  It’s just hard for us to think of God as Daddy.  He is after all the power of the universe, so vast and unfathomable that no words can ever describe Him.

How can we possibly relate to that God as Daddy?  Paul explains how.  We can, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, and the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.  But just like any relationship, it isn’t very deep if we don’t work on it.

I hope you’ll join us as we learn together why and how we call Him Daddy.  I recognize also that many of us don’t have that kind of relationship to draw from here on earth.  Your father may have been distant or completely absent.  My prayer is that your Daddy in heaven will fill that void for you and that we in the church will learn to be spiritual fathers and mothers to those who need them.