Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
Walking with God By Rev. Richard Russell, Chaplain JUNE 2023
Did you know? Father’s Day was first celebrated in 1910 Father’s Day is officially a modern holiday – it wasn’t under 1972 when it became a nationwide holiday in the United States, but it was first celebrated on June 19, 1910. As you may imagine, the inspiration for Father’s Day was Mother’s Day but it was tougher to convince people of its importance. According to history.com, one florist said “fathers haven’t the same sentimental appeal that mothers have.” It wasn’t until a Washington woman, who was one of six children raised by her father – a widower – decided to honor fathers. She drummed up support from local churches, the YMCA, and shopkeepers and Washington State was the first to celebrate Father’s Day. But it also came with controversy. Many men called it a commercial gimmick and scoffed at the “sentimental attempts to domesticate manliness…” During World War II, advertisers began to celebrate the day as a way to honor American troops in the war. And finally, Richard Nixon signed a proclamation to make it a federal holiday in 1972. Today, the United States honors fathers on the third Sunday in June. Economist estimate that Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on gifts. Some other countries celebrate it in March, on St. Joseph’s Day, a traditional Catholic holiday. Source: www.history.com u
I was thinking about a little chorus that we sing at the end of our Vespers service each Friday afternoon and the Biblical meaning behind the words and how powerful they are. The chorus says “Depart in peace to do God’s will, walk ever in His light. Christ is with you evermore to guide you day and night.” Rev. Russell It is sung to the tune of Amazing Grace. So what does the Bible say about walking in God’s peace? One of the best examples is in the words of Jesus, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27 When you and I find ourselves in a situation where we are troubled or afraid it should remind us to go to our Lord and give Him that concern and ask for His peace, so that have what we truly need. What about walking in His light. Well Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.” - John 8:12 So, we have available to us His Light that can show us His direction in a dark world that is filled with misdirection, so we can walk in a
Chaplain – continued on page 2
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at LawrencePresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
1