Mother's Day is upon us, and thus comes the complicated song & hymn selections for this year's service.  Each year, it is more difficult, as there are only so many songs to choose which include thoughts about our mothers' roles in our Christian upbringing.  This year, I stumbled upon this website from the Baptist Press, which offers many ideas for conducting a Mother's Day service.

http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=25634

Some ideas I like from the site: Mother's Day videos, Mother's brunch (we just had a breakfast conducted by the men at our church just a few weeks ago...very good), a special children's parade, or presenting gifts to the women in your congregation.

A side note on videos: Videos are very easy to come by, and I have a few downloaded from Sharefaith I can use each year.  Sharefaith is a Christian-based website, which for a subscription of around $129 or so (sometimes you can get a discount), you can download all sorts of worship backgrounds, motion backgrounds, bulletin templates, clipart, videos, and even website templates.  It has been a tremendous value to me over the past several years.  However, we no longer subscribe to their service, due to budget constraints.  (But I recommend you check it out for yourself!)  Or just try Youtube...amazing resource! (Remember to be as careful as possible about copyright infringement...)

The most important reminder from the Baptist Press article is the last - WORSHIP HIM, NOT HER.  While honoring our mothers and fathers on their respective days, it is important to remember (and I need reminded from time to time) that the service should be about honoring the Lord, and not His creation.  The article goes on to say: "Many unchurched family members will attend worship with their moms. Tell them how Jesus can change their life! It's a great day for a baptism, baby dedication or children's choir song. Joyfully honor mom on Mother's Day, but focus on the only One worthy of worship -- our God."

Thus, for this year's service, I selected hymns which honor God's characteristics which we can find in a godly person.  His faithfulness, holiness, goodness, mercy, and guidance are all things we hope to find in a godly mother, and are ideals we can all strive toward to become more like Jesus.