Messiah Lutheran Church

Weekly devotion from Pastor Laurie.

This week's devotion invites us to sit with a painting that stopped me in my tracks. Frank Wesley, a fifth-generation Methodist artist from India, painted ""The Forgiving Father"" in the 1950s while studying in Japan — and it is considered his great masterpiece. It depicts the moment from Luke's parable when the son who squandered everything is welcomed home by his loving father.

What strikes me is the detail: the father's hand resting in his son's hair, his furrowed brow visible over his son's shoulder. The son leans into the embrace, completely spent. If the father lets go, the boy will fall.

But there is another way to see this image. Jesuit priest Geoff Wheaton, after sitting with it for some time, began to see not the prodigal son — but Jesus, returning to his Father after the crucifixion, having given everything for our salvation. That shift in perspective helped him enter more deeply into the sacrifice of Christ. I hope it will do the same for you.

Read the full devotion and spend some time with this painting at the link below.

https://www.messiahfargo.com/post/the-forgiving-father-devotion-for-june-22

Happy Father's Day!

"As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." — Joshua 24:15 (NRSV)

We celebrate every dad, grandpa, stepdad, and father figure who leads by example — showing the children in their lives what it looks like to put faith first. Thank you for the legacy you're building.

Sunday FUN-day is back — and we're celebrating Father's Day too!

Join us Sunday, June 21st for worship at 9:00 a.m., followed by caramel rolls, coffee, puzzles, games, and great fellowship during our gathering time!

We'll have a special sweet treat for all our SUPER MEN — dads, grandpas, and father figures of all kinds!

Just like Mother's Day, kids will gather at the back of the sanctuary and Pastor Laurie will dismiss them to join us for the celebration.

Bring the whole family — see you there!