State churches find many ways to honor mothers

While not officially a Christian holiday, Baptist churches across Alabama will still recognize Mother’s Day in a myriad of ways during their worship services and in other special events May 13. At the same time, some churches are finding that the changing face of what and who a mother is has adjusted the way they celebrate the day.
  
At First Baptist Church, Alabaster, in Shelby Baptist Association, Pastor Neil Knierim said the Sunday morning worship service will include a dedicatory prayer for mothers, a carnation given to each one in the service and a baby dedication in two of its three services. Knierim will also preach on the importance of being a godly mother.
  
He said it is important to celebrate the holiday in the context of the church because the home was the first institution created by God. “As a church, we have a responsibility to encourage and equip mothers and fathers to love, teach, discipline and raise their children in a way that will enable their children to experience their full spiritual potential,” Knierim said. 
  
Mother’s Day “is an opportunity to express our commitment as a church to be their partner in raising their children to know and serve the Lord,” he added.
  
Churches around Alabama will celebrate in like ways with special prayers, sermons, music and recognitions. According to Pastor Charles Ballew, First Baptist Church, Winfield, in Marion Baptist Association will recognize its mothers in both morning services, presenting each one with a small gift and giving thanks for and praying for all of them.
  
Mother’s Day at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Hueytown, in Bessemer Baptist Association will include a baby dedication, a special gift made by the children for all the mothers in the service and a sermon and special music focusing on motherhood.
  
“We also have prepared family devotionals for use in each home in lieu of our evening church activities in order to let church members spend some added measure of time with their mothers on Mother’s Day,” Pastor Rick Patrick said.
  
But the church is also cognizant of the fact that many people have not had the benefit of being raised in a Christian home with a Christian mother as a role model. 
  
Because of that, Patrick asks Pleasant Ridge Baptist members to contribute to a love offering for the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries during the Mother’s Day service. He said the offering helps everyone remember those “who may not have the privilege of growing up in the same home as their biological mother.”
  
The holiday also provides a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the community since many family members who do not regularly attend services seem to make a special effort to be at church with mom on Mother’s Day, Patrick said.
  
But in the midst of the celebration, David Prestridge of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions said it is important to be sensitive to women who have lost a child or are unable to have children.
  
“So many people are hurting silently over this,” said Prestridge, who until late 2006 served as pastor of Union Baptist Church, Newell, in Randolph Baptist Association. “When I was preaching (Mother’s Day sermons), I made sure to emphasize the hurt and pain a lost child can cause, either through the early death or miscarriage of that child.”
  
Prestridge said he understands their pain — he and his wife, Sharon, have lost two children to miscarriage. 
  
He said it’s crucial to acknowledge the loss and that the child was loved and grieved over.
  
“I also tried to be very sensitive to those who would give almost anything, and for whatever reason are unable, to have children,” he said. 
  
At First Baptist Church, Auburn, in Tuskegee Lee Baptist Association, Pastor Jim Evans noted that it’s good to also be sensitive to those who have served as “mothers” to children who were not their own.
  
“Not all women can be mothers, and there are many women who have filled the mother role but who are not called mom,” he said. 
  
Evans said he will take the opportunity to recognize and ask God’s blessings on these different forms of parenting and offer prayers for all parents.