The history of celebrating Father’s Day in the United States begins with a church service held in West Virginia in 1908, which recalled and honored the fathers who had perished in a coal mine disaster in the area in the previous year. Two years later, a more general annual observance was begun at a YMCA in Spokane, Washington. But it was not until 1972 that the day was declared to be a national holiday. Among the many qualities of positive fatherhood celebrated on Father’s Day is a sense of compassion. Many centuries ago, the psalmist wrote: “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13). Each week in worship we recall and give thanks for the compassionate love of our God, the eternal Father, who bears His people on eagles’ wings and crowns them with steadfast love and mercy.