19 April 2026

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Bible readings for today

• Acts 2:14a, 36-41
• Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
• 1 Peter 1:17-23
• Luke 24:13-35
  
  

Liturgical Colour: WHITE

ANZAC Day Ideas

In New Zealand and Australia the 25 April is observed to commerate and remember the sacrifice of all conflicts. The date orginates from the landing at Gallipoli of New Zealand and Australian Forces on the 25 April 1915.

More info on Strandz >>

Collect

Jesus, we believe you; 
all we heard is true. 
You break the bread, we recognise you, 
you are the fire that burns within us; 
use us to light the world. 
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake. 
Amen. 
​
E Īhu, e pono ana mātou ki a koe; 
he pono ngā kōrero kua rangona. 
I te whatinga o te taro; ka mātau mātou ko koe pū tēnā, 
na konā ka mumura te ahi i roto i a mātou; 
whakamahia tēnei whakaaro hei māramatanga i te ao. 
Whakarongo ki tēnei īnoi i runga i tōu aroha. 
Āmine. 

Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

Today's story looks at Jesus appearing to his disciples on the road to Emmaus.

Input for leaders

Visio Lectio
A beautiful free downloadable image by Sarah Lea West. All Rights Reserved, shared and distributed with permission.
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Intergenerational worship

Yr A Easter 3, 2003:  (Intergen Australia)
A collection of resources and ideas written and compiled by Rev Sandy Brodine Intergen Australia. Bible references: Luke

Questions

• What was your favorite part of the story?
• Why did you like that part?
• Why do you think Jesus appeared to these two disciples?
• Why do you think the two disciples didn’t recognise Jesus at first?
• How do we see Jesus in our lives today?
• Tell us about a time you recogised Jesus in your life recently?
• What at do you think God might be saying to us through this story?

Talks

Full lessons plans & activities (Trueway Kids) - for a variety of ages.

The walk to Emmaus (Gary Neal Hansen) - a paraphrased retelling of the story with wondering questions.

Games & Activities

Comic strip colouring (Rev Annette Cater, Anglican Diocese of Wellington) - print a copy for each kid or a giant one to colour together. 

Who am I? (For older kids)
You'll need: Sticky labels, a marker

• Write a different name on each label (e.g. a cartoon, famous person, or Bible character). Make sure kids will know the names!
• Sit in a circle and close your eyes. A label is placed on your back (no peeking!).
• Ask others yes or no questions to figure out who you are. Keep asking until you guess your name!
• Extra challenge - set a time limit!

Who am I? (For younger kids)
You'll need: Pictures (cartoon characters, famous people, etc.), a piece of cardboard to cover them.

• Sit together facing the pictures.
• Cover a picture with the cardboard.
• Slowly reveal a small part of the picture.
• Guess who it is!
• Keep revealing more until someone gets it.
  
• Extra challenge: Can you guess it with the fewest clues?

Preschool Play

Full lesson plan for babies/toddlers (Trueway Kids) – definitely worth checking out. Or just use to share the story.

Tell the story – try some ideas from the following…

• Read the story from a simple children’s Bible.
• Act it out by going for a “walk” together – two children walking, then Jesus joining them.
• Use simple props (a road made from fabric, toy people, a small table for the meal).

Walking Together
Create a simple “road” using tape, fabric, or mats. Let the children walk along it in pairs or small groups. Or make a Sensory Prayer Path (Flame Creative) - a sensory pathway for kids to walk along and connect with God. 
Talk about: Who do you like walking with? How do you feel when someone joins you? What do you talk about when you walk together?

Small World Play
Set up a tray or space with: toy people, blocks or boxes for houses, fabric or sand for a road, a small table with pretend food. Let children move the people along the road and “tell the story” in their own way.
Talk about: I wonder how the friends were feeling on the road? I wonder what they talked about?

Mystery / “Who is it?” Game
Hide a toy person under a cloth or behind something. Reveal slowly or give clues. For really little ones, use your hands and play a simple game of peek-a-boo!
Talk about: Is it easy or hard to know who someone is?
Have you ever not recognised someone at first?
(Connect gently to how the friends didn’t recognise Jesus at first.)

Sharing a Meal
Set up a simple pretend (or real) snack table. Let children sit together and “share a meal.”
Talk about: Who do you like eating with? How do you feel when you share food together?

Pray it!

For this creative prayer exercise you will need a piece of bread to share in pairs or as a family

• Read: Luke 24:30-31
• After Jesus rose from the dead he met two disciples who were sad and confused about what had happened. They only recognised him when he shared bread with them.
• Think about your day; where have you been? What have you done?
• What you have seen or heard? And who you have met? 
• Where have you recognised Jesus today? ​
• Tell the others about this as you take the bread and tear it in two. 

Worship Song

Nick and Becky Drake, from Worship for Everyone, have put out a beautiful song that ties in well with today's story.

Lyric version of the song on YouTube

Acoustic version of the song on YouTube

Media

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Peter preaches and 3000 new followers (​Acts 2:14a, 36-41)