4 May 2025
Bible readings for today
Liturgical colour: WHITE |
CollectE te Atua manaaki, karangatia mātou
kia kai tahi, kia inu tahi ki a koe. Meinga mā tō tinana, mā ō toto mātou e paihere ki a koe, ā, tētahi ki tētahi hoki. E īnoi ana mātou i runga i te ingoa o Īhu Karaiti tō mātou Ariki. Āmine. Living host, call us together, call us to eat and drink with you. Grant that by your body and your blood we may be drawn to each other and to you. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
Breakfast on the Beach (John 21:1-19)
Jesus helps the disciples catch a miraculous catch of fish, and Jesus challenges Peter about his heart
Input for Leaders
A beautiful image from the Visio Lectio project, created by the Anglican Diocese of Auckland. © Sarah West. All Rights reserved, shared with permission.
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Gospel Conversations 2025: We continue on through the beloved resurrection stories, this time focusing in on the wonderful scene of restoration and grace around the charcoal fire. Fish, fire, sheep, past and future - there is so much crammed into this short passage!
Gospel Conversations 2022: The Diocese of Dunedin is continuing to look at the fascinating resurrection appearance stories, and this week we are on the beach with Jesus preparing breakfast for his friends.
Monday Meditation (Gary Neal Hansen) - Worth a read.
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Intergenerational WorshipAll-Age Service - Breakfast on the Beach: (Annette Osborne, SUNZ) All Age Service Resource
Have you ever dreamed of passing a fish around in church? A wonderful exploration of the scene in John 21, the service is designed to use the senses of smell and touch to explore the story. It takes a bit of set up beforehand but it is worth it! Intergen Easter 3: A collection of resources and ideas, written and compiled by Rev Katherine Ruhl Intergen Australia. Bible references: Acts, John, Psalm.
This week, with the theme ‘Darkness and Light’, we continue to reflect on the amazing transformations that occurred after Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus stepped in to dark places, transforming lives and situations, bringing light, hope and renewal. 
For families - Look up, in and out!Look up! When the fishermen couldn’t catch their usual catch of fish, Jesus asked them to try fishing a different way. Stepping out in faith, and trying something new, can be daunting – but we can trust our good, loving God. How can you step out of your comfort zone this week and do something different?
Look in! The fishermen in the boat worked together to pull up the nets of big, heavy fish. Think about how you can work together with your friends this week, sharing the load. It can be fun, hard work – but rewarding! Look out! When Jesus spent time with his friends, it often included kai! How can we share generous hospitality (manaakitanga) with others this week? Who can you offer a drink, a biscuit, or share lunch with? From 'Journey to Pentecost' by Strandz 
Peter and the big breakfastIn this story from the Lost Sheep, Peter is back on the beach. He’s sad, ashamed, confused and the fish aren’t biting. If you’ve ever felt like this, then sit by the fire and tuck into our big breakfast story. (Lost Sheep)
Pray it!Great visual prayer activity around the theme of Peter's new start.
This great visual prayer activity helps to emphasise the idea of the new starts that Jesus can give to us all, so that we too can go out and reach others for him. (Flame Creative) |
Preschool FunHere are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spending time with God.
Jesus Miraculous Catch (Ministry to Children) - simple preschool lesson plan Go Fish! (SUNZ) Scavenger hunt for hidden fish. Share the Story: Add some props! Use a blowup boat, or just mark a boat shape on the floor with tape or chalk. Got the kids to sit in the boat while you tell the story. Share some food: Make a Glowing Campfire together (Buggy & Buddy). Gather round for the story and share some food. You might like to hand out real marshmallows and sticks and pretend to cook them too! Things to talk about - the story and what happened. I wonder what Jesus and his friends ate for breakfast? Water Tray: Fill a large plastic container with water. Add some bath toys - boats or fish (or make your own) and some sieves or scoops to fish them out. Things to talk about - the story and what happened. Playdough Mat: Make up some playdough and add props or try this playdough mat (Flame Creative). Things to talk about - how do you know who someone is? (i.e. your mum). How did the disciples know it was Jesus? I wonder how we can know Jesus? 
Kids TalksBreakfast on the Beach (Sermons4kids)
Feed My Sheep (RFour) - Ask, Tell, Share Peter's Second Chance - (Sunday School Works) Jesus forgives Peter (Ministry to Children) The Miraculous Catch (Ministry to Children) - lesson plan with some activities Jesus restores Peter (Sunday School Works) - includes some opening games/activities to start the lesson. Questions to think aboutWhy do you think the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus?
What helped the disciples figure out that it was Jesus? Why do you think Peter was fishing naked? Why did he put his clothes back on BEFORE he jumped in the water? Did you find out what Jesus cooked for breakfast? Do funny and strange things happen in our lives? Do you think funny things happened during Bible times too? Do we forget Jesus sometimes? How do you think Jesus helps us to remember him? Can you think of another time that Jesus and the disciples met while fishing? Can you think of any other special meals in the bible or in our church? Activities
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Saul's Conversion (Acts 9:1-20)
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In a creative illustration, Worshiping with children looks at how you can use the Dr Seuss story of 'Green Eggs and Ham' as a parallel for Saul's conversion. While the Dr Suess character is adamant they do not like green eggs and ham until they try them, Paul was adamant he hated Jesus until he encountered God. The story is long, so they give some helpful advice on how to shorten it appropriately!
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