11 May 2025
Bible readings for today
Liturgical colour: WHITE Mother's Day is celebrated this Sunday Across all the lectionary readings this week, shepherding or pastoral care is a pervasive theme! |
CollectE te Atua o te rongomau,
nā ngā toto o te kawenata mutunga kore i whakahokia mai e koe i te mate tō mātou Ariki a Īhu, taua hēpara nui o ngā hipi; meatia kia tika katoa ā mātou mahi pai, me te whakamahi i roto i a mātou tērā e manea ana e pai ana. Ko Īhu Karaiti, ki a ia te korōria, ake ake ake. Āmine. God of peace, by the blood of the eternal covenant you brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep; make us perfect in every good work, and work in us that which is pleasing and good; through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. |
Mothers Day
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As Mothers Day falls on this Sunday, it offers churches the opportunity to honour all the women in the church. However, we need to be mindful that motherhood is a difficult and delicate journey, and for some, this day can bring reminders of pain, hurt, emptiness, and grief - whether for new mums, old mums, single parents, grieving families, and those without children. This does not mean we shouldn't celebrate the wonderful mothers in our midst, but provides us with a day to bless of all the women in our church family.
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My sheep listen (John 10:22-30)
In the gospel reading today, Jesus claims to be the Son of God. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me" John 10:28-29. As mentioned above, shepherding or pastoral care is a pervasive theme across all of our readings.
It's helpful to know that this story comes right after Jesus has told the story of the Good Shepherd, where Jesus says "I am the good shepherd". If you are sharing this story with children, you might like to unpack this story further.
It's helpful to know that this story comes right after Jesus has told the story of the Good Shepherd, where Jesus says "I am the good shepherd". If you are sharing this story with children, you might like to unpack this story further.
Input for Leaders
Visio Lectio
A beautiful image from the Visio Lectio project, created by the Anglican Diocese of Auckland. © Sarah West. All Rights reserved, shared with permission. Download Terms of Use |
Gospel Conversations 2025: This week is about an extremely familiar passage - Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Yet with gentle wisdom and brevity the discussion points us to profound ways of thinking about this story again.
Gospel Conversations 2022: We take a step back in Jesus' story this week to an encounter at the feast of Hannukah. Who is this Jesus? How can we know?
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Intergenerational WorshipIntergen Easter 4: A collection of resources and ideas, written and compiled by Rev Beth Nicholls Intergen Australia. Bible references: John, Psalm.
In some traditions the 4th Sunday after Easter is known as Shepherd Sunday, so it’s very apt that the Bible readings for today are John 10:22-30 and Psalm 23 – which both reference sheep and shepherds. They tell of God and Jesus as Shepherd and us as the sheep who are called to follow the Shepherd and know his voice. 
Kids TalksThe Good Shepherd (Gary Neal Hansen) - John 10:11-18
My Sheep Hear My Voice (Ministry to Children) - Lesson Plan Jesus Glues Us To God (RFour) - Ask, Tell, Share Questions
Listening GameYou will need: a list of verses or phrases.
Get the kids to sit in a circle. Ask for a volunteer. Whisper in their ear the first verse or phrase on your list. You can only whisper it once. Then, get them to whisper what they heard to the next person. Keep going until you get to the last person. Ask them to say out loud to the group what they heard. Then get the first person to say what it was. See if they are different! You can repeat this with different people starting. Things to chat about:
We can trust that God hears us when we talk to him. We can use the words we want to, whenever we want to, and he always hears us clearly. |
Activities
Preschool PlayHere are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spending time with God.
Share the Story: Tell the story with props, like this lovely version (Faith Sprouts). Listening Stations: Have a large box with a variety of things that make sound inside. Try them one by one and see if the kids can guess what they are. Alternately organise some visitors from 'big church' and get them to talk from behind a sheet - can the kids guess who they are? Things to talk about: How do we know what the sound is / who the person is? Farmyard Play: Plastic/duplo/playmobil farm toys especially sheep and people. Set them out on a green blanket or in a sand tray. Things to chat about - the story and what happened. Herding Sheep: Blow up a bunch of white balloons to be your sheep. Ideally more balloons than kids. For added hilarity feel free to add faces of varying expressions. Tape a square on the floor. Line up the kids on the other side of the room. Drop the balloons in front of them and challenge them to get them into the square and keep them there without using their hands. Is it easy or hard? Things to talk about: What is it like being the 'shepherd'? Is it easy or hard? What makes it easy or hard? Pray itLove this Holy Listening Connection Kit (Novo.org) by Lacy Finn Borgo. You could add a wee puff of cotton wool to remind them of the sheep and the shepherd.
Tactile Prayers It's often easier for kids to 'listen' in a tactile way. For a simple way to do this, give each child a piece of playdough or a pipecleaner to hold and shape as you pray. As they sit, talk quietly together with each other and God:
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Media
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Ever dreamt of country dancing a memory verse? Now's your chance. You're welcome.
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Parable of the Lost Sheep Media
Although this is a differen parable, this story may also be helpful in sharing how God is like a loving shepherd who protects and cares for his sheep.
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The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23)
Storytelling
Resources
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Know my voiceWhat you need/Preparation
What to do Divide the children into two teams. Explain that you will play voices of famous people. As you do, the teams have to write down the name of the person that they think it is. At the end, check the answers and see how they did! could lead into a discussion about how we recognise people by their voices. Whose voices/ opinions do we listen to most? How do we listen to Jesus? Psalm 23 Creative Prayer stations
Download this file for instructions and a list of things required.
Let children absorb and engage with Psalm 23 as they make their way through different stations. As the children are moving around from station to station, you might like to stagger the start time, so they have time and space to enjoy each station. Stations include
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Media
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Worship songs
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