18 May 2025
Bible readings for today
Liturgical colour: WHITE |
CollectE te Atua māhaki,
tukua mātou kia harikoa, ki te hoatu tōu aroha tētahi ki tētahi; meinga kia hari koa mātou i te whiwhinga mai. Whakatupua ki roto i a mātou i ia rā, he Wairua oha whirinaki hoki. Mā te aroha ki a koe ka tika ai tā mātou mahi i runga i te harikoa, E īnoi ana mātou i roto i a Īhu Karaiti tō mātou Ariki. Āmine. Make us glad we pray you, gentle God, to give each other your loving care; make us happy to receive it. May there daily grow within us a generous, trusting spirit. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
Love one another (John 13:31-35)
"Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
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: A new commandment. The one actual commandment Jesus gives his disciples in his final teaching - clearly absolutely essential! Love one another as Jesus has loved us. So simple and so difficult and so important.
Gospel Conversations 2022: This week we are given just a handful of verses from John's Gospel to ponder, yet the themes within them of Glory and Love could keep us thinking for the rest of our lives.
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Intergenerational WorshipIntergen Easter 5: A collection of resources and ideas, written and compiled by Rev Beth Nicholls Intergen Australia. Bible references: John, Psalm, Revelation. Imagine a world where everything is made new. New chances to start over, new bodies made whole, creation renewed. New perspectives are seen, hope is made new, and we are all on God’s page – everything is under God’s renewing care and command.
Kids TalksSharing God's Love (Flame Creative) - great object lesson about sharing God's love with others.
Love One Another as I have Loved You (RFour) - Ask, Tell, Share Can you name it? (Sermon Writer) - How do we recognise a bird? By the way the looks and sounds. This simple talk compare that too how a follower of Jesus can be recognised by their love for others. D-I-S-C-I-P-L-E = Love Others (Ministry to Children) - This creative children’s sermon uses the acronym DISCIPLE to explain what it means to love others. (A wee note - the sermon talks about loving, encouraging, praying for 'other disciples' - I'd suggest we are called to do this for those who know Jesus and those who don't as well!) Love One Another (Sermon Writer) - another simple talk from Sermon Writer. 
Games & ActivitiesStained Glass Windows (Flame Creative)
The original activity is a 'God Loves Me' but you could easily change it to say something like 'God's love shines through me to others'. This activity can also be done using a laminating machine and pouches instead of sticky backing. Learn about Love Activity Worksheets (Ministry to Children) Love One Another Why not brainstorm with the kids some practical ways to show love or serve the people around us. Think about the people we live with, friends, church community, people who don't know God. Make a list you can put up somewhere and encourage the kids to try and do some each week. Pray for the world Collage You'll need: Recent newspapers, magazines, news printouts, pictures of global events, plus paper, glue, scissors, felts and crayons Get the children to go through the newspapers and magazines to find articles on situations that need prayer. Cut them out and glue them on the large piece of paper. Next to each article, have the children either draw or write a prayer to God about the situation in the article. At the end, pray together aloud as a group, all the prayers. Safety Note - be aware of children's ages and an appropriate level of exposure to difficult events. |
Questions to think about
Preschool Fun
Here are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spend time with God.
Books - Gather a few special books on the theme of love, God's love and loving one another. Put out some comfy cushions and blankets and create a reading corner with a friendly adult to read books to the kids. If you can lay your hands on it, try God gave us Love (by Lisa Tawn Bergren) for a beautiful story about a young polar bear who questions why we must love others...even the seemingly unlovable. Fizzing Hearts Sensory Tray (Toddler at Play) Things to talk about: Who loves you? Who do you love? A Things That 'Stick Together' Activity What items do you have that are better together than apart? Think jigsaws, duplos, megablocks etc. Things to talk about: Why do they stick together? Is it more fun when you put them together? Do you like to 'stick together' with anyone you know? Explore themes of community and sticking together with the people we love. Stained Glass Windows (Flame Creative) The original activity is a 'God Loves Me' but you could easily change it to say something like 'God's love shines through me to others'. Pray it!Playdough Prayers (Flame Creative)
Give the kids two colours of playdough and getting them to think of someone they find difficult to love. One colour is them and one the other person. As they ask God to help them love and accept this person, mix the two colours together, blending them. Breath Prayers
Inspired by the words of the late Pope Francis, these seven words were taught to him by his grandmother: "Jesus, make my heart more like yours". Why not teach your kids a simple breath prayer with this phrase. (breath in as you say) Jesus, make my heart... (breath out as you say) ...more like yours. |
Media
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Psalm 148
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Sons of Korah have a song about Psalm 148, which sets these beautiful words to music. You can use this song for:
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