25 May 2025

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Bible readings for today

• Acts 16:9-15
• Psalms 67:1-7
• Revelation 21:10,22-27; 22:1-5
• John 14:23-29 or ​John 5:1-9

Collect

Alleluia, King Eternal; 
grace and wholeness show your glory: 
deliver us from sin’s oppression; 
free us from despair; and
have us stand to reflect the glory of Christ; 
who lives and reigns with you, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and for ever. 
​Amen.

Peace of mind (John 14:23-29)

In today's reading, Jesus speaks words of comfort and reassurance over his friends - reminding them that his leaving is part of God's plan, and that he is sending the Holy Spirit. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." John 14: 27

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. ​
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Gospel Conversations

We are so thankful for the Diocese of Dunedin, who take time talk through the gospel passages each week. They write: "The lectionary is giving us time over this Easter period to reflect with Jesus and his disciples on what it all means. The disciples may have been confused as Jesus talked with them at their last supper together, but Jesus tells them that later they will understand. Do we understand, now, what he meant by love and peace and the coming of the Holy Spirit? Gillian, Judy and David join Michael to puzzle it out together."

Jesus heals at the Pools of Bethesda (John 5:1-9)

In today's story, we hear about Jesus healing a crippled man at the Pools of Bethesda. Jesus saw the needs of the man, had compassion on him, and healed him. In the same way, the grace of Jesus heals our hearts, minds and body. 

Worship ideas

Sermon idea - imagining being part of the story (Church of Scotland)

Bible Lesson

Bible Lesson - Experience the Story (Grace Link) - scroll down to no.2

This clip from 'Chosen' may be suitable for intermediate children and older. 

Paul meets Lydia (Acts 16:9-15)

Lydia was a merchant of purple cloth, and was on the riverbank with her friends when Paul and Luke arrived in Macedonia. Lydia loved God, and when she heard about Jesus, "the Lord opened her heart" to understand. She was so captivated by this news, that she and her whole household were baptised, and she invited her new friends into her home. 

Pray

Pray this prayer each day this week: “Lord, help us share with others, as Lydia did. Help us to act fast when someone needs our help. Amen.”

Activities

Spot the difference
​Audio story (Kids Corner)
​Activity sheets (Trinity West)
​Wordsearch 

Quick questions

• What business did Lydia run? (Selling purple cloth)
• Who did Lydia and her friends meet by the river? (Paul and Luke)
• When Lydia heard about Jesus, what did she do? (She got her family so they could hear about Jesus too)
• What did Lydia and the people in her house do when they heard about Jesus? (They were baptised)
• What did Lydia offer to the disciples? (A place to stay at her house so that more people could hear about Jesus)
• How can a persons life change, when they open their heart to Jesus?