25 May 2025
Bible readings for today
Liturgical colour: WHITE |
CollectE te Atua kaha rawa
i tukua mai e koe tōu Wairua Tapu ki āu ākonga, kia kī tonu rātou i te hari, kia tū māia ki te kauwhau i te rongopai; tonoa mātou i runga i te mana o taua Wairua anō kia kitea mai ai tōu aroha whakaora kia whakatata mai ngā tāngata katoa ki a koe; Ko Īhu Karaiti tō mātou Ariki, e ora ana, e kīngi tahi ana me koe me te Wairua Tapu, kotahi anō Atua, ināianei, ā, mō ake tonu atu. Āmine. Almighty God, you sent your Holy Spirit to the disciples, filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel; send us out in the power of the same Spirit to witness to your redeeming love and draw all people to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. 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
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Gospel ConversationsWe 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."
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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 ideasSermon idea - imagining being part of the story (Church of Scotland)
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Bible LessonBible Lesson - Experience the Story (Grace Link) - scroll down to no.2
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This clip from 'Chosen' may be suitable for intermediate children and older.
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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.
PrayPray 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.”
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Quick questions
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