9 May 2027
Bible readings for today7th Sunday of Easter
Today is the Sunday after Ascension - if you are marking the Ascension today, you can use these readings: Ascension readings
Liturgical Colour: WHITE or RED Mother's Day is celebrated in New Zealand today |
CollectE te Atua Kaha Rawa,
tāu Tama, tō mātou Kaiwhakaora a Īhu Karaiti he oranga mutungakore kia noho hei kaiwawao mō mātou; aroha mai mō ō mātou ngoikoretanga, i runga i tōu atawhai hōmaitia ngā taonga pai e kore nei mātou e āhei ki te īnoi, engari mā roto i tōna painga, ko ia 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, your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ ever lives to make intercession for us; have pity on our weakness, and in your mercy give us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, except through his merits, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God 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 the amazing mothers in our congregations, and love and encourage 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.
More resources on our Strandz website |
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Jesus' prays for his followers (John 17:6-19)
Today's story looks at the words that Jesus prayed to his father before returning to heaven.
Questions
Thy Kingdom Come
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Gospel ConversationsFor the next couple of weeks we're continuing with Jesus' final discourse in John's Gospel, in which a sometimes bewildering whirl of ideas, commands, and comfort, are given to the first disciples - and us. In one of our inter-continental discussions, we are joined by Matt Jeffries from the Arthur Rank Centre in the UK, Jerry Morris from the Methodist church of Wisconsin, and Peg Riley from Christchurch. Together they explore our relationships with the church, with God, and with each other in ways that will - as the Spirit does - challenge and comfort you.
Prayer SpiralsThis fun idea is from the Flamecreative website, based on this experiment on Carrots are Orange website
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Jesus' Ascension (Acts 1:6-14)
Today also marks the Sunday after the Ascension of Jesus, which is written about in Luke 24:44-53 and Acts 1:6-14.
Intergenerational Worship
TalksEmpty Shoes (BRF Ministries)
Celebrate Ascension (BRF Ministries) I'll Be Back (Ministry to Children) Teaching Children about Ascension Day (Kids Corner) - talking points for Ascension Day Activities
Media |
Questions
Preschool FunBalloons Up!
You will need:
Blowing Bubbles
Blow bubbles and they have to pop them/catch them, try blowing from low down and blowing them up in the air. Things to talk about: Today we are thinking about Ascension day when Jesus went back up to heaven to be with God and we are blowing the bubbles up to the sky like Jesus going up to God. Hide and Seek / Peek a boo: Make a fort or play a game where the children can hide from you. Takes turns hiding. Things to talk about: sometimes we can't see each other, but we are still there. Jesus promises to always be with us, even if we can't see him. Cloud Walk: Go for a walk outside and look at the clouds. Flame Creative have a cloud-spotting sheet you can use. Things to talk about: How Jesus friends might have felt when he left them to go back to heaven. Pray it!Ascension Prayer Spirals (Flame Creative)
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Jesus' Testimony (1 John 5:9-13)
Intergenerational worshipA selection of intergenerational worship ideas, including a creative Bible engagement, from Intergen Australia, curated by Elizabeth Waldron Anstice.
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