10 May 2026
Bible readings for today
Today is Mother's Day in New Zealand |
CollectEternal God,
light of the minds that know you, joy of the hearts that love you, strength of the wills that serve you; grant us so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may gladly serve you, now and always. Amen. E te Atua mutunga kore, ko koe te mārama o te hinengaro e mōhio nei, ko koe te hari o te ngākau e aroha nei, ko koe te kaha o te whakaaro e mahi nei mōu; tukua mai ki a mātou te mōhiotanga ki a koe kia tino aroha ai mātou ki a koe, mā te aroha ki a koe ka tika ai tā mātou mahi i runga i te harikoa, āianei, ā, ake tonu atu. Āmine. |
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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The Holy Spirit is promised (John 14:15-21)
In today's story, Jesus promises that he will send the Holy Spirit to his disciples.
Input for leadersWith Pentecost being celebrated in 2 weeks time, today is a great time to introduce children to the idea of the Holy Spirit. Often the most difficult person in the trinity to explain, the children can know that God the Father sends us the Holy Spirit to help us and will always be with us. The Spirit will show us what is true. The Holy Spirit is with us and will keep on living in us.
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Gospel Conversations John 14:15-21 (Diocese of Dunedin 2023)
This week Jesus speaks to us of love and of the coming of the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, Comforter - and Challenger. |
Intergenerational Worship
Pray it!Dove and Flame Prayers
Use the downloadable “Dove and Flame” template. The shape can be turned one way as a dove and another as a flame. Invite people to write or draw: where they need help where they need comfort where they see God at work Create a large community display together. Download PDF: https://www.bibleexplore.nz/uploads/5/5/2/5/55253395/dove_flame_prayers.pdf Source: https://www.bibleexplore.nz/eeaster6b-992598.html Comfort Prayer Stations Set up simple prayer stations around the worship space with prompts such as: Pray for someone lonely Pray for someone who needs courage Pray for your school Pray for your whānau Pray for our world People can respond with stones, drawings, candles, or written prayers. Download printable signs: https://www.bibleexplore.nz/uploads/5/5/2/5/55253395/comfort_prayer_stations.pdf Source: https://www.bibleexplore.nz/eeaster6b-992598.html TalksWho is the Holy Spirit (Trueway Kids) - Lesson, discussion ideas, and activities about the Holy Spirit. Part of a bigger series on the Holy Spirit.
John 14:15-21 (Gary Neal Hansen) - a paraphrased retelling of the story. Jesus gives us the comforter (Sermons 4 Kids) - with object lesson. For younger kids. The Comforter (Ministry to Children) For older kidsRead John 14:15-21 together. What idea or phrase in the reading caught your attention?
Watch this Bible Project YouTube clip together and consider "What ideas are new or surprising?” Discuss: Each share one idea that was new or surprising to you. Why do you think God might have brought that to your attention today? and/or What might God be teaching us about Himself and His spirit? How have you seen the Gods Spirit at work this week? Games and activitiesBalloon Keep-Up (Ministry to Children)
Give children balloons and challenge them to work together to keep the balloons in the air using gentle taps only. Talk together about how we cannot see the air around us, but we can see what it does. Wind Detectives Go outside and look for signs of the wind. Can children spot moving leaves, swaying trees, cool air on their skin, or clouds moving overhead? Talk about how some important things are unseen but still real. Older children could make a list or draw pictures of the signs of wind they discover. Helper Relay Set up simple helping challenges for teams to complete such as:
Pinwheel Craft (One Little Project) Create simple paper pinwheels and test them outside in the wind. Talk about how wind moves things even though we cannot see it. |
Questions
Preschool PlayTelling the Story - You are not alone
You will need a soft toy and a blanket Jesus’ friends were worried. Jesus said, “I love you.” (Give the toy a cuddle.) Jesus said, “Even when you cannot see me, I will still be with you.” (Wrap blanket around toy). Jesus said, “God will send a helper. You are not alone.” (Invite children to cuddle the toy or themselves.) Telling the Story - Holy Spirit wind You will need a soft toy and a blanket You will need a Feather / ribbon / a quiet fan (Wave feather or ribbon gently. Or turn the fan on). Can you see the wind? No… But can you feel it? Yes! Jesus said God would send a helper — the Holy Spirit. (Wave feather or ribbon gently. Or turn the fan on) We cannot see the Spirit, but God is with us and helps us. (Let the feel the air or wave the ribbons) Feather and Wind Play Provide feathers, scarves, ribbons, paper streamers, and small fans for children to explore movement and airflow. Wonder together: Can you make the feather move? Can you feel the wind? What happens when the wind blows? I wonder what other things are real that we can't see? Bubble Prayers Blow bubbles together and watch them float and move through the air. Talk about how air moves the bubbles even though we cannot see it. Wonder together: Where do the bubbles go? What helps the bubbles move? Jesus said God would always be with us. I wonder when you feel close to God? Streamer Dancing Play gentle worship music and invite children to dance with ribbons, scarves, or streamers. Watch how the movement changes as they move faster or slower. Wonder together: How do the ribbons move? What does the music make you feel? I wonder how God’s Spirit moves in the world? (Inspired by https://www.truewaykids.com and www.godlyplayfoundation.org/) 
Pray it!Prayer Stations
In advance, set up prayer stations around the room. Download these signs for ideas or make your own. Talk to the children about how the Holy Spirit can bring comfort to people. He is always with us and will never leave us. Give children time to go to different stations and say a prayer out loud, draw a picture or say a silent prayer. Holy SPirit dove prayers (Bible Explore)
Holy Spirit flame prayers (Bible Explore) - write prayers on the back, or colour in and make a collage bonfire together.
  Let us be known"Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Today's reading reminds us of the simplicity of God's call - to love God and love others. This song from The Porter's Gate is great song to include in a reflection time.
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