14 May 2023

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Bible readings for today

• Acts 17:22-31
• Psalm 66:8-20
• 1 Peter 3:13-22
• John 14:15-21

Today is Mother's Day in New Zealand

Collect

Eternal 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

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. 

Mothers day ideas on our Strandz website

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.

Introduction to the Holy Spirit

With 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. ​

Use the dove and flame prayer template from Strandz to talk about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us power, wisdom, and peace. 

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Read John 14:15-21 together
What idea or phrase in the reading caught your attention?
​
Watch
Watch this Bible Project YouTube clip together and consider “What ideas are new or surprising?” 
(This video is suitable for older kids, and might be a little complex for younger kids,, but they might enjoy watching it anyway)

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?

Gospel Conversations

Another great video from the Diocese of Dunedin. This week Jesus speaks to us of love and of the coming of the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, Comforter - and challenger. We have a fine mix of accents today: American, Australian and a tinge of Wales! But for once our panellists found a lot in common in our Gospel reading, as Jesus gives us both a command and deep reassurance.

Dove and flame prayers

dove_flame_prayers.pdf
File Size:	35 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Comfort prayer stations

In advance, set up prayer stations around the room. The signs include

• Pray for someone making a decision who needs comfort 
• Pray for someone at home who needs comfort
• Pray for someone at school who needs comfort
• Pray for a friend who needs comfort
• Pray for a yourself if you need comfort
• Pray for somewhere in the world that needs comfort

Talk to the children about how the Holy Spirit can bring comfort to people. He is always with us and will never leave us. Can the think of different people who need God's comforting Holy Spirit today? 
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Give children time to go to different stations and say a prayer out loud, draw a picture or say a silent prayer. 

comfort_prayer_stations.pdf
File Size:	24 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Prayer - the work of the Spirit

Dear Jesus
Before going up to heaven you promised to send your Holy Spirit to finish your work on earth. Please help us welcome the work of your spirit, in each of us.
Give us your understanding so we can see the world through your eyes.
Give us your wisdom so we can recognise you at work and choose to work with you, on the things that last forever.
Give us your courage so that with your help, we will not give up.
Teach us to wonder and delight in all you have created.
Teach us gratefulness, so we will always be thankful for all that you do, in and through us.
Teach us to love all people, just like you do.
Amen

Holy Spirit flames

A sheet to colour in, or print on card and use as a craft item. Ideas include:

• Bonfire -- Taping several flames to a strip of card, glued end to end to make a circle, making a little bonfire
• Flame caps -- measure strips of card to go around the circumference of the child's head. Staple together, and stick on flame shapes. You can print the flame on colour card, or colour in. 
• Colouring sheet
• Cut out enough flames to hand out to everyone in church as they finish the service, as an encouragement for the week ahead.

holy_spirit_john_14.pdf
File Size:	134 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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