21 February 2027

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Bible readings for today

• Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
• Psalms 22:23-31
• Romans 4:13-25
• Mark 8:31-38​ or Mark 9:2-9

Liturgical Colour: VIOLET

Collect

Servant God, grant us opportunity,
give us willingness to serve you day by day;
that what we do and how we bear each other’s burdens,
may be our sacrifice to you.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen. 

E te Atua, kia āhei mātou,
kia kaikā mātou ki te mahi ki a koe i ia rā i ia rā;
inā hoki ko ngā mea e mahia ana e mātou pērā te awhi tētahi ki tētahi,
waiho hei takoha mā mātou.
E īnoi ai mātou i roto i a te Karaiti tō mātou Kaiwhakaora.
​Āmine.

Take up your cross (Mark 8:31-38)

Today's story invites us to understand who Jesus is, and how he wants us to follow him,

Gospel Conversations

"Take up your cross and follow." It's not an easy command to hear, and as we continue through Lent, it's something we need to grapple with. What could Jesus have meant? What are the dangers associated with some of the ways we understand him? Archdeacon Michael Godfrey from the Dunedin Diocese hosts a conversation with three guests as they ponder these, and other, questions.

Conversationalists:

• David Tombs - University of Otago
  
• Nicki Colledge - Diocese of Brisbane
• Eddie O'Connor - currently Diocese of Dunedin, shortly to be Diocese of Christchurch.

Cross Crafts

The blog Danielle's Place has a plethora of Cross craft ideas including:

• Cardboard and Yarn Cross Craft
• Snowflake Cross Craft for Kids
• Chalk Marker Doodle Cross Pictures
• Aluminum Foil Tape Cross Craft for Sunday School
• Glowing "He Lives" Easter Cross Sunday School Craft
• Plastic Canvas Cross Bible Craft
• Paper Mache and Wire Cross Craft for Kids
• Stained Glass Window Cross

Handprint Cross

This activity could be done on a large sheet of newsprint paper, to include everyone's handprints on the one sheet, or each child could have their own smaller piece of paper to make a cross.  It could be done as described, with the hands forming a cross, or in reverse, with the handprints providing the background to a white cross.

"PAINTED HAND PRINTS: Spread some paint on each child's one hand and let them place their painted hand print on a poster board and all the hands need to be in a formation of a cross when the prints are completed. When I did this activity, I did these cross-formation-hand-prints on our class room wall for decoration. The kids loved it and enjoyed it for years!"

Cross Colouring Sheet

A beautiful Celtic style cross to colour in. Click on the image to download it.

Take up Your Cross

A short, simple drama with touch of humour, taken from the Creative Youth Ideas blog.

Decoder Puzzle

You can download the Decoder Puzzle from Sermons4kids here.

The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-9)

When Jesus takes Peter, John, and James up a mountain to pray, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white.

What is transfiguration?

Discussion Questions

The word "transfigured" is a very interesting word. The Greek word is "metamorpho" and it means to transform, literally or figuratively to metamorphose, or to change... In the case of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ it means to match the outside with the reality of the inside. To change the outward so that it matches the inward reality. Jesus' divine nature was "veiled" in human form and the transfiguration was a glimpse of that glory. Therefore, the transfiguration of Jesus Christ displayed the... glory of God incarnate in the Son.

Transfiguration and Grace

Bishop Eleanor, Assistant Bishop of Wellington, shares a short talk about a painting of the transfiguration, as apart of the Wellington Lenten series for 2019

Changing Appearances

Source: This game was found on the Family Faith Ministry website
Purpose: Play this game to help students begin to think about how Jesus’ appearance changed. 
Supplies: None 

Can you tell when something changes? Sometimes seeing how something has changed is easy and sometimes it is hard. Today, we are going to learn how Jesus’ appearance changed on the mountain. Everyone who was with Jesus noticed the change. Before we discover what happened, let’s play a game to see how well you see changes. 
Directions:

1. Form teams of three or four children.
2. Have all the teams sit on the floor facing the front of the classroom.
3. Have the first team stand in front of the other teams. Tell the seated teams to carefully study the appearance of the standing team. Have them pay special attention to details like clothing, hairstyle, and jewellery.
4. After a minute, send the first team out of the room to secretly choose one thing to change about the appearance of one player on the team. For example, they might turn a hat backwards, put their hair in ponytail, or switch jewelry with another team member.
5. Have the team stand in front of the other teams again.
6. The seated players must guess what change the team made.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 until all teams have had a turn.

Teacher Tip: If playing the game with younger children, either you or an assistant may help the team choose and make a change. 

"Moses and Elijah were about to leave, when Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But Peter did not know what he was talking about."

• Have you ever felt a bit like Peter? Wanting to keep something for ever, that was only meant to last a short time? Perhaps you found a butterfly and wanted to keep it in a jar for ever, or looked after a bird in a box, but didn't want to say goodbye to it? 
  
• Have you ever said something that you later regretted? 
• If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? 

I wonder

• I wonder how Peter, John and James felt when they woke up and saw that Jesus looked different?
• I wonder why Peter wanted to build a shelter for Jesus, Moses and Elijah?
• I wonder why Peter, John and James were quiet after the loud voice said: "This is my chosen Son. Listen to what he says!”
• I wonder what happened next? 
• I wonder what they spoke about between that event, and coming down the mountain the next day?

Tent building

Tent building is a lot of fun, and can happen outside in the garden or indoors. Here’s how to make a simple tent with blankets or sheets:
What you need:The best thing about building your own tent is that you only need objects you’re likely to have lying around the house already. You may need to pay a quick visit to the garden centre for the bamboo canes!

• A roll of rough string
• Scissors
• 3 x 8ft (2.4m) and 6 x 3ft (90cm) bamboo canes from a garden centre
• Old sheets and blankets
• Pens and card to make a sign for the entrance

What to do: 

• The easiest tent to construct is a simple two-sided prism shape like a triangular Toblerone box! 
• Make a sturdy frame using your canes - lay the 3 longest canes 3 ft (90cm) apart, and attach using the shorter canes and string, until your tent takes shape. 
• Then drape with sheets or blankets, and decorate inside and out with pillows, rugs and pictures, before moving in

Source: Persil

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