Ordinary 18

2 August 2026

Bible readings for today

Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 17:1-7,15
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21

Liturgical Colour: GREEN

The Transfiguration of the Beloved Son is celebrated on Thursday 6 August - resources for that day below.

Transfiguration resources

Collect

God of the hungry,
make us hunger and thirst for the right,
till our thirst for justice has been satisfied
and hunger has gone from the earth.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.

E te Atua, o te hunga matekai, meatia mātou kia hiakai, kia hiainu ki te tika, kia mākona rā anō ō mātou hiainu mō te whakawā kia ngaro atu anō te hiakai i runga i te whenua. Whakarongo ki tēnei īnoi i runga i tōu aroha.
Āmine.

Jesus Feeds 5000 (Matthew 14:13-20)

The Gospels report that Jesus used five loaves and two fish supplied by a boy to feed a multitude.

Input for leaders

Severed heads and hungry crowds (Bible Project) - Listen to this episode and explore how Jesus' character shines brightly in Matthew 14.

A quiet place

At the beginning of this passage, Jesus withdrew to a quiet place. You can find ideas and resources that we have put together for a different gospel passage that covers this, in Mark 6:30-34

Intergenerational Worship

Yr A Pentecost 10, 2023: (Intergen Australia)
A collection of resources and ideas written and compiled by Chris Barnett. Bible references: Matthew

Intergenerational Interactive Prayer Stations (Theresa Cho) - includes some preschool focused ones.

Talks

Feeding the 5000 (Trueway Kids) - Full lessons plans & activities for a variety of ages.

Jesus feeds the 5000 (Childrens Ministry.com) - lots of visual creative ways to share and explore the story.

Feeding the 5000 (Gary Neal Hansen) - paraphrased retelling with wondering questions.

God's "unwrapping" (RFour) - a unique way to explain the story!

Jesus feeds 5000 (Ministry Spark) - A children's ministry lesson adapted from Tru Curriculum, with games, scripts, printable loaf and fish templates.

Activities

Colouring sheet (Flame Creative)
Loaves and fish craft (Simple Everyday mom)
Moving Paper Fish Craft (Krokotak)
Accordion Fold Paper Fish (Krokotak)
Storytelling Idea (I Did It You Do It)
Pipecleaner Fish Craft (Catholic Icing)
Printable Craft (Jesus Without Language)
Paper Plate Basket Weaving Craft (Ministry to Children)
Bread Baking (BBC Good Food)
Playdough Prayer Mat (Flame Creative Kids)

Preschool Play

Feeding the 5000 (Trueway Kids) - full lesson plan for babies and toddlers.

Pray it!

Playdough Prayer Mat (Flame Creative Kids)

Media

Jacob wrestles with God (Genesis 32:22-31)

Sermon reading

Limping with God: Jacob and an Old Testament Guide to Messy discipleship, by Chad Bird.

BibleProject

A BibleProject Podcast episode that discusses the theme of blessing and curse in the life of Jacob.

Intergenerational Worship

Yr A Pentecost 10, 2026: (Intergen Australia)
A collection of resources and ideas written and compiled by Jillian Ross. Bible references: Genesis, Psalm, Romans.