28 June 2026

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Bible readings for today

• Genesis 22:1-14
• Psalm 13:1-6
• Romans 6:12-23
• Matthew 10:40-42

Liturgical Colour: GREEN

School Holiday ideas here
4 - 19 July

Collect

Almighty Father, 
grant that we your children 
may never be ashamed 
to confess the faith of Christ crucified, 
but continue his faithful servants 
to our lives’ end; 
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen 

E te Matua kaha rawa, kaua mātou,
āu tamariki e tukua kia whakamā ki te whāki i te whakapono o te Karaiti i rīpekatia,
kia ū tūturu tonu āu pononga ā,
mate noa. i roto pū i a Īhu Karaiti tō mātou Ariki.
Āmine. 

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Welcome (Matthew 10:40-42)

Input for leaders

Manaakitanga means hospitality, kindness, generosity, support - the process of showing respect, generosity and care for others. ​Strandz put together a video for the Wellington Diocese about Manaakitanga and Faith 5, introducing how we could invite Jesus to be a part of our meal times. 

Gospel Conversations 2023 Matt 10:40-42 (Diocese of Dunedin) 
For some reason the lectionary, after giving us a long and complex reading last week, gives us 3 verses this week. What could we find worth spending time on in such a short passage? Discover applications for our ministries, our relationships, and even the future of the church!

Visio Lectio
A beautiful free downloadable images by Sarah Lea West. All Rights Reserved, shared and distributed with permission.
Terms of use 
PNG Download

Intergenerational worship

Yr A Pentecost 5, 2023:  (Intergen Australia)
A collection of resources and ideas written and compiled by Rev Amanda Nicholas. Bible references: Matthew, Romans.

Talks

Welcome! (Sermons 4 Kids) - a short talk on welcoming others to our church and homes. Would work well with the welcome mat activity.

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 10:40-42 (Gary Neal Hansen) - paraphrased retelling with wondering questions.

The little things that matter (Sermon Writer) - simple talk on doing the little things that matter.

Welcome one and all (Sunday School Works) - full lesson with crafts and activities.

Games & Activities

Welcome Relay
A fun, active game to help kids think about welcoming people well. You could do this as one group, or divide the children into teams

You will need: 2 chairs, 2 cushions, small table -- light enough for one or two kids to carry, 2 plastic cups filled with water, jug of water, a non breakable vase with a flower in it (such as a tall cup), plate of biscuits or snacks, a bible, other props if available, e.g. table cloth, your church newsletter, teapot. 

What to do:

• Choose a child to be the 'visitor' who arrives at your door unexpectedly. 
• Welcome them into your house and then realise that you have nothing to welcome them. 
• Children run a relay race bringing things from one side of the room to the other, so that the guest is welcomed well. You could race teams to be the first team to finish, when everything is on the other side of the room.
• Children should think about what order they should send things (eg. you need a table to put the cups of water on first!
• Repeat if you have time. 
• Highlight the importance of welcoming people well. It's not about having material goods, but making sure that we are prepared to be kind and hospitable to those who need us to be Jesus to them. 

Make Welcome Mats
If budget doesn't allow for doormats - you could create welcome signs on A3 sheets of paper.

​You will need:

• Outdoor natural coir mats -- try Spotlight, Kmart or Bunnings for inexpensive ones.
• Tester pots of outdoor paint. (Resene often donate these, or ask around your community).
• A thick paint brush for stippling paint onto the mat
• Masking tape
• Paper templates with 'welcome' or 'kia ora' printed in a typeface you like, and cut out using a craft knife or scalpel. Use a solid chunky font.

 
What to do:

• Get kids to work together to design and decorate the welcome mats. These can be used at church or given away to new people in the community, such a new refugee family. 
• Have templates cut out in advance. Where a letter has a counter (e.g. the inside of an o) you might like to stick those down separately with masking tape. Secure the whole template to the mat with masking tape.
• Doing one colour at at time, dip the paint brush into the test pot and dab it onto the mat, keeping the brush vertical. Complete one layer, and you might like to add another layer once that one is dry. You could do a different colour per letter. ​

Questions

On welcome
Jesus talks about how important it is it welcome people -- and that when we are welcomed, or welcome others, Jesus is welcomed too. 

• What does it feel like to be welcome somewhere?
• What helps you feel welcome?
• What does it feel like to not feel welcome somewhere?
• What makes you feel unwelcome?
• How can we welcome people well? 
• How can we welcome new kids at church?
• If you were going to a new place, how would you know that you were welcome? 
• What things can you do to make sure children are welcome at your home, school or church? 
• Can you remember the last time you were given a really warm welcome? 
• Why do you think the Bible says that anyone who welcomes you, welcomes Jesus?

On rewards

• What would be your ideal reward?
  
• Have you ever received a reward?
  
• As a Christian, what reward do we have?
  
• Why do you think ‘Anyone who welcomes a good person, just because that person is good, will be given the same reward as a good person’ means?

Preschool Play

You may like to chat about what 'welcome' means at the start of the session as preschoolers might not know or have different ideas.

Tell the Story:

• Try a very simple retelling: Jesus said, "When you welcome people, you welcome me too." Jesus said that even giving someone a cup of water is important. Small acts of kindness matter to God. Jesus wants us to welcome people, help people, and show God's love wherever we go.  You could tell the story using dolls, puppets, or toy people arriving at a house and being welcomed inside.
• The little things that matter (Sermon Writer) 

Tea Party Welcome
Set up a simple tea party with toy cups, plates, dolls, teddy bears, and soft toys. Invite children to welcome guests, offer them a seat, and share pretend food and drinks.
Talk about: How do you make someone feel welcome? What would you say to a new friend? How do you feel when someone welcomes you?

Water for a Friend
Provide cups, jugs, bowls, funnels, and water for sensory play.
Talk about how Jesus said even giving someone a cup of water is important.
Talk about: When do you need a drink? Who gives you water when you're thirsty?

Welcome Home
Using blocks, Duplo, or cardboard boxes, build houses.
Add toy people and create places where everyone is welcome.
Talk about: Who lives in your home? What makes a home feel welcoming?
How can we help people feel included?

Kindness Delivery Service
Provide bags, baskets, envelopes, or small boxes.
Children can collect and deliver items around the room to others.
Talk about: What helpful things can we give to people? How does it feel to receive a gift? What kind things have people done for you?

Friendship Playdough
Provide playdough and people-shaped cutters, loose parts, or natural materials.
Invite children to make families, friends, and communities.
Talk about: Who are your friends? What makes a good friend? How can we show God's love to our friends?

Things to Chat About

• Jesus loves it when we welcome people.
• Small acts of kindness matter.
• Everyone can help others.
• We can make people feel loved and included.
• When we welcome others, we welcome Jesus too.

Media

Abraham and Isaac (​Genesis 22:1-14)

Caution: This story is a really difficult one, and it's probably the last passage we'd start with in children's ministry! While we know that all scripture is living and active, and important to engage with, it's also important to consider the age of the children you are sharing it with. Some children hearing this story have placed themselves in the eyes of Isaac, and been scared and afraid. Please share this story cautiously and wisely.

Children's talk

​Flame Creative say: "It seems that God is asking Abraham to do something terrible but Abraham obviously trusts that God has a plan, so he does what God tells him. Because Abraham trusts God, God gives Abraham what he needs." 

​Flame: Creative Children's Ministry have partnered with the Diocese of Newcastle (UK) to put together some resources for this week’s worship, on the story of Abraham and Isaac. To join in this week’s prayer activity you will need a glass of water and some card.

Each week they produced a video with a short service including sorry and thank you prayers, a story and a creative prayer activity that people at home can easily join in with. For this Sunday they looked at the story of Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son Isaac and how God provides what he needs.

Click here to download the words to the simple liturgy if you'd like to join in the words.

Match game

A printable matching game from Sundayschoolzone.com for kids to play the game 'pairs'. Print out two copies of the cards, and get the children to play them in groups of two. ​

Media

Song - Not Afraid

Not Afraid is a wonderful song by Rend Co. Kids, with a simple and beautiful message for all ages. 
Chords and music here on Worship Together​
​

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Psalm 13

Liturgy: call to worship

​Intergenerational Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 13)

We’ve come to worship,
to sing and pray and hear God’s Word, because:
God’s love lasts forever!
Even when God seems far away, we know:
God’s love lasts forever!
Even when nothing is going right, and we’re ready to give up, we know:
God’s love lasts forever!
When people treat us badly, we know:
God’s love lasts forever!
When we’re all alone,
and we feel like no one loves us, we know:
God’s love lasts forever!
Let’s worship God together!

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Songs