4 August 2024
Bible readings for todayLiturgical Colour: GREEN The Transfiguration of the Beloved Son is celebrated on Tuesday, and we have included additional resources below. |
CollectE te Matua i te Rangi,
e kite nei koe i āu tamariki e hiahia ana mō te kai, mō te whanaungatanga me te whakapono. Āwhinatia mātou kia tutuki ngā ritenga o tēnā o tēnā o te tinana, te hinengaro me te wairua, i roto i te aroha o te Karaiti tō mātou Kaiwhakaora. Āmine. Heavenly Father, you see how your children hunger for food, and fellowship and faith. Help us to meet one another’s needs of body mind and spirit, in the love of Christ our Saviour. Amen. |
The Bread that Gives Life (John 6:24-35)
In today's story Jesus explains that he is the bread of life and all who come to him will never hunger or thirst.
Quick questions
Gospel ConversationsThis week, the Diocese of Dunedin have a vibrant discussion around Jesus as the Bread of Life. Gillian Townsley and John Franklin are joined by Lisa Emerson from Massey University as they dig into what Jesus might have meant in this "I Am" statement, and the many ways in which it can shape our lives today.
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Bread QuizThis is an introductory game to get children thinking about all the different types of bread there are.
What you need:
Extra CollectHoly God,
you have shown us the bread that never perishes, you are the bread of life; may we hunger for that bread above all else and seek to feed others with your life giving love. For you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen |
Ephesians 4: 1-6
In Ephesians 4:11, Paul describes the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. And while we all have different spiritual giftings, we are one united body.
Spiritual Gifts
"The gifts given are people-gifts, people who have been set free by Christ." - Kaye Dyer. Kaye's helpful research project (linked below) has provided some helpful information on these gifts, which are given to everyone:
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Discover your spiritual gifts in this Five Fold Ministry survey. If you are interested in having a discussion with children about how they fit into these five spiritual gifts, we have completed this survey with 10-13yr olds. An adult can help them fill in the questions together, and it has been interesting to discuss and affirm the giftings they have when they see the results. (Note: This does not need to become a tool to keep them from experiencing and growing into other gifts, it may just be a snapshot of history, but can be a helpful discussion exercise. Use it lightly with kids, and encourage them to redo the test when they are older)
Like a bodyEphesians 4:15 talks about how the church is like a body, with Christ at the head. See also 1 Corinthians 12:12–14
Resources
Further Reading
Anglicanism and the Ephesians 4 Gifts: Towards a Leadership Model that Disciples and Equips the Church for Mission - Research project by Kaye Dyer |
The Transfiguration of the Beloved Lord
Te Whakaahuakētanga o te Tama aroha
- Exodus 24:12-18 or Exodus 34:29-35
- Psalm 97
- 2 Peter 1:16-21
- Luke 9:28-36
The Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36)
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. The Transfiguration is also covered in Mark 9:2-9
What is transfiguration?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 Sunday is the Sunday before Lent. Its position in the Christian year suggests why the Transfiguration was given; to offer encouragement before a time of focused prayer and fasting. Intergenerational worshipThis offering written and compiled by Elizabeth Waldron Anstice looks at Transfiguration Sunday and offers an opportunity to keep our feet on the ground and stay conscious of our own humanity knowing that we don’t need bright lights or mountain tops to listen to Jesus.
Downloadable from https://intergen.org.au/ Changing AppearancesSource: 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:
Gospel ConversationsThe Transfiguration is one of the most important feasts for the Orthodox Church, yet can be overlooked in Anglican or Protestant churches. What is it about this story that some Christians find so important? What is it that speaks to the core of our life as followers of Christ? A team from the Dunedin Diocese (Nicki, John, Anne and Michael) talk it through together.
A gospel conversation from last year's passage in Luke on the Transfiguration
The Transfiguration is a mysterious and yet vitally important episode in the Gospel story. This week Archdeacon Michael Godfrey is joined by Bishop Kelvin Wright, Dr Lisa Emerson, and the Rev'd Rose Scott for what is often a profound, hopeful and inspiring conversation on Luke's version of the story. |
I wonder
Discussion Questions"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."
Transfiguration and GraceBishop Eleanor, Assistant Bishop of Wellington until she moved to become Bishop of Hull (UK), shares a short talk about a painting of the transfiguration, as apart of the Wellington Lenten series for 2019
Seven Minute Sermon'Listen to him!' A Seven Minute podcast sermon from Rev. George Penk, from St Mark's Remuera, on Rhema.
Tent buildingTent 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!
PrayersSource: Church of Scotland's worship resources, found here
Dazzling God of the heights and the depths all Creation is full of Your glory all the signs are there to read all the warnings made in love all the encouragement, all the guidance. Though the path be steep, and new ways needed to get there and things look different; still, with Christ, we do not face them alone. Called together, we can listen sharing, we can grow ourselves – but from a new perspective our world – beloved through the Chosen Son. Worship ResourcesThe Church of Scotland has some worship resources and ideas for today, found here
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