10 August 2025

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Bible readings for today

• Isaiah 1:1,10-20 
• Psalm 50:1-8,22-23
• Hebrews 11:1-3,8-16
• Luke 12:32-40

Collect

E te Atua kaha rawa mutunga kore,
nā tōu Wairua te tinana katoa o te Hāhi
e kawanatia nei, e whakatapua nei;
whakarongo mai ki a mātou īnoi
mō āu tangata whakapono katoa
mā te mahi minitatanga, nāu nei mātou i karanga
ka tika ā mātou mahi ki a koe, i runga i te tapu i te pono;
Ko Īhu Karaiti tō mātou Ariki me tōu
mātou Kaiwhakaora.
Āmine.

Almighty and everlasting God,
by your Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified;
hear the prayers we offer for all your faithful people
that in the ministry to which you have called us
we may serve you in holiness and truth;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Amen.

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Treasure in Heaven (Luke 12:32-40)

This passage offers us three things to consider, as we continue to learn how to be rich toward God. First, do not be afraid. Second, store up heavenly treasure, and third, be ready for the Kingdom of God.

Input for leaders

Visio Lectio
​Thanks to Rev. Sarah West for this week's gospel illustration, shared with permission.
PNG Download
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Gospel Conversations 2025: Jesus' challenging words continue this week. Sell our possessions? Where is our treasure? Will we be ready? At the same time, "Do not be afraid, little flock." How do we work with all this? 

Gospel Conversations 2022: We live in anxious times, so what does it mean for Jesus to tell us not to fear? We are aware especially of the anxiety levels in our young people, so it is fortunate that in today's conversation we are joined by two school chaplains.

Intergenerational Worship

Ordinary Time Year C 2025 Intergenerational Worship Series
​(Angela Blundell, Auckland Dio Intergenerational Ministry)
This resource has 8 weeks of worship ideas to help your community connect to God and each other through worship, sharing and creativity.

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Kid's Talks

Don't worry / Treasure in Heaven (Ministry to Children)

Searching for Treasure (Sermons for Kids)

Treasures for Heaven (Sermons 4 Kids)

The Kingdom of God cannot be lost (RFour)

​Where is your heart? (Sermons4Kids)

Quick Questions

• What is important to you, what do you treasure? Why?
• How do you look after what you treasure?
• I wonder what Jesus treasures most?
  
• What does Jesus want us to treasure?

Activities

Treasure Bag
You will need - a pillowcase full of ‘treasure’ (paper clips, cellotape, string, etc) You also need a list (that only you can see) of all the things. 

• ​Get each child to put their hands in the pillowcase and without taking anything out, get them to guess what one of the items in the bag is. If they guess right, tick the item off the list. 
  
• Either see how long it takes them to guess everything. Or let everyone have one turn, and then tip out the contents to see what they missed out.

Treasure Tray
​You will need - a tray with lots of different things, a piece of paper with ‘Your heart will always be where your treasure is”. Cover it with a cloth. 

• Give every child a piece of paper and a pen. Tell them that you are going to show them a tray of treasures, and that their job is to try and remember as many things that are on the tray as possible. 
• Show them the tray for two minutes, and then cover it up again. 
• Now give them another two minutes to write down as many things as they can. 
• When they have finished, find out who remembered the most, who found it hard, what items were hard to remember. See how many of them remembered the words on the card.

Treasure Bag
​You will need - some little bags, printed coins, felts or pens to write/draw with.
- you may like to print the coins larger than usual to give more writing space. Print on card if you can.

• Give each child a bag and some 'coins'. Get them to write or draw on the back of each coin, what the treasure. E.g. friends, family, things about themselves that they like. 
• Then gather the kids in a circle. One at a time get them to place their treasure in the centre. When they all have, say a prayer offering all these good treasures up to God.
• When the children take them home, encourage them to pray for or add to their treasures.

Other activity ideas

• Science activity (Ikidmin)
• Treasure box craft (Emma Tovey)
• Bible verse treasure hunt (Kids Answers)
• DIY treasure stones (Oh Amanda)
• I spy treasure bottle (Life with God's grace)
• Dig for treasure in sand
• DIY Treasure maps and hunts
• A selection of activities on 'worry' (Flame Creative)

Moth Confession

The most common species of clothes moths in New Zealand are webbing clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella) and casemaking clothes moths (Tinea pellionella). Both have golden-coloured wings and are just over half a centimetre long. They eat a wide range of animal fabrics, but primarily fabrics containing wool. They will also damage fur, silk, feather and leather.

In this gospel reading, we are reminded to store up our treasures where moths cannot eat them. As a confession, hang up an old woollen coat or jumper and print off some of these moth prints. Take some time to think through the things that we have accidentally or intentionally stored up that can get in the way of us following Jesus. Perhaps they are items, activities, emotions, stories or relationships. Pin the moth onto the coat/top as a way of asking for forgiveness and receiving God's grace anew. 

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Preschool Play

Here are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spending time with God. 

Share the Story / Treasure Hunt:

• Before the session get or make some sort of special box. Anything that looks precious or special will work. Inside put items or pictures that can represent treasure. Have some 'traditional' tangible treasures e.g. money, jewels, a crown... but also include items to represent things like a house, family, love, God.
• Tell them today you will be talking about treasure and as you unpack the treasure chest get them to guess what each item represents. As you do, talk about:
  • how treasure is not just things we can hold but other important things we can't even see.
  • how God wants us to have the BEST kind of treasures. Not money or jewels (or toys!) but the love he has for us and for others, and to be his best friend!

Treasure in Heaven (St John's Community Church) - Full lesson plan (designed for families but could easily be used at church). Note this is based around the Greatest Pearl story but very applicable to this weeks bible verse too. 

Treasure Hunt: Use a map or simply hide some items and see if the kids can find them. Talk about: What is treasure? What is your favourite treasure? ​What is God's favourite treasure?

​Store your treasures in heaven - ice cubes (Ikidmin)

Make your own treasure Stones (Oh Amanda)

Playdough treasure maps/chests and sand dough recipe (Picklebums)

Pray it!

On worry - try these parachute prayers - so fun! (Flame Creative)

Treasures in heaven
You will need something to act as a treasure - e.g. paper coins, choclate coins, fake gems, a fun little toy, real coins etc.
Sit in a circle and give each child a 'treasure'.
Ask then to think about some of the good things God has given them. 
Ask them to put their treasure in the centre as they say or think about God's gifts. Then pray a thank you for all these treasures.
Let them each take a 'treasure' home to remind them of God's blessings for them.

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