Ordinary 20

17 August 2025

Bible readings for today

Collect

God of fire and water,
your searing justice
has set alight the earth;
may we share Christ’s baptism,
even when it leads to pain and division;
through Jesus Christ our Liberator,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Interpreting the Time (Luke 12:49-56)

Gospel Conversations

One of the strengths and difficulties of working with a lectionary is that we don't get to choose the readings we preach on. We have to deal with the difficult ones as well as the ones that make us feel good. Gillian, Andrew and Natalie from the Dunedin Diocese bravely tackle one of these difficult ones with Michael today, and give us plenty of food for thought.

Visio Lectio

Thanks to Rev. Sarah West for this week's illustration from Visio Lectio. Shared with permission. (PNG Download, Terms of Use)

Heroes of Faith (Hebrews 11:29-12:2)

Heroes of the faith Cards

Head to Mark Barry's website to see his Heroes of Faith cards.
Print, cut out and stick them back to back -- the kids will have a collection of all 11 cards in total. You could set up activity stations around the room with information about each Bible character, and they collect their cards as they go along.
Copyright Mark Barry 2014 | visualunit.me

Learning Hebrews 12:1-2

Today's Epistle reading has some of the most powerful and encouraging words, ones that we'd love each child to have written on their heart.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (NIV)