14 September 2025

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Bible readings for today

RCL

• Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 
• Psalm 14:1-7
• 1 Timothy 1:12-17
• Luke 15:1-10 

Liturgical colour: GREEN

Holy Cross Day / Te Rā o te Rīpeka Tapu

• Numbers 21:4b-9
• Psalm 98:1-5 or Psalm 78:1-2,34-38
• 1 Corinthians 1:18-24
• John 3:13-17

Liturgical colour: RED

This week is Te wiki o te reo Māori (Māori Language Week)

Collect

E te Atua Aroha,
i roto i a te Karaiti ka whakaēmihia
mātou ki roto i tōu whanau;
ka āhei mātou ki te kī atu ki a koe, e te Matua;
meinga mā tōu Wairua mātou hei toha
i te korōria o te herenga kore o āu tamariki.
Whakarongo ki tēnei īnoi i runga i tōu aroha.
Āmine.

Loving God,
in Jesus you gather us into your family;
confidently we call you Father;
may your Spirit bring us to share
the glorious liberty of your children.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.

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Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7)

The parable of the lost sheep can also be found in Matthew 18:10-14

Activities

• Sensory Play (Flame Creative Kids)
• Storytelling Idea (Faith Sprouts)
• Sheep Mask (Danya Banya)
• Minute to Win it Cotton Ball Game (Holly's Home)
• Balloon Herding (Joyful Mama's Place)
• Pompom Sheep (One Little Project)

Quick Questions

• Why did Jesus tell the story of the lost sheep?
• Who do you think the lost sheep is meant to be?
• Who is the shepherd meant to be?                        
• What are some ways that you can be Jesus to people who don’t know him?
• What makes it difficult to talk about Jesus to your friends? 

Visio Lectio

Another great print illustration from Rev. Sarah West, from Visio Lectio (shared with permission)
PNG Download
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Gospel Conversations

This week we get one of the most beloved passages in Luke's gospel to enjoy together: the lost sheep and lost coin. When these parables are so familiar, do we simply retell them, or do we dig a little deeper into the joy and promise they give? Rev Michael Godfrey is joined this week by Bishop Steve, John Goodwin and Anne van Gend.

Some of the images from this video can be downloaded here (in the 'additional files' menu under the video)

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The Lost Coin (Luke 15: 8-10)

Hiding Place

God’s grace comes to find us, like the woman who stops what she is doing to find the missing coin. We all need God to find us and bring us back to the place where we belong.  
Imagine your best hiding place, where no one can find you. 
What’s it like?  
Is it dark, or light?  
Can you see out?  
Can you hear any other people?
Keep perfectly quiet there – not a sound, not even the sound of your breathing.
Then imagine letting God in to your secret hiding place – how does it feel to have God in your secret hiding place with you? 
Imagine God taking your hand, and leading you to the kitchen where everyone is waiting to celebrate – they couldn’t start until you got there!

Quick Questions

• Was it the coin’s fault for going missing? 
• Did the coin decide to be found?

Activities

Preschool Ideas (Flame Creative)
Have a treasure hunt for foil covered chocolate coins

Media

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1 Timothy 1:12-14 (Thankfulness to God)

Activities

Gratitude Stones (Fireflies and Mudpies)
Straw Rocket Thankyou Prayers (Flame Creative Kids)
Lego Blessing Tower (Future Flying Saucers)
Thanksgiving Placemat (June Pfaff Daley)
Gratitude Pick up Sticks Game (The Bump)

Bible Project Overview