23 February 2025
Bible readings for today
Liturgical colour: GREEN |
CollectE Īhu, tukua mai te aroha ngohengohe,
e kore nei e ngaro te īnoi nei mō te murunga hara mai i ōna kaiwhakamate, me te hōmai i te tūmanako ki te whānako i runga i te rīpeka. Meinga mātou kia aroha pono i te uaua o te ara me te māhaki ki a rātou e whakahē ana i a mātou; mō te korōria o tōu ingoa tapu. Āmine. Grant us Jesus, that tender, indestructible love which asks forgiveness of its executioners and gives hope to the thief on the cross. Keep us compassionate when the way is hard, and gentle with those who oppose us; for the glory of your holy name. Amen. |
World Day of Prayer, Friday 7 March
This year the World Day of Prayer will be held on Friday, 7 March throughout the country.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, the World Day of Prayer was first marked in 1931. It is celebrated in more than 170 countries. A Christchurch based national committee adapts the international resources for New Zealand churches. Local services have been organised by a dedicated group of volunteers who incorporate this global vision into their year’s work. The World Day of Prayer Committee encourages people to share the resources in ordinary worship.
“Each year a different country takes time to prepare the service incorporating women’s stories. It is an opportunity to connect with people around the globe,” says Pauline McKay, National Chairperson.
This year’s worship resources and children's service resources have been prepared by the WDP Committee of the Cook Islands. The Theme this year is "I Made You Wonderfully".
Art by Tarani Napa and Tevairangi Napa
In Aotearoa New Zealand, the World Day of Prayer was first marked in 1931. It is celebrated in more than 170 countries. A Christchurch based national committee adapts the international resources for New Zealand churches. Local services have been organised by a dedicated group of volunteers who incorporate this global vision into their year’s work. The World Day of Prayer Committee encourages people to share the resources in ordinary worship.
“Each year a different country takes time to prepare the service incorporating women’s stories. It is an opportunity to connect with people around the globe,” says Pauline McKay, National Chairperson.
This year’s worship resources and children's service resources have been prepared by the WDP Committee of the Cook Islands. The Theme this year is "I Made You Wonderfully".
Art by Tarani Napa and Tevairangi Napa
Loving Your Enemies (Luke 6:27-38)
How we can love others the way that God loves us?
Leaders InputRadical Humility, Radical Generosity (Gary Neal Hansen)
Jesus tells his disciples to live lives that are radically different from the world — even the world of good people of faith. The life Jesus calls them to — calls us to — is counter to common sense. Read the whole reflection here. |
Visio Lectio
A beautiful image from the Visio Lectio project, created by the Anglican Diocese of Auckland. © Sarah West.
All Rights reserved, shared with permission. Download Terms of use Gospel Conversations 2025: There is much of the Bible that is complex and open to many interpretations. There are other passages that are uncomfortably clear! "Love your enemies." No compromises, no concessions - just a clear statment of how God wants us to live. What would happen if we actually did it?
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Kids TalksBetter than a game of tag with only two people (rfour.org)
Unexpected combinations (Ministry to Children) How to treat your enemies (Gary Neal Hansen) The Golden Rule (sermonsforkids.com) Activities / GamesBean Bag Toss
Set up three bucket or baskets at increasing distances from a starting line. Label the first bucket ‘Family,’ the second bucket, ‘Friends,’ and the last bucket, ‘Enemies.’ Take turns throwing the bean bag into each bucket. Say: It was pretty easy to get the bean bag in the first two buckets but harder to get it in the last one. It’s the same with loving people. It’s easy for us to love our friends and family but a little harder to love our enemies but we can still do it. Spread Love to Others Give each child a coffee filter and a washable marker. Let them decorate the coffee filter. Then spray the coffee filters with water from a spray bottle and watch the colours spread. Say: Do you see how the colors are spreading out on the coffee filter? That’s what love it like. We need to spread it around to everyone, especially our enemies. Love One Another Colouring Cut a large heart out of poster board. (Or use the Strandz Love/Aroha poster). As a group work together to cover the poster board with colour. Say, This week when you are at home, school, or anywhere, I want you to remember to spread love to everyone. Let’s help Jesus cover the world with love, just like we have covered this heart/poster with crayon. Adapted from ministry-to-children.com The Story of TaroreThe Story of Tarore is an amazing story of the impact of faithfulness, the gospel, and loving one's enemies. While we usually tell this story on Tikanga Youth Sunday it also fits very well with this week's of loving your enemies. Find resources on it here. |
Intergenerational WorshipA collection of resources and ideas, written and compiled by Melissa Neumann for Intergen Australia. Bible references: Genesis, Luke, Psalms.
Extra collectGod of welcome,
we encounter you in those different from us; enlarge the tent of our lives to embrace both friend and foe, so that we grow to be more like you; 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. |
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