24 August 2025
Bible readings for todayRCL
St Bartholomew (Nathanael)
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CollectE te Atua mutunga kore, te Ariki o te ātea,
kotahi tātou, tūturu mau tonu, me ngā iwi katoa. Hōmai ki a mātou kua iriirihia nei ki ngā toto o te Karaiti mai i roto i tōu Wairua whakakotahi e wāwāhi nei i ngā tīwatawata ki raro, e wehewehe nei i a mātou. Whakarongo ki tēnei īnoi i runga i tōu aroha. Āmine. Universal and unchanging God, we are one, unalterably one, with all the human race. Grant that we who share Christ’s blood may, through your unifying Spirit, break down the walls that divide us. Hear this prayer for your love’s sake. Amen. |
Jesus heals a woman on the sabbath (Luke 13:10-17)
In this week's reading Jesus causes a kerfuffle by 'breaking the rules' when he heals a woman on the Sabbath. But Jesus has a different perspective on the Sabbath then the religious leaders did.
Input for leadersHealing and Disability
As with any healing story, we need to be careful not to position those living with disabilities as in some way deficient. Our Disability Awareness Sunday page has some great resources to read on this. While this story is a story of good news and freedom for the woman in the text, the lack of healing that members of our community experience in their own lives may make this story difficult for some to hear. How can you preach and teach about this story with that pastoral reality in mind? Monday Meditation (Gary Neal Hansen)
The story seems kind of ordinary: Luke 13:10-17 shows Jesus teaching in a synagogue, healing a woman, and getting berated for doing so on the Sabbath. As is often the case, there are odd details hidden in plain sight that make it all quite interesting... |
Gospel Conversations 2025: The Sabbath! Is it a law or a gift? Was Jesus bending the rules when he healed a woman, in the synagogue, on the Sabbath?
Gospel Conversations 2022: One of the reasons we invite such a range of people to be a part of these discussions is because of the richness and variety of people's understandings of the Scriptures. This week you'll have some very different ideas to choose from as you come to the Gospel reading!
Sabbath & Play (Ashley Tumlin Wallace)
Somewhere along the way, we started treating rest like a reward for getting everything else done. Like something we can only enjoy once the to-do list is cleared, the kitchen is clean, and the inbox is at zero. But what if rest isn’t the reward? What if it’s the starting point? 
Visio Lectio
A striking image from Visio Lectio for this week's print design, from Rev. Sarah West. Shared with permission (PNG Download Terms of Use) |
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. 
A collection of resources and ideas (Intergen Australia)
Written and compiled by Chris Barnett, Rev Sandy Brodine. Bible references: Hebrews, Jeremiah, Luke. Sunday and the Sabbath
In an intergenerational conversation, people of different ages will have had different experiences of Sundays: some will remember New Zealand before shops were open on a Sunday. This might also be an opportunity to explore with people from different countries who are part of your community what Sundays are like in the part of the world they come from. This might lead into a conversation about what makes the Sabbath special – and the different ideas that the leader of the synagogue and Jesus had about what makes the Sabbath holy. How can we mark Sabbath in today's world? I wonder questionsI wonder why God gave us the Sabbath?
I wonder what kind of rest God means on the Sabbath? I wonder why Jesus healed the woman on the Sabbath? I wonder how the woman felt when Jesus noticed her? I wonder how rest and healing might go together? I wonder if the Sabbath is just for resting, or also for helping? I wonder what Jesus was teaching people about God’s love that day? Pray it!Healing Prayers - Why not set up a ongoing prayer station where kids can pray for those they know who need healing? Try this lovely simple version from Flame Creative, where kids write a friends name on a band-aid and stick it up.
Pipe Cleaner Prayers - Give each kids a pipe cleaner. Ask them to think about something in their own life that is 'bent out of shape'. It could be a mistake they made, something wrong they did, a worry they have. Use the pipecleaner to make a shape showing what they are praying for. Ask God to help them 'straighten it out' and give them peace and a path forwards. Finish by making something they would like to thank God for. Household ConnectionsCarry on the conversations this week with this great resource for families. Shared with permission from Lisa Carlton, Parish of Johnsonville, Churton Park & Ohariu Valley.
How to practice the Sabbath with kids (Minno) - realistic and practical article for thinking about how you celebrate Sabbath with kids.
5 ways to practice Sabbath with kids (Dwell / Faith Alive Resources) How to take a Sabbath day with small kids (Girl Teach Me) - How do YOU rest when you have little ones in your home. |
Kid's TalksHow to practice the Sabbath with kids (Minno) - If you want to do some teaching on the Sabbath this could provide a lovely framework to do that.
Jesus heals on the Sabbath (RFour) - Ask, Tell, Share Rebel with a cause - Jesus heals on the Sabbath (Sunday School Works) - looks at some historical rebels who broke the laws to help people. All bent out of shape (Sermons 4 Kids) - short talk that notices the two people in this story who are 'bent out of shape' - the woman who is physically bent out of shape, and the synagogue leader who get's emotionally 'bent out of shape'. Intro is a problematic in terms of recognising worth of those with disabilities, but could be easily edited - perhaps talk about 'difficulty' rather than 'hopeless'. Jesus heals on the Sabbath (Sermons 4 Kids) Jesus heals on the Sabbath (Pursue God Kids) - full Lesson Plan Activity ideasSabbath Slowdown - watch the video below (360 Slow Motion) and talk about how slowing down means we are more able to notice God's amazingness! With older kids (if you are feeling brave) you could set up a simple version and if you can capture it on a phone!
Worksheets: Decoding Activity (Sermons4kids) and Word Search (Sermons4kids) Colouring Page (Activity village) Helping Hands and Bendable Collage activities (Ministry to Children) Preschool PlayTell the Story
Active - Sleeping Giant. Designate a "sleeping giant" who will lie down with eyes closed, pretending to sleep. Children move around the giants, either tiptoeing, jumping, or using other locomotor skills, depending on the variation. (Depending on space/kids) When the giant wakes up (by opening their eyes or making a noise), the children must freeze in place. OR When the giant wakes up, they can chase the children until they are tired and return to sleep. Books - Put out some comfy cushions and blankets or a pop up tent and create a peaceful resting space with a friendly adult to read books to the kids. Make it a peaceful, safe, appealing space. Things to talk about - Do you ever get tired? What's your favourite way to rest? I wonder how God likes to rest? Medical Play - Set out medical kit items - bandages, boxes of plasters, a stethoscope etc, soft toys or adult volunteers. Things to talk about - Who is hurt? What is wrong with them? Can you help them get better? Let's ask Jesus to help them get better too. You can also like to talk about ALL the ways Jesus brings healing - e.g. through human means like medicine and supernaturally. Pray for Others Take Home (Flame Creative): A lovely active way of praying for others. Jesus the Healer Playdough Mat (Flame Creative): Add playdough and play! Things to talk about: Jesus' love shown through his healing power, praying for people who are ill. Also an opportunity to share own testimonies of God's healing. 
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