24 May 2026
Bible readings for today
The reading from Acts must be used as either the 1st or 2nd reading Liturgical colour: RED |
CollectE te Matua,
kua whakakīia e koe tāu iwi ki te Wairua, i tau tuatahi ai ki runga i tāu Tama ā, i whakakotahitia ai mātou ki roto i tāu Hāhi; whakapuarengia mai ngā tatau ki tōu Wairua kia wātea ai mātou ki te mahi tahi, kia piki ake ai te rahi o tōu rangatiratanga me āu tikanga; mō te korōria o tōu ingoa tapu. Āmine. Father, you have filled your people with the Spirit who rested first on your Son and united us in your Church; open the channels for your Spirit that we may freely work together, and your kingdom and your rule increase; for the glory of your holy name. Amen. |
Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21)
After 50 days of waiting and celebrating the Good News of Easter, we arrive at Pentecost — the moment when God sends the Holy Spirit to empower and encourage the disciples. We celebrate Pentecost as the day the church was created, as God sends the Holy Spirit to encourage and empower the disciples.
Leaders InputThe BibleProject has some great resources to help unpack the whole story - particularly placing Pentecost within the context of Acts. They also have a podcast episode on this: Pentecost and the Expected Unexpected Spirit and a downloadable Acts Poster.
|
A Reflection on Pentecost (Diocese of Wellington)
From Rev. Scottie Reeve, shared in lockdown. Gospel Conversations 2026 (Diocese of Dunedin) Acts 2:1-21
The Pentecost readings from Acts 2:1–21 and John 20:19–23 offer two strikingly different pictures of the coming of the Holy Spirit: one quiet and intimate, the other dramatic and world-changing. Our discussion explores how the Spirit still comes among us today: as breath and wind, as forgiveness and reconciliation, and as the transforming presence of God that continues to renew our world. Gospel Conversations 2025 (Diocese of Dunedin) John 14:8-17
We are with Jesus in his final evening with his disciples, a time of bewilderment and fear into which Jesus speaks this promise of the coming Comforter, Advocate, and Intercessor. Gospel Conversations 2022 (Diocese of Dunedin) John 14:8-17
A discussion on who the Holy Spirit is, and what it means for the Advocate and Comforter to dwell with us. Gospel Conversations 2021 (Diocese of Dunedin) John 15:26-27, 16:4-15 A conversation on untangling some of the complexities of John's story of the coming of the Spirit. Visio Lectio
Two beautiful free downloadable images by Sarah Lea West. All Rights Reserved, shared and distributed with permission. Terms of use
|
Intergenerational WorshipIntergenerational worship service (Intergenerational Ministry, Auckland Anglican Dio) - using stations to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit.
The Pentecost Art Project (A Rocha Aoteoroa NZ) - art from across Aotearoa, exploring symbols of the Holy Spirit — breath, wind, fire, birds, flight, light — through a uniquely Aotearoa lens. Pop up Pentecost Family Service (Bible Society UK) There are a whole bunch of Pentecost resources on the Barnabas website with decorations, prayer resources and creative ideas.
Kids Talks
Quick Questions
Activities
Pentecost Flame Hats
You will need:
You could get the children to write as many ways of saying hello in different languages that they can. Try asking your kids if they know any other ways of saying hello. Or check out this poster for some suggestions (clanz.co.nz) GamesWhat country am I from?
You will need: White sticky labels and a pen. Preparation: Write the names of a different country on each of the labels. Get all the children to line up along a wall, facing the wall. Then put one label on each of their backs. Explain that each of them comes from a different country. The object of the game is for everyone to work out what country they are from. They can ask other children questions to help them work out where they are from. But they can only be answered with 'yes' or 'no'. Also, they can only ask a child one question, no more. Time them to see how long it takes! Parachute games Talk about how the Holy Spirit is like the wind. It holds us up and fills us up and makes us float. The Holy Spirit first came to the disciples like a rushing wind.
|
Pray it!
Lord's prayer in different languages
You might like to replace the lines with some of the languages that are important to your family. E tō mātou Matua i te rangi (Te reo Maori) Geheiligt werde Dein Name, (German) Your kingdom come, (English) Laat u wil geskied, (Afrikaans) jako w niebie tak i na ziemi (Polish) Hōmai ki a mātou āianei he taro mā mātou mō tēnei rā. (Te reo) A maddau I ni ein dyledion, (Welsh) assim como nós perdoamos a quem nos tem ofendido, (Portuguese) En leid ons niet in bekoring, (Dutch) ma liberaci dal male (Italian) Thi dit er Riget og magten og æren, (Danish) i evighet. (Norwegian) Amin (Romanian) Special SnacksPopcorn
Talk about what happened at Pentecost. Then show them some popcorn, talk about how the disciples were like this popcorn before Pentecost. When God sent his Holy Spirit, like the warm air in this popper, look what happened to them! They exploded! We all have loads of exciting possibilities inside us, we just need God, Jesus and the Holy spirit to let it all burst out. Recipe for coloured popcorn (Princess Pinky Girl) Birthday cake! Pentecost marked the first birthday of the church, so when we celebrate Pentecost, we celebrate the birthday of the church. Light trick candles (that relight themselves), sing “Happy Birthday”, and talk about how the Holy Spirit is like a flame in our hearts that won't go out. It keeps us burning with love for Jesus. Eat and enjoy! 
Preschool Pentecost
Here are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spending time with God.
(Ideas from a St John's Johnsonville lesson plan / Teri Johnson-Frow) Share the Story: Take the kids on a sensory journey!
Books - Gather a few special books on the theme of Pentecost. Put out some comfy cushions and blankets and create a reading corner with a friendly adult to read books to the kids. One of my absolute favourites is The Day When God Made Church by Rebekah McLeod Hutto. This is a great one to use for your sensory journey too. Wings Get the kids to experiment with throwing a flat piece of paper or throwing a folded paper plane. Which goes further? Why? Let them decorate and fold their own simple paper planes before sending them flying! Talk about: how the piece of paper can go further when it is the right shape. Talk about how the Holy Spirit helps shape us into the people who can listen to God and do what he wants us to. Wonder about: Why did the paper plane work better? I wonder what type of plane you are? I wonder what it feels like to go where the Spirit wants you to? I wonder what will help you fly with the Holy Spirit? Wands Make some worship wands using dowel or curtain rings and ribbons. Try these simple Fire Sticks (Building Faith), these ones (Somewhat Simple), or these ones (Creative Home Life). Then put on some music and dance around. Pretend you are at the first Pentecost. Or just celebrate how amazing God is! Try this song for starters. https://youtu.be/tmcotqV-Nlg SAFETY NOTE: If using eye hooks make sure these are firmly glued/screwed in and can’t be unscrewed as they could be a choking hazard. Talk about: How amazing God is, what the disciples might have felt, what sounds and sights there were. Open ended Play: As well as your structured activity try to offer a variety of toys/resources that your kids can engage with as they like. For this session you could try some of the following - duplo blocks, wooden figures, red and yellow playdough, red and yellow paper, scissors and glue or white paper and fire colour felts. Pray: Gather in a circle around a bowl with some sand in it or a metal tray (something fire proof). Have one big central candle, and tell the kids it represents The Holy Spirit - Jesus - God with us. Then light and set out around it a smaller candle for each of the children. (Try birthday candles if you are using sand, or tealights if not). Say each child’s name as you light their candle. Pray for the children to have the Holy Spirit in their hearts, and to share the good news of Jesus’ love with those they know. SAFETY NOTE: Always keep water on hand if using candles/fire. 
|
Media
|
|
|
|
Seeing is believing (John 20:19-31)
This story looks at Jesus appearing to his disciples, and how Thomas doubted that he was really the resurrected Jesus.
Visio Lectio
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: These resurrection appearance stories are familiar to most of us, and few are more appealing than this one. Thomas, courageously questioning; Jesus bringing peace to a place of fear; the link to those of us who have not seen and yet believe - there is so much to think about! Rebecca Dudley joins us for the first time, providing some background to the story which Mannie, Anne and Michael join her to discuss.
Gospel Conversations 2022: Jesus appears to his confused, scared, doubting disciples - 2000 years ago and still today! Watch here.
|
Intergenerational WorshipA collection of resources and ideas, written and compiled by Rev Katherine Ruhl Intergen Australia. Bible references: Acts, John
Interviewing ThomasWrite a script for a 'Resurrection Interview', where a journalist can interview Thomas. Thomas can describe the impact the resurrection had on the disciples and then on himself. You can do this sketch live, or prerecord it using a camera or phone. It is a great way to get young people involved in your all age services.
Questions can include:
Preschool Fun
What is it?
Have a selection of boxes or bags that kids can reach into without seeing what is inside. Can they identify what is inside? Try sand, water, bananas, toys, a book. Talk about: How do you know what it is? Wind-power station Set up a space with various 'air' props. Try folded paper fans, pinwheels, an electric fan with ribbons tied to it, a small tub of water with sailboats on it, a paper plane - anything that can be moved by air or help you feel the air. Talk about: What can you feel? What moves the fan/boat/ribbons? How do you know? Fact or fantasy? Young children can have difficulty distinguishing between fact and fantasy, so do not worry too much about explaining things that are not real to them in today's session. Brainstorm a list of things that we know are real, including things we can touch, taste or see, e.g.
|
Kids Talks
Games / ActivitiesWhat is it? Have kids reach into bags blindfolded, and identify various items based only on touch, sound, or smell. Explain that sometimes we figure things out without seeing them visually.
One truth and two lies. Kids take turns describing three facts about themselves, one of which is true, while the others are made-up. Can the other kids guess which one is true? I doubt it game! (Easy Breezy Sunday School) A game with paddles and true/false questions. Each child gets an "I Doubt It" sign, which they use to respond to a list of unusual facts about the bible/life /the story etc.
Pray it!Prayer is an opportunity to encounter God. It can involve words spoken in a group, art we hang on our walls, or a stroll in the park. Try this prayer from the Methodist Prayer Cards which offer 52 different prompts for creative prayer
|
Media
|
|
|
|
