This week in Taking Flight

In today’s scripture reading Stephen, a faithful and courageous follower of Jesus, becomes the first Christian martyr. In many ways what happened in this account is the opposite of what we might expect, and there are lessons we can learn. We provide a range of resources to unpack the applications for your group or congregation.

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Correction: The emailed version of the Taking Flight header last week read Sunday 17 April instead of Sunday 19 April.

This week in Taking Flight

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles takes us to the establishment of the new Christian community. We ask if there clues here for the community of Jesus’ followers today and find practical applications for people of all ages.

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This week in Taking Flight

Our reading from the Acts of the Apostles today returns us to Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Here, on the day that the church was born, Peter’s clarion call is “turn to God”. This week’s resource is full of creative ideas and visual prompts for people of all ages.

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This week in Taking Flight

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit powerfully came upon the first group of Jesus’ disciples. Today we examine Peter’s sermon following on from that momentous event. We ask, “What was his message, and how does it apply to us all these years later?”

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This week in Taking Flight

It is the high-point of the Christian year. The tomb is found to be empty! We consider John’s account of the resurrection and provide resources for a memorable church service, for a small group, for personal reflection and for children’s activities.

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This week in Taking Flight

Today we provide a complete Order of Service for Good Friday. The mood is simple and solemn as our focus is on the narrative of Christ’s road to the cross, his death and burial.

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This week in Taking Flight

Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy Week resonated with triumph as the people celebrated the coming of the long-awaited king. But the crowd did not understand what was involved in following the lead of this king. Do we? This week we provide creative resources for all ages to bring meaning to your Palm Sunday celebrations.

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This week in Taking Flight

Through the Season of Lent we are looking at what it means for us to be followers of Jesus. In our lectionary passage from the letter to the Romans today, Paul explains that we have new management. We explore how this can work out in practice and have starter ideas for a worship service, for small groups, for children and youth, as well as individual reflection.

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This week in Taking Flight

As we journey through Lent is this year, the lectionary readings lead us to self-examination. What is in our heart? The colourful story of the anointing of David reminds us that the Lord wants us to be available to him. We provide resources for your church and small group, for young and old, as we lead up to Easter.

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This week in Taking Flight

This Lent we are exploring what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Our lectionary passage from Romans today tells us that we are called by God into relationship – with himself and with other people. We provide resources for all ages, for groups and individuals, to unpack this theme.

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This week in Taking Flight

As we continue our Lenten theme “Following Jesus though Lent” we turn to the story of Abraham’s journey, which challenges us to go where God leads. Following Jesus means we will have faith. We explore the story with visual imagery; sermon starters; and ideas for youth and children. Included is a long list of movies recommended for Lent and Easter.

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This week in Taking Flight

Our resource is full of creative ideas for all ages to lead your church or group into the season of Lent. We begin as we examine the gospel account the testing of Christ. This leads us to self-examination and confession.

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This week in Taking Flight

We look at the transfiguration for Jesus. Peter was one of the witnesses of this event and it was imprinted on his memory. We ask what encounters are imprinted on our memories? Have we had an encounter with the divine? Once again, we provide a range of resources for all ages. This Sunday acts as a transition between the Season after Epiphany and the Season of Lent, and we outline the Lenten series ahead.

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This week in Taking Flight

Our focus is on the prophecy of Isaiah and we ask what it means to worship the Lord. We find helpful advice for rebuilding the church and provide a range of resources for church services, children, youth and individual reflection.

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This week in Taking Flight

We look today at the beatitudes and how Matthew’s account differs from that in Luke’s gospel. What does this mean for our own attitudes and behaviour? We provide a range of creative ideas and resources to help people of all ages explore these ideas.

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This week in Taking Flight

While he was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee Jesus called fishermen to follow him. We look today at the different ways the call of God appears in this passage from Matthew, and how that call may impact our own lives.

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This week in Taking Flight

The lectionary passage from the gospel today takes us to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry where we see people becoming his disciples. The relevant question that this raises for us is, “Why would people come to Jesus?” We provide a range of resources to explore this issue.

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This week in Taking Flight

Each year Epiphanytide begins with the gospel account of the baptism of Jesus. It is a time when we focus on the church’s mission to make disciples, reach out to the world, and tell the good news about Jesus. Today we look at how the historical account of Jesus’ baptism resounds into our own time and context. We provide an array of preaching ideas and creative resources for all ages.

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This week in Taking Flight

The arrival of Magi from the East to worship Christ is a sign that the gospel is for all people. It causes us to consider how we view those of different countries, cultures and customs. We offer preaching thoughts, prayers, songs and activities suitable for people of all ages at the beginning of the New Year.

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This week in Taking Flight

On the last Sunday of the year the lectionary reading from the prophet calls us to bring to mind the gracious actions of God in our lives. Today’s resource includes reflections, prayers and creative ideas to explore this passage with your congregation, small group and children.

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