A few of us were sitting in the St Barnabas' side chapel this morning, breaking bread and sharing wine - celebrating Jesus' life with us, when a sudden explosion of joyful shouting outside drew our attention to children playing hide and seek. Marion opened the side door and a flood of laughter and spring air rushed into our candlelit room. The Gospel reading we had just reflected on was Jesus teaching his disciples to pray. What a wonderful collision of imagery - prayer and play. Jesus understood a thing or two about prayer and children, and taught that we need to become like children to enter the Kingdom of God. Genuine play is never inhibited or overly self-conscious. True play is a wondrous surrender to the inspiration of imagination; we all know what amazing things can be constructed out of Lego! Prayer also is at its genuine best when it is an uninhibited, trusting and self-abandoning surrender to the inspiration of God! A God who after all is constantly engaged in creative and wondrous play throughout our world and universe in ten-thousand different ways.

May we never forget, amidst life's strains and challenges, to be refreshed like children through the re-creative activity of prayer and play.

Please check out the Roster details and information about Colouring Competition, Operation Christmas Child and Messy Church below.
 
God's grace be within you and through all you do this week,

regards

Andrew McDonald


Meanwhile, this Sunday:


First Reading: Kevin Maxwell

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

1 These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Gospel: Carol Acheson

Luke 17:11-19

11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

Welcoming: Vicki Gilmour, Angela Brown

Prayers: Megan Blakie

Sidespeople: Peter Moore

Assistants: Moka Ritchie, Carol Acheson

M of H: Angela Moore, Vicki Gilmour

Kidzone: Angela will be in touch with updates to the Kidzone Roster

Of Special Note

Mission Month Tractor for Dogura
Colouring competition and mission boxes are due back this Sunday.

Operation Christmas Child
If you have gathered gifts into a shoe-box for Operation Christmas Child, they need to be brought for delivery this Sunday.

Friday-zone have filled 15 boxes with goodies. Is there anyone who can help cover the costs of postage and handling? The cost is $9 each box. If you can please see Angela or Vicki, or drop a donation into the parish office.

Messy Church Light Party Sunday 31st October - Volunteers and Donations needed
Our Messy Church and Christmas Creative Arts Presentation would appreciate donations of:
- Small glass jars
- Tealight candles
- Hot glue gun sticks

Messy Church Light Party, Sunday, 31 October, 3.30-5.30pm needs volunteers for art activities, welcoming and tidy up. If you would be willing to help please contact:
Angela - brown_holmwood@xtra.co.nz
or Vicki - vicki@stbarnabas.org.nz