Just Thinking…
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A couple of weeks ago, I introduced the 'two-word attitude-adjuster', 'AND YET'. Here is another one for you ... 'THANK-YOU'. I come back time and again to the story of the ten lepers. 'Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” If you were to have asked these ten blokes what they wanted in life, they would have told you one thing: “I want to be healthy”. Leprosy was a disease that ruined a life. A person who was a leper wasn’t allowed to have physical contact with anyone (even close family members), unless that person had leprosy too (a bit like covid?!) To them, being healthy would have been winning Lotto! It would have filled their daydreams. They would have gone to sleep thinking about it. So, what does Jesus do? When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19) Nine people here took the gift and ran. For them it was all about the thing – the gift - the healing. When you say ‘thank-you’ to a person for something they have done for you or given to you, you are telling them not just that you value their gift, but that you value the relationship behind the gift; that they are important to you not just for what they can do for you, but for who they are. The Bible says time after time – ‘remember to thank God’ ... “In everything give thanks.’ (Ephesians 5:20). This is not because God needs our thanks for his own self-esteem(!), but because it keeps us focusing on what really matters - our relationship with him and not just on what he can do for us. How quick are you to thank God and others? It may sound like a cliche, but the attitude of gratitude has the power to turn your day around. In Him, |
This Sunday…
From Those Who Were First Called Christians:
What might be some lockdown lessons from those who were first called Christians? (Acts 11:19-30).
Kids Programmes during Lockdown
There will be not Blaze or Spark's programmes running due to covid restrictions.
Youth on Zoom
We are back this week for the new term. Join us at 4:30 on Friday 22 Oct, for a time of games on Zoom. Click here for the Zoom link.
Baptist Women’s Summit
For those missed out on our email, the Baptist Women’s Mini Summit that is happening this Saturday, 30 October, from 10:30 – 11:45 am. They have a panel of 3 amazing women, from different spaces, who will be speaking about what it means to lead in different aspects of their life. More details can be found here.
Virtual Morning Tea
This Sunday at 11:30 am, after our worship service has been posted, we will be having a Virtual Morning Tea!
Get your biscuit and a cup of coffee and sit down for a Zoom chit-chat with others! Catch up on others' weeks, talk about whatever, leave whenever you wish, enjoy some fellowship!
The young people are also invited to this, and then will have a 'break-out' Ignite youth meeting using the same zoom link, which Matt will organise.
Giving to our Community During Lockdown
There are many in need in our community during lockdown. If you would like to contribute financially, a couple of good options would be to Vision West (click here) or contact Ruapōtaka Marae in Glen Innes on 09 5705340.
Festival One
This is a family-friendly Christian music and arts festival held in the Waikato, on anniversary weekend, 28-31 January 2022. Ticket prices will go up at the end of October; however, there is still plenty of time to sign up. Check out their website here, or talk to Matt Anderson if you have any questions.
mainly Music
Due to covid restrictions, we are unable to meet in person for our mainly music sessions. However a link will be posted on out Facebook at 10am each Tuesday. We hope you can sing along (virtually) with us!
Home Groups
Young Adults Home Group
Every Sunday evening at 7:30pm. Please email the church to be added to the Facebook page, and check Facebook for updates of what we have going on. We'd love for you to join us!
Basix Small Group
Basix is a series of chat group courses looking at the basics of the Christian faith. Each course runs for four weeks, and discusses questions about who God is, life and the Christian faith. Please contact the office if you are interested.
Wednesday Night Home Group
Home Group at the home of Paul and Ruth Ungemuth every second and fourth Wednesday at 7:30pm. Each week we share in supper, do a bible study and pray for each other. Will begin on Wednesday 13 February. Contact the office for more information.
Thursday Morning Home Group
Home Group in the church lounge on the third Thursday of the month at 10am. After morning tea we do a bible study and pray together. Contact the office for more information.
