Sunday 17th may:
If you are familiar with the format of our content and would prefer to play all the videos consecutively then use our playlist.
The warmest, cutest welcome ever from Ethan Brown
Beef Stroganoff: A poem by Blair Franklin.
A playlist that echoed our heart song during our season of isolation.
Greg and Michael discuss Luke 14:1-4; Jesus shares a meal at a Pharisee’s house.
Prayer and practice for this week
Grace After Meals.
We end this meal with grace.
For the joy and nourishment of food,
the slowed time away from the world
to come into presence with each other
and sense the subtle lives behind our faces,
the different colors of our voices,
the edges of hungers we keep private,
the circle of love that unites us.
We pray the wise spirit who keeps us
To change the structures that make others hunger
And that after such grace we might now go forth
and impart dignity wherever we partake.
By John O’Donohue from “To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings”
Kids Corner:
Kia ora Mātua. Today we are using the passage from Luke 14:1-4 which tells the story of Jesus sharing a meal at a Pharisee’s house.
At the end of this passage Jesus challenges those he is eating with by saying: ‘When you invite people over for lunch or dinner, do not invite your friends, your family, or your rich neighbours; if you do they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, those who never get invited out and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of Gods people.”
Here’s a great video that demonstrates this story.
Random Acts of Kindness: In the spirit of this story, random acts of kindness are great ways for our kids to practise doing kind things, things that bless others without expecting anything in return. This is the way Jesus encourages us all to live, loving without expecting payback.
With your child/children, plan how to do R.A.K this week, perhaps 1 per day but start small, simple and sustainable. It doesn’t have to be grandiose and expensive. Take your child’s lead on what they think would be a fun RAK to do and to whom.
Here’s a great video that may inspire you and your family.
Youth Space: Welcome back. This week Bethany shares her amazing reflections on Luke 14 and the concept of love! Juicy stuff! Also check out the meal reel from the Horst crew….not to be missed!
Meal reel from the Horst crew.
COVID Sunday Bloopers: After weeks of sharing this content online with you all, we thought it was time to also share a little insight into our efforts to get these videos ready to share! Of the hundreds of retakes from us all during lockdown production, this was the only one that survived!
Feeling in a kind mood?
Everyone needs a little lov’n and an act of kindness to folk who can’t pay you back. Here a couple of suggested causes that we think are worth your coin.
Through the Aroha Project, our friend Annie serves some amazing young lads in Cambodia so knows first hand the needs of the people in this beautiful part of the world. Their need has hit the roof now that they face the same challenges under COVID-19 with out the government support we have. So they are finding it pretty tough!
You can help by diverting your coffee money to full the bellies of a family.
Support the Salvation Army in their specific COVID-19 efforts to provide quality food to families, single mums and other ‘Bubbles’ in need.