Dear *|FIRSTNAME|*,
We look forward to our Gift Day this Sunday, a chance to give thanks to God for our church community and for God’s blessings on us – as we gather and as we scatter, much like the seeds in Jesus’ well-known parables. We hope you can join us either online or in person.
If you would like to join us in person, please do not feel you have to stay away to give room to someone else. We have had extra spaces every week so far at our in-person services. If you would like to join us please register with Liz Bramley.
To find out more about the purpose of our Gift Day – click here.
Many have found our windows on the world series to be encouraging. Thank you to all who have helped to record these and send them out with prayers. Today we remember St Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement”. The apostle Barnabas used to encourage others to grow in love and to step out in faith. I invite you to take a moment to thank God for those people who have encouraged you recently, giving you “courage” when you were feeling disheartened. Pray too for ways that you might bring encouragement to others.
Here is an uplifting prayer for today, which fits well as we entrust our La Côte community to God:
Bountiful God, giver of all gifts,
who poured your Spirit upon your servant Barnabas
and gave him grace to encourage others:
help us, by his example,
to be generous in our judgements
and unselfish in our service;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people and kindle in us the fire of your love.” (Anglican Morning Prayer)
Carolyn | 
