Family Communion: celebrant the Rev. Tim Linkens
First Reading: 2 Kings 5.1-15
Gospel: Matthew 18: 1-6

This is the first in our autumn series of all-age services focusing on 'Young People in the Bible'. We shall be exploring the significance of young people in Bible stories, including the roles they often play in providing leadership and setting examples, and encouraging our own younger members to take a full and active part in our church life. The theme of this service, taken from the story of Naaman, is 'nobody is unimportant' - it was a young slave girl, outwardly the least important person in Naaman's household, who set him on the road to physical health and spiritual salvation.

The painting above, by Lucas Cranach the elder, depicts the events of Mark 10. 13-16, in which Jesus rebukes his disciples for trying to keep children away from him. This simple story, one of several making similar points, has multiple meanings: firstly, it shows that faith is open to all regardless of age, status, intellect or life experience; secondly, it conveys the importance to Jesus of those seen in their society as having little significance.