Church Family News, April 2022
Hobart Baptist Church, Sunday, 24th April
SERMON: Joel Ortiz ‘s message I was There focuses on the sufferings of Jesus through the eyes and experience of Simon of Cyrene who was compelled by the Roman soldiers to carry the cross beam to Golgotha.
It is set 7 days after Pentecost, or 57 days after the Passover and Crucifixion.
The format of the message will be an interview with Tracy as the host, a Q & A, and Joel who takes the role of Simon.
It will contain a prayer that will encourage us to be devoted followers of Jesus.
BIBLE READING: Mark 15:21-22
WATCH: YouTube service, available 10.15am Sunday >>>
STAY FOR Lunch after morning tea! Everyone is welcome to morning tea after the service and, following that, to hang around for a BYO lunch.
The Baxters are away this week with Stephen preaching at Burnie Baptist and Jenny in Melbourne enjoying time with family.
PS Kids’ Church is in recess for the School holidays.
APRIL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
SUNDAY 24 APRIL 10am. Joel Ortiz brings the message “I was there” .
MONDAY 25 APRIL 9:30- 10noon. Anzac Day in the Park (Details below)
SATURDAY 30 April 2:30pm to 5:00pm. Autumn Garden Party. All invited.
SUNDAY 1 May New Sermon Series: Hope in the Darkness begins.
May is Mission Month.
SUNDAY 8 May 10am. Scott Pilgrim from Baptist Mission Australia will be our guest speaker.
EASTER HIGHLIGHTS
Good Friday’s service set the tone for Easter, with bible readings, hymns, a moving item from Joy and Peter Tattam, and Stephen’s message To Die like Jesus.
Easter Sunday morning was very special with the baptism of Jeremiah Ambrose; an inspiring solo performance by Hobart musical artist Dana Badcock; and a moving Easter montage from Michael Henderson. Stephen Baxter rounded off the Sermon Series to See Like Jesus with his message to Rise Like Jesus.
Jeremiah’s Testimony was a blessing to witness and, very special on so many levels: and from a fourteen year old, simply mind blowing. For those who would like to listen again and for those who missed it, Jeremiah’s testimony can be found here>>>.
If last Sunday’s Service and/or Jeremiah’s baptism moved you to want to publicly commit your life to Jesus Christ or would like to know more about baptism, don’t hesitate to talk to one of the Pastors, or the Secretary.
HOPE IN THE DARKNESS SERMON SERIES
“It’s a fact … Night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to God” – Psalm 139:12 Message
It’s a profound reality, wherever light shines shadows are created. In fact, we only fully appreciate light through its contrasting opposite, darkness.
Pure light is blinding, shadows help us see more clearly. This is true in so many ways.
In this series we will explore how darkness is no enemy to God’s purposes. We will learn how God embraces darkness as a powerful ally to bring about deep transformation in our lives both individually and corporately.
ANZAC DAY IN THE PARK
Citywide Baptist Church and Lenah Valley RSL, together with local schools and businesses invite everyone to Anzac Day in the Park. A morning of free fun for all – face painting, donkey rides and more.
Where: John Turnbull Park. Corner Creek and Lenah Valley Roads, Lenah Valley
When: 9:30am – 12 noon, Monday 25 April.
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, first established to recognize the sacrifice those who fought in Gallipoli, in the First World War. It now commemorates all those who served and died in all wars.
AUTUMN HOUSE & GARDEN PARTY
You’re invited to the Smith’s
Autumn House & Garden Party
at 1439 Channel Hwy, Howden
on
Saturday 30 April between 2.30 – 5.00pm
Come when you like, leave when you like.
Bring and outside chair.
Chat / Wander / Coffee / Nibbles.
Directions are available, please ask.
Kelvin, Kathleen, Hannah, Hyland and Theo look forward to seeing you!
CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE
We need your help!
A new Church Directory is long overdue and very necessary to help us keep in touch with people.
Your assistance is required now to help us update Elvanto as the first step to producing a new directory soon after Easter. Please check your entry, address and contact details in the old directory in the new foyer, talk to Celia at the door or email Heather on secretary@hobartbaptist.org.au. If you are not currently in our directory and would like to be, please also let us know.
Assistance for Refugee Evac Centre in Kyiv
Anton, Kelvin’s friend, is a Pastor with the Evangelical Free denomination in Kiev Ukraine. Anton’s Father Antonoli is the Bishop of that denomination which represents about 80 churches. Both have remained in Kiev throughout the invasion.
The main Evangelical Free church has become one of many hubs that are assisting refugees out of danger zones. Refugees are brought to the hub, fed and tended to medically if necessary, then taken on buses to various other cities in Ukraine. Thankfully they were donated 2 x 51 seater buses and have 2 drivers and a van to aid their efforts, they also have a free medical service stationed at the hub. They’ve moved about 3000 refugees in this manner.
The cost of fuel for continually running the buses is about USD$1500 per week. The cost of food at the shelter is about USD$1000 per week. This is becoming unsustainable. We’d like to initially cover these costs for the next 2 weeks then see where we go from there. We have set up a GoFundMe account: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fuel-and-food-for-refugee-evac-centre-kiev
If you would like to contribute, 100% of proceeds will go to fuel and food for refugees. You can contribute via the GoFundMe account or discuss alternatives with me, kelvin@citynetworks.org.au
0416 281 412
Kelvin Smith
Director, City networks
FOSTERING HOPE RESPITE CARER CAMPAIGN
Fostering Hope has partnered with Ultra 106.5 and Way FM to launch a state-wide awareness and recruitment campaign for respite foster carers. There is a huge shortage of respite carers in the state and we truly believe this is something the Christian community could rise up and meet the need. Respite care gives full time carers a break AND offers extended family and community for children who have been removed from this. The best respite care situations are where the respite carers are on the team around the child and the children don’t even realise they are going to respite, but look forward to hanging out with their friends, ‘foster grandparents’, ‘cousins’ etc. Respite carers can be any age or stage of life and get to be the fun people in the kids life!
TASMANIA CELEBRATION WITH WILL GRAHAM
The Tasmania Celebration with Will Graham is coming up on the 21 May 2022.
It will beheld at MyState Bank Arena from 1:30pm – 8:30pm, with sessions for all ages.
If you would like to sign up to be a volunteer, the form can be found here:- https://churchtogether.brushfire.com/events/531466
ALL EVENTS TAKE PLACE ON 21st May
KIDZFEST | 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm
YOUTH CELEBRATION | 4.30 pm – 8.30 pm
HOBART CELEBRATION | 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Did You Miss Out On The Christian Life And Witness Course?
This course is required for those who wish to serve as a Prayer Volunteer (Counsellor) during the Tasmania Celebration events. Online classes are available, please click here to register your details
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” —1 Peter 3:15, NIV
COVID-19 IN 2022!
With case numbers still on the rise, including a number now within our Community it is important to
- Stay home if you feel unwell – If you have any cold or flu-like symptoms, no matter how mild, stay at home and get tested either using a RAT test or by calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 or register at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/testing and let us know if you test positive when appropriate.
We all still have the opportunity to care for each other as Jesus would have, whether we know them or not.
To look after our own health and the health of others it is good to go back to basics:-
- Remember to use the hand sanitiser provided and wash hands frequently.
- Wear a mask – although no longer required it is still prudent to do so in many settings
- Respect social distancing – it is good to remember the 1.5m
- Being vaccinated – If you’re not already, you can book by calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 or visiting www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/booking. Booster shots are recommended and are now available.
I trust you are doing ok. Remember to talk to someone if you are concerned, and don’t forget, God is with you, hold on to your faith at all times.
Heather Galloway
Duty of Care Officer
GIVING – Your tithes and offerings
‘Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’
2 Corinthians 9:7
We thank all who give faithfully on a regular basis, as without this support we would not be able to operate. Your offerings support our budget: and through that it enables the church to continue to be an important part of the North Hobart landscape and the place from where we can prophetically serve the City of Hobart.
It is where we can know the benefit of worshipping with others, where we hear the stories of Jesus and how they apply to us, where we are encouraged in our journey with Jesus, from where we can share God’s love with others and help them to know and trust in God themselves. Our influence can also be far reaching – there is no limit to God’s love through our deeds and actions. Thank you for your generosity.
EFT is a great way to ensure regular giving and as well there are offering boxes available for use as you leave the Sanctuary.