Church Family News, Dec/Jan ’25/’26
Welcome to Hobart Baptist Church
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
10AM SUNDAYS – Doors open from around 9:30am
9:30AM CHRISTMAS DAY – Doors open from around 9:10am
MORNING TEA: YOU ARE WELCOME! Come and have a cuppa in the Soundy Lounge after the 10am service. Or buy a cappuccino, chai latte or hot chocolate from Esteem.
WATCH: LIVE on YouTube at 10am Sunday
HBC YOUNG PEOPLE – Kids’ Church, last week for 2026 on 14 December, resuming 8 February.
Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Brigade are in recess for summer holidays
SUNDAY SERMONS DURING DECEMBER/JANUARY
Sermon series from 30 November: Let Earth Receive Her King
7 December 🍷 The King Offering Peace [Peace] Matt Henderson, Luke 2:8-14
14 December The King Who Smiles [Joy] Matt Henderson, Luke 1:47-55
21 December🍷 The King Who Embraces [Love] Matt Henderson, Psalm 23
25 December Let Earth Receive Her King, Matt Henderson, John 1:1-18
28 December Simeon’s Story, Joel Ortiz, Luke 2
4 January 🍷 Experiencing God 1, Joel Ortiz
11 January Experiencing God 2, Jeremiah Ambrose
18 January 🍷Experiencing God 3, Joel Ortiz
25 January Experiencing God 4, Stephen Baxter
🍷 Communion service
HBC ROOM USE OR HIRE: For enquiries regarding room use/hire, please email Connie Sim (connie@hobartbaptist.org.au).
CONNECTER DISTRIBUTION
The monthly HBC Connecter is available from the first Sunday of each month
All items for February are due by 5pm Monday 26 January to:
connecter@hobartbaptist.org.au
If you have any updates or adjustments, please also email the same address.
Jenny will retire from creating the Connecter in 2026, but can train her successor. Email her using the above address, or have a chat to Matt, to enquire about encouraging our church family in this important way.
Read Tasmanian Baptists’ reCharge
5 November 2025 >> | 19 November 2025 >> | 3 December 2025 >>
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY, NOVEMBER 2025
- Sat 6 Dec Nov 10am-3pm, Kamara’s Heart Cafe at Esteem, combining with Volunteer Australia (final until Feb)
- Sun 7 Dec 10am service, Empty Christmas Tree; PLANNING MEETING
- Sun 14 Dec 10am service, final Kids’ Church for 2025 (resumes on 8 Feb); 12pm Karen Christmas, baptism service
- Sat 20 Dec 7am-3pm Filipino Pop-Up Cafe, see below
- Sun 21 Dec 10am service
- Thu 25 Dec 9:30am Christmas Day service, with BWAid offering
- Sun 28 Dec 10am service
- Sun 4 Jan 10am service. Filipino Pop-Up Cafe, see below
- Sat 10 Jan 7am-3pm Filipino Pop-Up Cafee, see below
- Sun 11 Jan 10am service
- Sun 18 Jan 10am service
- Sat 24 Jan 7am-3pm Filipino Pop-Up Cafe, see below
- Sun 25 Jan 10am service
DISCUSSIONS COMING UP …
PLANNING MEETING
After Church, Sunday 7 December
Come along to help Matt Henderson develop the teaching plan and calendar of events for the first half of 2026.
All Welcome!
MINISTRY REVIEW 2026
Your feedback and engagement will be called for early next year as we seek guidance in making decisions about ‘what next’ in our efforts to better reflect God’s mission and ministry to our city.
FILIPINO POP-UP CAFE, 20 December
7am-3pm, Saturday 20 December
To Be Confirmed: Sunday 4 January, and Saturdays 10 and 24 January
BAPTIST WORLD AID GIFTS
Looking for a Christmas gift with a difference? Purchase a Better World Gift for your loved one, and change the world at the same time! Kids, Bundles, Stocking Fillers, His and Hers are available, ranging from $5 to $1500.
Order Better World gifts by 10 December. Visit BWA here >>
The retiring offering on Christmas Day will also contribute to Baptist World Aid.
Let Earth Receive Her King
Advent Series
Sundays 30 Nov-28 Dec 2025
Our advent series explores how Jesus is the rightful King of the world – but also the importance of us receiving Him.
2025 HBC Annual Meeting and General Meeting
Sunday 23 November, 2025
WHAT HAPPENED? Office bearers and deacons were appointed at the recent Annual Members’ Meeting. Plus a raft of other decisions as well! Be informed about your church family and check the outcomes.
YawaNews
Jan Yawan, recently finished her work in Thailand and has sent us her November News.
Catch up with YawaNews here >>
NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS
MUST SEE: Mum I See War EXHIBITION
In the Soundy Lounge
The mission is to offer new perspectives on armed conflict worldwide through the eyes of children who endure it and provide opportunities for individuals to take action to change the future of those children living through war today.
See all the devastating artwork in the Soundy Lounge, and weep.
More artwork at misw.org
SMALL GROUPS AT HBC
Youth & Young Adults
The Youth & Young Adults group (aged 16-25) meets on Saturday nights at HBC, 6-7:30pm.
Speak to Jeremiah Ambrose for more info.
Men’s Discussion Group
You are welcome to join the very lively group of gentlemen who meet at the church on the third Monday of each month at 10.00am. Now in recess until 2026.
For further information contact Geoffrey Clarke 03 6244 8838.
Ladies Coffee Morning
Ladies welcome to join the monthly Thursday morning coffee catch ups. These are held on the second Thursday of the month from 10:30am-12 midday at HBC. The next one is on Thursday, 12th February 2026.
The Battery ON HOLD
Thursday night prayer time at HBC is on hold, but please don’t stop praying!
TITHES, GIFTS 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.