Church Family News, Christmas 2021
Hobart Baptist Church, 9.30am on Christmas Day, Saturday 25th December
CHRISTMAS DAY SERMON: Christmas is a declaration that God’s heart is for you!
Join us on Christmas Day at 9.30am (in the Tab), sing Christmas Carols and hear Michael affirm how God’s heart is for us.
No morning tea or lunch after the Christmas Day service. There will be no online Service for Christmas Day.
BIBLE READING: John 1:1-5
BOXING DAY SERMON ONLINE: On Sunday, 26th December, church will be online only – tune in to hear from Stephen Baxter.
There is no service in the Tab this Sunday.
WATCH OUR BOXING DAY on YouTube, 10.15am Sunday >>>
PLEASE NOTE: Kids’ Church is taking a break over the holidays.
Stephen and Jenny Update
Alice and AJ are now married and everyone is resting up after a number of days of formal and informal celebrations. From the formal registry office in Gibraltar, to a Nigerian celebration followed by a beautiful wedding in a garden of a Spanish villa. We were privileged to be invited to join in via zoom and there are some lovely pictures on Facebook.
Please continue to uphold the newly weds and Stephen and Jenny in your prayers. For God’s presence with them, for safety whilst travelling and for a blessed Christmas.
If you have any queries while Stephen is away please email the church Secretary on secretary@hobartbaptist.org.au and you will be put in touch with the right person.
December/January Dates
CHRISTMAS DAY, SATURDAY 25 DECEMBER
Our Christmas Day Service will be held at 9.30am (Saturday).
No online Service
BOXING DAY, SUNDAY 26 DECEMBER
Online service only – no service in the Tab.
SUNDAY 2 JANUARY
New Year sermon from Joel Ortiz.
SUNDAY 9 JANUARY
New sermon series ‘Comfort’ starts.
Liam Conway’s last Sunday.
SATURDAY 22 JANUARY
Farewell BBQ lunch for Liam and Hannah Conway
Christmas Day Offering
As is our usual practice, the Christmas Day offering will be forwarded to Baptist World Aid – this year to their Hope for All Christmas Appeal, to help families as they struggle with Covid this Christmas. Please place your donation in the offering boxes at the back of the church.
If you do not expect to attend on Christmas Day, and would like to donate to Baptist World Aid, you can do so by putting your donation in a suitably marked envelope in the offering box for the next two Sundays.
You can also donate online to their Hope for All Christmas Appeal here >>> or buy a Big Hearted Gift at any time of the year.
If you wish to donate to the work of the church on Christmas Day please use one of the HBC Offering envelopes, or your own, suitably marked.
EMPTY CHRISTMAS TREE – 2021 – THANK YOU!
The 72nd Empty Christmas Tree this year provided us with an opportunity to bless some of those less fortunate in our community.
Our congregation responded generously. Twenty two individual gift bags, most containing many items, had been placed at the base of the tree. These gifts together with financial contributions amounting to $235.00 were delivered to Hobart City Mission last Monday for distribution.
Evalds Kuplis
Saturday 22 January 2022 – Farewell to Liam and Hannah
All are welcome to a special BBQ lunch to farewell Liam and Hannah Conway on Saturday 22 January commencing at midday (more details to follow).
Liam and Hannah Conway will be moving to Longford in the New Year where Liam will take up as Associate Pastors position at Riverlands.
Liam’s last day working day as a Ministry Intern at Hobart Baptist Church is the 9 January. Liam will then have two weeks holiday, before finishing officially on 23 January.
It has been a privilege for the church to offer Liam the chance to follow God’s calling on his life, and employ him as an intern for two years whilst he studied. I’m sure you will agree that we have witnessed much growth and been very blessed over that time.
New Sermon Series for 2022
Are you feeling discouraged? Weary? Fainthearted?
So were the Israelites during the Exile. They were discouraged, depressed and suffering deeply. They were filled with deep questions such as: Has God abandoned us? Will the promises God made to us be kept? Does God want to deliver us? Can God deliver us? And will God deliver us?
In Isaiah, the answer is an emphatic “yes!” God calls the prophet to “comfort” Israel in exile. He is to bring the people bringing hope, encouragement, and good news to ease and soothe their troubled hearts.
Fostering Hope Mentoring Program
Fostering Hope has officially started its mentoring program and will be running its first full day training for mentors in early 2022. After training, mentors will receive ongoing support and continued training.
Mentoring is a great way for any of us to step into a child’s life and offer them a safe, fun, and committed relationship.
You can make a difference in the life of a child in foster care by meeting with them for two hours each month. This is an opportunity to show value and worth.
Fostering hope provides training, matches you with a mentee and supports you as you support them. If you would like to register your interest or find out more, contact Ellie by email on ellie@fosteringhope.community.
The Future with COVID-19
Tasmania faces a more uncertain Christmas period, now that the borders are open than we had perhaps anticipated. It is important that we remain positive and comply with the public health advice.
Together we can keep ourselves and our community safe by:-
- Respecting social distancing – and foregoing shaking hands
- Wearing a mask – in all indoor settings and others as required
- Remembering hand sanitiser and hand washing.
- 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.
- Remembering to Check In – Everyone over 16 years of age is required check in whenever they enter the building – either by scanning the Check in TAS QR code or sign the attendance sheet.
- Considering others – 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. To organise a test call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 or register at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/testing
- The New Check in TAS App cards are available and you are able to use them to sign in at church.
How are your feeling? Are you coping? 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.
Thank you for your assistance.
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.