Church Family News, December 2022
Hobart Baptist Church, Sunday, 25 December
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
ALL WELCOME at 9:30am this Sunday, Christmas Day,
to celebrate the birth of Jesus, to sing Christmas Carols and to hear Matt’s message based on Luke’s account of the story.
If you can’t make it, you will be able to watch from home (for the first time) while you cook the dinner!
Donation envelopes in support of Baptist World Aid as well as your normal giving can be placed in the offering boxes in the Tab.
SERMON: The Birth of Jesus
BIBLE READING: Luke 2:1-21
WATCH: LIVE on YouTube at 9.30am Sunday
Kids’ Church is taking a break through the holidays. No morning tea this morning.
Christmas Greetings from Stephen and Jenny and Granddaughter Koa in Madrid!
While Stephen is on holiday enquiries can be directed to Matt Henderson, Associate Pastor, matt@hobartbaptist.org.au or Heather Galloway, Secretary secretary@hobartbaptist.org.au
December dates
SUNDAY 25 December, 9:30am. Christmas Day Service. ALL WELCOME.
SATURDAY 31 December, 5-9.30pm. NYE Celebration. Legacy Park, Gellibrand Pavilion (Number 2), in the Domain for a BBQ together and then a walk up to a high spot to view the 9.30pm fireworks.
SUNDAY 1 January, 10:00am Service.
Great Expectations sermon series
Our summer sermon series is called Great Expectations and focuses on Luke’s gospel. This gospel is a collection of stories that show Jesus’ interactions with people and how he sought to include everyone, even when it meant challenging the established social and power structures and those who benefit from the status quo.
We will explore this gospel together to see how Luke writes of a Saviour who embodies the value of ‘welcome’ that is Hobart Baptist’s theme for 2023. We will also find it a valuable roadmap for how we can navigate following Jesus in Hobart in the twenty-first century.
To read more, visit the the sermon series page.
A very special 73rd Empty Christmas Tree Outcome
Thank you to all who contributed to last Sunday’s Empty Christmas Tree. 19 gift bags all packed with numerous items and 8 individual gifts were supplemented with cash donations amounting to $420.00. ($200.00 from the Karen Church, $100.00 from 2 Karen families, and $120.00 anonymously contributed.)
One $30.00 voucher in a beautifully presented envelope bearing some very special words deserves mention – “The gift of Love. The gift of Peace. The gift of Happiness. May all these be yours at Christmas.” – and on the reverse of the envelope “May the person who receives this feel the love of God. May God protect you wherever you go. May His grace be with you. Amen.”
Evalds Kuplis
Baptist World Aid Better World Gift Shop
Last minute Better World Gifts are available online through the HBC personal online Better World Gifts Shop https://baptistworldaid.org.au/gift-stalls/hobart-baptist-gift-stall/ OR ask, you may be able to pick one up in person on Sunday.
To give your loved ones something meaningful this Christmas click here>>> to select a gift and make a difference.
Feel free to pass this link onto family and friends and make the love go further this Christmas: https://baptistworldaid.org.au/appeals/hobart-christmas/
If you wish to support Baptist World Aid with a donation, special donation envelopes are available this week, and can be placed in the offering box over the next couple of weeks.
On Christmas day, any cash in the offering boxes will be taken as church offering.
Payment options have increased
We are living in an almost cashless society! You are now able to make payments for anything at church – with your card. The intention is not to take the place of online transfer of funds, but provide an opportunity for spontaneous generosity.
Suicide Awareness and Prevention Fundraiser
Elektra is raising funds for this great cause dear to her heart. Her goal is to raise $400 by the end of December. As the website is causing trouble at the moment, the best thing is to hand cash directly to Elektra at Church.
Summer Socials at HBC
Want to socialise offline this summer? Come along, get to know someone new better and enjoy the warmer weather. Please rsvp to Fiona Bradley: info@hobartbaptist.org.au
All welcome to the following events for all ages:
- NYE BBQ and then walk to view the fireworks on Saturday, 31 December, 5-9.30pm at Legacy Park Gellibrand Pavilion (Number 2), The Domain.
- Afternoon at the Beach on Saturday, 14 January, 1-4pm at Kingston Beach. BYO beach games and swimmers, if you’re game.
- Morning Bush walk on Saturday, 21 January, 9am – 12pm at South Wellington (walking trail TBC).
- Games night on Wednesday, 1 February (date TBC) 5-9pm at HBC.
Staying Safe over the holidays
Sadly Covid has increased in recent weeks, with a number of the church family testing positive in the last few weeks. Please pray for a speedy recovery for all. This, sadly, comes from first hand experience!
To help protect yourselves and those around us, and enjoy the holidays, it is important to be mindful of COVID safe behaviours:-
- Physical distancing – 1.5 m
- Maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene
- Consider wearing a mask in indoor settings
- If unwell, stay home and test for Covid
- Report any positive tests
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.