Church Family News, June 2023
Hobart Baptist Church, Sunday 25 June
Join us at 10am this Sunday as Stephen Baxter shares the Good News of Jesus this Christmas in Winter.
Whilst celebrating Christmas at this time of year is counter cultural, there is much that can be gained and opportunities to share the love of Jesus in every day conversations because of what we are doing.
Can’t make it? Watch LIVE on YouTube at 10.00am Sunday
We have a Q&A session with the speaker each Sunday after the sermon. To join, text your question to 0491 070 718.
SERMON: Unwrapping the Christmas Gift
BIBLE READING: Galatians 4: 4-7
WATCH: LIVE on YouTube at 10.00am Sunday
Kids’ Church and Youth are on during the service.
You are welcome to a time of fellowship over an Esteem coffee and morning tea after the service and a BYO Lunch.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
JUNE
Operation Christmas Child – Collecting items to wear.
FRIDAY 23 June 6-8pm. Luminous Carols in the Tab.
SUNDAY 25 June 10am. Christmas Day Service.
SUNDAY 25 June 7-9pm. The Long Table – Eritrean Community Meal – All invited – see below for details.
JULY
SUNDAY 2 July 10am. Communion Service. Church Members’ Meeting following morning tea.
SATURDAY 8 July 9:30am-3:00pm. Multicultural Bazaar at Hobart Baptist Church.
LUMINOUS EVENTS THIS WEEK
Luminous Carols
6pm, Friday 23 June, in the Tab.
Enjoy singing traditional Christmas Carols on a cold winter’s night…. and some gingerbread and a hot chocolate or a hot spiced apple drink afterwards. Brett Budgeon will once again be a guest soloist, and much more to look forward to. A great opportunity to invite friends to this family friendly event.
To register for the Carols on 23 June go to Eventbrite. Tickets are free.
INVITATION to join the LONG TABLE
Sunday 25 June, 7-9pm.
Enjoy a traditional Eritrean banquet in the Foyer on a long table with a group of your friends.
This Community Meal is an expansion on a couple that have already been held at HBC, and is an initiative of Kelvin Smith. It is an opportunity given to immigrants and refugees to showcase the culinary skills they have and for the community to show their support and experience some wonderful food and great fellowship.
Entry is by donation, $30 cash on the night. Questions and bookings (essential) to Kelvin 0426 281 412
HBC CHURCH MEMBERS’ MEETING – SUNDAY 2 JULY 2023
The next Church Members’ Meeting will be held on Sunday 2 July 2023 in the Gibson Hall following the 10am service and morning tea.
The agenda items which includes the presentation of the Draft budget for the 2023/2024 FY and an update on Esteem. can be found on the HBC Members and Others page.
LETTERS I NEVER SENT
Students against Racism Theatre – including some Karen young people
MULTICULTURAL BAZAAR
July 8 2023 – 9am to 3pm. HBC will be buzzing with a Multicultural Bazaar.
- 5-6 Arts and craft stalls (3 of these have been through our Multicultural start ups course so will launch their business that weekend)
- Ethiopian food
- Ethiopian coffee ceremony
- Kelvin’s Piano
- Iraqi savouries and desserts
- Jason the photographer will also set up a few other easels
- And more……
What better way to support the work Kelvin is doing amongst the refugee and migrant population in Hobart, but to tell your friends and plan to come along. The place will be buzzing with activity and things to buy, so bring some of that old fashioned cash along!
The Bazaar will continue in a quieter way on Sunday, so be prepared to enter and exit the church through all doors.
LUMINOUS SO FAR
Luminous began with opening night on Thursday 8 June 2023, and the unveiling of Michael Henderson’s Art Installation, “The Seed of Life, Weighed Down”.
Each evening, guests have been treated to delicious food from different cultural cuisines, thanks to Esteem for organising it.
Conversation 1. Panellists John Kamara (Tasmanian Australian of the Year and President and founding member of Culturally Diverse Alliance), Councillor Dr Zelinda Sherlock (Chair of Welcoming & Inclusive City Portfolio HCC and Founder/Honorary Advisor, CDA) and George Elkhair (Vice Chair Migrant Resource Centre, Tasmania), addressed the question “Is Tasmania A Place for Everyone?” Stephen hosted the evening.
Conversation 2. “How Can We Help Tasmanian Children Flourish? Panellists were Matt Henderson (Parent of two with disabilities), Kay Priest (Foster Carer for 50 years) and Mary Dickens (Fostering Hope Australia). Stephen Baxter hosted the evening as joys and challenges in each situation were shared.
The delicious Indian food before hand was capably provided by Rebecca and Fiona.
Conversation 3: “How do we Create Healthy Families?”
Stephen and Jenny Baxter and host, Scott Haas from ultra106.5 radio shared some of their own stories growing up and how those experiences shaped the way they approached parenting.
The audience came for a wide range of backgrounds and very different experiences, so no doubt, the stories shared touched everyone in different ways. A great evening.
MARGARET BAIKIE 22.12.1929 – 14.6.2023
Our dear friend Margaret Baikie went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Wednesday 14 June 2023.
Margaret was a member of HBC for 55 years, and until fairly recently, in a very active capacity.
Loved and loving wife of Albert, mother of Margaret (Luckman) and Gordon, mother-in-law of Greg and Angie (Read). Adored Granny of Gordon James, Alistair, Hamish, James and Sunday Clare.
A funeral service to honour Margaret’s rich, and inspiring life will be held at 3:00pm on Friday 23 June 2023 at Graham Family Funeral Home Chapel, 73 Risdon Road, New Town.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania and will be gratefully received at the Service.
This speaks so much of the heart of Margaret and many know of her years of service helping refugees through the support group at HBC.
ESTEEM. COFFEE
I trust everyone is enjoying delicious Barista made coffee at church as much as I am! Don’t forget to keep dropping in and supporting Kelvin as Esteem becomes established.
Official approval edges even closer – please continue to pray that it is received very soon. Pray too for Kelvin as he continues to juggle his hectic work schedule.
Kelvin is seeking more volunteers, so Esteem can be open the full number of hours, for the moment you are encouraged to drop in for a coffee from 9.30am to 4pm weekdays.
Thank you to those who have signed up to provide baked goods for the volunteers. We had a rush of enthusiasm which is encouraging, but remember it is an ongoing project.
UPDATE ON FIRE DAMAGE REPAIR
Repair to the fire damaged sandstone wall and window began on Tuesday. The sandstone has been cleaned as well as is possible by the very the latest laser technology, brought over just for this job from Victoria.
There remains some black soot from the heat of the blaze that could not be cleaned by the gentle laser, other methods will be trialled, but there has to be a balance between cleaning and destroying the face of the sandstone.
Repairs to the window will follow. Everyone is asked to be mindful of minimising use of the laneway when work is in progress.
Regular users of the building are reminded to remain vigilant, ensuring lights and heaters are switched off and doors are locked when you leave. It doesn’t hurt to check on others!!
LIGHT UP HOBART
RiverCity Church are running Light up Hobart from June 7-23, their alternative to DarkMoFO and have extended an invitation to their events:-
- 24/7 Prayer and worship in the city for the city. Initially we are planning 3 blocks of 72 hours continual prayer & worship, at the beginning, middle and end of the outreach.
- Revival/encounter meetings 7-9pm every night in the city of Hobart, including testimonies, prayer, worship & equipping.
- Evangelism on the streets every night from 8.30-9.00pm til late.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2023
Hobart Baptist Church are again supporting Operation Christmas Child in 2023. In June, we will be collecting something to wear:
- T-shirt, Polo shirt
- shorts, skirt
- cap, beanie
- sandals
- socks and undies
If you prefer to give a financial donation instead of shopping for items that’s great! We also need money to cover the sending costs of $12.50/box.
For further information please speak to Celia or Kylie. THANK YOU for your generosity!
PRAYER FOR THE CITY
Church Together Tasmania invite everyone to gather together and pray for our city, believing that God will touch our city, making the impossible possible in His name.
Last session is Wednesday 28 June – Your Church (29 Charles St, Moonah) 7.15am for a 7.30am start.
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.