Church Family News – June 2024
Hobart Baptist Church, Sunday 30 June
This Sunday, Stephen, Michael and Matt will share some stories as we Celebrate Luminous 2024.
Church Members’ Meeting following the Service in the Gibson Hall. ALL WELCOME.
BIBLE READINGS: Psalm 139:7-12, John 1:6-14
SERMON: Celebrating Luminous.
A Q&A session will take place after the sermon.
During the sermon you are invited to SMS questions to: 0491 070 718.
MORNING TEA: Enjoy fellowship over Morning Tea following the service, including the option to buy hot drinks from Esteem.
YOUNG PEOPLE: Kids’ Church and HBC Youth are ON!
WATCH: LIVE on YouTube at 10.00am Sunday
REMEMBER: For enquiries regarding room use/hire, please email Kelvin Smith (kelvin@citynetworks.org.au) or Connie Sim (connie@citynetworks.org.au).
PLEASE NOTE: To contribute to Connecter and Church Family News for any Sunday, please email connecter@hobartbaptist.org.au no later than 9am the Wednesday prior.
Do you need PASTORAL VISITATION?
The pastoral care team would love to visit!
FEEL FREE TO HAVE A CHAT OR SEND AN EMAIL TO:
* DAVID david@hobartbaptist.org.au
* ANNABEL annabel@hobartbaptist.org.au
* CELIA celia@hobartbaptist.org.au
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
JUNE
SUNDAY 30th 10am Celebrating Luminous
11:45am Church Members’ Meeting. ALL WELCOME!
JULY
SUNDAY 7th 10am New Sermon Series begins, Matthew: Future Kingdom, Now
SUNDAY 28th 5:45pm for 6pm Fadia Alasaad’s Palestinian Community Meal
LUMINOUS FESTIVAL 2024
SACRED TASMANIA ~ Exploring the connections between the sacred, place and sustainability
A mid-winter event hosted by Hobart Baptist Church 12-16; 19-23 June.
The 4 conversations were very different in nature, but all related to the theme of Luminous, Sacred Tasmania:- Exploring the connections between the sacred, place and sustainability. Along with the three different expressions of art, the commonality was clear: there was much to reflect on. The importance of having conversations, listening to differing points of view and of education, cannot be underrated.
SACRED TASMANIA SERIES
Sermon Series Sunday 26 May to 30 June
The beauty of our Tasmanian wilderness reflects something of that creative genius of the power of God. As such we are called to respect it as such. Too often we have regarded the earth and its resources as ours to take, rather than ours to steward. Without falling into nature worship or giving the earth some sort of divine status, “Sacred Tasmania” tries to capture Paul’s thinking and remind us of our obligations to care for it.
CHURCH MEMBERS’ MEETING
TODAY – Sunday 30 June, 2024
Gibson Hall, following on from the 10am service and morning tea.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME and encouraged to attend. With Stephen Baxter finishing up as Senior Pastor on 1 September, this is an opportunity for everyone to be kept up to date with matters that affect us all, as a church.
Reports from the Senior Pastor and Treasurer will be presented, including a motion regarding the appointment of an auditor for the current financial year, an update from the Diaconate surrounding the Senior Pastor finishing up, plus an application for membership from Kelvin Smith to be considered.
For more details go to the Members and Others Page by clicking here>>>
It’s Time for a Refresh
I’m sure you will all agree that the HBC banner in the entrance to the church is a little dated. Oh….. to be young again!!
With that in mind the Diaconate has asked our graphic artist aka our Senior Pastor, to design something new. One suggestion being, having “Welcome” in different languages.
The request is simple, if your heritage is not English speaking, please take a moment to look at the copies of the banner at morning tea, identify your language and let us know if yours needs to be added. Or better still, write it on the paper.
Thank You 🙂
UPDATE FROM THE DIACONATE
Last month it was announced that Stephen Baxter will conclude his time as Senior Pastor of Hobart Baptist Church later this year.
We are grateful to God for the leadership of Stephen and the support and work of Jenny over many years. Stephen’s final service on 1 September will be one opportunity to celebrate and honour Stephen and Jenny’s ministry amongst us.
At its most recent meeting, the Diaconate appointed a Pastoral Search Committee (a step required under our constitution) who will ultimately take responsibility for managing our search for a senior pastor. However, the deacons are agreed that there is no reason to rush and, in fact, many good reasons to stop to consider our current church needs and what God is calling us to as a church community.
Over the coming months we will be looking to meet in prayer and conversation with our church communities. I look forward to and encourage your involvement in these next steps and appreciate your ongoing support and prayer for our ministry team and church leadership as we seek to bring honour to God in our thinking and planning.
Scott Ambrose
Chair of Deacons
Volunteers required
Duncan Sinclair and Kelvin Smith extend a big ‘THANK YOU’ to those who came to the recent Working Bee! Those who came beavered away happily and the work was much appreciated. Grateful thanks also go to the regular volunteers who assist Kelvin with cleaning: Kaye, Peter and Joel. It all goes to help our beautiful building keep up appearance!
Duncan would like to hear from volunteers to join the regular cleaning roster as a number of team members have dropped out recently. You know the saying – many hands make light work. Contact Duncan on 0407 773 933.
FRIENDSHIP GROUPS AT ESTEEM
English Conversation is on hold for now
Adult Colouring and Jigsaw Table
- Friday mornings
- COME AND ENJOY SOME DOWN TIME!
- Hosted by Karen Conway and Celia Munro
Discussion Group
- Fortnightly on Tuesdays, 1pm
- Free and open discussion about how to be a follower of Jesus in today’s world
- Members of the discussion group invite others to join!
- Next meeting Tuesday 2 July
- For more info, talk to William Maguire
Email Kelvin if you are interested or have ideas for other groups: kelvin@citynetworks.org.au
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Hobart Baptist are supporting the Operation Christmas Child program during 2024.
Every Sunday, there will be a red tub available near the kitchen entrance for your donations – both gifts and cash donations are welcome!
It’s JUNE and we are collecting clothing:
- T-shirt/polo shirt (White items can be used as school uniform)
- Shorts/skirt (Navy items can be used as school uniform)
- Hats: Eg. Cap/beanie
- Footwear: Eg. Thongs/sandals
- Underwear: Eg. Socks, undies etc.
In October there will be a shoebox packing day held in the Soundy Lounge. And what a fun day that will be! Or, if you prefer, why not take a box or two home and pack them yourself?
Please see Kylie Henderson or Celia Munro for more info.
Here are some ideas for gifts >
CITY PRAYER
Read about the recent City Prayer event, and prayer points for our city: HBC Prayer page >
Details for 2024 dates
7.15am for 7.30am.
City Prayer: Finish 8.30am | City Breakfasts: Finish 8.30am
31st July – Hobart Baptist (282 Elizabeth St. Nth Hobart)
28th August – BREAKFAST (details coming)
25th September – Hobart City Church of Christ (8 Goulburn St, Hobart)
30th October – Hobart Baptist (282 Elizabeth St. Nth Hobart)
27th November – Hobart City Church of Christ (8 Goulburn St, Hobart)
Let’s come together and pray for our city – knowing that ALL things are possible in Him.
Pastor Dave Morse, Your Church Moonah.
DINNER TOGETHER
Let’s get Baptists across Hobart together for a meal and fellowship!
Next opportunity is Friday 28 June 2024
What is this? A monthly dinner with people who live near you from Citywide, Hobart and Claremont Baptist Churches.
This is a chance to meet with people from different backgrounds, ages and churches that you would normally meet, and connect with people you are likely to meet at the local post office or shopping centre.
To participate, or volunteer to host, head to the organiser’s, Citywide Baptist website >
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.