Church Family News, October 2026
Welcome to Hobart Baptist Church
10AM SUNDAYS – Doors open from around 9:30am
WATCH: LIVE on YouTube at 10am Sunday
MORNING TEA: Join us after the 10am service in the Soundy Lounge for tea, coffee and biscuits. Enjoy a relaxed time catching up with friends, meeting new people and connecting with our church family. Esteem Coffee will also be open, serving cappuccinos, lattes and a selection of hot drinks. We look forward to sharing fellowship with you.
HBC YOUNG PEOPLE
- Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Brigade will take a break during the school holidays and resume on Friday, 16 October.
- HBC Youth is on pause during the school holidays and will return at 7pm on Saturday, 17 October.
- Kids’ Church will take a break over the school holidays and return on Sunday, 18 October.
SUNDAY SERMONS DURING OCTOBER 2026
The Gratitude Effect began with an introductory message from Jo in September and continues throughout October as we explore the life-changing power of gratitude. Together, we’ll reflect on God’s gifts in creation, the blessings we often take for granted, the wonder of His grace, and the incredible hope found in Jesus Christ. As gratitude grows in our hearts, it transforms our relationships, strengthens our faith, and renews our perspective, helping us live with greater joy, hope, and thankfulness to God and one another. Find out more>
4 October 🍷 The Gift of Creation: Kelvin Smith, Genesis 1-2
11 October The Privilege of This Moment: Kelvin Smith, Psalms 139
18 October 🍷 Gratefulness for Amazing Grace: Joel Tabada, Isaiah 53
25 October Thankfulness for Christ’s Family: Hyland Smith, Philemon
🍷 Communion service
HBC ROOM USE OR HIRE: For enquiries regarding room use/hire, please email Connie Sim (connie@hobartbaptist.org.au).
CONNECTER DISTRIBUTION
All items for October are due by 5pm Friday 23 October to:
connecter@hobartbaptist.org.au
If you have any updates or adjustments, please also email the same address.
TASMANIAN BAPTISTS’ RECHARGE
You can catch up with the recent September issues, below.
There is a big drive on right now from Tas Baptists to SUBSCRIBE > to receive the fortnightly email. Why not do it?
READ the latest by clicking on on the links.
reCharge 10 September > | RENGCAA TRANSLATION STARTS! | Penguin – where friendship happens | Welcome back Matt 🙂
reCharge 24 September> | Growing our Conflict Competence | Concerns about Tas Conversion Practices Bill | Remembering our First Female President
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY, OCTOBER 2026
- Sat 3 October 9am-3pm Kamara’s Heart Cafe; 3pm-6pm Creating Spaces, Soundy Lounge and Dinner afterwards
- Sun 4 October 10am service
- Thu 8 October 10:30am Ladies’ Coffee Morning, Esteem Cafe
- Sat 10 October 10am-2pm Church Family Fun Day
- Sun 11 October 10am service with special guest Jan Yawan
- Sat 17 October 9am-3pm Kamara’s Heart Cafe; 7pm HBC Youth Fellowship
- Sun 18 October 10am service, followed by Church Family Lunch Together
- Mon 19 October 10am Men’s Discussion Group
- Sat 24 October 9am-3pm Kamara’s Heart Cafe; 10am–3pm EmpowHer Day of Abundance, Riverlands, 159 Wellington Street, Longford; 7pm HBC Youth Fellowship;
- Sun 27 October 10am service followed by Shoebox Packing
SAFE SPACES TRAINING
Creating a safe and welcoming environment is an important part of our ministry. If you serve as a pastor, elder, deacon, ministry leader, children’s or youth worker, SRE teacher, or in any role involving vulnerable people, we encourage you to attend the Creating Safe Spaces Workshop.
This training will cover practical Safe Church principles, including duty of care, protecting vulnerable people, and best practices for recruiting and supervising leaders. Participants are required to complete the online Creating Safe Spaces module before attending.
CHURCH FAMILY UPDATE & PRAYER
Serving Together as a Church Family
September has been a month of encouragement, celebration and faithful service as we have continued to grow together as God’s family. Throughout the month, we have seen many examples of people using their gifts, supporting one another and pointing each other to Christ. We thank God for His continued provision and for the privilege of serving alongside one another in His church.
A special highlight was our Father’s Day celebration, where we honoured and gave thanks for the fathers, grandfathers and father figures who faithfully care for and support their families. Brother Joel shared an encouraging message based on the acronym D.A.D.: Daily Provision, Faithful Advice and Godly Discipline. His message reminded us of the important role fathers play in reflecting God’s love through their care, wisdom and guidance. Most importantly, we were pointed to the incredible love of our Heavenly Father, who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins so that we might be welcomed into His family and experience the hope of eternal life.
We were also greatly encouraged during our Boys’ Brigade Service. It was a joy to celebrate with Khiem as he publicly declared his faith through baptism, taking this important step of obedience in his walk with Christ. In addition, three of our Boys’ Brigade members courageously delivered messages during the service. Their willingness to stand before the congregation, share God’s Word and speak about their faith was a wonderful encouragement to all in attendance. Seeing these young men serve the Lord reminded us that God continues to raise up the next generation to know Him, follow Him and lead others in faith.
Another blessing this month was the success of our Christmas Lunch fundraising efforts. Through the generosity of our church family, funds were raised through the sale of homemade treats, jewellery and succulents. We are deeply grateful to everyone who donated, volunteered, prepared items and supported the fundraiser. It was a wonderful example of God’s people working together with joyful and generous hearts.
We also thank God for everyone who faithfully serves across the ministries of our church and for those who gather each Sunday to worship, pray and encourage one another. Your faithfulness strengthens our fellowship and contributes greatly to the life of our church family. We continue to pray for those who are unwell, recovering from illness or facing difficult circumstances, asking the Lord to grant them comfort, healing, strength and peace.
As we look ahead, may we continue serving together with thankful hearts, growing in faith and love through Jesus Christ and giving all honour, glory and praise to God for every blessing and every opportunity to serve Him.
FAREWELL BETTY OWENS
Betty Owens passed away peacefully at the Queen Victoria Home on Wednesday 23 September, aged 96. Betty and Keith Owens moved to Hobart from Townsville with their young family in 1964, and became members at HBC.
Betty was a very faithful church member and will be remembered for her piano playing and faithfulness in praying for others.
Sadly declining health prevented Betty from attending church in recent years, but her love of her Lord never waned.
The funeral service for Betty will take place on Wednesday 7 October at 2:30pm
Philip Stephens Chapel (7th Day Adventist Church) 28 Riawena Road, Rosny. ning health prevented Betty from attending church in recent years, but her love of her Lord never waned.
FAMILY FUN DAY
Saturday 10 October
Bring the family and enjoy a relaxed day of fun, food and friendly activities. Meet some furry friends, decorate a cake, join a music jam, play a game or two, or simply enjoy time together. With plenty happening from 10am to 2pm, it’s a lovely chance to connect, laugh and make memories. We’d love to see you there.
A Special Visit from Jan and Anna Yawan
We are delighted to welcome Jan Yawan and her daughter Anna to Hobart Baptist on Sunday, 11 October.
Many members of our church family will remember Jan, who was commissioned by Hobart Baptist in 1977 and sent to serve in Thailand through what is now Baptist Mission Australia. Over nearly five decades, Jan, her late husband Jit and their family faithfully served in cross-cultural ministry, sharing Christ’s love and bringing hope to communities in Thailand.
Following her retirement and return to Australia, Jan is visiting Baptist churches across Tasmania to personally thank supporters for their partnership, prayers and encouragement throughout the years. During our service, Jan will share a brief update, reflect on God’s faithfulness in mission and encourage us to continue supporting intercultural mission work.
Please join us in giving Jan and Anna a warm Hobart Baptist welcome. We look forward to hearing their story and celebrating God’s work through their ministry.
EMPOWHER DAY OF ABUNDANCE
Be Filled Beyond Measure!
Be encouraged toward your God‑given potential at this special one‑day gathering. Enjoy the company of other women, share delicious food, hear inspiring teaching and head home refreshed and renewed.
This is a statewide event – invite your girlfriends, co‑workers, family members and even your next‑door neighbour! To order invitation postcards, email empowher@tasbaptists.org.au
WHERE Riverlands, 159 Wellington Street, Longford
WHEN Saturday 24 October 2026 | 9:30 for 10am–3pm
COST Includes morning tea, lunch and materials
$75 LATE until 23 October 2026
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX PACKING DAY
Throughout 2026, Hobart Baptist Church has been collecting items and raising funds for Operation Christmas Child, with a different focus each month. Since March, our church family has faithfully contributed to this ministry, helping to prepare shoebox gifts that will bring hope, joy, and practical love to children around the world.
On Sunday, 25 October, after the service, we’ll come together to pack these shoeboxes and celebrate what God has enabled us to do together. Volunteers are warmly invited to help with packing and preparation. As we pack, we’ll also take time to pray for the children and families who will receive these gifts that they may experience God’s love and care through this ministry. We’d love you to be part of it.
SMALL GROUPS AT HBC
Youth
The Youth group meets on Saturday nights at HBC, 7pm.
Speak to Kelvin Smith 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. The next opportunity will be on Monday, 19 October.
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, 8 October 2026.
KAMARA’S HEART CAFE
9am-3pm, Saturdays 3 and 17 October
John Kamara and his family treat all comers to delicious home made treats just once during April using the Esteem Coffee Lounge facilities.
This Café is dedicated to supporting children and their families in Africa, and every cent of profits goes directly to this important cause.
You can also order meals in advance which can be collected when the Cafe is open. To browse and order meals, use this WhatsApp link: https://www.wa.me/c/61425474496. Or call/SMS to order: 0425 474 496
Your support truly makes a difference.
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.