Happy 2025! Please take the time to read a couple of inspirational posts that Mary and Marcia authored, respectively.

A Prayer for the New Year

BY MARY MASON

Heavenly Father, thank you for extending my days so that I could be here today with these others who love you and reverence your Holy name. We welcome this New Year not knowing what lies ahead, but you know. ➔ CLICK TO READ MORE

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Who Am I?

BY MARCIA SHARPE

Who am I…? Who am I to give Hope to people affected by cancer? When I can barely manage the common cold? Or a bruise on my shin?

➔ CLICK TO READ MORE

Important 1st Quarter 2025 Organisational Plans

We thank our Lord God Almighty for re-growing BC in the past two-plus years. As we move towards reorganising in the first quarter of 2025, let us take note of the following:

• Install new members on 19 January 2025. Please approach Bevan or Jonan if you wish to become a member. Any person who confesses faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has been Baptised (by immersion) as a believer, who shows evidence of following Christ in the newness of life and who is willing to uphold the commitments as outlined in the Members’ Pledge may apply to become a Church member.
  
  
• Please think and pray about two or three members we will nominate to the Eldership between now and mid-February 2025. We will publish more details about this.
  
  
• We are looking at reframing our Constitution and By-Laws to fit the present church’s context and situation in February 2025.
  
  
• We will hold our annual general meeting (AGM) Pastor’s 2025. The annual reports, namely the Pastor’s report, the Leadership Team’s report, and the Financial report will be available in February.

Let us pray for these 1st Quarter 2025 plans. Thank you.

Be a Part of our Task Roster

OBC is your church, and we warmly invite you to join our task roster.

Joining this roster is not just a commitment; it’s a chance for you to actively engage in worship and service, contributing to the vibrant life of our church community.

Please write your name on the rostering sheet on the table next to our tea area.

If you have any questions about the tasks that interest you or need further details, don’t hesitate to contact Bevan, our pastor, or anyone else for help. Your involvement makes a difference—thank you!

Join the church task roster where the only qualification is availability.

“Abundant Life” Bible Study 19 January at 1:00 PM

We are still at it! We will tackle Lesson 15 of our “Abundant Life” study session on Sunday, 19 January, at 1:00 PM.

Please come with your workbook (Lesson 15) filled out and be ready to participate in our learning session.

OBC is building a dynamic discipleship culture. Everyone is invited to join. Let us learn about God through His word.

Online Writing and Website Management Seminars

I am launching two training seminars for interested persons: Online Writing and Website Management. These seminars aim to develop people who can assist in publishing content for the church’s website.

The seminars are open to everyone interested. Please come to me to be enrolled. Then, we will meet to decide on the seminar date in January 2025.

Four days after celebrating Christmas Day and three more days before New Year’s Day, let us bring these critical takeaways as we start 2025.

Who doesn’t love takeaways? For those unfamiliar, a takeaway is where you can buy food to eat somewhere else or just the food you buy to take away. People love takeaways because they’re super convenient and usually cheaper than a sit-down restaurant. Fish and chips are the most popular takeaway food in NZ.

I am also thinking of the bountiful foods we prepared to celebrate Christmas, either on noche buena if you are Filipino or Hispanic, or on Christmas Day lunch, and sharing it as takeaways for family and friends who have joined us.

But that is as far as physical food is concerned. As the New Year comes, we must carry crucial takeaways to meet all the challenges that 2025 will bring.

Based on Matthew 2:1-12 narrative of the Magi’s visit to the Messiah, let us discover the lessons we must possess as we celebrate and live through the new year 2025.

1. Faith and Commitment

• The birth of Jesus Christ ignited fervour among the faithful community, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Messiah.
• The time of Herod helps us figure out when Jesus was born. Jesus came into the world sometime before Herod the Great died, probably around 4 BC. The exact date of Jesus’ birth is still a bit of a mystery.
• Wise men from the East came: These travellers are called wise men, derived from the ancient Greek term “magi.” There are many misconceptions and legends surrounding these individuals. They were not kings; instead, they were wise men and astronomers.
• While it is commonly believed that there were only three of them, likely, there was a larger group. Furthermore, they probably did not visit the newborn on the night of his birth but several months later.
• There was a strong expectation of the Messiah’s arrival among the Jews, yet the wise men realized they were among the few genuinely excited to find the newborn Messiah. There was a notable lack of enthusiasm in Jerusalem.

The dedication and bravery of the Magi from the East are extraordinary, considering the challenges of their journey and the dangers they faced while travelling. They left their comfort zones to seek and worship the newborn King, Jesus Christ.

2. Earnestness

In Matthew’s narrative, we have two character types who are insincere.

First, the chief priests and teachers of the law were aware of the prophecy regarding the birth of the king of the Jews (verses 5-6), yet they failed to recognise and accept that the Messiah had indeed been born.

This makes me reflect that there are Christians who are only Christians by name. These Christians have vast knowledge of the Bible but don’t have the capacity or refuse to follow what the Bible says. There are many Christians who are insincere in their faith, Christians in name but not by heart.

Second, Herod plotted to kill Jesus by pretending he wanted to worship him.  Ironically, Herod believed the prophecy, perhaps out of fear that the “king of the Jews has been born” and will replace him. Having been outwitted by the Wisemen, he ordered the massacre of children in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under (Matthew 2:16).

There are Christians who are like Herod; they believe in God’s prophecies but detest the thought of surrendering fully their lives to Him. Instead, it is their SELF that reigns in their hearts. These insincere Christians will not hesitate to cut off any Godly influence and leadership in their hearts, but they are satisfied to pretend to be Christians.

Let us be like the Wisemen who earnestly sought the born king of the Jews, followed his star when it rose, and worshipped Jesus when they found him.

Devotion

I am presenting the four elements of the Magi’s devotion to Jesus, which we can follow.

The Magi followed the star of Jesus (or the Start of Bethlehem) as it seemingly persisted in its guiding role, appearing at pivotal moments along the Wisemen’s journey like an ethereal beacon in the night sky. Its initial glow graced them months prior, subtly steering their quest toward the broader region they sought.

Following this, their travels led them to the ancient city of Jerusalem, where they gathered vital knowledge and insights. As their search unfolded, the star reemerged, radiating luminous intensity to offer precise directions through the darkened paths ahead.

Its appearances were nothing short of a supernatural marvel, leaving them in awe of the divine guidance that seemed to transcend the ordinary realm of understanding.

The Star of Bethlehem is widely regarded as more than just a natural phenomenon, remaining a mystery that science has yet to unravel. This extraordinary light is described as leading the Magi from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, ultimately hovering directly above the location where Joseph and Mary were residing. Notably, no documented celestial event is known to follow such a specific and purposeful path.

Jesus Christ embodies God’s glory, which was revealed on earth 2,000+ years ago. In our devotion to God, we follow Jesus Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit. The Wisemen exemplified the importance of seeking and following Jesus relentlessly.

The Wisemen were overjoyed (Matthew 2:10) – Overjoy means “to cause someone to feel extremely happy or joyful, or to fill someone with great joy.”

The Magi were overjoyed seeing the star “stopped over the place where the child was.”  Overjoy is a feeling when you think you are going nowhere or you are considering whether you are on the right track or not, and suddenly you see from afar something that assures you that you’re on the right path.

Overjoy is like driving the Central Otago’s “Pigroot” (or a few call it the “Pig Route”) for the first time. The name “Pigroot” applies to the section of SH85 between Palmerston and Ranfurly.

I have driven through the Pigroot many times, and during my first trip, I kept wondering when it would end. It feels disorienting to see the natural scenery until you ascend from the valley and see the towns dotting from the distance. That gave me an overjoyed feeling.

When the Magi saw the star settle over the place where the child Jesus was, they were so happy. At last, we know where the King is!

They bowed down and worshipped him (Matthew 2:11)

In verse 11, the arrival of the wise men at their home reveals that Joseph and Mary transitioned from the manger to a residence after Jesus’ birth. This suggests they remained in Bethlehem or nearby Jerusalem, allowing Mary to fulfil the 40 days of purification mandated by Jewish law.

Jesus is referred to as a young child, likely between 6 and 18 months old. Notably, the child is mentioned before the mother, contrary to custom, indicating that the child’s status as the Saviour takes precedence.

How did the Wiseman worship?

• Bowed down –  (Gk pesontes) fall down;
• Worshipped – (Gk prosekynēsan) prostrate oneself in homage;

Yes, they worshipped HIM (emphasis mine). The Magi did not worship Mary, Joseph, or the child with Mary and Joseph. They worshipped only him!

They worship in deep reverence by falling prostrate before the child King.

They gave generously to Jesus.

 Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

• TREASURES – a storehouse for precious things;
• GIFTS – many and not only one of each kind;

Because the Magi brought a storehouse of gifts, there is no way that only three of them travelled to find Jesus. I imagined the Magi bringing with them servants to carry and guard the treasures they got for the newborn King.

The valuable gifts were given directly to Jesus, not Mary or Joseph. While the infant Jesus did not use these gifts, Joseph and Mary, responsible and Godly parents, wisely used them for His benefit. Presumably, the family spent their gifts of gold as they went and lived in Egypt to escape Herod’s persecution.

We also practice generosity in our devotion to God. When we give to Jesus today, we channel it through the church to the people He called to serve, with the confidence that the leaders will use your gifts wisely on His behalf.

Conclusion

Let me briefly share my encounter with a fruit grower association leader from Hawke’s Bay on a plane from Auckland to Singapore, an 11-hour flight. I was in the middle seat, and he was in the aisle, meaning Jewel and I had to “bother” him whenever we went to the toilet.

When I introduced myself, that I’m a pastor and we’re on our way to attend a conference in Malaysia and hold a seminar in the Philippines, he said he’s a born-again Christian.

Then, he shared how God carried him, and co-farmers rose from Cyclone Gabrielle’s destruction to their region. He said that his faith and their church’s prayers and support encouraged him to lead the farmers despite their hopelessness and defeat by Cyclone Gabrielle’s devastations.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle was a destructive tropical cyclone that devastated parts of the North Island of New Zealand and affected parts of Vanuatu and Australia in February 2023. It is the costliest tropical cyclone on record in the Southern Hemisphere, with total damage estimated to be NZ$14.5 billion (US$9.2 billion), of which NZ$3.18 billion (US$2 billion) are insurance losses. The cost of the cyclone in Hawke’s Bay alone was estimated to outstrip NZ$5 billion (US$3.17 billion).

Source: Wikipedia

You might ask what this testimony has to do with the “Christmas takeaways for the New Year” we’re talking about.

Isn’t it that unforgettable events, such as severe natural calamities, tend to be remembered and talked about for centuries?

I could imagine the wise men travelling leisurely on their journey back, feeling more at ease. They eagerly shared their transformative experiences with everyone they met, and, in every place, they rested for the night.

I can easily envision the Wisemen, surrounded by their families, servants, friends, and community, captivated by their compelling stories of encountering and worshipping the newborn King, Jesus Christ.

F.A.C.E.D. – Faith and commitment, Earnestness, and Devotion are the important Christmas takeaways we must always bring in 2025 and the many New Years to come.

Faith and commitment, Earnestness, and Devotion are the non-consumables and everlasting takeaways we carry along as we share our personal encounters and life experiences with Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed 2025. Happy New Year!

Christmas 2024 Schedules

We invite you to take note of our activity schedules. Your participation would make a difference, so we hope to see you there! Thank you!

Join us for a worshipful Christmas Eve service, where you’ll enjoy a heartwarming traditional Christmas story play, uplifting carols, and inspiring song presentation. Experience powerful testimonies, insightful messages, and moments of prayer that will fill your spirit with joy and hope. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the season with our community!

Join us for a joyful worship celebration this Christmas Day at 10:00 AM! After our 10:00 AM worship service, we will have a church family potluck lunch around noon. If you don’t have a family to spend lunch with, we warmly invite you to join the family lunch and fellowship at the church. It’s an excellent opportunity to connect with church family and enjoy delicious food together!

Working Bee on Saturday, 21 December

Let us clean and beautify our premises on Saturday, 21 December, 9:00 AM.

It’s good to buzz our church with cleaning tools, rugs, and other equipment before the end of the year and the beginning of the new year.

The trees need trimming, our fence and gate need repairs, and our flower and greenery patch needs some TLC. There is so much to do. Please come. See you!

Men’s Burger Evening held Saturday, 7th December

About 15+ old and young men came and held a burger evening. Thanks to Rodney’s super BBQ, burgers and buns were done in a jiffy.

The young man who squeezed hard that BBQ sauce had indeed had a saucy evening. The burger champion was the one who had the tallest stack of burgers, bacon, tomato slices, etc. and managed to eat it without deconstructing the burger sandwich. That was a full-filling evening.

From what I’m hearing, the men plan to have another fellowship in the first quarter of 2025.

Christmas and Advent reflections

We invited church members to share their inspiring reflections on Christmas and other meaningful topics. Here are a few of their uplifting contributions.

What Are You Waiting For This Christmas?

We long for Christmas; we want it but struggle to take hold of it. What is this peace and goodwill to all men, and what does it mean?

Continue Reading What Are You Waiting For This Christmas?

Hope

What does hope mean to you? What are you hoping for? Please read these verses and discover your source of hope. Thank you.

Continue Reading Hope

New Zealand Baptist Arotahi Daily Advent Readings 2024

For your Advent readings, we are sharing the “Arotahi Daily Advent Readings 2024” that have been circulated to New Zealand Baptist churches.

Through the Arotahi, our Baptist whanau has prepared a 48-page prayer guide with daily readings from 1 December until 6 January.

It was “keeling” in every aspect, and many had “abandoned the ship.”

Despite the small number who stayed behind, God answered their prayers for divine intervention, igniting a flourishing revival even today. As of November 17, our attendance list includes 85 people, comprising both adults and children.

We are here today two years later, baptising two first-generation and three second-generation believers.

We thank the Lord God Almighty for five new Baptists on Sunday, November 17, at 9:00 a.m.

Thank you to all the Baptist whānau, church mates, and friends who came to witness and support the baptism ceremonies held at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre. Your presence truly enriches our faith journey.

Let us continue to pray for Marie, Rodney, Nico, Nolan, Juscar, and each other as we (OBC) journey and grow in faith and obedience to God. Amen!

We continue to pray for more baptism opportunities as we obey the Lord Jesus Christ’s commission to go and make disciples, baptising them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything Jesus Christ has commanded us to do.

To God be all the glory! Amen.

Glimpses from the Discipleship Report Evening and G.L.A.D. Workshop Events

What an incredibly busy week we just experienced! It’s truly a blessing that we held a meaningful workshop on discipleship during the Labour Weekend.

By prioritizing God and tending to His heavenly garden, we enrich our spirits and look forward to a good season of sowing and harvesting. ➔ CLICK TO READ MORE

Ladies, please come and join the afternoon tea

Baptism set on 17 November 2024

Finally, after staying for a season, we are holding a Baptism ceremony on 17 November at 9:00 AM at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre.

The Aquatic Centre Coordinator responded to our request for a space to hold the Baptism, and we are finalising the event details.

We have two confirmed candidates. There are four more candidates that need to be confirmed with the person and their parents. Please pray for these confirmations.

We are inviting all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour to follow him through the waters of baptism. Please see your pastor today.

Fellowship lunch on 17 November

What a joy to celebrate our Baptism Sunday with a fellowship lunch on 17 November.

Together with birthdays and anniversaries, we will celebrate our brothers and sisters who have followed the Lord Jesus Christ through baptism by immersion. Bring your food to share.

The Fellowship Lunch is also a team-building opportunity, so please make yourself available to help prepare and clean up our lunch area before and after the event.

Reminders

• Youth Ministry – Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
• Prayer Meeting – Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 PM
• Music Team Practice – This Saturday only from 7:00 to 8:00 PM
• TEE Abundant Life Session – Sunday from 1:00 to 2:30 PM

OBC has two speaking opportunities at the National Hui

The NZ Baptist National Hui will be held in Rangiora Baptist Church on 6-9 November. I will be your lone representative at the annual gathering of 250 Baptist churches. As of this writing, approximately 400+ delegates will attend the National Hui.

On 8 November at 7:00 PM, during the Baptist Hui Global Night, the Oamaru Baptist Church was asked to deliver two messages.

Whodunit mystery?

It’s not summer yet, but the grass has turned brown. It’s been raining, too. And look, our car park flower boxes have been cleared and planted with new plants.

Thank you, and blessings to whoever has done it!

The best way to discover whodunit is to also become an “undercover” gardener and join in beautifying our church surroundings. Agree?

What an incredibly busy week we just experienced! It’s truly a blessing that we held a meaningful workshop on discipleship during the Labour Weekend.

By prioritizing God and tending to His heavenly garden, we enrich our spirits and look forward to a good season of sowing and harvesting.

NZ Labour Day Monday celebrates the establishment of the eight-hour workday. For Kiwis who enjoy gardening, this day marks the traditional unofficial start of the gardening season.

Thus, we pray for God’s blessings on our backyard gardens, too.

24 October Discipleship Report Evening with Anneta

We had a good turnout of 35 people during the Discipleship Report Evening with Anneta on 24 October. A missionary family of four joined us. We are happy to see our young people joining and making the event their regular Thursday activity for that week.

We thank Anneta Vysotskaya for sharing her testimony and ministry with TEE on the topic “TEE for the 21st Century and How It Can Change New Zealand.” Thank you for encouraging and inspiring us to pursue fervent discipleship in the church.

Watch this video clip of the event.

26 October G.L.A.D. Workshop

On Friday, 25 October, Jewel, Anneta, and I went to Timaru Airport to pick up Ann and Lewis.

The day’s plan was for the TEE Aotearoa team to meet face-to-face at a cafe in Timaru. Why Timaru? Richard, who lives in Christchurch, will drive to Timaru and join, sparing him another hour’s drive to Oamaru.

However, the Wellington Airport authorities cancelled all flights from Wellington that day. So, the TEE Aotearoa face-to-face meeting was postponed.

Ann and Lewis took the last flight to Dunedin and then took a taxi to Oamaru. When they arrived, it was almost midnight. Praising the Lord for His provision.

The Group Leaders Advanced Discipleship Workshop proceeded as planned despite the challenges faced the previous day.

We had 12 participants in the training from three churches: Oamaru Baptist Church (8), All Nations Church of Hope (3), and Cornerstone Bible Community Church (1).

Thank you to all participants and the churches that joined the workshop.

We are grateful to our resource persons, Ann Borquist and Lewis Varley, who travelled to share their precious time and talents.

Thank you, Hopevale Trust, for supporting Oamaru Baptist Church’s ministries.

Thank you to our hosts, who offered accommodation and meals for Ann and Lewis. Thank you to the helping hands who came to help with the preparations and aftercare.

Thank you, Oamaru Baptist Church members, for your prayers and support in one or many ways.

Below are more photos from the GLAD Workshop photos.

Re-establishing the discipleship journey for OBC is challenging and requires commitment. However, we remain resolute and willing to persevere because discipleship is the only way for a believer to grow both horizontally and vertically.

We look forward to starting the “Life of Christ” TEE course early next year.

How I Found Healing from What I Learned from the Book of Numbers

Mary shared how reading the Book of Numbers and the surrounding events sparked her enthusiasm, found the answer to her quest, and healed her.

Please read Mary’s testimony and be inspired and encouraged. ➔ CLICK TO READ MORE

TEE for the 21st Century and How It Can Change New Zealand

A Discipleship Report Evening with Anneta on 24 October, 7:00 PM at the OBC Auditorium.

Come and listen to Anneta as she shares her testimony and her passion for discipleship through Theological Education by Extension (TEE). ➔ CLICK TO READ MORE

How OBC Members Can Join the G.L.A.D. Workshop

Dear OBC members, I encourage everyone to participate by attending the GLAD Workshop because the training is crucial to sustaining the church’s discipleship ministry.

However, if you belong to the “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” category due to old age and availability, you can still participate by sponsoring a participant’s registration.

Sponsorships and donations for the workshop can be given through the OBC Bank account. Please use “GLAD WS” OR “GLAD WS Fees” as a reference.

There are many other ways you can support the activity. Please contact Jonan or Bevan.

➔ CLICK TO READ MORE

OSBA Hui-ā-Tau 2024

As an Otago Southland Baptist Association member, OBC is allowed two official delegates to the OSBA Hui on Saturday, 19 October, from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM at the Dunedin City Baptist Church.

Moreover, the “Engage with Charles Hewlett” session with the Baptist Union National Leader in the morning is open to all Baptist Church members.

This is a rare opportunity for us to come together and actively participate in shaping the future of the NZ Baptist Churches. There will also be an interactive Q&A session to discuss this further.

Praising God at All Times!

I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1

For the first time since moving town, I went to the Oamaru laboratory for my regular blood test. Please read my reflection on the blessings of praising God at all times.

Ladies, be reminded. Coming up on Saturday!

NZ Daylight Time starts on 29 September 2024

NZ Daylight Time is coming up on Sunday, 29 September. Please change your clocks forward one hour to New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT).

A handy tip is to change your clocks the night before daylight saving starts—forward one hour, for example, from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Internet providers will set the time on your mobile phones and computer devices. So, you only need to wake up, prepare, and be at OBC at 10:00 AM NZDT.

Fellowship Lunch on Sunday, 29 September

Let’s bring some food to share in our Fellowship Lunch after the worship service to celebrate all our September birthdays, anniversaries, and guests on Sunday, 29 September.

The fellowship lunch is also an opportunity to develop teamwork and friendship before, during, and after the meals.

Please volunteer to help prepare the dining venue, food preparation, dishwashing, and aftercare.

Group Leaders Advanced Discipleship Training

As part of our continuing discipleship program, we are launching another training on 26 October (9 AM-5 PM).

Why is the GL Advanced Discipleship Training important to us?

• We are called to train leaders to continue the practice of discipleship in obedience to Jesus Christ’s command to go and make disciples. Matthew 28:19-20.
  
  
• It is crucial for us to cultivate true disciples who are dedicated to practising and sharing their love and knowledge on a daily basis in order to bring about a spiritual revival in New Zealand.
  
  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2).
  
  
• To develop visionary and compassionate leaders to serve God’s people.

Registration is $50.00 per participant to bear the cost of materials and lunch. Hopevale Trust is sponsoring the TEE Aotearoa Team’s plane fare.

OBC, as host, will provide accommodation for our resource persons and overall support for training needs.

Otago Southland Baptist Association Events

Oamaru Baptist Church is a member of the OSBA, which is composed of 13 Baptist faith communities, from Oamaru in the northeast to Invercargill in the south. The following are the OSBA events lined up for October.

Child Protection Training, 17 October at Musselburgh Baptist Church.

The training aligns with the Baptist Union policy, which requires all individuals working with children and young people to undergo training. Following this training, we are expected to develop and implement our church’s Child Protection Policy. Erin and Jonan will be in attendance.

OSBC Hui-ā-Tau 2024.

Please read this invitation and consider attending. Thank you!

Our church is fearfully and wonderfully made, too

King David declares his praise in Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Can we also declare David’s Psalm 139:14 praise for the church as also “fearfully and wonderfully made”?

Vaughn, my colleague in Timaru, shared a 1928 Substack entry by Jeff Haines about “Andrew Johnston, the Blind Evangelist“, which begins with a narrative about the evangelistic campaign at the Oamaru Baptist Church in March 1928.

Rev. A. Clarke, the OBC pastor, detailed Andrew’s ministry. The morning communion service and evening service were well attended, with the evening service being packed to the doors.

Please read more by clicking the link below. Thank you!

New Mid-week Praying Meeting Time

After some consultations, our weekly prayer meeting will continue every Thursday but at a different time. Starting 5 September Thursday, we will meet at 1:30-2:30 PM.

Take the time to join us in prayer. Corporate prayer is crucial in the church’s life, as it expresses dependence and humility before God.

James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

PRAYER NOTES

Do you have some prayer requests? Write them on the “Prayer Notes.”

Upon entering our building, you will find the “Prayer Notes” on the table to your left.

Submit your prayer requests in the designated box at the auditorium. We will pray for your requests during our Sunday morning service and mid-week prayer meeting.

Please note that items that are private in nature need not be written. You may approach the pastor or pray with someone you trust. Come to our prayer meeting

September Activities to Watch Out

TEE Session on Sunday at 1:00 PM

Our TEE (Tools to Equip and Empower) Session will resume on Sunday, 8 September, at 1:00 PM. May I remind the participants to answer Lesson No. 11 of the Abundant Life workbook?

Those who are interested in joining for the first time, please speak with me so I can provide you with a workbook and some orientation.

“Life of Christ” Discipleship Facilitators’ Training

As part of our discipleship program, we are launching another training on 25-27 October 2024. This is a follow-up training that the TEE Aotearoa Team will conduct at OBC.

“This 6-book course is the main work of SEAN and is an integral training course for Christian workers, based on the life of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew and The Acts of the Apostles.”

“The self-study lessons are written for students to do at home and then meet once a week for a group study with a study group leader to share and apply what they have learned to their lives and ministries”

CLICK TO READ MORE

Men’s Breakfast on 14 September – 8:00 AM

10 Successful Church Ministry Journey Reflections

I have composed ten reflections on a successful church ministry journey.

I derived these reflections from the two-year ministry journey we have embarked on since June 2022.

Ladies’ High Afternoon Tea

All ladies are invited to join the high afternoon tea at Oamaru Baptist Church Tea Hall on Saturday, 3 August 2024, from 2:30 PM. Tea will be served at 3:00 PM.

There will be an opportunity to share encouraging thoughts, short stories, and poems.

About Jennifer Macleod, 4 August 2024 speaker

Jennifer Macleod was born and bred in Dunedin. She loves the South Island of New Zealand (Te Waiponamu) and its beautiful outdoor spaces. Jennifer initially trained in science before working as a high school teacher for several years. She has also studied Theology at the University of Otago and has worked for six years as a school chaplain.

Thank you, Jennifer, for taking the time to share God’s message.

August preaching roster

• 11th August – Wendy Geerling, Associate Pastor, Gleniti Baptist Church
• 18th August – Ross Waugh, Director, Hopevale Trust

Commissioning Sunday news and photos

We want to express our gratitude to the Lord for a successful Commissioning Sunday. We extend our thanks to our Regional Leader, Rachel Murray, for her facilitation and support of OBC. Rachel, we appreciate your uplifting and inspiring message.

We were honored by the visit of our fellow believers from Timaru. Thank you, Errol, Bronwyn, Ralph, Usha, and Ross, for making the trip to Oamaru Baptist Church. The Oamaru Baptist Church, thank you for your excellent cooperation, and most importantly, your commitment to God’s ministry.

The fellowship lunch is wonderful not only because of the delicious food shared but also because of the fellowship’s joyful noise. Amen!

Below are some photos from the commissioning event

Weekly Reminders

• Youth Ministry – Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
• Prayer Meeting – Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM