Jonan Castillon

Nov 26 2022

Growing Back Again, Welcome to Sunday School, Christmas Events, Notices

BAPTIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER 18 NOVEMBER 2022

Growing back again in Jesus Christ

We planted this Washington Orange seedling last year. When it grew well, the winter’s frost wilted its leaves and stem. We thought this plant was a goner, but we looked closely at its base and saw some solid green colour. That gave us hope that this orange plant would grow again.

Spring came, and nothing happened. Then, one warm summer day, we saw signs of regrowth. Leaves have started to come out. The orange plant is growing again.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

We are growing back again in the Lord Jesus Christ! Please read more here ➝ The Orange Plant is Growing Back Again.

Come to Sunday School and bring someone with you.

We welcome the revival of our Sunday school. We welcome our Sunday schoolers.

I am sure that the revival of our Sunday school brings many memories. We are happy to see the next generation growing in their knowledge and faith in God and His Word, the Bible.

We will pray for our team during the worship service on Sunday and commit to supporting the team and the program.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD ON 11 DECEMBER 2022

Celebrating Christmas Around the World allows us to share Christmas memories in our native countries.

We share through testimonies, Christmas carols in our native language, and Bible readings in different languages.

Our Regional Leader, Rachel Murray, will give the message. We will have a shared lunch, preferably food we customarily have on Christmas.

REMINDERS

Carolling practice after morning tea

We will have another practice after we finish our morning tea. This is for the 9 December Carolling at the Observatory Village and other venues.

We will also be singing at our neighbour, Sandringham House Rest Home. The events lady will call me on Monday to finalise the date and time.

Prayer Meeting @ OBC on Wednesday, 3:00 to 4:00 PM

It is a beautiful time to thank the Lord God for answered prayers, say intercessory prayers for those who are sick and suffering, and petition God’s will for His faithful children. Come and pray.

Please send your prayer requests through our CONTACT US form, phone number, or FB page.

Group Facilitators’ Training on 17-18 February 2023

In pursuit of our mission to follow the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, we will be holding this training on 17-18 February.

Next year, we aim to organise home group Bible studies. We need to train facilitators who will lead and facilitate these home groups. Please pray about joining the Group Facilitators’ Training.

Christmas 2022 Activities

9 December, Friday – Singing Christmas carols at the Observatory Village
11 December, Sunday – Christmas Around the World Worship-Service; shared lunch;
Guest Speaker – Rachel Murray;
18 December, Sunday – Carolling at the Sandringham House Rest Home
24 December, Saturday – Christmas Eve Service
25 December, Sunday – Christmas Day Worship-Service

Watch out for more details!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6a

Nov 18 2022

Sunday School Restarts, Christmas Around the World, Reminders, Carolling Practice

BAPTIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER 18 NOVEMBER 2022

Keeping Out of the Pit of Nothingness

“Behold, for my own welfare I had great bitterness; But You have kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, For You have hurled all my sins behind Your back. Isaiah 38:17

Make bitterness a season of testing, a vital ingredient towards spiritual growth and maturity. Treat it like the fog that eventually dissolves. We thank God for keeping us out of the pit of nothingness.

Sin quickly discourages us not to continue with our faith journey. The world accuses us of our unworthiness. Praise God, for He has cast away our sins behind! The Lord God has taken our souls out of the pit of nothingness. CLICK to read more.

Children’s Sunday School Restarts

Congratulations to our Children’s Sunday School Team – Erin, Jane, Cheryl, and Ray! Thank you so much for your availability.

I have asked Erin to be the team leader. Let us pray for them as they plan and implement.

Please note that in last week’s meeting, we all agreed to support them through our availability to assist as helpers and with other tasks they might need help with.

Christmas Around the World Sunday DETAILS

On 11 December, we will hold a Christmas Around the World Sunday. We will share how we celebrate Christmas in our native countries.

Sharing could be through a testimony, a Christmas carol in your native language, or Bible readings in different languages.

We will also have a taste of “home” during our shared lunch as we bring food that we customarily have on Christmas.

Our Regional Leader, Rachel Murray, will be our guest speaker.

REMINDERS…

Carolling practice after the worship-service

We will have a practice after the service for the 9 December Carolling at the Observatory Village.

Prayer Meeting @ OBC on Wednesday, 3:00 to 4:00 PM

It is a beautiful time to thank the Lord God for answered prayers, say intercessory prayers for those who are sick and suffering, and petition God’s will for His faithful children. Come and pray.

Please send your prayer requests through our CONTACT US form, phone number, or FB page.

Group Facilitators’ Training on 17-18 February 2023

In pursuit of our mission to follow the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, we will be holding this training on 17-18 February.

Next year, we aim to organise home group Bible studies. We need to train facilitators who will lead and facilitate these home groups.

Please pray about joining the Group Facilitators’ Training.

Christmas 2022 Activities

9 December, Friday – Singing Christmas carols at the Observatory Village
11 December, Sunday – Christmas Around the World Worship-Service; shared lunch;
Guest Speaker – Rachel Murray;
18 December, Sunday – Carolling at the Sandringham House Rest Home
24 December, Saturday – Christmas Eve Service
25 December, Sunday – Christmas Day Worship-Service

Watch out for more details!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6a

Nov 11 2022

Armistice, Special Meeting, OBC is Growing, Christmas Events, Reminders

BAPTIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER 11 NOVEMBER 2022

Be the good soil

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

The Lord Jesus has illustrated in Luke 18-14-15 how a seed can die and grow. Remember that as a growing and living church, we need to have a noble and good heart, listen and retain his word, and persevere to produce fruit.

Remembering the 11th month, 11th day, at the 11th hour

*Remembrance Day commemoration at Caroline Bay, Timaru, NZ.*

We saw the Armistice Day remembrance at Caroline Bay this morning. Remembrance Day is usually connected with the fallen soldiers in all wars, so we can live in peace, is often said.

May we all be reminded of the war’s horror and the suffering it brings. Wars are never the answer. The Prince of Peace is!

Special meeting after the worship service

Please remain right after the worship service for a brief meeting. We have one main agenda – Children and Youth Ministry.

As of 6 November, we counted 19 children of various ages who attended OBC. We must restart a ministry for them.

Train up a child in the way he should; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

OBC is growing back

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while he prunes every branch that does bear fruit so that it will be even more fruitful (John 15:2).

We cannot deny that OBC went through a “cutting off and pruning” season. Times were uncertain. A lot had left, and Sunday attendance dwindled. That was months ago.

Praise the Lord! We are growing back in number! Below are my average Sunday attendances (adults and children) since starting in June.

June – 18
July – 23
August – 27
September – 32
October – 42

This week, I made a head count. I listed the names of those who have regularly attended our Sunday worship service. I counted 48 (adults – 29; children/youth – 19). I included the seven visitors last Sunday, November.

I believe there will be more people coming to OBC. Let us continue to pray and always be ready to welcome them.

Christmas 2022 Activities

9 December, Friday – Singing Christmas carols at the Observatory Village
11 December, Sunday – Christmas Around the World Worship-Service; shared lunch;
Guest Speaker – Rachel Murray;
18 December, Sunday – Carolling at the Sandringham House Rest Home
24 December, Saturday – Christmas Eve Service
25 December, Sunday – Christmas Day Worship-Service

Watch out for more details!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6a

REMINDERS…

Prayer Meeting @ OBC on Wednesday, 3:00 to 4:00 PM.

Last Wednesday, Gail brought the first Bible she bought after becoming a Christian. She shared her testimony.

We prayed for the sick people. We petition God’s provision to those waiting for their resident visa, new job, and in need. Please come and join us in prayer.

Group Leaders Training on 17-18 February 2023.

In pursuit of our mission to follow the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, we will be holding this training on 17-18 February.

We aim to train leaders who will lead and facilitate Bible study groups. Please approach the pastor if you are interested.

Food collection is on-going

We are collecting food for people or families needing food relief. It is a blessing to give joy and happiness to our neighbours. Please check the expiry date of your donation. Thank you!