Jonan Castillon

Dec 10 2022

Let us Rejoice! Christmas Around the World, Carolling, Home Bible Studies

BAPTIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER 10 DECEMBER 2022

Let us rejoice

Can you find a reason to rejoice?
Is there any reason left to rejoice?
Things didn’t go well as planned, and now you’re wondering
Will you stand?

Where can I find meaning to rejoice?
When lives are lost around me, can I still sing?
Will the melody soothe the longings of broken hearts?
Will I rejoice?
Still, will I rejoice?

The above lyrics are the first two paragraphs of the “I Will Rejoice” song I wrote in 2019. The first paragraph is about a cousin’s sudden death, and the second is words that came as I reflected on the tragic Christchurch mosque shootings. The song ended with the answer to “Will I rejoice?”

Praise God for His peace. Now I rejoice! Just thinking of whatever is true and pure. Whatever is lovely and admirable, I will think of great things… and… I will rejoice!

In this Advent season, many things could affect us, but let us choose to rejoice and be glad.

If there is one true, pure, lovely, and admirable to think about, it is the birth of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ and His promised return. Yes, let us rejoice!

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD EVENT

Tomorrow, 11 December, we celebrate “Christmas Around the World”. Let us rejoice and be glad! Please come with your testimonies, songs to sing, food to share, and a joyful spirit of appreciating one another.

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

Carolling at the Observatory Village

We had an excellent time singing Christmas carols at the Observatory Village yesterday. The piano being “miles” away from the front encouraged the OBC carollers to sing their hearts out. I saw some residents singing along. Jane’s “O Holy Night” solo was amazing.

The resident and staff members were grateful for us sharing the Christmas spirit through carolling. A staff member encouraged us to come again.

Discipleship through home Bible study

We have identified a home Bible study area in the Totara-Teschemakers-Kakanui area. Home Bible studies are one of the ways we can make disciples for Christ. The Lord God is growing His church.

In town, we have one home Bible study at the moment. Let us pray for more Bible study groups and leaders in the coming months.

*We thank the Lord God Almighty for bringing His people to the Baptist Church. This was last Sunday, 4 December 2022.*

Dec 03 2022

Hope and Faith, Christmas Schedules, Children’s Sunday School, Spiritual Gifts Inventory

BAPTIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER 3 DECEMBER 2022

Keep your hope and faith up this Advent and all seasons

Did you ever have a boring Christmas? I asked this question in my sermon last Sunday when we talked about the “knowledge of the son of God” and “attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” mentioned in Ephesians 4:13.

When you are stuck up with the thought of Christmas as a merry, colourful, eventful season, when and where Jesus Christ was born, you will quickly get bored because it is the same thing each year, isn’t it?

No Christmas season will ever be dull when you think of Christmas as waiting and anticipating Christ’s second coming. Who knows, Jesus Christ will come tomorrow. So, keep your hope and joy up this Advent season.

December schedules you need to remember

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

We will sing carols to our neighbours living at the Sandringham House Rest Home on 18 December at 4:00 PM.

There will be a CAROLLING PRACTICE after the morning tea on Sunday.

Our Children’s Sunday School

Praise the Lord God Almighty for answering our prayers regarding the Children’s Sunday School revival beginning last Sunday. Please bring your children and invite others to come to Sunday School.

Let us pray for our Children’s Sunday School to grow more as the Sundays go by.

Christmas Around the World Sunday Details

We will quickly meet after the service to discuss our 11 December event. We need to determine the following:

Presentations – Christmas songs in the native language, testimonies, poems, etc.
Foods to share
Dining and kitchen team
Welcome and ushering team
Aftercare team

Let us invite our family and friends to come and join us.

Spiritual Gifts Inventory

Last Sunday, we did a simple survey of the Spiritual gifts in our church after the worship service. Thank you very much to those who have submitted.

Below is the partial Spiritual gifts inventory map.

Others who haven’t done it are requested to do the inventory after the service using the chart or diagram I presented last Sunday as a guide.

Also, write down the gifts and talents you use to serve the Lord. For example, in the image above, “singing” and “cooking” is not mentioned in the Spiritual Gifts chart, but they are gifts or talents one can use to serve or evangelise.

Join our weekly prayer meeting

Every Wednesday at 3:00 PM at OBC, we gather to give praise and express our gratitude before the Almighty God. It is a time of petition, intercession, sharing and praying for one another.

Food collection is still going on

We still have space for more donations to our Food Collection project. We will be giving these to families in need soon. Please share. Thank you!

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 2023.

We aim to organise home Bible studies and use the Theological Education by Extension materials. We need to train facilitators who lead and facilitate these Bible study groups.

Please pray about joining the Group Facilitators’ Training.

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field. Luke 10:2

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!

Be part of OBC’s life and ministry!

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the life and ministry of OBC. We can guide you and be with you if you need support.

Thank you very much to those who have stepped up and taken on some tasks. Please look at our roster sheet and feel free to get another assignment.