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BAPTIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER 18 FEBRUARY 2023

The Parable of the Sunflowers and the Tourist

Driving home from Oamaru one Sunday afternoon, we were approaching the vast sunflower field at the southern end of Timaru. From a distance, we saw a woman on the side road looking at the sunflower field.

As we drew nearer, we noticed she was walking back and forth, trying to find a path through the wire fence.

We also saw that the sunflowers had turned their back on the highway and were facing the setting sun.

As we passed, we figured out the tourist was trying to get a selfie with the flowers.

She needs to go over the fence and into the middle of the field to get a photo with the sunflowers facing the camera. We laughed at the thought that the sunflowers might not want their picture taken.

The sunflower is an excellent metaphor for believers who follow Jesus Christ. Yes, Christians are “Son-followers.”

However, some Christians have become so focused and transfixed on following the first part of Jesus Christ’s greatest commandment – to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind but neglect doing the second part, which is to love your neighbour as yourself.

“Son-followers” are not like rigid sunflowers with no flexibility to turn around and cater to the tourist’s (pilgrim) needs.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

As we praise and worship Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Light, let us turn around and look out for pilgrims we need to rescue, save, and love as we love ourselves.

Jonan

Exciting Children’s Ministry Curriculum for OBC

This week we bought our Sunday school curriculum subscription for kids and students from Lifeway. It’s called “The Gospel Project”.

“The Gospel Project” is a Christ-centered, chronological Bible study curriculum for kids, students, and adults. It follows a proven plan to nurture disciples from preschoolers to senior adults with Christ-centered Bible study resources.

Please invite kids to join our Sunday school. Let us pray for Erin and her team as they implement “The Gospel Project.”

Weekly Reminders

• Prayer Meeting – Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM
• Music Jam – Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM

How you can participate in the Lord’s work at OBC

OBC is a participatory church. Please see the rostering sheet on the side table in the dining area and write your name on any task you select.

If you’re unfamiliar with the technical tasks, we can orient or teach you how to operate the sound desk and computer. Please ask Bevan.

Preparing the Lord’s Supper elements is very easy. Val can orient you.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10).

Sunday afternoon TEE Session

On Sunday, 19 February 2022, at 1:30 PM, we will hold our first TEE class for 2023 at the Dining Hall. Tomorrow’s session is an introduction and orientation to the TEE course. You are all invited.

TEE stands for Theological Education by Extension. It is an effective discipleship program to teach and equip all God’s people to be effective ambassadors for Jesus, society changers, and missionaries in the world, in the neighbourhood and the all-important world of work.

Group Leaders’ Training – 31 March to 1 April

We will host a Group Leaders’ Training from 31 March (7:00-9:00 PM) to 1 April (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM). This is training on facilitating a Bible study group using the TEE resources.

There is a registration fee of $50.00 per participant to cover materials (Bible materials and leaders’ guide) and lunch. Hopevale Trust is sponsoring the travel expenses of our resource persons.

The training is open to interested participants from other Christian churches in Oamaru and nearby towns.

Read about the resource persons from TEE Aotearoa who will come and conduct the training.

Ann Borquist

Rev. Dr Ann Borquist serves with Arotahi/NZBMS, TEE Aotearoa and International Ministries, ABCUSA.  

She works alongside partner Baptist conventions in Asia-Pacific and worldwide in theological education, pastoral care, holistic development, servant leadership, cross-cultural mission training, and refugee work.  

She lives with her family in Wellington. 

Lewis Varley

Lewis Varley is from the UK, has lived in NZ for six years, and previously worked as a missionary in Bangladesh for 17 years. 

He has been involved in TEE for many years and is passionate about seeing God’s people equipped for service and strengthened in their faith. 

He is a lecturer at Eastwest College of Intercultural Studies in Gordonton, Hamilton.

Giving

Thank you very much for your continued support for the ministries with which the Lord God has entrusted us. Your generosity means a lot for the development and progress of His work.

If you would like to set up an automatic payment for regular giving or to make a one-off donation via internet banking, the Oamaru Baptist Church account number is (ANZ) 06-0941-0015036-00.

May the Lord God bless you and keep you.