The church has been a regular caroller at the rest home, bringing the Christmas message through songs every December.

While I was still in Timaru, the annual ministry at Sandringham House seemed satisfactory. After moving to Oamaru in July 2024, we began to pray about how the church could better minister to the residents, now that we are based in Oamaru.

When I met the rest home owner last year, I offered my availability to be an on-call pastor to minister to a dying resident, which she appreciated. Apart from my regular visitation, the rest home has become a regular focus of prayer, as we pray for the residents, staff, and management.

About two years ago, one resident began attending our Sunday service. A friend who visits her became a church member and invited her to join. This church member stops by the rest home every Sunday to accompany her to church.

In December 2024, a couple from our church moved in. They chose Sandringham House because it is near the Baptist church. Thus, three people from Sandringham House are now attending our worship service.

At the start of 2025, we learned that the couple had to be wheelchair-bound for health and safety reasons. This sparked our wheelchair ministry with Sandringham House.

The church members take turns facilitating our members who use wheelchairs to church before the 10:00 AM worship starts and returning them home afterwards.

After doing the wheelchair routine for over two months, we learned another resident wanted to attend church. As there are only two wheelchairs available at the rest home, we were unable to bring this resident to church.

Additionally, wheelchairs may be unavailable on Sunday mornings due to increased demand. To address this risk and accommodate other residents wishing to attend the Sunday service, the church initiated fundraising efforts for two additional wheelchairs.

A generous church member offered to purchase the wheelchairs while the church raises funds.

The new wheelchairs arrived last week, and three attendees used them during the Sunday worship service on April 13. This brings the number of rest home residents attending our Sunday worship to four.

Thanks to M, our friendly octogenarian church member, who regularly visits J and other residents. She has encouraged two residents to join the Sunday worship.

We thank the Lord for C and B, who minister to and pray for their fellow residents, encouraging them to worship with them at the nearby church, among other prayer requests.

In God’s timing, a ministry has flourished. To God be the glory!

The fundraising for the two wheelchairs is ongoing. Please use the Oamaru Baptist Church account number at ANZ: 06-0941-0015036-00. Label or put “wheelchair” in the reference.

Thank you, and God bless you!

Behind the gifts, food, decorations, music, and gatherings, there can also be weariness and even emptiness for many as one year ends and another looms.

However, there is something about Christmas that draws those who are listening to more, which tinsels and baubles won’t provide it.

We long for it; we want it but struggle to take hold of it.

What is this peace and goodwill to all men, and what does it mean?

I was reminded of a devout man of faith with God’s spirit in him who was drawn to the Temple after Jesus’ birth to meet the Saviour God had promised to his people.

He saw this peace with God, and so have we, but we must continue to watch and wait patiently for his return. The story is told in the gospel according to Luke.

Is God’s promise of a saviour still drawing us to him at Christmas in 2024?

Like Simeon, we have glimpsed God’s salvation and light of revelation in Christ. The gift has been given, and we can trust the one who gave it.

Now that the mystery has been revealed, let its promise continue to draw us to him as we prepare to receive it, not just at Christmas but every day.

I saw hope on the face of a woman leaving a hospital appointment

I heard hope in the voices of a couple expecting a baby after having lost two

I prayed hope for a lady having radiotherapy after a breast removal

I spoke hope to a child who waits for parents to resolve issues within their marriage

I hugged with hope a woman whose husband is very ill

I cried hope for a gentleman suddenly left on his own

I sang hope into my soul

I whistled hope and joy as I walked through my day

I delighted in the hope of the rainbow

I whispered hope to a friend I may never see again

I cheered, my hope for my child to master a skill finally realised

I watched Hope, a dog, as she comforts her owners, grieving parents of a teenager

I danced alone to express my hope in the Lord

I welcomed the rain, the hope of a good season

I often hope for a sunny day, a good report, a coffee with a friend, and time alone

I believe faith, hope and love cannot be separated; you can’t have one without the others

I welcome hope, for it is assurance that my full purpose in life is not yet fulfilled

I live in hope, for the best is yet to come

                                           While there is LIFE, there is HOPE

Just ten more sleeps until Christmas, you tell the little ones
Wait until you see your gifts, bigger and better than ever before
Can’t have your friends outdoing you

Mum, don’t get into debt this Christmas
You are the only one who cares what others think
All we want is a fun time and special food

What has happened to last year’s gifts, sitting in a cupboard somewhere, forgotten
My brothers and sisters don’t need to keep up with their peers
Start a new trend and keep it simple
But Mum, don’t get into debt this Christmas

Christmas Day is only one day in 365; what about the rest of the holidays?
Every year I can remember it is the same, we can’t do anything during the holidays
Like a trip to the movies or the Wildlife Park because you have no spare money

Mum, don’t get into debt this Christmas
We don’t want to hear about it every day until we go back to school that you have no money
It gets boring
There must be a better way

We don’t need the latest I.T. gadgets or Play Station
Buy us something we need that you can afford
Same for Christmas dinner, forget the turkey and ham; a chicken or pork will be fine
Jelly and ice cream with a few strawberries sounds good to me
Mum, please don’t get into debt this Christmas

Christmas is not about climbing some social ladder, so save your money for those who care
Christmas is not about purchases or actions you might regret later
Christmas is about remembering the reason for the season
Celebrating Jesus’ birth with family and close friends
So, Mum, there’s no need to get into debt this Christmas

Having time with you and Dad, a chance to play outside games and no phone interruptions
Is all we really ask
Seeing cousins or grandparents would be a bonus, but not at the expense of going
Into debt this Christmas
Mum, we love you, and we are pleased you are our Mother
But Please, Mum, don’t get into debt this Christmas

Written by your 5 children aged 11, 9, 7, 6 and 4 years