BAPTIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER 29 APRIL 2023
Light has broken through
He who opens the breach goes up before them; they break through and pass the gate, going out by it. Their king passes on before them, the Lord at their head. Micah 2:13
True enough, as we heard most people say about Invercargill, a generous rain welcomed us on Sunday evening and through the night. We stayed on Monday and left the city on Tuesday morning, and the intermittent showers never left ultimately.
From Invercargill, we drove towards Queenstown, and passing through the Devil’s Staircase lookout, we stopped to rest and enjoy the view. That’s when I saw the sunlight breaking through the rain clouds, which had started clearing.
Micah offers a glimpse of our victory procession – our king passes on before us, our living Christ leading at the helm. The shaft of light breaking through the clouds reminds me of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, the most significant victory from death to life. Death’s storm is over because Jesus Christ has risen from the dead.
Annual General Meeting on 7th May
On Sunday, 7th May, we will hold the Annual General Meeting right after the worship service.
We sent the annual and financial reports last Sunday via email. We gave out printed copies for those who don’t use the Internet. Please let me know if you haven’t received your copy yet.
Please remember that we will have a shared lunch after the meeting.
Weekly Reminders
- Youth Ministry – Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
- Prayer Meeting – Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM
- Music Jam – Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM
We are resuming our music jam now that classes also started.
Regional Hui 2023
Please read this invitation to the Regional Hui 2023 that Rachel sent us.
Our Otago & Southland Baptist Regional Hui is not far off now; we’d love to see as many as possible join with others for a couple of days.
“Jesus in People and Places”
Friday 26 May (10:30 am) – Saturday 27 May (lunch)
Alexandra Baptist Church, 6 Gregg St, Alexandra
NB: Due to the sudden cancellation of the booking by the previously advertised venue and short timeframes to replan, Hui, this year will be a little different than in the last 2 years. The timeframes will be slightly shorter, and no accommodation will be provided, so it will be up to each individual to find (some links to options below). We’ll give this difference a try and see what we think!
Just twice a year, we gather formally as an Association, so this is one of those opportunities for us to join together to:
- listen to God and to others
- reflect
- learn
- dream and envision together
- worship
- pray
- strengthen relationships and connection
- celebrate the stories of Gospel renewal and God at work
- come away for a couple of days from the usual activity.
This Hui is for pastors (of all types), elders, and ministry leaders – paid and voluntary. We will be joined by folk from the Baptist national support team, including the National Leader, from Arotahi and from Carey Baptist College.
I encourage you to bring a group from your context to enjoy this together and to be then able to digest the whole hui as a church team.
Cost: $110 per person – full registration
Plus, options for day and evening attendance only.
We do not wish finance to be a limiting factor in your attendance,
so please talk with Rachel if it needs to be.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Please register by 23 May for catering and planning purposes.
We look forward to seeing you and spending time together. Please be praying for this time together, for those who will share and for us all as we connect, worship and unpack what God is saying.
Giving
Thank you very much for your continued support for the ministries the Lord God has entrusted us with. 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.
