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.

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