Prayers flowing for healing and hope

They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light, we see light. Psalm 36:8-9

You’ve probably observed receiving a barrage of text messages on your phone in the past few days. Several of our church members have gotten sick with flu or COVID. Praise the Lord. Everyone has gotten well or on the way to full recovery.

With one of us finally getting a delicate heart operation after several months of prayer, I can’t help but keep sending updates and requests for continuing prayers. Thank you for your prayers.

The said person is on her way to recovery, having moved from ICU to a regular room yesterday. I’m sure more testimonies of God’s miracles are coming our way soon.

Yes, we have created a prayer fountain for healing and hope because life’s uncertainties are fundamental in any circumstance, whether well or sick.

Let our prayers be springing like a fountain, flowing like a stream.

140th Founding Anniversary Preparations

Oamaru Baptist Church was formally constituted on 13 August 1883, making 13 August 2023 our 140th year. We are holding simple celebrations to commemorate our foundation anniversary.

The following are our initial plans.

• 6 August – Church Photography Sunday (needed for print and online posts).
• 13 August – Foundation Day Sunday – Speaker: Malcolm Lucas
• 18 August – Oamaru Mail publishes on our 140th Anniversary (with a half-page paid ad).
• 20 August – 140th Anniversary Celebration Sunday – Speaker: Rachel Murray

We need to be talking more about our preparations. If you have some suggestions, feel free to approach me.

Weekly Reminders

• Youth Ministry – Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
  NOTE: Please ask Tom or Bevan for more information. Thank you!
• Prayer Meeting – Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM
• Music Jam – Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM
  We invite our young people and anyone in our church to come and sing, play an instrument, and even just be there to listen.

Abundant Life Bible Study on 23 July, 1:30 PM at OBC

Everyone is invited to join. Mic Esdrelon is leading our discipleship session this afternoon.

We are rotating the Bible Study facilitator role amongst those who attended the TEE Group Leaders’ Training last 31 March.

We will take up Lesson 4. Please fill in the blanks, and be ready to read, discuss, and share.

See me if you don’t have a copy of the “Abundant Life” Workbook.

Oamaru Men’s Breakfast on 12 August, 8:00 AM

OBC men are invited to attend the Oamaru Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, 12 August, 8:00 AM at the Phoenix Complex.

Please register ASAP. Read the poster for more details.

If you are interested in attending but find the $20 a bit high, please contact Danny or Sam because they have men who can help sponsor partially.

They don’t want men to miss out.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:1-2

PASTORAL CARE

As your pastor, I am happy to visit and pray for you. We can meet at your home or in town.

I will be using the Faith-Wisdom Discovery tool in our meeting. Please contact me.

– Jonan

Seeking external supervision support

As a requirement in my Baptist Registration Development Agreement 2023, I meet with an experienced Baptist pastor for accountability and seek external supervision support every two months.

My 17 May meeting was a treat because instead of meeting with my external supervisor alone, I got to join and meet six more pastors in their cluster’s meeting at Oxford Baptist Church.

The trip to Oxford (a two-hour long drive one way) was worthwhile. The sharing, encouragement, and praying brought much nourishment to my spirit. Also, meeting pastors and hearing their trials and triumphs assures me that I am part of a broader community in God’s vineyard. To God, our praises!

Writing and sharing testimonies

We are moving to the next topic on Sunday, 21 May, “Testimony Writing and Sharing.” I will preach on testimonies as the buried treasure we must dig and celebrate.

We’ll have Malcolm preach about its role and importance on 28 May. On 4 June, Tom will share how we can present testimonies creatively.

I’m sure that sharing testimonies is not new to all. Thus, I look forward to hearing your testimonies in the next few Sundays. We will also learn how to harness its power in the church and personal life; how it can impact the community.

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 invite our young people and anyone in our church to come and sing, play an instrument, and even just be there to listen.

Pastor’s Activities on 26-28 May 2023

I am sharing these dates for your information and guidance.

• 26-27 May – I will attend the Otago and Southland Regional Hui at Alexandra Baptist Church.
  
  
• 28 May – I am scheduled to present on Philippine Missions at Gleniti Baptist Church, Timaru

Joining the Editorial Advisory Group

I am deeply grateful for the new opportunity to serve the Lord through the NZ Baptist Union’s Editorial Advisory Group – an excellent avenue to share my God-given talents. To God be the glory! Click the button below to read more.

Giving

Thank you 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 want to set up an automatic payment for regular giving or 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.

Past Sermons

Please browse and read past sermons by clicking the button below.