Testing season ends

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Yes, the trials we go through are not unique, they are within our strength, and He gives the way out always. Testings are temporary and there for some seasons only.

Importantly, no trial lasts forever. They end.

Remember the story of our Rose near the church’s shed I shared last summer? Look how the vine has almost engulfed the plant in the 2 March 2023 photo.

Last Thursday, I took a photo of our Rose and see how the vine had died. I thought, “Wow, the testing season is over.”

Still, we need to do our part in taking off those dead vines to reveal the Rose’s beauty. Let us have a working bee to beautify our church grounds.

Reading for next Sunday – Judges 6 & 7

For 29 October Sunday, please read Judges 6 and 7 to be refreshed about the story of Gideon. Our speaker will be Vaugh Nicolson from Wilson Street Baptist Church.

Vaughn will preach about leadership and church planning based on Gideon’s life and leadership. Thank you!

Weekly Reminders

• Youth Ministry – Thursday 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 at OBC.

Fellowship Lunch on 12 November

Church, let us have a fellowship lunch on 12 November to celebrate our October and November birthday and anniversary events.

It is also a time to bond over food and through working together before, during, and after the event. Please feel free to offer your help on any tasks available on fellowship lunch time.

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.

Carols in the Park Oamaru Gardens on 9th December

On 9th December, the Oamaru Salvation Army together with the combined churches of Oamaru, are holding the “Carols in the Park” at the Oamaru Gardens (Band Rotunda). This is an exciting opportunity to bring the message of Love, Joy, Peace, and Hope to Oamaru this Christmas.

Supplemental Readings

As the National Hui schedule looms, they are publishing “Pre-Hui Reading” for participants to read. They are also available for your reading.

Below are a couple of articles for your additional information and learning about the Baptist faith and family. CLICK on the title to read.

• A Baptist way to make decisions (pre-Hui read: Big Bites 1-4)
• A posture of humility for difficult conversations (pre-Hui read: Big Bite 1)

When summer comes

When summer comes, we usually think of the outdoor activities we love, like gardening, barbeque, picnics, sports, etc. It gives a perfect break from the winter’s cold and spring’s wetness.

With December approaching, it will be the Christmas holidays soon.

Amidst the summer festivities we are looking forward to, let us be reminded of God’s Kingdom season. “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Mark 13:28

Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts series

Last Sunday, we started our sermon series on spiritual gifts, specifically on the primary motivational gifts presented in Romans 12:6-8.

This Sunday, Malcolm continues with our spiritual gifts series.

Our goal in this series is for everyone to be able to realise and affirm their spiritual gifts.

Let us aim at making 13 November our Spiritual Inventory Sunday. We will share our gifts and discuss how to use them on that day.

Our preaching topics are part of the T.A.O. Strategy we started in July and October.

• To be at it
• Assess objectively
• Operate smartly

I foresee us coming up with the church’s strategic plan by mid-2023.

The Lord God is steadily bringing children and youth to OBC

“They grow up fast” is a common expression I hear about children. OBC has the facilities for a vibrant ministry for our kids. Let us take the chance to teach and train them in the Godly way they should go.

We need people to compose our Children and Youth Ministry. Please let the pastor or Bevan know.

REMINDERS…

Prayer Meeting @ OBC on Wednesday, 3:00 to 4:00 PM.

In last Wednesday’s prayer meeting, we discussed the answers to our prayers for more people to join OBC.

The Lord God is encouraging previous OBC members who haven’t found a church to return. There are migrant workers in our town who have expressed their desire to join our church.

Group Leaders 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 in February.

We aim to train leaders who will lead and facilitate Bible study groups. Please approach the pastor if you are interested.

Food collection is on-going

We are collecting food for people or families needing food relief. What a blessing to give joy and happiness to our neighbours.

Please check the expiry date of your donation. Thank you!

Be part of OBC’s life and ministry!

There are still vacant spots in our November roster. Please feel free to jot down your name.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the life and ministry of OBC. We can guide you and be with you if you need support.

Our Christmas activities are shaping up

• 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;
• 24 December, Saturday – Christmas Eve Service
• 25 December, Sunday – Christmas Day Worship-Service

We will provide more details in the weeks to follow. Watch out!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6a

Let us labour for the Master in October!

With Labour Day coming on 24 October, I am reminded of a strophe in the hymn, “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”, that says:

Let us labour for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Like the new garden season, OBC is planting growth and development seeds that we hope and pray will bear much fruit in God’s time. Let us labour for the Lord!

Working Bee Saturday, 8 October, 10:00 AM

It’s spring cleaning time. Our driveway awaits the splash and swoosh of the water spray. Bring some gardening tools as we do some trimming, planting, and whatever would make our surroundings beautiful.

Don’t forget to bring some food to share during the bee workers’ lunch.

Music Workshop Schedules Set

Calling all singers, musicians, and interested people, young and old! 

• Music Listening Workshop – Sunday, 9 October – 2 PM
• Bass and Drums Basics – Wednesday, 12 October – 10 AM
• Sound and Data Operation – TBA

“Abundant Life” for Bible Study Groups

I will use the “Abundant Life – The Life of Jesus in You” guide and workbook for our Bible study groups.

The workbook is authored and produced by SEAN International. SEAM means Study by Extension for All Nations.

The “Abundant Life” is a nurture course for new believers, which teaches the fundamental Christian doctrines and how to apply them to our lives.

TEE Group Leaders Training on 17-18 February 2023 Tentatively

In preparation for additional discipleship groups that will be organised soon, we are looking at holding a Group Leaders Training on 17-18 February 2023.

TEE, or Theological Education by Extension Aotearoa, will be conducting the training. The trainers are based in Wellington.

The training will be open to interested people from other churches in Oamaru and Timaru.

Reminders…

• Prayer Meeting @ OBC on Wednesday, 3:00 to 4:00 PM. To send in your prayer requests, click on this link → https://oamarubaptist.org.nz/prayer-meeting-obc/
  
  
• Please take the time to look at our Rostering Sheet, and feel free to jot down your name on any vacant slot. Your participation is much appreciated.
  
  
• Invite your friends to come and join our church to worship and serve the Living Almighty God. We are a welcoming and friendly church.

Renewal and Resolution Series

Lessons from Nehemiah

I have started presenting the Ministry Appreciation and Participation Toolkit as an application of the lessons we learned from Nehemiah.

We will be learning practical tools we can use in building our church and community, with Nehemiah as our Biblical inspiration.

I will give handouts on the next two Sundays to ensure carry-over and reference. I hope and pray for enthusiasm and excitement as we learn together.