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!

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