Pastoral letter 44This is the last pastoral letter for the year of 2020. The next one will be in January 2021.

305 and the Church Office closure

We close on Thursday 17 December and reopen on 11 January. But the worship services continue right through.

Rosters over the holiday break

December 20 Sound EddieComputer TerryMorning Tea Dawid & AntjieGreeter Des & MerciaCommunion Frances H

December 27 Sound BernardComputer ElizabethMorning Tea Betty & YvonneGreeter Phil and Ruth Watson

January 3 Sound EddieComputer TerriMorning Tea Paul & Glen SilvesterGreeter Diane & Phil PawleyCommunion Gael McInnes

January 10 Sound BernardComputer ElizabethMorning Tea Shona T & David GGreeter Trevor & Pauline Weeks

Christmas Day Service

We are joining with St Georges Anglican Church for their 9.30am Christmas Day service this year. But for those who are like to stick with tradition, St James also has a service at the same time (we have in the past joined them but because they have no pastor at present, I did not think they were having a service), hence the St Georges option recommended.

Baptisms

Congratulations to Tiea Munro, Max Connor and Kristen Riddle on their decision to be baptised last Sunday. Thank you to all those who spoke a word over them.

“Transformational spiritual growth rarely happens in isolation. It’s more likely to flourish wherever there are small groups of people who meet in Christ – for a Kingdom purpose – and a willing to be led by the Holy Spirit” (Sue Pickering)

Pray for these three and let’s walk with them in their spiritual journey.

Looking at another baptism in January. Anyone interested?

Carol Singing

In addition to the carol singing in town on the 18th, there is another event at Te Puru Community Hall 7-8pm on 18 December. Proceeds to Foodbank; and another at Ngatea on Sunday 20 th at 7pm at the Hugh Howard Domain next to the crocheted Christmas tree.

Important Dates:

24 December to 30 December Karlene and I are away. Any pastoral needs, contact the Elders.Sunday 27 December. Colin McLaren preaching

Living Well Trust Christmas work do

Website

To gauge how many people actually look at our website, spot the deliberate mistake there….

Christmas Parade

Karlene, Joshua, Ataahua, Ella and Mia on the CAPS Hauraki float for the Christmas Parade. I think we need our own float in 2021.

Samanda Teo

Samanda Teo is a 19 year old Malaysian girl who came to NZ to do the YWAM DTS training but got stuck here because of COVID. She has been working at Kauearanga Valley Christian Camp. She wants to broaden her experience and wants to work for 305 as a volunteer. We think she would be an asset to the church and Trust and want to help her work with us by sponsoring her Religious Workers Visa. She needs accommodation in town as she has not vehicle.

Royal Commission of Inquiry

The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) is investigating what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in State and faith-based care in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1950 and 1999.

The scope of the information sought by the RCI is broad, and therefore includes all instances (for example, but not limited to: camps, church programmes, events, overnight events, outreach events, all club based weekly programmes, weekly youth programmes, all holiday camps or related programmes) where a person (this person being a volunteer, employee or pastor affiliated with a Baptist church or Baptist organisation) with a role in church activities, took advantage of his or her role to abuse a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

Vulnerable adult means an adult who needs additional care and support by virtue of being in the care of a faith based institution, which may involve deprivation of liberty. This person may be vulnerable for other reasons, for example due to their physical, intellectual, disability or mental health status.

And Baptist churches have been given notice to produce evidence of anything that occurred in that 70 year period, and we must have the information in to the Baptist Union by 5 February 2021.

As Brian and I can only cover the last 6 years, can anyone recall any incidences since 1950 that we ought to report. In confidence to me please.

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End of year Prayer from our Charles Hewlett, our National Leader

Lord, we thank you being with the Baptist Union of New Zealand throughout 2021.

Thank you for our many leaders, pastors, and chaplains who so graciously served people through the anxieties of COVID19 and the resulting lockdowns. Thank you that your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. (Psalm 36:5)

Thank you for our overseas mission workers and their trust and faithfulness in a year of such uncertainty. Thank you, O LORD, that you never leave or forsake us (Deut. 31:6)

Thank you for our pastors who spent many hours in their offices this year preparing sermons for us. Thank you, O LORD, that your word endures forever. (Ish. 40:8)

Thank you for our chaplains who were present with people in the most difficult times of life. Thank you, O LORD, for being close to the broken-hearted and saving those who are crushed in Spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

Thank you for our governors and elders who gave so much of their time to serve within our faith communities. Thank you, O LORD, that you honour those who honour you. (1 Sam 2:30)

Thank you for the many people who became followers of Jesus this year because of Baptist initiatives. And for the many disciples who publicised their commitment to you through baptism. Thank you, Holy Spirit, that you convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. (John 16:8)

Thank you for the financial generosity of our people and churches that enable us to carry out your ministry and mission. Thank you, O LORD, for the truth that if we give, it will be given to us. (Luke 6:38)

And, thank you for the wonderful message of Christmas. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you did not consider equality with God something to be used to your own advantage but rather you made yourself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil 2:6)

The Baptist Union of New Zealand worships you and gives thanks for your goodness - Amen.

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Christ is the reason for the season. It is CHRISTmas, not Santamas. Share your faith with your families and friends over this Festive time. Remember those who are alone or lonely and include them in your plans.

Chris.