Whānau News: 9 September

Good morning!
I was reminded again this week how valuable it is to become still and sit in the presence of God. I realised that becoming still and calming my overactive mind enables me to meditate deeply on God’s Word – one verse at a time – and getting so much out of it. I write pages at a time about what God is saying to me through one verse! How often do you just read the Bible to get it ticked off your list, praying for everyone who comes to mind, before you realise what time it is and you need to get going?  Maybe that’s just me – getting so busy with life and doing things for God that I forget the value of coming to a stop, stilling my mind and just allowing God to love me. Let His love wash over me, often not talking to Him at all but just sitting and resting in His warm embrace.
 
May you encounter God’s warm embrace this week,
Sandra

Being the best FBC we can be | Rachel Roche
FBC is a unique faith community and being part of the wider Baptist whanau is so important to us. But what does that actually mean, and why is that important? Rachel Roche, who is part of FBC and works for the Northern Baptist Association, will help us unpack what it means to be Baptist and how FBC can be the best it can be. Join us at 10AM in-person or follow this link for the online service.

For the Kids this Week...  
Hello Families, we have three great programmes running for children at FBC, Pre-school room (0- 5 yrs), Discovery kids room (yrs 1-6) and FBI (yrs 7-8). All children are welcome 😊.  When you get to church, please sign your Children in at the sign in desk.

Coming Up... Joy Ride Bike-a-thon 
Please put the 2nd of October in your diaries! We have a fabulous event to share the joy! It is called JOY RIDE and is about fundraising for children in Kolkata to have the resources to enjoy life! Eg. providing outings, sports gear, art clubs, youth clubs and more. All children are invited to be a part of this bike-a-thon which will take place in the church carpark during Sunday service on the 2nd of October. There is a give-a-little page available to give towards this fundraiser https://givealittle.co.nz/team/franklin-baptist-church. More information will follow in the coming weeks, but this is a great thing to get excited about! Adults you can also fundraise on your bikes during the month of October. Let’s get on our bikes for a fantastic cause 🚴

Alpha 
Do you have questions about faith or do you know someone that has questions, please invite them along or better yet, bring them. Wednesdays, 6.45pm in the church cafe. Light are refreshments provided. Register at the info desk. All are welcome.

Alpha Marriage Course
Starting on Thursday, 15 September at 7pm in the cafe and running for 7 consecutive Thursdays. The Marriage Course is designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. Topics include: Strengthening Connection, The Art of Communication, Resolving Conflict, The Power of Forgiveness, The Impact of Family, Intimacy and Love in Action. Register your expression of interest here or sign up at the info desk.

Chinese Alpha Course
This is an exciting new programme!!! Alpha NZ are introducing an Alpha course in the Chinese language (with English subtitles). The launch of the Chinese Alpha course starts Monday 17th October in the church cafe from 10.30am to noon followed by a light buffet.
Please invite your family and friends to join Jackie and Sally for this exciting new venture. 
Book your place on the course through FBC office - Paul 

AGM
Our church AGM will be held on 25^th September, straight after the morning service.  

The Leadership team would like to provide people with the opportunity to raise General Business items in advance of the AGM so that these can be added to the agenda as required.  There will still be an opportunity to raise general business matters during the meeting, but advanced notice of items is appreciated. This simply ensures that that any necessary preparation to enable a full response can be undertaken in advance. Please send your items to leaders@franklinbaptist.org by Friday 16 September.

The AGM is an important opportunity to celebrate what God is doing in our church community.  We also would like to emphasize significant milestones in life and in ministry.  Please let us know if there are important celebration points that you would like to make note of this year.  You can email any of these information to leaders@fbc.nz or tim@fbc.nz. 

Toy Library
If you are planning on buying new sheets/blankets/duvets, please save the packaging and bring along to the church office or deliver them straight to the Toy Library for repurposing. These plastic packages are very handy to keep some of the toys in. We also need some bigger toy bags with drawstrings, so if you are a sewer and you have some fabric you can use to sew some up, we would very much appreciate those as well.

Newcomer's Lunch
Sunday 18 September at 12 pm. If you are new to our whanau, please join us for lunch after the service on Sunday 18 September. Come and find out about the various ministries at FBC, and get to know some of our leaders and staff. For catering purposes, please RSVP to sandra@fbc.nz (While we’ve made every effort to send personal invitations, we may have missed some and we would be very disappointed if someone missed out because of that.)

Christmas Craft Market
12 November 2022. Calling everyone who makes things and want to join in this mortgage repayment fundraiser! We’re looking for items made out of wood (woodturners), craft items, Christmas baking and preserves, handmade soaps, etc. Book your table now (tables are $20). Profit you make on the day will be yours to keep or you can choose to donate 10% or more to the mortgage repayment fund. Please spread the word to friends and family. Contact Sandra for more information – sandra@fbc.nz or 027 215 7817.

Prayer Focus
A two-monthly newsletter from the Global Action Team. Click here for the SEP-OCT newsletter. A printed copy is also available at the Info Centre.
In the Prayer Focus, this time you will see a new couple mentioned that FBC are now partnering with. Please take the time to read the introduction they have provided.
Thanks for upholding them and our other partners in prayer.

Prayer Chain
If you would like to submit a prayer request to the Prayer Chain, please email Arlene Hutcheon on arlene@ps.gen.nz or send a text to 0274726198. All prayer requests are treated as confidential.

Covid Reminder/Update
We are aware that there is a lot of Covid-19 and flu cases in the community at present. We would love to have you join us online for the service if you are unwell.

Giving
You can give online, by automatic payment or direct debit. Our church bank account: 01 0403 0013842 00 or click here to donate now.

As an encouragement to all of you while you're at home...check out some of the songs we're currently singing on Sundays and a few new ones we might sing in the future. If you have a Spotify account, this is the link to FBC Worship on Spotify