Whānau News: 25 November

This past semester I have been studying the book of Revelation, which is incredible. Revelation has this profound picture of hope, a picture of what is to come! A time when all people will be dwelling together with the Lamb of God. Every ethnicity and every extraordinary language. We will all be together and worshipping the triune God in our own languages. I can only imagine how incredible this moment will be! So, my question for us is this...how can we be a faith community NOW, that more and more reflects this hopeful image? How can we pray? How can be an expression of this hopeful picture when we gather on Sunday?

Arohanui,
Sacha

Advent: Hope 
Join us this Sunday as we explore the first advent theme of Hope. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15: 13 (NIV)
Join us at 10AM in-person or online.

For the Kids this Week...  
Wonder Kids (Preschool aged). This week we are starting a three week pajama party theme looking at: Why is Jesus special? because Jesus is God's son.
Discovery Kids and Explorers (Primary aged). This week we turn our focus to Christmas as we look at the "Big Give."  We can get wrapped up in a lot of things at Christmas. But the real reason we celebrate is that God gave us the greatest gift in Jesus.
FBI (Intermediate aged).  This week we are starting a three week series about the joy of Jesus coming to earth. 

Welcome to Advent
We would love to support you and your family in connecting with Jesus over this busy festive season. We have created an advent pack for each family who attends here. For kids that are here this week, each family will receive a bag in program this week. If you are not at church this week you can pick up a pack from the info desk next Sunday.

The Jolly Fellow Show
On the 18th of December at 10am we will be having a wonderfully fun whānau Christmas service. It will be full of joy and fun and a little bit of silliness. All in the pursuit of celebrating the birth of Jesus together. Everyone is welcome, so invite all your friends and whānau! 

High Tea postponed until February 2023
Due to the weather we decided to postpone the garden high tea until February next year. We are sorry that we have needed to move this date again. However, we will look forward to better weather to enjoy this time together in February. A new date will be sent out before Christmas. If you would like a refund for your ticket, please contact Den at the church office or Alan Calvert. Thanks for your understanding

Baptist NZ Hui 2022
If you would like to listen to some of the keynote speakers at the recent Baptist NZ Hui, click on this link: https://baptist.nz/series/hui-2022/

Christmas Offering for "Missions"
For many years FBC has allocated its Christmas Day Offering to a "Missions" project. Last year the funds went to help Kevin and Gillian Bird employ a local worker. This person has worked out really well and they would like to keep him employed for another year if possible. The GAT Team would like to recommend that we again allocate the traditional Christmas Offering to this cause. Click this link for more details. The appeal is open through to the end of Jan. Please deposit any funds via the church bank account 01 0403 0013842 00 including the Ref. Christmas Offering or click here, and donate under "Overseas Missions"

Prayer Focus
A two-monthly newsletter from the Global Action Team. Click here for the NOV-DEC 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.

Church Center Profile
Moved address or changed phone numbers? Please help us keep our records up-to-date by adapting your profile here. We print a phone list for those without access to technology. Please fill in the printed phone list permission form to have your details included.

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.

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.

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