David Hay sent the following message with the September Newsletter:
Dear Friends at Tuggeranong Baptist Church
Greetings from David, Janenne and Rachel. Welcome to our September newsletter.
Our newsletters usually contain details of fun activities we have been doing with the kids.
Most of the last three months has been spent in level 4 lockdown, we have had cases of COVID in the village, and there have been other events that have limited what we have been able to do.
That doesn't mean we haven't been doing fun things, but this newsletter focuses on some other events from the last few months.
This has been the hardest three months we have had since coming to South Africa in 2015. While it has been challenging, we can testify to how the Lord has provided during this time. More on this later in the newsletter.
The Newsletter contains:
- Details of lockdowns and how the village coped with an outbreak of 7 cases of COVID
- An account of Civil Unrest in Kwa-Zula Natal province where the village is located and how the Lord provided food to the village when riots and looting resulted in short supply of everything.
- A report on Andrew Hay's medical treatment as he moves towards the end of a 10 week course of chemotherapy.
- The story of a young boy suffering because of the high levels of trauma he has experienced. TBC recently contributed towards this young man's medical expenses.
- The good news that, instead of postponing the return to Australia on Home Assignment, the family may return as early as February 2022. Others who have been unable to take up positions because they have been locked down in countries of origin are becoming eligible to travel to South Africa.
Samaritan's Purse have advised our OCC co-ordinator that:
With the current restrictions in New South Wales and the ACT being extended, we have prayerfully decided to move shoebox collection to 1-14 November. This is to allow more time for the easing of restrictions and provide an opportunity for shoeboxes to be collected in the safest and most achievable way.
We also have Pack A Shoebox Online available. For $30 you can choose to pack a shoebox for a boy or girl, choose an age group and write a personalised letter. We will then pack and ship the shoebox for you. Please note $30 includes the $10 donation to cover shipping and project costs.
Follow the link to the Samaritan's Purse website to pack your shoebox On-line.
Attached is a sample of the Daily Nudge mentioned by Ps Ian in his Video Update this week. In this message Karl presents some thoughts on Ephesians 1:21-23
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church. (v 22)
Our lead pastor, Ian Reid, subscribes to Karl Faase's Daily Nudge and suggests that you might be encouraged by Karl Faase’s Daily Nudge from yesterday published here with permission from Olive Tree Media.
If you would like to receive the Daily Nudge, sign up at https://www.olivetreemedia.com.au/nudge/#
We have previously met Karl (on-line) as presenter of the Jesus the Game Changer series that we have enjoyed in the past.
Open the attachment and read on.
Our lead pastor, Ian Reid, subscribes to Karl Faase's Daily Nudge and suggests that you might be encouraged by Karl Faase’s Daily Nudge from yesterday published here with permission from Olive Tree Media.
If you would like to receive the Daily Nudge, sign up at https://www.olivetreemedia.com.au/nudge/#
We have previously met Karl (on-line) as presenter of the Jesus the Game Changer series that we have enjoyed in the past.
Open the attachment and read on.
The ACT COVID-19 Lockdown has prompted a shift in the teaching schedule for our on-line and face-to-face services.
Commencing 29 August 2021, we will be streaming the Alpha series which is designed for both on-line and face-to-face delivery.
During times like the present pandemic, people often turn to the bigger questions of life - so, in that sense, Alpha is designed for such a time as this.
Once we come out of lockdown, we will continue the series in our face to face gatherings.
Click on the video to find out more.
Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that create a safe and honest space, online or in person, where people can explore life, faith and meaning.
Sunday 29 August Is There More To Life Than This?
Sunday 5 September Who Is Jesus?
Sunday 12 September Why Did Jesus Die?
Sunday 19 September How Can I Have Faith?
Sunday 26 September Why and How Do I Pray?
Sunday 3 October Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
Sunday 10 October How Does God Guide Us?
The lockdown restrictions will come into effect from 5:00pm today, 12 August 2021 and have been extended to 2 September 2021.
To comply with government requirements, the following events are cancelled:
Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade
Church Service - Online Only available from 10:00 am
Transition Team meetings
Op Shop closed
Women’s Dinner at Vikings Town Centre
Craft Group
Tuesday Discussion Group
For full details of what you can and cannot do and a list of the exposure sites follow this link:
https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/act-status-and-response/lockdown
We will keep you advised of any further developments affecting our activities.
In the meanwhile, Ian will be available throughout the lockdown period as will our Elders. Don’t hesitate to make contact with them, or with a friend should you need someone to talk to.
Prayer Requests can be entered directly into the App and are checked twice a day and published with notifications being sent to the people who are part if the prayer team.
Key Idea and Bible verses:
We’re reminded in 2 Corinthians 5:7 that we “walk by faith and not by sight.”
But what exactly does walking by faith look like?
The mere phrase denotes the activity of movement.
Walking by faith means that you are embarking upon a journey.
Along this walk, we will have to do more than just believe.
We will have to be mindful of our thoughts, our words, and the actions we take – these are the fundamental steps to walk by faith in God.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
The Series
Sunday September 5 Faith Is…. Hebrews 11:1-6
Sunday September 12 The Work of Faith Hebrews 11:7
Sunday September 19 Faith That Saves works James 2:14-26
Sunday September 26 The Perspective of Faith Hebrews 11:23-28
Sunday October 3 The Adequacy of Faith Hebrews 11:22
Sunday October 10 The Way of Faith Hebrews 11: 17-19
Sunday October 17 Perfecting Your Faith James 1:1-12
Sunday October 24 Faith Alone Hebrews 11:1-6
Sunday October 31 (Guest Speaker)
Originally hailing from Central West NSW, Mandy came to Canberra in the late 1990’s to study at the University of Canberra.
Mandy has been part of Mosaic Baptist church since 2000 and has been actively involved in the Mosaic Youth Ministry for a number of years.
She is passionate about working with young people and has been employed in the welfare field in Canberra for 15 years.
Mandy stepped into the Interim Youth Pastor role in February 2020. With her background in Social Work she loves to advocate for the needs of young people and has a fervent belief in the responsibility to steward our young people well and invest in their lives in an intergenerational way.
Mandy enjoys holistic approaches to well-being and is interested in the interplay between physical, emotional and spiritual health. She loves to spend time at the gym and working in her veggie garden.
Mandy was facilitator at the Creating Safe Spaces workshop on 19 June 2021, and all who attended appreciated her knowledge and sensitivity and engaging presentation style.
Mandy will teach at Tuggeranong Baptist Church on 22 August 2021 as part of our series Jesus Changes Everything.
Michele's Newsletter includes the following:
After too many years of too much blood sweat and tears, today we picked up her Rwandan passport. We can’t thank those of you who have prayed earnestly for us for this document - many said it wouldn't come but we never gave up hope and we just kept asking ‘ what next’ - and here we are we have the testimony to tell and a book waiting to be written. So thank you friends - now we need borders to open up so we can fly home with this fresh new passport!
This happened on 6 July 2021.
Michele's accompanying email reads:
Hi Friends,
Feels like it's been a long time, I just noticed as I uploaded this edition that I used the flower girl photo in the last newslettr - please forgive me for that double up! I just really wanted to get this out to you before I call the day over.
We trust that you are all keeping safe and well through lockdowns and pandemics and vaccines, how we wish we could be closer to family and friends.
We have some exciting news in this newsletter so please read to the end and join us in celebrating!
We have so much to be thankful for during this season of uncertainty. Remember too, to let us know how we can be praying for you.
Many blessings,
Michele and Flora.
Open the Newsletter to read about how Michele has been spending time revisiting the Early Childhood teacher training work she pioneered when she first went to Rwanda and other news including the issue of the passport that means.