Joe and Rosa return (officially)

Today Joe and Rosa were welcomed back into membership having been away for over 20 years. Joe and Rosa were members here at HBCC back in the mid 80’s but were then called away to an Italian speaking church where Joe was the Pastor for the past 20 years. Now retired we are very please to welcome them back into membership here. Its good to have you back!!!

International Day

placeholder for the great day we had yesterday. I will publish some photographs soon :)

Peace

PEACE – A word used in so many different ways. Peace is a word that we hear on the news in context of wars. Peace is used by people from all walks of life. Yet how tangible is this word. It seems almost illusive in many contexts. Yet every human longs for it. Some people need to look deeply within before finding that longing. Sadly for many it doesn’t take long before the opposite again dominates.

So where and how can peace be experienced? I wonder what the answers from the Darfur region would be. I wonder what the grieving parents of a child killed by the human bombs of Palestine and Iraq would say. How would the families of victims of genocide describe this illusive notion of peace? What do you hear from the loved ones of a murder victim? What does peace mean to these?

Peace can only be experienced as possible where acceptance and sometimes sacrificial love is freely given. In our mortal and tainted humanness, how could this ever be possible?

This is what Easter was all about. One person sacrificially surrendering all in order to offer this love and capacity to any who would want it. Even if we had just one tenth of this love – what a difference it would make to a world longing for peace. No wonder he is called “the Prince of Peace”.

Pastor Ilse Smidt

A poem: Philips Baptism

What a glorious wonderful day,
Young Philip was baptised in the bay.
Ilse and Grace accompanied him
For the business of dipping him in.
Poor Grace slipped and lost her footing,
She experienced unscheduled ducking.
Unhesitating Peter the Great,
Fully clothed, he didn't wait
To rescue the damsel in distress,
He waded in, oh what a mess
His boots were in, but never mind
Good onyer Peter, you're so kind.

PS. It goes to show what friends are for
When trouble comes knocking on your door.

(C) amiedawes 1.4.2008

30th March 2008: Philip gets Baptised

Today was just a wonderful day all round.

Philip (aged 11) started coming to our church maybe a couple of years ago. At first he'd come along after the service was over to see his special friend Grace (who plays the organ).

Now and again he'd attend some of the services and sit listening with Grace on the front bench.

Earlier in the year he asking his Mum and Ilse (our pastor) about Baptism and they explained what was involved and what its significance is. He attended several baptism classes and this young man was certain that this is what he wanted.

Today Philip was Baptised in the sea down on Hampton Beach.

We thank our Lord Jesus that He has led Philip to this point of commitment and we welcome Philip into fellowship.

Welcome brother Philip!!!

29th Mar 2008: BBQ at Robert and Ursulas

Last night we had a BBQ at Robert and Ursulas house. They've got a great entertaining area outside. Most of the church came along with sausages, chicken, lamb, salads and cakes. It only rained a little but fortunately they were prepared for that.

The kids ran around, played on the swings, got all dirty, ate lovely BBQ food and had a really great time. The adults did exactly the same (without the dirty bit :) ).

So thank you to Robert and Ursula for opening up your home to us all - its was a great evening.

17th Feb 2008: Agatha Castillos becomes a member

On this Sunday Agatha Castillo became a member of our church.

Agatha: "Blessed be the Lord that had mercy on this sinner! Alleluia!"

10th Feb 2008: Ilse inducted as our new pastor

On the same day and Basil and Isle joined as members we had Ilse inducted as our new pastor. We had a large number of visitors (120?) and had a great celebratory lunch afterwards.

For lots more photographs please follow this link.

http://www.hamptonbaptistchurch.org.au/images/Events/2008-2-10-HBCC-IlseInduction/index.html

Here are a few photographs of the day:

10th Feb 2008: Ilse and Basil become members

We are so pleased to have Basil and Isle Smidt join us as members of Hampton Baptist Community Church:

Link to previous events (events pre-2008)

This will soon link to the previous events that we've had over the past few years.

Ian Main

First ever HBCC blog posting

Wow! This blogging web site is cool. It didn't take that long at all to set it up. I'll have to tell Rev David Horsey at Mordialloc about this (I was kayaking down the Yarra River last week talking to him about church web sites.... I reckon having a Church Blog is a pretty good start).

God Bless,

Ian H. Main
IT bloke

Edit: David asked me post some pictures. Here are a few: