From the Pastor: A warm welcome to all who are worshiping with us. It's great to have Alan & Jan back with us. We look forward to hearing from them this morning. They will also share in the service next week. Immediately following today's service there will be a special Church meeting to vote on the appointment of Jacinda George as our new Youth Worker. There are still a few profiles in the foyer. We hope as many as possible will stay for the meeting, anyone is able to enter into the discussion, but only Members may vote. Tonight we will gather at Shirley Nind's to pray for the life and work of this fellowship. Next Sunday December 15, our Sunday School will be sharing in the service. This will be followed by prize-giving and a cup of tea in the hall. Bags for Mission will be collected on this Sunday. All proceeds will go towards support for our Missionaries. Our Christmas Eve service will be at 7:30pm here in the church. This will be a good opportunity to bring friends or neighbours to experience the 'Reason for the Season'. We will conclude with supper in the back hall. Please bring a plate. Alan & Karol Minnear will be leading our worship on Sunday December 29. We have just received the video tape 'Unlocking The Mysteries of Life', a Focus on The Family scientific documentary showing evidence for intelligent design in nature. This will be shown through the cell groups next year, but if you would like to borrow it see Bruce. A reminder that we have off-street parking available on Sunday mornings in the WINZ car park off Coquet Street. Access to the church is through the door off the car park. Many thanks to Deborah Todd for the work she has done in the church office during the past few months - you will be missed as you shift to Dunedin. Kirsten Mills has taken her position and will be in the church office each Friday from 12:30 pm. Gaynor & I will be on holiday from January 6-20. Clare Hewitt will need at least a couple of people to help her in the Sunday School next year. If you can help, please see Clare. Congratulations to Rex Murray and Rona Edwards on the successful publication of their history of motoring in North Otago 'Replicar'. Please continue to remember in your prayers: - new leadership for youth - Alpha programme on Monday evenings - Christmas Eve Service - leadership for Music & Worship Team - next step for our rapidly ageing buillding & supply of finances - those unwell or unable to get servicees - Noel Cleverley, Mavis Kane, Betty Broad, Phil Sargent, Ethel Baker, Elsie Lockhart Property I would like to thank John Thorpe for water- blasting the front entrance of the church. It looks great. Thanks, John. Also thanks to the many people that noticed the many little things that need to be done, rang me, then in many cases did the job. As the manse work is well advanced, you will notice things starting to happen to the church buildings to improve their appearance, and to make them more user-friendly. If you see anything you think may need attention, please ring me as soon as possible so the job can be done before getting worse. We have had a grant to replace the lights in the church lounge, and all the lights in the hall plus the spotlights. We will also put steel guards over them to make them teenage-proof (????). They will all be double-fluorescent so will brighten the place up. It is hoped these will be done before Christmas. Thanks to the Community Trust of Otago and the work Debbie put into putting in the grant application. Thanks Debbie. The heater in the hall has been playing up as some of you will have noticed. Thanks to Graham Clark for repairing the heater. Thanks Graham. Please remember to keep praying about our buildings and the future of the Oamaru Baptist Church. -- Steve Prostitution Reform Bill On November 29, this bill was reported back to Parliament by the Justice Select Committee. It is anticipated that the current Government will vote for this bill to proceed. If it is passed into law, it will decriminalize soliciting for sex and free-up trade in prostitution. Owning or operating a brothel will no longer be illegal -- neither will living off the earnings of prostitution or pimping. This bill, if passed into law, will have very serious consequences for this nation. We have copied some information in the foyer. Please take a copy, read it and make yourself familiar with it, and either write to your MP or make an appointment to see him. Please treat this with the utmost urgency. Bruce The Food Bank ... ...would appreciate the following items: flour, sugar, margarine, Milo, eggs, longlife milk. Woodchopping Extravaganza! Raising money for missions. Where? The Calders, 650 Ardgowan Road. When? Saturday 14th December from 9 a.m. onwards. Please bring your own lunch. Hot and cold drinks will be provided. Bring your axes, chainsaws, protective gear, ear muffs. Sorry! No children allowed.