HIM FAMILY NEWS
Hope Quito, South America Christmas Service
[Water Baptism before Christmas]
We spent a meaningful Christmas together as a church in 2012. We have been cooking and feeding the poor families and street kids in Pan de Vida every last Sunday of each month in 2012. The finale was the water baptism held in December just before Christmas. We baptised 5 people in water and celebrated God’s goodness in their lives. Thank God for Karina, Karen, Dario and many other brothers and sisters who have taught and served faithfully in Pan de Vida in 2012. Many of the beneficiaries have grown in their faith and obeyed God more. We saw them growing in their hunger for God’s Word over the last year.
[Sharing of thanksgiving points in 2012]
Before Christmas, some of us also came together to decorate the church. We painted “Feliz Navidad” (Merry Christmas in Spanish) with white spray on our glass door. There was also a snow setting with Christmas trees we created using coloured paper and cardboards. It was a fun time decorating the church together.
[Decorating the church
Feliz Navidad & Putting the star
Christmas tree in snow setting]
For the Christmas Sunday service, we had our Hope kids doing Christmas song presentation for us. We also had games after service and a delicious Christmas lunch together. Phoebe and I led in a time of Holy Communion to remember that Christmas is about Jesus. Different people also shared about their thanksgiving points and we are grateful for what God had done in our lives in 2012.
[Games after service & Hope Kids song presentation]
Written by Timothy Ho Shen Teng
Hope Tokyo Christmas Outreach
From the 21st-25th December 2012, five working adults from Hope Church Brisbane went to Tokyo for a mission trip to team up with Hope Church Tokyo during the Christmas outreach and Sunday service. The Brisbane team had prepared a mime and Christmas carols in Japanese and English which we performed out in the University campus and during Sunday service. It was one of the ways we broke down the language barrier.
Members of Hope Tokyo were inviting their friends for the Christmas service. It was encouraging to see these visitors coming to the service. Especially one who had come to Church for the very first time in his life! It was also encouraging to meet a one week old new believer as well as the dedicated core team who were faithfully and diligently serving God. We also had the opportunity to share testimonies and pray for one another. The Brisbane team was really encouraged by the passion and perseverance of the people in Hope Tokyo.
During the Sunday service we were blessed by Hope Tokyo leading us in worship and "Santa" Kohei's lively and engaging preaching. After the service we had a Christmas party with lots of food and an original Hope Tokyo game. The Hope Brisbane team enjoyed their time with the Hope Tokyo people and will be praying for God to build His Church strong.
We hope that Hope Brisbane as well as other sister churches can continue to send teams to support Hope Tokyo!
Written by Kimie
Fellowshipping takes place in every Oasis event. Members and invited guests got nostalgic as they shared moments of interaction through fun and games.
Involvement was evident from intense preparations to meticulous presentations. Every affinity showcased their talents, set up booths and joined the lantern-making contest.
Empowerment of God’s spirit took place when Pt. Mayette Alkuino shared God’s word, elaborating what Jesus Christ had done to save us all.
Thanksgiving for the abundant lives throughout 2012. As a gesture of gratitude to God, Oasis hosted a raffle draw extending the blessing to its members and guests.
Affecting the community through God's love as the occasion made every one return home with lasting memories and stories to tell.
Written by Liza
