HUGHES BAPTIST CHURCH

WELCOME

A word from our Pastors

Welcome to Hughes Baptist Church!

We’re pleased you came and hope it will be a positive experience for you. It is our prayer that you were met by friendly people, engaged and made to feel welcome by those around you, and that after the service, you will stay for morning tea or supper where we can get to know you a little better.

Most of all, we pray that in some way you are drawn closer to God by worship, in prayer, through hearing the Bible message and are encouraged to continue in your everyday life with God.

We hope to see you again soon!

Pastor James and Deby SutherlandPastor Lyn and Gwennyth Thow

WELCOME

Step 1: Discovering

We recognise that the first step anyone takes in a new environment is information gathering. This section explains our church’s beliefs, practices and facilities. If you have a question that hasn’t been answered, please see one of the pastors or ask at the information table in the church foyer.

Being new can be a little daunting, so we’ve designed this booklet to help make things a bit easier. It will allow you to explore all that Hughes Baptist Church has to offer you, whether you are new to Canberra and looking for a place to call home, or just curious as to what Jesus is all about.

Step 2: Connecting

God has designed us to have relationships with others. We want everyone at Hughes to know that they are a loved and valued member of our church family. Like every extended family, we have a range of ages, genders, family compositions, backgrounds, and personalities.

Step 3: Serving

God has given every Christian special gifts and he expects us to use them to honour him. This section of the booklet explains how you can become involved in serving others - in the church, the community, and beyond.

OUR CHURCH

Our Sunday Services

9:30 am Family Service6 pm Evening Service

How to Contact Us

Our church office is open Monday - Friday9am - 1pm

Phone (02) 6282 1301Fax (02) 6282 1112

Our Mailing Address

PO Box 5824, Hughes ACT 2605

Our Street Address

34 Groom St, Hughes ACT 2605

Online

www.hughesbaptist.orgwww.facebook.com/hughesbaps

E-mail: office@hughesbaptist.org

OUR CHURCH

Facilities for the Disabled:The church has disabled parking spaces, wheelchair access ramps, a disabled toilet, and an audio loop in the auditorium. For those with low vision, large print copies of the songs are available from the door stewards.

If there is anything we can do to assist you, please don’t hesitate to ask one of our stewards or welcome team members.

Hall

ChurchOffice

Auditorium

WHAT TO EXPECT

What is Church?

Church is not a building. Church is simply a group of people meeting together to worship God. Living God’s way is not something we can do in isolation from each other. We are a family because God has adopted us as his children. We love each other like brothers and sisters and enjoy spending time together, encouraging and supporting each other. We seek to be welcoming and inclusive of all people.

What to Expect

Like families, all churches have their own ways of doing things, which may differ from place to place. If you’re new to church and aren’t sure what to expect, here’s a few things that generally happen during a Sunday service:

Songs. Public singing isn’t very common these days, but it is something that we enjoy at Hughes and forms an important part of our services. Singing together is one of the ways we worship God as a church family, expressing our love and thankfulness to God. Our songs are mostly contemporary in style, accompanied by a band, and led by singers.

Prayer. Prayer is talking directly to God, both to bring Him our requests and to thank Him for answers to our prayers. We will pray several times during our services,

including the church family prayer which is led by a member of the congregation.

Housekeeping. These short announcements let everyone know about events in the life of the church. More details are often available in the church bulletin.

Childrens Talk. During the Sunday morning service, there is a time for children of all ages to come to the stage for a short talk. Shortly after this, the children can join friends at

WHAT TO EXPECT

Club Sunday or the creche where an age appropriate programme is provided for them. Please refer to the children’s section and map in this booklet to see where to go.

Bible Reading. Reading the Bible is God’s way of talking to us. During the service, a passage will be read, which will be relevant to the sermon topic. The words and reference(s) may be displayed on the large screen. We generally use the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible.

Giving. Giving to the church is a way in which we can acknowledge God’s blessings to us. The work of our church is funded by donations and there is opportunity during the service to make a voluntary contribution. Visitors should not feel any obligation to contribute - please just let the bag pass by.

Sermon. Faithful teaching is key to each service. Whether it is one of our own pastors, or a visiting speaker, we are comitted to clear and accurate preaching from the Bible. The preacher will explain truths from the Bible, and help us apply it to our everyday lives.

Communion. Once a month we celebrate communion (The Lords Supper). This is where we remember the sacrifice Jesus made when he died on the cross for us. We use bread and non-alcoholic wine to represent Jesus’ body and blood. All followers of Jesus are welcome to join us.

Chit Chat. After the Sunday morning service, we would love you to stay and join us for morning tea. This is served on the terrace outside, or in the church hall when the weather is inclement.

CHILDREN

ON SUNDAY MORNING

CrecheAn unstructured play time is provided during the Sunday morning service for children aged 0 - 2.5. Comfy armchairs are provided for infant feeding, and a change table is available (an alternate change table is available in the women’s toilets).

Parents are welcome to stay, or alternately to sign their child(ren) into the room and let our rostered volunteer staff watch them. Audio from the main auditorium is available in the room.

Club Sunday

Club Sunday is our program for children aged 2.5 to year 6 at school. It runs on Sunday morning during ACT school terms. Parents or carers of children in Buds, Kinder and Heroes should sign their children into and out of the room. For their safety, these children must be collected by an adult and are not allowed to leave alone. Class finishes at 11am.

BudsBuds is a fun time for children aged 2 and 3, with stories, music and craft. Parents are welcome to stay and participate. Morning tea is provided. Meet in room 2.

KinderKinder is a class for children aged approximately 4 to 6 (in preschool or kindergarten). Morning tea is provided. Meet in room 3.

HeroesHeroes is fun learning time for children in years 1 - 2 at school. Meet in room 5.

OasisOasis is the class for children in years 3-6 at school. Meet in room 4.

CHILDREN

DURING THE WEEK

Bubs and UsBubs and Us is a structured playgroup for children aged 0 - 4 and their carers. We meet on Wednesday mornings from 10 - 12 during the ACT school term. All from the community are welcome. Please bring $2 to cover morning tea for the children and adults, as well as a piece of fruit to share.

Girls’ Brigade

Girls’ Brigade is a vibrant community providing activites for school aged girls. Girls’ Brigade is a relationship building, achievement based program which has been developed especially for girls, incorporating physical, social, educational and spiritual aspects. Girls’ Brigade meets at the church every Friday night from 6pm to 8pm.

Boys’ Brigade

With an unashamedly Christian foundation, Boys’ Brigade has a proven track record for reaching out and providing mentoring programs for school aged boys of all backgrounds, abilities & interests - broadening their horizons and skills with international recognition for their achievements. Boys’ Brigade meets on Friday nights and is divided into three groups, based on the boys’ ages:

ANCHORS (Boys between 5 and 7yrs)6pm - 7:15pmMeet at Room 5, Hughes Baptist

JUNIORS (Boys between 8 and 11yrs)6pm - 7:30pmMeet at Hughes Primary School

SENIORS (Boys between 12 and 18yrs)7pm - 9:45pmMeet at Hughes Baptist Church Hall

At Hughes, we have a vibrant, purpose driven youth and young adults program. Through teaching, serving, training, great fun, small groups, and social activities, we aim to discover and fulfil God’s plan for our lives.

Activities are generally held on either a Friday or Saturday night. These are normally held in the church hall, but occassionally are offsite. Details on upcoming events and their locations are detailed on the church website, on Facebook and brochures on the information table.

The Edge

The EDGE is a community for high school age students (years 7 - 10). In addition to the Saturday program, the EDGE runs a Bible study group during the Sunday morning service.

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS

YAK

YAK is the place for “Yuni, Apprentice or Kollege” young adults from approximately year 10 to 1st year of university to connect with each other and God.

Youth Jam

Jam sessions are for young musicians to gather with fellow music lovers and rock out. It’s a great chance for those learning an instrument to have fun and pick up new skills in a no-pressure group setting.

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS

Find us on FACEBOOK!The Edge, Yak, and Youth Jam all have their own Facebook pages.

Lunch Bunch

If you are on your own and would like company for lunch after church on Sundays, you are welcome to join a mixed group of people that meet at the Hellenic Club, Woden for lunch at noon every Sunday.

Travel Club

Excursions three to four times a year are organised around Canberra and further afield in NSW. Past destinations have included both familiar tourist locations as well as hidden gems. Information regarding upcoming trips is listed in the church bulletin and on the church website. These trips normally incur a small cost to cover travel expenses.

Friendship Group

An informal friendship group meets weekly at the church on Wednesdays at 9.30am for companionship and social interaction.

Seniors Bible Study

A monthly outreach Bible study is held at the Southern Cross Retirement Village for the residents.

A Pleasant Sunday Afternoon

“A Pleasant Sunday Afternoon” is held on the last Sunday of every second month commencing at 2pm in the church hall.

These afternoons generally consist

SENIORS

of communal hymn singing, readings and items by invited guest singers and musicians.

Aged Care Ministries

A small team of volunteers visits aged care centres several days a week to provide the residents with a varied programme of music, humour and poetry. Church services are conducted on two Sundays of each month.

Seniors Communion

Communion (The Lord’s Supper) is held every second month at the Southern Cross Retirement Village for the residents and our church elderly folk who are unable to make it to the Sunday service. The communion service is followed by afternoon tea.

SENIORS

Home GroupsHome groups are the life blood of our church. Here, we seek to understand deep truths of the Bible, we pray, and we support and encourage each other in our daily lives. In a home group, we form close, lifelong friendships. Home groups meet in various places across Canberra throughout the week. Please call the church office to find the contact of the group closest to you, or check out the home group noticeboard in the foyer.

Pastoral CareWe have a dedicated pastoral care team, committed to caring for our family here at Hughes Baptist Church. No one should ever have to go through life alone. Team members are available for home and hospital visits, for a chat and a cup of tea, practical help, or just a listening ear.

PrayerTalking to God - both bringing our requests and expressing our thankfulness for

answers - plays a critical role in our church. We have several prayer gatherings throughout the week. There is also a prayer team available after each service, near the front of the auditorium, for anyone who wishes to pray with someone.

Worship TeamWe are always on the lookout for talented singers, songwriters, musicians, and sound/lighting technicians to join our worship team.

Life GroupsOur church has several life groups that meet throughout the week. These groups are social gatherings of like-minded individuals (usually based around a specific hobby or interest such as gardening, card playing or craft) and are run separate from the church. If we don’t have a group that interests you, talk to us about starting one!

GETTING INVOLVED

Men’s EventsEvents for men are scheduled through the year, including regular breakfasts and an annual camping trip. In addition, an extreme sports group for men 50+ organises activities allowing men to have fun and fellowship whilst participating in sports.

Women’s EventsSeveral womens events are organised throughout the year, including an annual ladies weekend away. A Ladies Know Your Bible (KYB) study group meets weekly.

LibraryWe have a well stocked library of Christian books, audio books and movies available to borrow. The library is open after each Sunday morning service.

ConcertsOur church actively supports our local Christian radio station 1 Way FM by regularly hosting touring music groups. Volunteers are generally required before and after each concert to perform duties such as ticket sales, canteen, set-up and cleaning.

Special EventsThe church auditorium and meeting rooms are available for hire for special occasions such as weddings, concerts, or community events.

Serving the ChurchOur church relies on a large team of dedicated volunteers in order to function. Roles are many and varied and include such things as Bible reading, praying, welcoming, morning tea, maintenance, cleaning, and helping with children’s ministries. For more information, please contact the church office.

Please note that our church complies with Working with Children legislation, and any volunteers in children’s ministries may be required to undergo specialist training and a police check.

GETTING INVOLVED

Searching for meaning in life

Finding a personal relationship with Jesus transforms individuals and families. It gives our lives purpose and meaning. At Hughes, our vision is to share Jesus with everyone around us so that they can live life to the full.

In the community

Our aim is to enable all in our community to hear about Jesus. Our various activities including pastoral care, prayer, resources, social action and justice, and impactful worship support this aim.

Growing in a personal relationship with Jesus involves a process. At Hughes, we offer:• Aspiritualhometofreelygrowinfaith• AplacetoheartheWordofGodpreached• AplacetoworshipGodandfindrestandenjoyment• Anopportunitytoencourageandbeencouraged• OpportunitiestobeequippedandtrainedtoshareJesus

Cross-cultural partnerships

We seek to grow the kingdom of God by partnering with cross-cultural workers, both in Australia and internationally. These workers are either individuals or families who are financially supported by our church. They work to empower communities to develop their own distinctive ways of following Jesus.

Our current program of support is detailed on the missions notice board in the foyer of the church. The board also contains photos and the latest newsletters from all our missionsaries. Please read them and pray for our cross-cultural workers.

Missions Ministry Team

Our church has a dedicated Missions Ministry Team. They are responsible for arranging guest speakers, fundraising for specific causes, and organising missions focussed events, specifically “May Missions Month” each year.

REACHING OUT

Short Term Trips

From time to time, the church also supports and sends small teams of people on short term missions projects around the world. There are opportunities for everyone, regardless of age, gender or occupation. If this interests you, please speak to one of the pastors about how you can get involved.

What about me?

Every Christian should be active in sharing Jesus with those around them. We can do this by praying, looking for opportunities to connect and build relationships, and showing those around us what it means to have a relationship with God.

We offer periodic training courses in evangelism to equip and encourage people to share their faith. There are also links to internet-based training on our website.

REACHING OUT

BELIEFS AND STRUCTURE

What we believe

At Hughes Baptist Church, we believe:

• in the real existence of God, who is living, eternal, holy and loving;• God created all things, including men and women, whom He specially created

to be a reflection of Himself, and to live in harmony and personal relationship with Him;

• God exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit;• all people are sinful by nature, causing us to be separated from God;• Jesus Christ came to Earth, fully human and fully God;• Jesus experienced a virgin birth and a sinless life;• Jesus paid the full penalty for our sins by his physical death on a cross;• that after being buried, Jesus overcame death and was physically raised to life

again;• Jesus is now at the right hand of God in Heaven;• that by acknowledging and seeking forgiveness for our sins, believing in Jesus

and submitting to God’s will in our lives, we become members of God’s family;• that this new life comes only by believing, and not by any act of good works

that we can perform;• our eternal destiny of either Heaven or Hell is solely determined by our

response to Jesus;• that through the Holy Spirit, God resides in all those who choose to believe in

Jesus and receive Him as Saviour and Lord;• followers of Jesus can publically show their faith by full immersion baptism;• the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, are divinely inspired and without

error;• the Bible is the final authority and guide for all our beliefs and practices;• Christ will return to Earth one day; and• that Christians who die before Christ’s return will go to Heaven to be with Him.

Our church is affiliated with the Baptist Union of NSW and ACT.

BELIEFS AND STRUCTURE

Everyone plays an important role

The Pastors - The Senior Pastor provides overall leadership to Hughes Baptist Church. The Associate Pastor works alongside the Senior Pastor.

The Eldership - Church Elders provide spiritual counsel and guidance to the church leadership team. Elders are nominated by the Senior Pastor and ratified by the church members.

The Church Board - The Board, together with the Pastors, develops policies and strategies for the future of the church. The Secretary and the Treasurer both sit on the Board.

Board members and ministry leaders are elected by the church members. All church meetings are open for anyone to attend, however only members may vote. For more detailed information, please refer to the Church Constitution.

The Ministry Leadership - Ministry leaders handle the everyday running of the church within their unique areas of ministry. Ministry leaders regularly meet together with the Pastors to coordinate ministries across the church.

Hughes Baptist Church is a dynamic Christ-centred community, sharing Jesus’ life-changing power.