100th Birthday Neighbourhood BBQ Video
Had an absolutely fabulous time at the 100th BBQ.
This 7-minute video says it all.
Enjoy!
Top 10 Reasons to “Love Toronto”
On Wednesday, May 27, a group of High Parkers will be attending Love Toronto (7:00 – 9:00 pm).
What is the night about?
It’s about worshiping together, praying together, and reminding ourselves of our common calling as Fellowship churches within the City of Toronto.
Okay, here are the top ten reasons why you should come:
ONE: Because we will have the opportunity to pray together as a group of churches for our city.
TWO: To remind your church that we are part of something bigger. You are not alone!
THREE: To hear news about what God has been doing in our Association over the past year.
FOUR: To meet in a new Fellowship church on the Danforth, and rejoice in what is happening there.
FIVE: To be challenged from the Word of God by Pastor John Mahaffey.
SIX: To recommit to our vision for ministry in Toronto.
SEVEN: To worship God with hundreds of others within our Association.
EIGHT: To rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and to mourn with those who mourn.
NINE: To demonstrate our unity and common purpose.
TEN: Because we want to love Toronto the way that God does.
Here’s how to get there…
The address of Westminster chapel is:
14 Dewhurst Blvd
Toronto, ON M4J 3H9
(416) 466 8819
The church is located one block west of Donlands subway station (a 3 minute walk). There are several public car parks nearby, to the west of the church (and north of the Danforth).
More details here:
http://westminsterchapel.ca/westminster/Directions
May 30th – Mark The Date
As you may know, this is High Park Baptist Church’s 100th birthday.
Happy Birthday to us!
Amazing how God has sustained this little mission outpost started in 1909 by Walmer Baptist through an entire century!
Back in those days, there was nary a person in the neighbourhood. ”Brockton” as the area was called, was – if you can belief this - considered the suburbs!
Today the church is part of a thriving urban community bubbling with people, shops, activities, cultural events and more.
Not the least of which are babies! In fact, M6R (the postal code for our church) is the most fertile postal code in Canada! There are tonnes of kids here!
(If you doubt it, just try walking down the street and NOT be run over by a stroller or a 4-year old on a bike.)
Why are we telling you all this?
Considering the growing family makeup of our neighbourhood, the entire church body has pulled together to celebrate in a way that our neighbourhood can particpate in and enjoy.
What are we doing? We’re hosting a really BIG birthday BBQ bash on May 30th.
Here’s what’s going on:
- really cheap eats (50 cent hamburgers, hot-dogs, lemonade and more)
- live music (provided by HPBC’s own “HP Sos” band)
- carnival-like activities for kids like a jumping castle, face painting, popcorn, cotton candy
- a deacon dunk-tank and pie throwing contest (target: Pastor Adam)
- an ‘old-tyme’ picture booth
- historic building tour
- God lifts (this has sparked more questions and spiritual conversations with people in the neighbourhood than anything else)
And much more.
If you’re in the city the May 30th weekend, you won’t want to miss this. It’s going to be really fun.
The Word Is Out, Expect A Crowd…
We’ve been plastering the neighbourhood with posters, postcards, direct personal invitations, getting out to meet-and-greet people on the street for the last month.
If awareness and interest is any indication, we’re expecting 200 families to drop by between 11 am and 2 pm on May 30th.
Come out and have a great time on May 30 if you’re in the city.
Here are the details again. Pass this on to your friends.
Date: May 30 (special service on May 31)
Time: 11am to 2pm
Place: 9 Hewitt Avenue
Looking forward to seeing you.
High Park’s Unique Circular Sanctuary
There is something inherently soothing about circles. There’s a perpetuity and completeness about them.
My soul is easily soothed and inspired in our circular sanctuary. The uniquely warm and glorious atmosphere envelopes me through the robust wooden pews and panels with a white, high ceiling as a crown.
We agree that the Church is truly people not rooms, but there is a spirituality of architecture. Just as our home’s layout reflects our domestic values, so to the layout of our worship centre reflect our worldview.
The ceiling is high to reflect transcendence, but not too high so as to intimidate me. This circular sanctuary with balcony reflects our shared view of a radically democratized Christian community gathering before God to hear and be heard. It reflects our soul of sharing in the gospel-benefits together.
Come see how the circular sanctuary feels to you. Jump into the lobby and up the stairs to check it out. The lobby will have an information table, historic photo display and video at our 100th BBQ May 30, 11 am to 2pm.
100 years young and still having fun!
At 100 years strong, HPBC has been around as long as Roncey. We’ve enjoyed being a part of this great neighbourhood, and contributing to the unique community spirit here.
I would like to invite you to celebrate our 100th birthday with some spirited family fun, “the Roncey way”.
Saturday May 30, 11-2pm, 9 Hewitt Ave.
$0.50 Burgs, Dogs and free drinks.
Fun for kids of all ages…like me!
High Park Turns 100!
Very close to this day 100 years ago, High Park Baptist Church was established on Hewitt Avenue by Walmer Road Baptist Church.
The history of High Park is a rich history of a mighty and faithful God, leading a vibrant community of people who loved, served and worshipped Jesus Christ.
The community around Hewitt Ave. and Roncesvalles Ave. have changed many times in 100 years, but the God we serve does not change, and still works powerfully in this community today.
On November 30th, 2008, High Park Baptist Church will be having a very special service to celebrate our 100th Anniversary. The scripture that we keep focusing on is, “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of our mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4.
The service this day will be an uplifting time; a time to hear about God’s amazing history in this church, and His awesome power today in the life of the church.
We would love for you to be there to share this moment in history with us.
The service is at the regular time, 10:30am on Sunday morning followed with birthday cake, refreshments and a chance to greet past, present and even future members of the church.
If you’re out of the city this weekend or simply can’t join us, we would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below with your best wishes, memories, or stories.
We look forward to seeing you if you are in Toronto this weekend, and to High Park’s next 100 years!
The 100th Anniversary Committee
High Park Baptist Church
Is The Church Just A Local Jesus Franchise?
We’ve been thinking…
When it comes to church, ever asked yourself one of these questions?
- “What is a church?”
- “Why bother with a local church?”
- “How is a local church supposed to function?”
- “How am I supposed to function in a local church?”
If so, we wanted to pass on some answers.
We’ve uploaded one of the best, most clear, most accessible, straightforward (and downright entertaining), explanations of what church is that we’ve heard in a long, long time.
And as you’ll hear from the speaker, Mark Dever, love is at the very heart.
You’ll learn:
- what is a church
- why God established local churches
- why is church involvement so important
- the 3 essential marks of a Christian church
- how to choose a good local church
- how to build your life around a good local church
And A LOT more.
You’re in for a real treat.
If you’re at all uncertain about what a church is supposed to be, and what your place is in it, we can’t recommend this talk highly enough.
It’s the second best thing to having been at High Park last Sunday. 
Tell us what you think.
HPBC Kicks Off The Fall Season
Welcome back after a pretty quiet summer at HPBC – and this website. Perhaps like you, many of us were taking some time to rest and regroup for the busy fall season.
HPBC has entered the fall under the full-time leadership of Pastor Adam Rumball. We’re all really excited about what God will do with the renewed focus and energy that Adam brings.
There are a few things you may want to know about coming up…
- Adam is deep into his current series “Living A Legacy”, where he examines the God of patriarchs. Adam has a unique way of disarming listeners, and sneaking in insights and convicting truth in ways you don’t expect. If you’re in the city, drop in to hear him speak. Prepare to leave with something provoking to chew on
- If you just can’t get enough of Adam’s messages on Sunday, you can now go deeper and examine the themes of the messages on Thursday nights in “home church”. These are small group home settings where we crack open the Scripture and truths Adam speaks on Sunday mornings.
- Pastor Matt picked up Kid’s Link where it left off before summer. KL is a fun and engaging program for kids 2-12 years old. If you know of anyone with kids in that age range, bring them by the church at 6:30-8 pm. Pastor Matt is also full into the Youth Centre. Teens gather there to be with mat several days a week.
- Room to Roam is a new moms/kids initiative to connect families in the community. While the weather is still nice, they meet on Tuesdays in Sorauren Park (Sorauren and Westminster). Once the weather turns cooler, they’ll romp around in the lower auditorium of the church. The idea is simply to bring moms and kids together, foster relationships, and have fun.
Those are just SOME of the things going on.
One significant behind the scenes activity is the planning for HPBC’s 100th anniversary. The actual day is November 30, but the planning group is working on stringing together a number of 100th themed events throughout the year. Be on the lookout for more on that as we approach the date.
If you’d like to know more about the events and activities mentioned above, get in touch with the church office. Donna would be more than happy to put you in touch with the right person.
Look for more info coming soon.
One Practical Way of Loving People
Here’s an example of how a group of High Parker’s came together in a practical way to love a family in our church.