Message from the Senior Pastor

Like many of you, I’m sure, this past week was my first week back in the office after Christmas. It’s been good to get back into the swing of things; and to do so while things haven’t quite gotten into high gear!

As I briefly mentioned last Sunday, we had a great time overseas with my family. Lots of time with my parents, my siblings and their families, as well as a good time with just our immediate family. A bit of snow, a fair amount of hockey, and lots of laughs wouldn’t be a bad way to summarise the three weeks away!

Thanks to all of you who have asked about the time away or followed our trip on Facebook or Instagram (I say “our” though all of the posts would have been from everyone but me!) and a big thanks to the staff team who not only covered the busy Christmas season, but also did a great deal of work with our inaugural Festival of Christmas (and another shout-out to all of you who volunteered to help with the festival!).

We’re only a few weeks away from the launch of our ministry year and of a number of initiatives and projects and I’m looking forward to seeing what God will do in our community of faith.

See you Sunday!

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor

This Sunday: 19 January

9:30am (Onsite and Online) | 6:00pm (Onsite only)

9:30am - "Jesus & The Sydney Morning Herald" No Place Like Home: The Gospel and the Housing Affordability Crisis
(Bible passage: Revelation 22:1-5) Preacher: Marc Rader.

1:30pm - HopeDrive

6:00pm - Same Message as in AM.

Coming up ...

26 Jan - Jesus & The Sydney Morning Herald - A Response to The Anxious Generation (Marc Rader) + Communion

Weekly Sermon Resources

The Big 3 | LifeGroup Resources

MISSED A SERMON WHILE AWAY ON VACATION? Click to: Listen to GBC Sermon Podcast | Watch GBC's Youtube Channel.

Catch up on any sermons from our Jesus & The Sydney Morning Herald series:

5 Jan: Word of the Year (Roxane Lawler)

12 Jan: Wellness - Wisdom or Wackiness? (Marc Rader)

THE BIG 3 PODCAST as well as LIFEGROUP RESOURCES - CURRENTLY ON HIATUS (Both will return in February with our new sermon series: Lives Changed by Jesus).

GBC Church Calendar 2025

Upcoming events - Add to your Diary

SUN 19 JAN: HopeDrive

SAT 1 FEB 8:30AM: Volunteer Launch

MON 10 FEB 11:30am: Embrace Ladies Lunch

SAT 15 FEB 10am: K4J Kick'n For Jesus (See info below to register/pay)

WED 19 FEB 6:30PM: GBC Annual Dinner (See info below to register/pay)

FRI 28/2-SUN 2/3: GBC Youth Camp (See link below to register/pay)

SUN 16 MAR: Baptism Sunday

SAT 22 MAR: Men's Breakfast

SUN 30 MAR: GBC Annual General Meeting Two

You can access GBC Calendar on GBC Links - Go to the "Calendar" tab on the drop down menu in GBC Links or click here and log in.

HopeDrive: This Sunday 19 January

EARLIER DATE THAN USUAL - Urgent Need of Groceries

HopeDrive is on Sunday 19 January: GBC driveway drive-thru drop-off 1:30pm-3:30pm. (An earlier date due to long weekend and extra need for pantry food).

Our pantry shelves are VERY empty post Christmas - it would be wonderful if you could bring in your pre-packaged grocery donations ANY TIME during this week OR at any Sunday service.

Click to view this month's shopping list of required items.

There are so many people in our community needing basic food items; please consider adding 1-2 items from the shopping list into your trolley this week to help us fill the Hopefield pantry.

Alternatively, if you would like to give financially to allow Hopefield to purchase fresh meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables on your behalf, click here to go to Hopefield's website.

Thank you for being big-hearted and others-focused in partnering with Hopefield in this wonderful ministry.

From little things, big things grow!

K4J (Kick'n for Jesus)

SAT 15 FEB 10AM-1:30PM

Kick’n for Jesus is a kid's Soccer Gala day for GBC families and friends. The day will consist of picnic in the park style gathering, organised soccer games for Years K-1 and Years 2-4, a bbq lunch and three short testimonies.

EVENT DETAILS:

When: Saturday, 15 February
Time: 10am - 1:30pm
Location: NSRSC Field 3, Sutherland (Cnr Grand Pde & Oakwood St)
Wear: Clothes to play soccer in, shin pads, sneakers (no soccer boots)
Bring: water bottle, picnic blanket/chairs, snacks.

Cost: $10 per child rego incl. lunch (includes a green ‘K4J’ wrist band)
$5 per person (child or family member) lunch only (no rego).

For more info/Any Qs: Email Bec Vernum, GBC Kids Ministry Coordinator.

TO REGISTER CLICK HERE

GBC ANNUAL DINNER - Registration Now Open

WED 19 FEB 6:30PM

Lock this date in your diary and register to secure your seat to this not-to-be-missed event on GBC's calendar.

Get to know GBC folk over a two-course buffet-style meal professionally catered by Helen's Catering. Our Senior Pastor Marc Rader will be sharing with us God's vision for us in 2025 and beyond.

Cost: $30 per person

To register CLICK HERE.

Thursday Night Prayer Zoom

Thursday 7:30pm-8pm

Currently on hiatus - will return in early February.

GBC Youth Camp - Register Now

Friday 28 Feb - Sunday 2 March

Registration is now open for GBC Youth Camp at Youthworks Blue Gum Lodge, Springwood.

Cost $180pp.

There is a two-step process to register for camp.

1) You can pay for camp here.
2) Fill in the Registration Form / Permission slips. with all personal information using the link on our website.

RSVP DUE: Volunteer Launch

SAT 1 FEB 9-11:30AM

All Volunteers please check your inbox and RSVP to Marjy's invite to:

GBC Serve: Volunteer 2025 Launch on Saturday, 1 February, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM.

This is for all volunteers within all ministry teams.

*If you are not yet serving but would like to start, please come along - we'd love to see you.

Come meet together to be:

Inspired to partner with God at GBC for 2025 to "See lives changed by Jesus"

AND

Invest in your ministry skills

Doors open at 8:30 AM for a prompt start at 9:00 AM. Morning tea will be provided.

We are looking forward to see what God will be doing in 2025 through the ministries here at GBC.
Any questions email Marjy, GBC Serve Team Coordinator.

Operations Update

January Drainage Remediation Work

Many of you would remember the flooding event that the church experienced in April 2024. Since that time, many hours and work have gone into researching and contracting professionals in order to seek to prevent future flooding. This includes specifics set out by the insurance company that we must comply with.

Drainage works will commence later this month and the small car park next to the church will be closed (only on weekdays). We ask you to follow all posted signs to ensure your safety.

Access to the church building will be available throughout the building works.

Our Sunday services will not be impacted!

Morling College Info Zoom: Feb 6

Online Only - Register to get zoom link

If you're thinking about studying at Morling College this year - please check out all information on Morling's website.

You can also speak with Roxane (Morling Ambassador) or Marc Rader (who lectures at Morling).

Derek's Encouraging Elder Editorial

Sharing in This Extraordinary Life Together

During a cruise earlier this month, I visited a traditional village in Vanuatu. In speaking about the country’s history, a guide said that in the late 1800s, many people were tricked into working on Queensland cane plantations for little or no pay. When they were freed by the Australian Government at the turn of the 20th century, they returned home with a priceless gift – even while they were being exploited, they had heard the gospel. Today, Vanuatu is 95percent Christian and ranked first in the world on the 2024 Happy Planet Index. This reminds me of Paul’s words in Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”

Congregational Prayer Requests

Please pray for those who are grieving the recent passing of their loved one over the Christmas period:

Jim McDonald's wife, Lois; and

Joanne McLachlan's husband, David.

Please pray for Jan who is undergoing surgery today (Friday) - may God uphold her during the operation and for the post-surgery physio healing.

For those in our congregation who are travelling on vacation - may God grant them protection as they see and delight in the beautiful creation God has given us. For all of us, may we spend some time with God thanking and praising Him for His creation.

Psalm 28:7:

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Engagement Congratulations: Abi Jones and Tom Irvine

Our GBC family is excited to share the wonderful news from the Jones Clan of Abi and Tom's engagement.

Abi and Tom are part of our PM congregation - Let's be praying for this beautiful couple as they prepare for marriage.

Family News to share? | Join the Care Team?

If you would like an item included in GBC Family News please fill in this form. For any questions regarding submitting this form, contact Karen Watkins, Congregational Care Coordinator, GBC Office – 9521 4611.

Join the Care Team - be God's hands and His feet as we care for those in our community:
To start the conversation and/or volunteer on any of our Care Teams (Food, Practical, Visitation and Prayer) contact Marjy Robertson, Serve Team Coordinator.

GBC News | 19 January 2025