|
|
GBC News | 24 January 2025Message from the Senior PastorThe Bible App’s verse of the day on Wednesday was Proverbs 19:21 – “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it's the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” I thought this was a particularly apt proverb for the beginning of the year. As a new ministry year, school term, or business quarter begins and as things really begin to ramp up it is worth reflecting on a couple of aspects of this proverb. First, it affirms the importance of planning. While it could be read to suggest that making plans is useless since it is the Lord’s plans, not ours, that prevail, I believe we are called to prepare. The previous proverb, for example, describes the wisdom of listening to advice and counsel. Furthermore, we know that the purposes of God are not opaque or hidden away, but have been made clear to us in Christ. We are able to plan to participate in God’s purposes and have been given each other to discern those plans. Second, it affirms that God is in control. Sometimes we plan to try to gain control over what is ultimately uncontrollable. This proverb reminds us that it is God who is in control. Third, it reminds us that God’s plans will not succeed or fail because of our planning. We are called to align ourselves to his purposes and do so wisely, but our participation is important because it is with God. I have reflected on this verse with the Church Council and with the staff and felt it was a good reminder for all of us as we head into a new year – “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” See you Sunday! Marc Rader | Senior Pastor This Sunday: 26 January9:30am (Onsite and Online) | 6:00pm (Onsite only)9:30am - "Jesus & The Sydney Morning Herald" - A response to “The Anxious Generation” 6:00pm - Same Message as in AM + Communion Coming up ...2 Feb - 2025 Theme Announcement - New sermon series commences. 2 Feb - Light supervision for Kidzone. (Kidzone programs return 9 Feb). Weekly Sermon ResourcesThe Big 3 | LifeGroup ResourcesMISSED 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) 19 Jan: No Place Like Home: The Gospel and the housing affordability crisis (Marc Rader) THE BIG 3 PODCAST as well as LIFEGROUP RESOURCES ARE ON HIATUS and will return in February with our new sermon series: Lives Changed by Jesus. GBC Church Calendar 2025Upcoming events - Add to your DiarySAT 1 FEB 8:30AM: Volunteer Launch SUN 9 FEB: KidZone Term One commences MON 10 FEB: Playtime Commences (Groups meet Mon, Tues, Wed and Thur - 10am-12pm) MON 10 FEB 11:30am: Embrace Ladies Lunch (See info below to register/pay) WED 12 FEB: EDGE returns. FRI 14 FEB: GBC YOUTH commences. 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. KidZone, Edge, Youth & PlaytimeTerm One Kid's Ministries - Start DatesKidZone : Sunday 9 Feb Playtime: Monday 10 Feb - Thursday 13 Feb EDGE: Wednesday 12 Feb GBC Youth: Friday 14 Feb For more information contact the following staff member/ministry coordinator for: KidZone (Ages 0/Creche - Year 8/Loft) - Bec Vernum Playtime (Parents, grandparents and carers and their children from birth to preschoolers) - Meddwyn Hinton GBC EDGE (Years 5-6) and GBC Youth (Years 7-12) - Jeremy Brough
HopeDrive: Thank youFor Donating Last SundayHopefield would like to thank everyone for donating to HopeDrive last week (we had an earlier collection date).
Our Support Services Pantry is now full and ready to bless our community!
Thank you for being big-hearted and others-focused in partnering with Hopefield in this wonderful ministry. From little things, big things grow! Embrace Ladies LuncheonMON 10 FEB 11:30AM-2:00PMCome along to our first Embrace Ladies Luncheon for 2025 on Monday February 10 from 11.30am to 2.00pm in the GBC Atrium. Bring your friends! Cost: $15. K4J (Kick'n for Jesus)SAT 15 FEB 10AM-1:30PMKick’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 February 15 TICKETS:
GBC ANNUAL DINNER - Registration Now OpenWED 19 FEB 6:30PMLock this date in your diary and register now 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 prepared by Helen's Catering. Our Senior Pastor Marc Rader will be sharing with us God's vision for us in 2025 and beyond.
Thursday Night Prayer Zoom: Returns 30 JANThursday 7:30pm-8pmCurrently on hiatus - will return on January 30. GBC Youth Camp - Register NowFriday 28 Feb - Sunday 2 MarRegister now 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. RSVP DUE: Volunteer LaunchSAT 1 FEB 9-11:30AMAll Volunteers please check your inbox and ensure you RSVP to Marjy's invite to: GBC Serve: Volunteer 2025 Launch on Saturday 1 February 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 for a "look & see" - 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 8:30am for a prompt start at 9:00am. Morning tea will be provided (RSVP for catering purposes please). We are looking forward to see what God will be doing in 2025 through the ministries here at GBC.
NEWSFLASH: Operations Update for JanuaryDrainage Remediation Work - Safe Access to GBCDrainage works have commenced this week to prevent future flooding for insurance purposes. The two mobility car spaces in the little car park next to the church are open for use, however, the rest of the parking spots in the little carpark are closed (for a large skip bin). Please follow all posted signs to ensure your safety. Access to the church building will be available throughout the building works, however, please ensure you follow all signage and barriers (witch's hats & tape) to ensure your safety as you navigate your way around the building works beside the driveway and near the main entrance doors/GBC Office. Any questions, please contact Marjy at the Church Office - office@gymeabaptist.org.au Morling College Info Zoom: Feb 6Online Only - Register to get zoom linkIf 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 Lawler (who is a Morling Ambassador) or Marc Rader (who lectures at Morling College). |
|
GBC Family NewsAn Encouraging Elder Editorial from Derek MullinsSharing in This Extraordinary Life TogetherThis weekend, we celebrate Australia Day. I have lived most of my life in Australia but only became an Australian citizen in 2021, having been born in England. I celebrate living in a beautiful country, but my dual citizenship also reminds me of Paul’s words: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20) What a glorious reminder of the only citizenship of lasting value! Congregational Prayer RequestsPlease continue to uplift in prayer Jim McDonald (whose wife Lois went to be with the Lord) and Joanne McLachlan (whose husband Dave passed away recently). May they know God is with them watching over and comforting them every hour, every minute, of the day and night in the time of grief. Please pray for Jan and Jenny - may God uphold and heal them as they recover from surgery and give wisdom to the medical staff as they work through next steps in rehab. 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 34:18: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Engagement Congratulations: Abi Jones and Tom IrvineOur 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: |
