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GBC News | 31 January 2025Message from the Senior PastorThis Sunday marks the beginning of our ministry year. We’ll be launching our theme series – Lives Changed by Jesus – and over the next couple of weeks most of our ministries will once again be up and running. For many of you, with school going back, life will once again settle into your regular routines too. I wanted to take the opportunity, as we all get back into the full swing of things, to invite you to prayerfully consider your financial partnership with God’s work here at GBC. There are several ways you can respond to God’s invitation to participate financially. First, through regular contributions to our ministry budget. We encourage setting up electronic giving (and, as a reminder, if you have set this up previously, now is a good time to make sure it hasn’t lapsed and/or to potentially increase your giving if you are able) and you can find out more on our website - CLICK HERE. Second, in May we focus on supporting several significant projects around the world as well as the work of our own sent missionaries. The project partnerships remain unchanged and we will be supporting the work of Baptist World Aid in Lebanon (and we are hoping to have a couple of representatives from MERATH with us in July, which will be amazing!), Mother’s Heart in Cambodia, and Tearfund in Australia. We encourage people to contribute to these over and above any regular giving and the same is true this year. Third, we seek to support the outreach of Hopefield, our community services and therapeutic ministry, throughout the year. In September we raise $30,000 to support the work in DV counselling and every month we host Hope Drive to provide non-perishables for those in need. This is a vital work in our backyard and we encourage people to think about whether they can support Hopefield. Fourth, we have two additional funds that we want people to be aware of. The Cultural Music Trust is a tax-deductible fund that supports, among other things, the Festival of Christmas (more info on our website - link above). We will also be starting an endowment fund early this year to fund future ministry. This is not tax-deductible. And of course, God may invite you to support other ministries and charities as part of his plans to restore and renew all things! What is important to me is that we are practising being Big-Hearted (generous in every way) as those who are joining in with what God is doing! See you Sunday! Marc Rader | Senior Pastor This Sunday: 26 January9:30am (Onsite and Online) | 6:00pm (Onsite only)9:30am - 2025 Theme & New Sermon Series - "Lives Changed by Jesus" - A growing commitment to the mission of God. 6:00pm - Same Message as in AM. Coming up ...9 Feb - Kidzone returns. Weekly Sermon ResourcesThe Big 3 | LifeGroup Resources - RETURN FEB 2THE BIG 3 PODCAST Marc Rader answers the Top 3 Questions raised from Sunday's sermon: 2) Every Wednesday - Listen to The Big 3 podcast here or subscribe/download whereever you get your podcasts - Join Marc as he answers the top three questions raised from Sunday's Sermon. LIFEGROUP RESOURCES Produced each Monday as a companion to the sermon series and includes a brief overview of the sermon with a series of activities to do together as a LifeGroup: Questions to ask, Prayers to pray, Practices to try, Biblical passages to read. MISSED A SERMON WHILE AWAY ON VACATION? For your sermon catch up - here's our Jesus & The Sydney Morning Herald series: 5 Jan: Word of the Year (Roxane Lawler)
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
GBC ANNUAL DINNER - Register NowWED 19 FEB 6:30PMRegister today to secure your seat to this not-to-be-missed event on GBC's calendar. Registration closes 12 Feb. 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 God's vision for us in 2025 and beyond. 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:
Thursday Night Prayer ZoomThursday 7:30pm-8pmWe'd love you to join us for a short but effective time of “zoom” prayer Thursday night at 7:30pm. A 30-minute guided prayer led by one of our wonderful Elders. It's always an encouragement spending this short time together with Jesus. You can join in using this link: THURSDAY NIGHT PRAYER ZOOM or using the Meeting ID: 919 1693 5880 Passcode: f603j2 Add it to your diary now and we look forward to seeing you online on Thursday. 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. Volunteer LaunchSAT 1 FEB 9-11:30AMAll Volunteers are invited to attend: 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 have 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 UpdateDrainage 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). |
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GBC Family NewsAn Encouraging Elder Editorial from Barb HigginsSharing in This Extraordinary Life TogetherAfter encounters with the multitudes, Pharisees and Sadducees - Jesus asked His disciples “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Jesus poses this same question to every one of us - “Who do you say I am?” Is my life a reflection of the Living God? 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 their 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. Pray for students and teachers as they start the school year - pray especially for children who are attending a new school, making friends and learning the rules and rhythm of their new school. Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 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: |
