Message from the Senior Pastor

In the middle of my sermon last week I briefly reflected on how a sermon series develops and grows as it is preached and then on how this has begun to happen with our current series: Lives Changed by Jesus. In particular, three questions have bubbled to the surface about each of the practices that we will be exploring. Each of these practices are both evidence of a life changed and a means by which Jesus changes us. Not all of the practices will have been as transformative in our lives as others; Jesus changes us through many means. However, it is my hope that in 2025 Jesus will invite each of us to participate with the Holy Spirit to experience the ongoing transformation available to us in these practices.

The three questions are a reflection of these ideas.

First, how has Jesus used a particular practice to transform you?

Second, what things have you done to foster this transformative practice in your life? Or, what have you done to make this practice a genuine spiritual practice? Consider last week’s topic: generosity. It is possible for people to practice generosity but not as a spiritual practice. How do we make it a practice Jesus can use to change us?

Third, if someone asked you how to begin to make this practice a spiritual one, what would you suggest as a first step?

I am looking for people from our community of faith who would be willing to briefly answer these questions in a short interview in our services. To put your hand up is not to say that you have arrived or have all the answers, but only that you have experienced the transformation of Jesus in your life through one practice or another. The following practices are ones that I am hoping someone will be willing to share about: an increasing recognition of God’s voice, a deepening desire for reconciliation/forgiveness, a developing readiness to give an answer for your faith, and a multiplying capacity to make disciples.

If you have experienced change in one of those areas and would be willing to share some of your experience I’d invite you to contact me at Marc.Rader@gymeabaptist.org.au.

Sharing a bit of your story would be an encouragement to our whole community of faith and I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor

This Sunday: 23 February

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

9:30am - (2025 Theme) "Lives Changed by Jesus: A sharpening focus on others.
(Bible passage: Philippians 2:5-11) Preacher: Marc Rader. Interview with Annette Clarke. And celebrating Communion.

1:30pm - HopeDrive.

6:00pm - Same Message as in AM. Interview with John Cox. Communion.

Coming up ...

2 Mar - Lives Changed by Jesus: A deepening delight in Scripture.

9 Mar - Lives Changed by Jesus: An abiding life of prayer.

16 Mar - Baptism Sunday

Weekly Sermon Resources

The Big 3 | LifeGroup Resources

THE BIG 3 PODCAST

Marc Rader answers the Top 3 Questions raised from Sunday's sermon:

1) Join in The Big 3 - ask your own question from the Sermon or upvote other people's - Click on Slido via LinkTree.

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.

Every Monday you can access that week's LifeGroup Resource on LinkTree and also on GBC Links/LifeGroups/Resource Library.

GBC Church Calendar 2025

Upcoming events - Add to your Diary

SUN 23 FEB: HopeDrive

SUN 23 FEB: LifeGroup Leaders Catch Up

FRI 28/2-SUN 2/3: GBC Youth Camp

SUN 2 MAR: Q&A for Prospective LifeGroup Leaders

SUN 2 MAR: Baptism Q&A with Marc

SUN 16 MAR: Baptism Sunday (Click HERE for EOI )

SUN 16 MAR: Creating Safe Spaces Workshop at GBC (See info below)

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

SUN 23 FEB 1:30pm

HopeDrive is on this Sunday (23 February) - GBC driveway drive-thru drop-off 1:30pm-3:30pm.

Alternatively, you can bring your pre-packaged grocery donations to Sunday's 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 weekend 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!

Baptism Q&A with Marc

SUN 2 MAR 11AM/4:30PM

If you're interested in being baptised at our Baptism Service on March 16 (or just exploring baptism) please join Marc Rader at a Q&A Info Session on Sunday 2 March - Choose from 11:00am OR 4:30pm on the EOI form.

Fill out the Expression of Interest by clicking here and Marc will contact you.

LifeGroup Leaders Q&A Info Session

SUN 2 MAR 11AM

If you're interested in leading a LifeGroup but want to know more about it first (how, when, what, where, who) please join Roxane Lawler and Nicole Jones at an info session for prospective LifeGroup Leaders on Sunday 2 March at 11am, upstairs at GBC.

No need to register - just walk into the room - we'd love to see you there.

Creating Safe Spaces Workshop @ GBC

SUN 16 MAR 12-3

Creating Safe Space is a two-part training facilitated by the Baptist Association to train and equip volunteers and ministry leaders who are working with vulnerable people. The workshop covers duty of care, positional power, transparency and accountability, risk management, reporting obligations, and Safe Church Practices.

Volunteers who are serving in leadership roles and/or working with vulnerable people directly are required to complete this training but the training is open to anyone who would like to be equipped to create safe spaces for all people to explore who the person of Jesus is here at GBC.

Part one of the training is an online module that you can register and complete here.

Part two of the training is attending a face-to-face module on Sunday 16 March from 12:00-3:00pm at GBC. Click here to register for the GBC face-to-face module.

Speak to Marjy for more information or if you need assistance registering.

GBC LifeGroups

Join Now or Invite a friend

LifeGroups are a wonderful way to connect in with your GBC family.

Invite someone to join your LifeGroup or ask someone to join their's.

Complete an Expression of Interest - CLICK HERE.

What happens next? Nicole Jones, LifeGroup Coordinator will email you.

GBC Serve

Volunteer's Next Step

Thinking of volunteering at GBC in 2025 but not sure where or how or who to speak with?

Please complete an Expression of Interest by clicking here and Marjy Robertson, Serve Team Leader will be in contact with you.

GBC Annual Dinner

Celebration and Thanks

To those who joined us for GBC Annual Dinner last Wednesday night, thank you for being part of the fun as we shared in wonderful conversation and a delicious meal. Roxane led us in a game of change with a walk down memory lane and Marc's message inspired us to stay on-purpose as he shared some interesting images of church metaphors, with a few Maple Leafs photos thrown in for good measure (and a good laugh). It was a delightful opportunity to catch up with other GBC folk who we often don't get to speak with in the usual hustle and bustle of a Sunday.

How good is it to celebrate being a part of God's family. He is such a good and generous God - blessing us with the joy of friendship and laughter.

A special thank you to the team who helped beforehand, during and afterwards. Love seeing you bless your church family in this way.

Keep an eye on GBC socials for Annual Dinner photos and download Marc's message from GBC sermon podcasts.

Thursday Night Prayer Zoom

Thursday 7:30pm-8pm

We'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.

Senior Men's Lunch @ DRV

WED 26 Feb 12:15pm

SENIOR MEN’S LUNCH, Wednesday 26 February at Donald Robinson Village (DRV), meeting at 12:15 for a 12:30 start.

Two DRV residents will share their faith journey, and Stephen Hatton will talk briefly about his life and the book he has written entitled, “MS, God and Me - a Christian’s journey.” There will be a time for feedback and future planning.

Cost for lunch is $19.

Booking Deadline: Tues 18/2 - Call Arthur Watterson 8539 7990, Ian Scarfe 0439 914 957.
(Please note: early booking deadline AND Last minute cancellations must be paid for).

SBCE Supporters: Email from Sue McCubben

Update and Prayer Requests

Once more we have this opportunity to bring God’s Word to SRE students in Kirrawee and Gymea High Schools.

Please pray for:

* Joanne and Aaron as they prepare to teach in classes next week.

* Students to attend classes and be engaged in the Bible and their faith.

* Favour for Joanne and Aaron with staff and students.

Thank you for your prayers,
Sue McCubben, SBCE Secretary.

Baby Congratulations: Micah

Proud parents Jack and Leilei

Super excited to share this wonderful news with our GBC Family and all praise and glory to Him on the recent birth of gorgeous little Micah. New parents, Jack and Leilei are part of our AM congregation. Praising God for Micah and praying he will know the presence of the Lord throughout his life and be a seeker of true wisdom (found only in God).

Hurleys: A Message to Our GBC Family

Update and Prayer Request Email 20/2

"Manje and I want to thank you for faithfully praying for us and walking alongside us. We have had a busy yet joyful two months in India.

After finishing our time in Mongolia, we left with joy, knowing we had finished well. However, as you know, we had concerns about Micah’s health. We are happy to share that, through your prayers and the change in environment, Micah has responded well and is now healthy. Both he and Jirah have flourished here in India.

Each week, we have had the opportunity to share and preach in churches; an unexpected ministry, yet one made possible only by the Lord’s grace as He continues to grow and develop us. It is truly astounding how He can take our small offerings and turn them into opportunities to serve. Ten years ago who could have imagined that I would be preaching before hundreds? Truly, the Lord is gracious.

We have one more Sunday and one final opportunity to encourage a church before we begin our journey to Peru next week on March 2nd. Our journey will be in stages—first traveling across India to Delhi, then departing for Peru at midnight on March 4th, arriving late on the 5th (which should really be the 6th as we "time travel" across the International Date Line). We are excited to reach our new home, though we have many questions and uncertainties about how everything will come together. As we search for schools for the kids and begin the process of starting a new life in a new country, we will also be returning to school ourselves to learn the language and culture.

At this point, we don’t know exactly how it will all come together, but we are trusting the Lord and deeply appreciate your support and prayers as we step into this new season.We look forward to sharing more about the ministry in the coming months!

With great love, Ben, Manje, Jirah and Micah.

An Encouraging Elder Editorial from Barbara Higgins

Lives Changed By Jesus

Matthew Chapter 18 records the time when the disciples came to Jesus asking “who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

The fact that they asked the question showed they has no true understanding about the kingdom.

Jesus presented before them a young child as an answer to their question. He said “unless you turn and become like children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven”

In the disciples eyes children owned nothing, had no authority, were of no importance, were seen and not heard. However, Jesus sees qualities in children that represent the character of believers. He sees humility, dependence and trust.

When Jesus looks at us does he see pride and ambition or does he see humility, dependence and trust?

A Prayer to Pray (from this Week's LifeGroup Resource)

Pray for each other that the Holy Spirit would identify an area of our lives that He wants to align more closely over the course of 2025. (An increasing commitment to God’s mission is essentially an increasing alignment of our values, priorities, and activities to God’s plans in the world).

Congregational Prayer Requests

Please pray for GBC folk who are coping with physical, mental and emotional pain. For those who are in hospital, undergoing surgery, medical tests, treatment. God is at work - may they know the miracle that happens when the hurt and the Healer collide.

Pray for:

* People in our church family seeking employment.

* Our Youth Kids and Leaders - as they prepare for GBC Youth Camp in early March.

* Those considering being baptised at the Baptism Service - that they will be encouraged to take their next faithful step in continuing to change their life for Jesus.

* LifeGroups, meeting together again for 2025 and for those joining a lifegroup for the first time. May God continue to deepen and enrich all relationships in LifeGroups, for honest and humble conversations as we seek to be more like Jesus together.

* Our community of faith. Firstly, that we might see lives changed for the first time as people place their faith in Jesus. And secondly, that we might see change in all our lives as we continue to follow Jesus.

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 join one of our three Care Teams (Food, Practical, Visitation & Prayer) contact Marjy Robertson, Serve Team Coordinator.

GBC News | 23 February 2025