The front-piece of our communion table is a relief carving of da Vinci’s “Last Supper” which depicts the scene recorded in John 13:21 when Jesus says to his disciples, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” The painting captures the disruption that follows this declaration.

This is, as far as I am concerned, the perfect image to focus on when we remember Jesus' death and resurrection whenever we celebrate communion or, as we will this weekend, Easter. The meal that Jesus institutes is not for the perfect or the perfectly loyal, but for disciples who will betray him, deny him, and abandon him. And Jesus’ response to those who ought to have been faithful but who he knows will not be is not to write them off or to replace them, but to take the bread, give thanks, break it, and hand it to them saying, “This is my body broken for you.”

This weekend, as we observe Easter and remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, let me encourage you that it isn’t for the perfect or the perfectly loyal but for disciples like you and I who betray him, deny him, and abandon him. It is for us!

I pray you will experience this truth afresh and anew this weekend.

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor

Invite your friends and family to join one (or more) of our Easter Services - onsite or online.

THU 17 APR: 7:00PM Tenebrae (+ Communion)

FRI 18 APR: 9:30AM - "Changed Lives": Good Friday Service
(Bible Passage: John 19:38-42) Preacher Marc Rader

SUN 20 APR: 9:30AM  - "Changed Lives": Easter Sunday Service 
(Bible passage: John 20:1-10) Preacher: Marc Rader 

6:00pm - Same Message as in AM.

Next Sunday:

Sun 27 Apr - Lives Changed by Jesus: A multiplying capacity to make disciples + Interview with Heather Druce + Communion

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

4 May - Guest Preacher (Karl Faase) - Encounter Series Launch - MMM: Mother's Heart (Interview)

11 May - Encounter - MMM:Baptist World Aid Australia (Interview)

12 May - GBC Renovations Forum

18 May - Encounter - MMM:TearFund (Interview)

18 May - GBC Extraordinary Meeting - Building Reno

25 May - Encounter - MMM (Final Week)

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.

1. We often read to be prepared to give an answer, but can you say more to do with gentleness and respect. How is this how Jesus wants us to speak to others about him?
2. Verse 9 says don’t repay evil but verse 12 says the Lord is against evildoers. So, we can’t turn our back on God’s will or we will receive punishment, but God can do it to us?
3. When is it reasonable not to call out someone’s sin?

[The Big 3 will be on hiatus over Easter - Returns Sunday 27 April for our new series in Encounter].

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.

An important email was sent by Marc Rader to all GBC Attendees via GBC Links (17 April 2025) which included:

* proposed renovation plans of our church building (as well as existing);

* details of how to submit questions/comments regarding the plans;

* "save the dates" - forum on Monday 12 May and Extraordinary Church Meeting  Sunday 18 May 2025.

Please click the button below for more.

I’d like to invite you to join me in praying for the Lord’s leading and provision for two people to join our staff team.

1. A Communication Coordinator. This is a 12 hour/week role coordinate simple, consistent, and creative messaging about the mission and ministry of Gymea Baptist Church. The position description can be found HERE.
   
   
2. A Community Engagement Pastor. This is a full-time role whose primary responsibilities relate to our strategic priority of community engagement. The position description is available to view by clicking HERE.

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in either of these roles, please feel free to pass the position descriptions on to them or to direct them to GBC's website/Work With Us.

Please be in prayer that the Lord will bring the right people to join us and for the Nominating Committee who will be engaged in the process of recommending the pastoral appointment.

Instead join us for our Tenebrae Service 7:00pm at GBC Onsite or GBC Online.

We'll be back to pray together online next Thursday 24 April 7:30-8:00pm - Join us by using this link: THURSDAY NIGHT PRAYER ZOOMor using the Meeting ID: 919 1693 5880 Passcode: f603j2

All men are invited to attend lunch on Wednesday 30th April at Donald Robinson Village (DRV), meeting at 12.15 for a 12.30 start.

Guest Speakers this month will be DRV Residents, Wilma and Alf Norman, who will tell us about their experiences on mission in New Guinea.

Cost for lunch is $19. 

Please book with Arthur Watterson on 8539 7990, or Ian Scarfe on 0439 914 957 by Tuesday 22nd April. Please note early booking deadline.    (Last minute cancellations must be paid for)

How great were the Christmas Window Box displays at Festival of Christmas 2024, eh?

If you would like to take part in designing / building / decorating this year's window boxes please let Jackie Martin know - Click HERE to send her an email.

Clive, who attends our AM Congregation, urgently needs household items for his rental unit as his wife and children will be moving here from overseas after Easter.

1) lounge/sofa/couch.
2) washing machine. 

If you can bless this beautiful GBC Family with any of the above items please email karen.watkins@gymeabaptist.org.au. Collection/transport of items will be facilitated by Clive. 

Vicki and her team at Hopefield are still in need of a person to look after a couple of children under 5 at Hopefield Kirrawee (in GBC creche) to allow their parent to attend a Hopefield program. (Current WWCC and Safe Church compliance is essential).

Dates: Wednesday 10:30am-1:30pm - April 23, 30, May 14, 28, June 11, 25.

If you are available to help on one, a few or all those dates please contact Karen Watkins at Hopefield by email or call Janet on 9545 0299.