Message from the Senior Pastor

As Cyclone Alfred gets closer to making landfall and American politics disrupts markets and alliances, the words of Psalm 46 seem particularly applicable, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea… Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:1-2, 6-7).

The presence of God with his people – experienced in the unshakeable city and the temple – is the ultimate foundation for the community of faith in an unstable world. The ancient call resonates today and urges us to place our hope in God’s presence with us – made all the more concrete in Christ Jesus.

However, our hope is not only in having a refuge in the face of the storm surge of life, but in the One who speaks to those roaring waves and raging nations and says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” We hear the echo of Jesus’s rebuke to the wind and waves, “Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:39). Our God is not only a refuge for us in times of trouble, but also the one who will bring an end to that trouble; the one who will establish his reign over all others! “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:7, 11). Amen!

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor

This Sunday: 9 March

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

9:30am - (2025 Theme) "Lives Changed by Jesus": An abiding life of prayer.

(Bible passage: Luke 11:1-13) Preacher: Marc Rader. [+ Interview with Bruce Harbour].

6:00pm - Same Message as in AM. [+ Interview with Barb Higgins]

Coming up ...

16 Mar - Baptism Sunday

23 Mar - Lives Changed by Jesus: An increasing recognition of God's voice.

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 16 MAR: Baptism Sunday

SUN 16 MAR: Creating Safe Spaces Workshop at GBC

WED 19 MAR: Embrace Ladies Morning Tea

SAT 22 MAR: Men's Breakfast

SUN 30 MAR: GBC Annual General Meeting Two

SAT 13 APR: All-Church Working Bee

WED 26 MAR: Snr Men's Lunch @ DRV

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.

GBC Working Bee - Prep for NBSPG

SAT 13 APR 8AM-12PM

Marc Rader is hosting the National Baptist Senior Pastor's Gathering for a three day conference at GBC in May and we'd love to welcome the pastors to a sparkling, loved and cared for church building.

Join us for a heartwarming Working Bee at GBC on Saturday 12 April from 8:00am - 12noon!

Let’s come together to clean up and show our love for the church site. Whether you’re cleaning skirting boards, scrubbing, or sprucing up with some paint, your help will make a big difference. It’s a great way to serve, connect, and make our space shine. Bring your energy, tools, and a spirit of community – we can’t wait to see you there!

Hopefield Cronulla - Courtyard Garden

Volunteer(s) Needed: One Hour to Weed, Trim & Tidy

If you've got a spare 30 minutes (perhaps as a LifeGroup) Hopefield Cronulla (6 Gosport St) would love to hear from you.

Our little courtyard garden is in need of a littleTLC. It's a small area and should only take a couple of people 30 minutes. You set the date and time.

If you are able to assist Hopefield to make our Cronulla front door welcoming and easy to access, please email Karen Watkins to send you photos so you can see how easy the task will be.

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.

Embrace @ Blackfish Cafe, Como

WED 19 MAR 10AM

Come along to our first Embrace morning tea for 2025. Bring a friend or just come and catch up with friends on Wednesday 19th March, 10am to 11.30am at Blackfish Café, Como.

Let Janine know you’re coming so she can reserve a seat for you. See her this Sunday at the Tall Table in GBC Lounge or call her on 0405629790.

Men's Breakfast @ GBC

SAT 22 MAR 7:30AM

Join us for a bbq breakfast, barista coffee and an inspirational message from Guest Speaker Jerry Lee - "A Leader who serves to a Servant who Leads". Cost $10 pp.

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.

GBC's Lounge Lending Library

Please Borrow Anytime

The Lounge Lending Library (LLL) is full of interesting Christian books for you to borrow.

The lower shelf has lots of great Christian novels (I have restocked some of our favourite Tessa Afshar historical fiction books). Above those is some non-fiction books and especially some Daily Devotional books to help read the Bible and apply it. Take what you need.

Only a few books are for sale and clearly marked with blue highlighter on the price tag eg. Jesus Calling, Jesus Listens, Message Bible and Bible Stories for Minecrafters. Enjoy!

Any questions or sales see Sonia Beresford.

Senior Men's Lunch @ DRV

WED 26 MAR 12:15PM

All Men are invited to Senior Men's Lunch at Donald Robinson Village (DRV) on Wednesday 26 March at 12:15 for a 12:30 start.

Our Guest Speaker is Andrew Hudson, Chaplain at DRV. Andrew will tell how his passion for Gospel Ministry to our First Nations People began and has developed.

Cost for lunch is $19.

Please book with Arthur Watterson on 8539 7990, or Ian Scarfe on 0439 914 957 by Tuesday 18th March.

Please note early booking deadline. Last minute cancellations must be paid for.

Baptist Association of NSW & ACT

Urgent Prayer Needs as Cyclone Alfred Approaches

Email from Rev Dr Steve Bartlett, Director of Ministries, Baptist Association of NSW and ACT dated March 6:

"Dear praying friends,

You will be aware that Cyclone Alfred is soon to cross the coast in southeast Queensland. Forecasters are indicating that the Northern Rivers region of NSW will likely be hit hard in the next 24 to 48 hours. You’ll remember from 2022 that this area was devastated by flooding which has left many residents traumatised and now fearful of what may come.

Could you please pray for the Northern Rivers today and over the weekend.

We’ve been in contact with John Wilson (Regional Minister and pastor at Lismore Baptist) and a number of our other pastors in the region. They are asking you to pray for them. Some points for prayer from them include the following:

Pray for:

the many shop owners in Lismore who have already closed up and moved out (with one of our pastors driving a truck to assist them)
residents as “almost all food supplies are sold out including water” in many places
the children and families already impacted as schools and church programs are closed over the next few days
opportunities to share hope and love amongst those who are fearful and questioning
“people of the Northern Rivers to ‘draw near’ to God, not be driven away”
the “Lord & Holy Spirit to blow through this region harder than the cyclone”

One pastor said: “Main prayer point is against anxiety. Many in our community have succumbed to fear. Bad memories. Several homes of our church members were severely damaged during the last flood. Encouraging the church to look to Him who holds the winds and the waters in His hands (Matt 8:23-27)".

We will keep you updated with any additional prayer points and ways you can assist as the situation develops. Your continued support and prayers are greatly appreciated during this challenging time. Thank you for standing with the people of the Northern Rivers."

An Encouraging Elder Editorial from Barbara Higgins

Lives Changed By Jesus

Mathew 19:16-20:16

The rich young ruler turned away from Jesus because he was unwilling to give up his wealth. The disciples were astonished and asked “then who can be saved?” Peter reminded Jesus the disciples had given up everything to follow Him.

Jesus shares the parable of the labourers in the vineyard to explain the kingdom of heaven.

As was the custom of the day workers stood around town hoping for a days’ work. A landowner went out to employ day workers at a fair wage. He employed workers at the beginning of the day, he employed more workers every few hours, with the last workers employed an hour before finishing time.

He called all the workers to stand in line to be paid starting from those last to be called to the first to arrive. They were astonished when they were all offered the same pay. Those who had worked longer expected to get better wages.

The parable finishes with Jesus saying the last shall be first and the first shall be last.

We are all welcome into the Kingdom of heaven. Our entry into the kingdom is all about faith in Jesus. It’s not about who was first or who was last. It’s about what Jesus did on the cross. It’s about God’s grace. It’s not about who we are but about who God is!

2025.

I hear Wedding bells ...

Please be in prayer for Tim Jones and Rachel Franklin as they get married this Saturday. May God bless and unite you both as you walk through life together.

Congregational Prayer Requests

* For those being baptised at the Baptism Service on March 16 - pray for courage as they take their next faithful step, for removal of any anxiety and fear will be overcome by God's perfect peace.

* Please pray for GBC folk in physical, mental and emotional pain. For those who are in hospital, undergoing surgery, medical tests, treatment. For those who are lonely, grieving the loss of a loved one.

* Pray for the adult son of a couple in our congregation who is currently in hospital after suffering bleeding on the brain from a tumour. Pray for his wife, child and their extended family.

* 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. May our hearts be open and turned towards God as we prepare to hear from and through The Word this Sunday - may His word be a lamp for our feet, a light on our path. (Psalm 119:105)

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 | 7 March 2025