In this very short week I had the privilege of participating in the Australasian Academy of Homiletics 14^th Biennial Gathering. This is a very grand name for the relatively small group of people across Australia and New Zealand who teach preaching (“homiletics” is the study of preaching). It is a group that I have been a part of for well over a decade and is a chance to catch up with colleagues from a wide variety of traditions and denominations who share my interest (and occupation) of teaching the next generation of preachers. All of these colleagues are multi-disciplinarians – they teach preaching plus something else. This brings a unique and eclectic flavour to Australasian preaching that I have come to really appreciate and enjoy. This eclecticism was on full display this week as we had presentations on AI and preaching, preaching and personality (especially Myers-Briggs), a reflection on Jonah 2 and methodology, preaching evangelistically to those who are spiritual but not religious, a PhD paper on Baptist preaching in Queensland, and some National Church Life Survey data on preaching. It was fascinating.

And so, I was once again grateful for the willingness of GBC to release me (and Karen – whose help in pulling together the gathering was very significant) to be a part of these sorts of events. It reflects a generosity that is sometimes a bit hard to describe, but it fills me up, inspires my ministry, sharpens my skills, and therefore equips me to better respond to God’s invitation to join in his mission – on Sundays, in the classroom, and with other colleagues. So, thank you!

See you Sunday (though I don’t think you’ll notice any significant change in my preaching after the conference!).

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor

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

6:00pm - Same Message as in AM. Communion.

NEXT SUNDAY:

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

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

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 Renos

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 Returns this Sunday 27 April. Submit your question to Marc Rader via slido or upvote other people's questions. Marc will answer the top 3 questions raised from Sunday's sermon in this week's podcast].

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.

An A3 copy of the proposed renovation plans and existing plans are on display on the wall near the check in/coffee machine area.

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.

Join us for our next dinner (Tonight at 7pm) at Como Pub. 

A low-key informal and fun evening as we catch up with other ladies from GBC.

If you're putting off going because you didn't RSVP - It's totally okay to be a walk-in; we'd love to have your company.

The dinners occur on a monthly basis at a different venue each month. For more information speak with Chris Moffat or join the "GBC Women's Dinners" Facebook group.

You are invited to join us for a short but effective time of “zoom” prayer Thursday at 7:30pm. A 30 minute guided prayer led by one of our wonderful GBC Elders. You can join in using this link JOIN PRAYER ZOOM or using the Meeting ID: 919 1693 5880 Passcode: f603j2. We look forward to spending this time together in prayer.

Come and join us for our next Embrace Ladies Luncheon on Monday 12th May in GBC Atrium from 11.30am to 2.00pm.

Bring your friends and those from the community to hear our guest speaker Sue Chin who is a Clinical Counsellor with Hopefield. Sue will be speaking on “How to help those who have experienced trauma”. (Please note that this may involve discussion around issues of domestic violence.)

We also have Heather Druce, one of GBC’s frontline workers, updating us on her work.

Registration: $15 for lunch.

Register on-line (click link below) or in person - see Janine after the AM service at the tall table near coffee machine.

RSVP by Wednesday 7th May.

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.

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)

Scripture Reading: John 15:13 (NIV)
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."

On ANZAC Day, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of the men and women who served—and continue to serve—our nation in times of war and peacekeeping. From Gallipoli to the present day, countless Australians and New Zealanders have laid down their lives for the sake of others, defending freedom, peace, and justice.

Jesus’ words in John 15:13 remind us that the greatest form of love is sacrificial—laying down one’s life for friends. This is exactly what we commemorate tomorrow (25 April). While many ANZACs may not have seen themselves as heroes, their actions echo Christ’s own example of self-giving love.

Let us honour their memory with gratitude in our hearts and renewed commitment to peace. Let their legacy inspire us to live lives of service, compassion, and courage.

Let us also remember the families who bore the cost of war at home, and pray for all veterans living with its aftermath.

In Christ, we find both comfort and hope, knowing that no sacrifice is ever forgotten by God.

Lest we forget

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 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.