May, which is always a full month for us, has been exceptionally full this year. So much so that Roxane has proposed renaming it May-hem! This coming Sunday is the third week of May Mission Month and we’ll be hearing from the third of our partners: TearFund Australia. It’s also the third week of Encounter and we’ll be exploring the surprising and unexpected encounter with Jesus. And after the service we have an extraordinary members’ meeting to pass a resolution to proceed with the renovation of our offices and children’s ministry spaces. If you are a member you will have received an email appeal to priorities attendance at this meeting – not because it’s controversial, but because it’s not! I am very confident, given the response so far, that the resolution will be passed, but because it involves capital expenditure we require a higher quorum than a normal meeting - 106 members. You can attend onsite or online (The Zoom link for the meeting is: https://zoom.us/j/687168471) but please do attend! It’s another full Sunday and I am excited about what we will hear and experience together!

See you Sunday!

Preacher: Marc Rader (Senior Pastor) Encounter Series: The Storm Luke 8:22-25

May Mission Month Focus: TearFund Faith & Family Wellbeing program through Nungalinya College in the Northern Territory. 

Special this Sunday: Extraordinary Meeting regarding Building Renovations 11:15-11:45am

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

18 May - MMM Focus: TearFund 

18 May - GBC Extraordinary Meeting - Building Renovations

20-22 May - National Baptist Senior Pastors Gathering hosted by GBC

31 May - Men's Breakfast

8 June - Donations close for MMM

Notice is hereby given of GBC Extraordinary Meeting to take place at GBC on 18 May 2025 at 11:15am-11:45am. Onsite and online via zoom.

In accordance with the requirements of the Baptist Property Trust of NSW:

1) The Resolution has been affixed to the wall of GBC Lounge alongside the proposed renovation plans; and

2) The Resolution (or extract thereof) will be read by Marc Rader from the platform at this Sunday's Service

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

As this resolution involves a significant expenditure of capital (even though the monies are available in the Property Trust), we require a one-third quorum at this meeting to pass the resolution - this means 106 members! Please do make yourself available for this 30 minute meeting as we want to move towards a safer environment for our children and greater stewardship of our facilities. 

Got Questions? 39 questions were raised from the GBC community and answered at the Forum. You can view the recording of the meeting by following the link below (and entering the password found in the document).

You can join the meeting via zoom using this link: https://zoom.us/j/687168471

This Sunday we're hearing from TearFund who partner with Nungalinya College in the Northern Territory with a program called Faith and Family Wellbeing. We're delighted to welcome Sam Fagan, TearFund's NSW Representative and will see an update video from the College and an interview with Sam. 

VISIT THE MMM PAGE ON GBC'S WEBSITE:

For information about Partner Organisations, videos, prayer points and Ways to Give, click the button below. 

Thanks to all who bought cakes (and even paid a little extra!) last week at our May Mission Month Cake Stall.  It was great to see so many contributions and wonderful for our kids ministry to be a part of serving and engaging in mission.

Kidzone is also collecting 10c Return and Earn bottles & cans for May Mission Month and they would love all donations to help the cause. Bring in your clean cans & bottles and place them in the purple bin near the breezeway.

Gymea Tech High School are hosting selective and opportunity class testing on Sunday 18 and 25 May. While we don't expect parents to use the church carpark, and have arrangements in place to ensure it's available for the congregation, we recommend arriving early to avoid parking difficulties.  Parking is difficult at the best of times, and we thank you for your patience and willingness to arrive a little early, park a little distance away, walk a little further (or drive a little car!!)

It is wonderful that we have the opportunity to host the National Baptist Senior Pastors' Gathering next week to bless Baptist ministers across Australia.  We'd love one or two more people for the following times to help ensure the gathering runs smoothly.  

Tuesday - 5:00pm - 9:00pm (Helping to serve dinner and reset for the next day)

Wednesday - 1:30pm - 3:00pm (Prep food for Thursday & reset)

Thursday - 9:30am - 2:00pm (Set up/clean up morning tea & lunch)

We'd also still love to have any baked items to bless the attendees for morning and afternoon teas.  These can be dropped on Tuesday morning or if baked fresh each day, drop at 9:30am on Wednesday or Thursday.

If you would be willing to help, please get in contact with Marjy ASAP at marjy.robertson@gymeabaptist.org.au Thanks!

From Little Things, Big Things grow.  It's amazing the impact that a few tins of tuna or a box of washing powder can have.  Consider popping a little extra in your trolley this week and bringing it along to Hopedrive, so Hopefield can bless families and individuals in need in our community. 

COMBINED CHURCHES EVENT FOR YOUNG ADULTS (18-29) IN SOUTHERN SYDNEY

After the incredible launch event in November, 360 Faith is back with the second event in southern Sydney on 31 May. This time we’re starting at 4pm, which means more sessions, more food, more hanging out… more everything!

The theme for SSY25 is “Together: the hope of Christian community in a messy world”. Did you know young adults have the highest rate of loneliness of any age group? A recent study found 75% of Gen Z in Australia often or sometimes feel lonely!

What’s going on? And more importantly, what can we do about it? The good news is, Christians have been given both the mission and the power to be community-builders… in our workplaces, neighbourhoods, and churches.

This event will be held at Inaburra School in Bangor. Tickets are $39, which includes $25 food and drink credit to use at one of our incredible food trucks - Shorty’s Burgers and Satay Brothers (GF and DF options available) – plus a drink. Also, the first 100 people to register will get a free ice cream on the night!

Follow on Instagram (360faithau) for all the latest event info and updates.

Men's Breakfast featuring food & coffee.  Come and hear guest speaker and author Steve Hatton, a local who discovered the importance of forgiveness and experienced the healing power of God.  Steve will be sharing his story and also have his book available to purchase. 

MEN’S LUNCH, Wednesday 28th May at Donald Robinson Village (DRV), meeting at 12-15 for a 12-30 start. All men are invited to attend.

Guest Speakers this month will be Tim Beilharz, Children’s Minister at Soul Revival Church, Kirrawee.

Cost for lunch is $19-00.  Please book with Arthur Watterson on 8539 7990, or Ian Scarfe on 0439 914 957 by Tuesday 20th May. Please note early booking deadline.    (Last minute cancellations must be paid for)

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.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and annoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:13-14

* Continue to pray for the Drury family as they navigate post-hospital life and ongoing chemo and radio therapy.

* Continue to pray for Karen Watkins, thanking God she is now home and recovering from neurosurgery.

* Pray for all who are sick in our community faith.

*Pray for the National Baptist Senior Pastors Gathering next week that GBC are hosting, in the midst of a busy May Mission Month. For all the Pastors coming from across Australia, that God would use this event in a mighty way for His kingdom.

* Pray for the Encounter series, particularly as new people join LifeGroups, that they'd feel 'part of the family' very soon. Particularly pray for those who are interested in faith, Jesus or 'church adjacent' that they would find out more about Jesus. 

* Pray for MMM that we would be a church that is Others-Focussed, Big-Hearted and reflect God's love for the world in how we give to His work in the world. Pray that more people would give, that targets would be reached and that our normal offerings do not decrease.