Hi GBC Family,

As we come to the end of June, I wanted to take a moment to update you on a few things and offer a word of encouragement.

Firstly, Marc Rader, our Senior Pastor has been away this week in Western Australia, for Morling Theological College; preaching at a local church, leading a preacher’s workshop, and teaching a preaching intensive. We’re grateful for the ways God has gifted him in preaching (among other things!) and thankful that he willingly shares that with others to build up the church.

This Sunday marks the end of our Encounter teaching series, and what a journey it’s been. We’ve explored how people in the gospels were changed through their encounters with Jesus—and I hope it’s stirred something in you, too. Whether it’s been comfort, challenge, or a renewed desire to draw near to Christ, my prayer is that these stories have reminded you just how available Jesus is to each of us.

This Sunday is also our Mid Year Meeting - a reporting meeting where we'll hear the 'State of the Union' - and get updates on how the church is going.

Immediately following the Mid Year Meeting is our Extraordinary Members Meeting for the purpose of calling a Pastor for Community Engagement.  I strongly encourage you to attend both meetings, either in person after the morning service, or by joining the Zoom livestream. We require a quorum of 97 members in order to call a Pastor. The Nominating Committee have worked hard to interview the candidates and they are excited and encouraged to present a name and introduce their chosen candidate to you, so we collectively may discern God's call for a new Associate Pastor at GBC.

There's a lot happening! As we step into the next season together, I want to encourage you to keep leaning in. Faith isn’t always a sprint—it’s often more like a long, faithful walk. Some days feel full of purpose and joy; others feel like a slog. But our God walks with us in it all. In Galatians 6:9 we’re reminded:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Let’s keep showing up for one another. Let’s keep being the kind of community that listens, prays, serves, and hopes together as we trust our Good and Gracious God, who never wearies of doing good.

With grace, Roxane

Preacher: Marc Rader Encounter Series: Redemption (John 20:11-18)

1:30-3:30pm: HopeDrive

6pm Service: Dinner afterward the service - $7.50 all welcome 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

29th June: 11:30am Mid Year Meeting and immediately following Extraordinary Members Meeting for the appointment of an Associate Pastor for Community Engagement

29th June: Final Encounter Series Sermon

6th July: Welcoming Special Guest from Lebanon, Wissam Nasralla of Thimar as we celebrate 10 years of partnership with Baptist World Aid in Lebanon through Merath (Syria Assist).

MID YEAR MEETING for members and guests starts at 11:30am on Sunday 29th June. This will be both onsite and via Zoom.

Immediately following this meeting, an EXTRAORDINARY MEMBERS MEETING will occur, for the purposes of appointing an Associate Pastor for Community Engagement.

We strongly encourage all members to attend these meetings.

A BBQ sausage sizzle will be held after the 9:30am service, before the meeting starts at 11:30am.

A movie and light supervision will be available for kids.

JOIN ZOOM HERE ! https://zoom.us/j/687168471

With the cold weather and increasing needs in our community, the HopeDrive Pantry is in huge need this month. Let's dig deep and give generously to help families and individuals experience kindness and dignity and a practical helping hand. 

HopeDrive is always the last Sunday of the month - donations can be brought in during the week or on Sundays, or use our Drive-Thru Drop Off from 1:30 - 3:30pm. Every donation matters.

The thief on the cross. (Mark  10:35-40)

I’m sure that you like me pray constantly for friends and  loved ones to come to faith – especially  our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and on and on.

Sometimes their lives are interrupted and death comes unexpectedly and we are left wondering about their relationship with God.  Did they have one or not?

My go- to passage is always the thief on the cross. The experience of the thief is a perfect illustration of the biblical truth that salvation is a gift of God’s grace that we receive through faith and not by works ( Ephesians 2:8–9)

The story of the repentant thief also shows us that no sin is too extreme to be forgiven,there is hope for everyone, The repentant thief believed in Jesus Christ in his last minutes. This is proof that God will show grace and forgive the sins of all those who believe in Him, even in their dying breaths.

However putting off coming to Jesus is not a good way to live.

https://openthebible.org/article/a-prayer-for-forgiveness/

Barb Higgins, Elder

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.

* Request for Housesitting (and Dog Sitting!) The Grice Family are looking for a responsible Young Adult (or not so young adult) to housesit and mind their dog during the school holidays. Dates are from 5th-13th July and the house is very close to Jannali train station. Contact the church office for more information. 

* Continue to pray for the Drury family and for Karen Watkins as both recover from major neurosurgery. 

* We are sorry and sad to say that Arthur Watterson passed away last Sunday. He was a long standing member of GBC, and the eldest member of the Prayer team and always encouraging and supportive. Our Elder Derek was able to visit him in hospital just prior to his passing.  Please pray for his family at this time. He was a good and faithful servant of our Lord Jesus. Now in eternal rest .

* Dorothy Williams, another GBC veteran, wife of photographer Ramon, is in hospital. Pray for her care and appropriate treatment as well as her husband Ramon. 

If you have something for Family News, contact office@gymeabaptist.org.au or call on 9521 4611. 

Hopefield has the need for a good quality men’s pushbike and an aged care seat walker for a couple of clients in need. Please email photos to admin@hopefield.org.au or call the office on 9545 0299

HOPEFIELD'S EVE PROJECT FUNDRAISING

As the end of financial year approaches, we’re inviting you to be part of something powerful - the continued growth of The EVE Project.

For women who have experienced abuse and trauma, The EVE Project is more than a program it’s a lifeline. It offers a path toward healing, rebuilding, and rediscovering purpose and community connection.

One participant shared recently

This is what your support makes possible. To those who have already given - thank you. Your generosity is already changing lives and helping women find the strength and support they deserve. As we look ahead to our August 2025 intake, Hopefield is committed to reaching even more women, but we need your help to do it. We’re aiming to raise $35,000 by June 30 to make it possible for more women to participate in this 12 month program. Just $200 enables one woman to participate weekly at no cost to herself Your tax-deductible gift helps fund 1:1 coaching sessions, psychoeducation and life skills workshops together with complementary therapy sessions as part of the 12-month program, providing practical tools that create real, lasting change in the lives of women. Read more about the Eve Project here Please stand with us. Let’s empower women to take their next courageous steps. Thank you, Vicki Sherry CEO